Tom,
An old friend of mine, Joe McBride, an exceptional golfer and a great guy, showed me dozens and dozens of ways to play shots at NGLA. Shots that you wouldn't think of in the normal course of play.
I think that unique quality ties into something that Rees Jones told me years ago.
He said that everytime he visits NGLA he picks up new subtleties in the architecture.
When I combine what Joe McBride showed me with what Rees told me it seems to indicate that repeat play/local knowledge can be huge factors in navigating yourself around the golf course.
I deliberately asked Chip Gaskins how he would play a little approach shot into # 2 when the hole is located near the front of the green.
When conditions are firm and fast, and they can get really firm and fast at NGLA, and when the wind is up, knowing how to play a variety of shots into those greens, or recovering to those greens can present a far more difficult challenge than meets the eye.
I've watched golfers try to use the downslope on their approach into # 2.
I've seen them try to bump and run the shot.
Often, it hits the downslope and takes off, either over the green or to the back of the green leaving them a long putt.
I've seen guys hit a little flop wedge short of the green, hoping to bounce it on, close to the front hole location.
The look on their face, and the words from their mouths are interesting, when they see their ball come to a dead stop, because an almost imperceptible upslope rises out of the valley made by the downslope and front of the green.
That type of subtlety goes unnoticed unless you've experienced or witnessed those shots and the results.
There are so many greens, like # 7, # 12, # 15 and others that can frustrate the unknowing golfer with his approach and recovery shots.
Joe McBride used to drive opponents crazy with his dazzling, unique play.
One story revolves around a golfer who became a PGA Tour player.
He was a great player, almost having won the U.S. Open.
He was long, hit great irons and had a great touch. He would outdrive Joe by substantial distances.
You don't make and stay on the PGA Tour by not being a great player.
Joe killed him at NGLA and Joe was not a young man, but, he was a very good player and knew all the nuances of NGLA.
As I said, he showed me shots I never would have thought of, but, they worked amazingly well at NGLA.
As I think about it, like Seminole, I think you have to stay away from the perimeters of the greens at NGLA, but, when the holes are located close to the perimeter, it presents a real dilema for the golfer.