I guess what hurt Jim's with me was I had a hard time with what he was asking the golfer to do. Many holes appeared to have multiple paths but upon further investigation, the risk for the challenge wasn't rewarded, therefore I felt that after a golfer played the course, he would realize that it was more one-dimensional than it appeared. Maybe that was his goal, to lead the golfer down the wrong path. It seems that there is a lot of fairway that will end up with very little play - unless someone mishits. 2 and 9 were too similar as were 5 and 11, The range was on a difficult piece and pretty small and some of the circulation green to tee in the SE was problematic - something that should not be on such a huge piece of property. Jim did have a good collection of greensites and I really liked his clubhouse overlooking the 9th and the vista beyond and 14 is one of the best holes of the contest.
Thanks Tim, although I'll have to respectfully disagree with you. I was trying to provide sufficient width and allow for options off the tee, without dictating the line of play. I wasn't trying to lead golfers consistently down the wrong path as much as tempting them with different options, some with obvious reward, some not. I didn't want a course that you could simply overpower w/ length.
2 - Decide to carry the bunker left, right or hang back. Carrying left leaves a good angle to the green. Carrying right but not making it past the bend towards the green leaves an awkward shot. Hanging back leaves a longer, potentially partially blind approach
5 - Agree that it's similar to 11, I tried to rework it after the fact but left it as is. I think it's a better hole from the green tees (no set tees on my course), since going for it is a real decision there. If you don't think you can get there, then there's no reason to get close to the green. There are wild contours short of the green. So laying up, the decision is flat lie short and between the bunkers or take the high road right with a better view and perhaps better angle depending on the pin position.
6 - The risk is being able to hit it through the neck which provides the best angle to attack the green. Provided a bail out area left for the timid, but that leaves a blind approach.
7 - One hole that tempts you into going for it but doesn't reward distance for distance's sake. I think that's the hardest type of hole to build. Laying up to the top of the hill is the best play. Being overly aggressive will lead to a downhill lie to a shallow green.
9 - Reachable par 5 that dares and rewards you for going at it over the esker. Lots of room to bail out but no advantage there -- shallow green and pot bunker from that angle and the esker may still come into play
10 - Not a huge carry right but some unknown there and daring required with carry over bunkers. Advantage if played right is turbo kick around the corner and much shorter approach, even if angle isn't there.
11 - Strong risk-reward hole. Tempt the hazard to get close to the green or bail out with lots of room right.
14 - Agree it's a strong hole. Bite off as much as you dare off blind tee shot
16 - Not a ton of width, just negotiate the hazards, especially with the second shot to try to set up the third.
18 - Significant advantage for carrying the bunkers left. Very tough approach for those who bail right.
As for the range, how big does a range need to be for a members course? Mine is 70 yards wide at the base, 350 yards long and 120 yards wide at the end, with ample room surrounding. Hitting down into a valley with rolling terrain. I'm certain I've seen ranges like this in real life.