Jeff
A very cool one shotter! Who would have thought it possible from a chap who supports the Stars?
This is the hole which made me really look. I love how the lake shapes the hole, but in a way which seems limitless. One question, why didn't you choose to use a bit bigger centreline bunker in what looks to be a decent size dip and just eliminate the left bunker in favour of a grass hollow. I think the focus of attention would have been more drawn to make the carry and enjoy the scenery. Of course, your idea may have been to get guys looking left. Talk to me!
Overall, I think the course looks wonderful. Why hasn't there been more talk about this place? Is it just the MN factor?
Ciao
Sean:
A few comments from Minnesota:
It probably is not possible for a course to have more buzz than Giant's Ridge given its location. It is almost universally considered the best public course in the state. It is, however, a good 3 hour drive from the twin cities and the season is about as short as it gets in the US at lower elevations. One mid may day, I was eating breakfast in Duluth before playing and a significant snowfall hit.
Nonetheless for a combination of value and quality golf, I think a trip that includes both courses at Giant's Ridge, the Wilderness at Fortune Bay and Northland might be the best I have taken.
As to 11: I have always seen it as one of the weaker holes on the course even though I understand why you like the picture. I am a fan of short par threes but have always seen the hole as pretty straightforward. I'll have to pay more attention when I return.
As to 18, one thing not evident from the pictures is that the lake is over a steep cliff and the effect in person is definitely different than the picture. The lake appears pretty remote off the tee.
The inside corner bunker appears very natural (I think it is exposed rock) and is a terrific hazard because a safe tee shot leaves 200 yards from a difficult angle to a green perched at the edge of the cliff. A bailout right off the tee requires you to either carry the cliff with a slope kicking the ball left thereby making a direct attack on the pin unlikely to succeed or (more likely) use some terrific ground contours short and left of the green to run the ball onto the middle. If you challenge the corner, however, you can have a much shorter approach from a much better angle.
The hole forces a ton of decisions and provides terrific views because someone in the group always bails out right off the tee and the green is on the edge of the cliff.
Eighteen is a brilliant finishing hole. The hole is tough, but like all great holes, it provides hope to the player who correctly calculates his ability that day and understands the options that exist. I think the inside corner hazard, the use of the cliff and the slopes around the green are a brilliant combination that force a decision on every shot.
Some people do not like the hole. I think it is because they are surprised by the slopes on and around the green. Often the best approach is aimed left of the hole away from the cliff rather than at the pin. Some well struck agressive approaches wind up bounding away from the pin, where as a low left miss can get close. A resort player needs to play the hole multiple times to understand the fun of this type of challenge.