What is the best wind at Barnbougle

[David_Elvins]

What is the best wind at Barnbougle for emphasizing the strategic nature and strategic features of the golf course?   

The westerly is the most common but I always had a suspicion that the easterly was more fun. 

I have done a quick ranking of each hole in a variety of winds:



a few notes:

1. cross bunkers more in play when still or slightly into wind, landing area for second shot gets very narrow into decent wind. 

2. The fun green is better when approached with a longer iron.

3. Down wind it is no fun trying to hold this green that slopes away from the golfer.  Into a strong wind the tee shot gets very difficult.

4. This hole plays best when the green is within range from the tee.  Into a 2 club wind it is just in range for the long hitter, down wind, it is still a thrilling shot with a 3 wood. 

5. becomes very scary into the wind.  can be a 200m 8 iron down wind. 

6.  The mound on the right of the drive is an absolutely sensational strategic hazard.  Only really in play into the wind. 

7.  Great hole.  needs wind to put doubt into players mind but a significant down wind makes holding the green impossible.

8. I love this hole into the wind off the forward tee.  hitting a 3 wood into this green from 180 out is a senstational second shot.  Unfortunately from the back tee, the lack of decent lay up options hurt the hole into the wind. 

9.  A better hole when the drive stops on top of the rise.

10. Into the wind is better IMO, brings the FW bunkering into play and the green deservesa shot in longer than half wedge. 

11.  A great 2.5 or 3 shot hole.  Plays as a par 4 down wind though.

12.  the big bunker in front of the green is the best strategic feature on this hole.  Is normally given a wide birth when played into the wind.

13.  A longer lower shot with a bit of control suits this hole IMO. 

14.  not bad as a 2.5 or 3 shotter. 

15.  Great hole in any wind.

16.  Impossible to hit ball on green when down wind.  A shocker

17.  Into a slight wind, this hole is great.  into a stiff wind it is hard to reach the fairway off the tee.

18.  The shot from the top ofthe hill into the green is fantastic.  generally playing slightly into the wind will give thsi shot. 


So what are your thoughts?  Anyone agree or disagree that the east wind at Barnbougle is the best?

What are your experiences of the mostfun and most challenging winds at Barnbougle?

[Andrew Summerell]

That is the most amazing table of stats I’ve ever seen.

Are you lonesome tonight?

[Scott Warren]

Are you lonesome tonight?

That is without doubt the best, most seamless cross-thread reference I have ever seen!

David,

Interesting that a 2CE wind produces the highest average mark, but a 2CW wind produces the most "top scores" (10 v 9 for 2CE).

[Mike_Clayton]

David,

It does play realy well in the east wind - 1 is fun to reach in two, 4 is great when it is just reachable,5 and 6 demand great shots into the wind,8 must be played forward if it is into it,9,10 and 11 are terrific into as are 13 and 14.
I have never found the 16th impossible to hit downwind.

[Matthew Mollica]

I disagree with a few of your assessments David, but no surprise there.
It's an interesting exercise. You're fortunate to have seen the course in various winds.

In all the visits I've made to Bridport, I've never seen an easterly wind.
I've rarely played it in still conditions. Maybe on 2 occasions, for the first 4 holes?

Is 8 a 'good' 5 from the back in that wind? How close can a a drive get to the 15th green?

MM

[Mike_Clayton]

MattM

John Huggan drove it onto 15 - from the back tee - downwind. He also drove 3 and 4 on the same day.

[Jeffrey Stein]

I was hoping to get some strong winds when I played but there was hardly any wind at all.  Still had a blast though!  I had to play 8 as a 3 shotter as it was just slightly into the breeze. 

[Kevin Pallier]

And I get hassled from the Aust. contingent for my lists ? Geez...  

Isn't "the best" wind = any wind (so long as it's not too strong or in the rain) ?