One of the more demanding challenges is to get a first rate long par-4 designed for higher altitudes so that the challenge is still present for the broadest range of players.
Two, recently opened courses, really stand out for me.
The par-4 3rd at Clear Creek in the greater Tahoe area is the handiwork of C & C. The hole plays to a max of 515 yards but it plunges downhill and turns just enough right to make the player really think hard before launching.
For those who wish to see the hole -- go to the club's Website at clearcreektahoe.com and when you click on the golf dimension you'll see Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw standing on the 3rd tee. The vistas from that spot are awesome indeed.
The hole clearly provides a drop down of 100 or more feet. The turning point in the drive zone dictates whether players wish to hit towards the left center before the turning point of the dog-leg and play a far lengthier approach of roughly 200 or more yards. The further lefty you go the safer the play but the approach becomes even more challenging from that position.
Smartly, C&C have created other options -- but the demands do intensify. The player can cut-off the dog-leg but the carry must be true because the pines at Clear Creek ascend to massive heights. Even if you pull that element off -- the fairway does move slightly to the left and the spacing between the extreme right and left sides does become narrower the deeper you go. Those pulling the shot off can have as little as 125 yards left into the target. The green is also well-contoured but not so rigorously to be goofy or putt-putt oriented.
Strong players will always feel the temptation to cut the corner - but the drive has to be skillfully played with a bit of good fortune to boot.
The other solid slightly downhill long par-4 of note is the 548-yd (no misprint here) 14th hole at Rock Creek in Deer Lodge, MT.
Designed by Tom Doak the hole does drop down a good bit from the teeing area -- and the amt of fairway is enormous -- unfortunately, the space is more illusory than reality. Just as the hole at Clear Creek the further left you go the safer the play -- unfortunately, the approach becomes much, much longer. Doak goes one step further -- should you play down the right side too far there are mounds that can block your view of the putting green which sits out of view for those who err too far on that side. The perfect drive needs to be right center -- long enough to escape the mounds block-out point. The green is also the perfect partner in the overall challenge by being receptive only do the best of approach shots.
In both cases, the high handicapper can play each of the aforementioned holes as a short par-5 hole and likely escape serious harm to ego and scorecard if played with such limitations in mind. The better player is under even more strain -- strong tee shots in both cases can provide a far shorter approach but the risk element clearly demands the highest of execution requirements.
Designing long par-4 at higher elevations is a risky proposition because of the disparity they can provide to different levels of players. The 3rd at CC and the 14th at RC prove what can be done when top tier people use topography in such a creative way.
Curious to know of others who have either played the two holes in question or have other candidates of note.