I recently played a par 5 with an interesting configuration.
The hole is relatively short, plays uphill but usually with a prevailing wind.
The hole can be reached in two.
But, the fairway in the DZ cants right to left.
On the left side of the DZ, in the rough and fairway, is a significant fairway bunker.
The bunker gets fed by the surrounding fairway.
The bunker is relatively deep with a high berm face.
If the golfer uses a driver the bunker is clearly in play.
If the golfer uses less than a driver, the bunker isn't in play for most good golfers.
Balls hit into the bunker can't be advanced very far.
However, they can be advanced far enough to bring the green into play for the third shot, if the golfer is fortunate enough to have his ball in the middle of the fairly narrow bunker.
I've seen MANY bunker shots hit the face of the bunker or berm, leaving the ball in the bunker or steep face of the berm.
Drives hit into the bunker can make 5, but, more often then not, scores of 6 and more are the norm.
The fairway is fairly wide, at least 40 yards.
So, do you challenge the bunker in hopes of getting home in two, or, do you lay back, taking the bunker out of play, but, in doing so, removing getting home in two as a possibility ?
In addition, as the hole progresses to the green the fairway gets narrower and the uphill lies more treacherous.
The rough is very difficult
It's a good risk reward hole.
Yet, I've never seen one golfer lay back with their drives.
Perhaps because most/all of the rounds I've witnessed were at match play.
At Medal play, the bunker becomes even more threatening.
How many par 5's have that configuration and risk reward off the tee and for the second shot ?