I am utterly baffled you would consider that shot forced in any way shape or form.
You already admited that the tee shot was forced.
If we interpret me saying the tee shot is anything
but forced as 'admitting it is forced', than yes, I have admitted such. Conversely, if we let my words mean something along the normal accepted meanings then no, no such luck.
You have to get sufficient elevation and carry on the drive, and playing left puts you in the left rough, not a desirable location by anyone's reconing.
Wrong on several levels. Believe it or not, playing left is a desirable location for some. I know I intentionally played left into the wind. Was it the garden spot with the absolute best angle into the green? Nope, but it gave me the safest and best way for me to get into the hole in the fewest strokes.
My position isn't based solely on my experiences at TOC.
I relied on James Anderson's views with respect to how to best play the hole and going over the sheds is the prefered line, if you can execute a drive with sufficient height and distance. He indicated that playing left, into the rough is not a viable option. In addition, TOC narrowed their fairways for the last Open making the left rough bigger.
As previously noted, it is not only viable but preferred at times.
Also please note, you said it was 'preferred'. That implies options.
I suppose you could also play down # 2 or back up # 16, down # 2, and over to # 17 if you were so inclined.
Or you could play left and then layup either right of the green or left of the Road Hole Bunker.
You have choices upon choices.
But, none of them are viable, and that's critical
Again, if you mean we should ignore all the options present and just accept your one shot on one particular line as the only viable option then you'd be on to something. But I am shocked you can't see what else is going on both left and right in the context of both good, average and poor players.
I can't think of another course I have played that is actually less forced.
The issue ISN'T the rest of the golf course, it's the DRIVE on
# 17. Please stick to the issue.
Actually, you are wrong about that. The issue was the Road Hole itself. You happened to incorrectly claim the tee shot only had one option and then punted when asked about the variety of shots that follow on the hole. The fact that you declined to stand by your comment surely does not mean this was only about the tee shot. Also, this does seem to be a tendency of late--suddenly changing the subject and trying to call someone on it when they don't pivot with you.
Let's see, he's not good enough to get sufficient height and distance, but this phantom golfer of of yours can now fade and draw the ball at will.
Please, keep the discussion within the realm of reality.
I am not at all sure where you have invented some golfer I said was not good enough to hit over the sheds but can hit controlled draws and fades at will. I never said that--I suspect we had a miscommunication. Or something else?
I am referring to the choice being available, with no comment at all about anyone's particular abilities.
A "choice" is only available if the golfer can execute the shot.
If a golfer can't hit a fade or hook, then those aren't viable options, rather, figments of your imagination.
As we are not speaking of any particular golfer, how are we to know which shots or options are available? Not sure how you arrived there. As we are discussing the hole and not one particular player, it makes sense to see what options generally are available.
Of course, if a golfer is incapable of hitting a draw then a drawing shot is not a viable option for that golfer.
And a draw would end up in the rough only if you start it too far left.
If your golfer can't get the height and distance to get over the sheds, how's he going to hit a draw that starts out over the sheds ? You're contradicting yourself.
I am not sure where you are coming up with all this? I truly do not recall specifically saying anything about one particular golfer who was incapable of carrying the sheds but could hit a draw over the sheds. I was under the impression the hole itself was the issue, and the variety of options were the topic. Either you have badly misinterpretted something I have typed, or I have typed quite badly.
I mentioned that a draw over the sheds is certainly an option, and one that you have incorrectly said would have to end up in thick rough. I am not referring to someone who could not hit the ball high enough to hit over the sheds. That would be kinda silly. I will certainly stick with my contention that a draw over the buildings is a very clear option.
Err, no. You can hit it in the fairway without hitting it over any buildings. Needs a fade but certainly quite doable.
So, your golfer, who can't drive the ball with sufficient height and distance can now hit a fade at will ? You're living in a fantasy world.
'My golfer'? Who is 'my golfer'? Concentrate on the particular shot I mentioned--a fade left of the sheds that can end up in the fairway. That is all. No particular golfer who can or can't hit over the sheds.
I am not sure why you insist on going down the 'my golfer' path. I am mentioning particular shots and options that shows your contention that the Road Hole forces you to play a particular shot was erroneous.
Also, open your mind a bit--a number of people willingly and gladly play left of the fairway as the best option for them at that time.
I don't know any golfers that willingly and gladly drive the ball into deep rough on the left, rough that will leave them in a difficult position to finish the hole.
Sure you do, me. And lots of others. Also, the rough left is often not nearly the impenetrable jungle you keep making it out to be.
What was the lowest handicap you ever maintained ?
Whether it was a 1 or a 18 would have no bearing on this. It happened to be low single digits but that means nothing. Or is the implication that I am not a good enough golfer to understand what shots are available?