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Coral_Ridge

Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« on: February 06, 2002, 04:36:06 PM »
First of all, I am not particularly a fan of blind shots of any kind.  But they do exist.  As I was reading a review of a golf course somewhere I got to thinking, I have played one par-3 that had a blind shot to the green.  I could not think of another.  For some of the posters here who have played more courses than I, and also some of the best in the world, is this an occasional occurrance or not?  

The golf course I am refering to is Stoner Creek CC in Paris, Kentucky.  A very interesting 9 hole golf course designed by Charles R. "Buck" Blankenship (according to "The Golf Course".  I have to say that it was a fun golf course to play while I was quite young.  My grandfather was a member.  The blind par -3 in question was the first hole and uphill.  At the top of the hill, the green was set over a ridge/rise in a punchbowl setting.  The green was flat.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Peter Galea

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2002, 04:50:24 PM »
The 2nd hole at Wyantenuk CC (Charles Banks) in Great Barrington, Mass is blind. It plays 240 yards over a slight rise. A directional flag is used and the green sits flat on the fairway sloping away from the tee. I only toured the course so cannot tell you how it plays. It is the subject of intense debate between local superintendents.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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"chief sherpa"

Craig_Rokke

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2002, 05:14:09 PM »
Three public ones in Eastern PA are at Galen Hall (Findlay)
Walnut Lane (Findlay) and Pocono Manor East (Ross).
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Stan Dodd

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2002, 05:15:57 PM »
#15 at Cruden Bay -Blind dog leg over the edge of a dune.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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ChipOat

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2002, 05:30:23 PM »
While I'm not a fan of blind shots at all, I particularly don't like them on par 3's.  To me, part of the appeal of ANY approach to a green is both the visual impact of the hole and the ensuing satisfaction/dismay at seeing the result of your stroke.  On a par 3, you only get 1 full swing!

I really really don't like them when there's no intervening aim point and you have to use a distant tree, cloud, etc. for direction.  At least the Himalayas hole at Prestwick (#5??) has a marker on the hill between the tee and the green.

Finally, I absolutely don't like blind shot par 3's that are uphill.
When all you can see from the tee for the only full swing on the hole is the top half of the flagstick (or less) - what a bore!  I don't care how much scenic Pine Valley-like vegetation or Cypress Point-type dunes might be visible.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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corey miller

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #5 on: February 06, 2002, 05:59:44 PM »
the eighth hole at Maidstone in mostly blind. there are pictures on this site.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Patrick_Mucci

Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2002, 06:39:07 PM »
Corey Miller,

I think the extra long flagstick and glimpse of the left side gives you a little idea of the pins location, so perhaps semi-or partially blind might apply to that hole.

The second par 3 at Spanish Bay used to be blind, save for the top of the flag.  One never knew where the hazards began or ended.  I had heard that this feature had been corrected.

Prestwick has a totally blind par 3 to match its totally blind par 4.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Jeff Ellison

Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2002, 07:02:52 PM »
One of the more famous blind par 3's is 'The Dell', Lahinch's #6.  152 yards over a 30' high dune with another 30' dune behind.  On the left, the green is only 6 paces deep and a little over twice that on the right.  You can bail right but a 4 is about the best you will do.  The dunes are covered with wild grasses and only the lucky golfer will see his ball roll off.  I've even seen a pitch from the top of the dune fail to bounce down.

This is a love it or hate it kind of hole but it was worth 18 hours in an airplane just to play it.   I wonder how many holes like this could be built today?
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TEPaul

Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2002, 07:08:44 PM »
Royal County Down's #7 is basically totally blind. You know it's right there but it's still totally blind from the tee. I guess if you were 6' 8" it might not be totally blind but I'm not that.

Inniscrone's #5 is totally blind from the tips and straight downhill--big elevation change for a 100yd hole! Friar's Head's #10 must be a good 85% blind with only a tiny bit of the right of the green visible off to the side of one of the more unusual and dramatic natural features you ever saw! It's probably a bit downhill too.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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John Foley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2002, 07:19:06 PM »
A blind shot is only blind once. Next time the use your immagination offers a great strategic test to all level of golfers. Especially on a par 3 . If you've played it once, you can remember the green, the hole dares you to pull off the shot w/ the image in mind. I've played Pocono Manor East and Stonebrook (?) northwest of Scranton and both par 3's (downhill & uphill respectively) w/ blind shots and thought both were fair and strategic.

Dick Daley - How much is #9 at Wildhorse uphill and is a leftside pin blind from the tee. I think it is and that would be another great (semi) blind par 3.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Integrity in the moment of choice

SPDB1

Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2002, 07:34:23 PM »
Chip - You must hate the 9th at Meadow Brook.
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John_Conley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2002, 07:52:54 PM »
And all you can see on #16 at Cruden Bay is the TOP of the flagstick!!

I must add #2 at the Diamond Players Club - Clermont down here.  I've never seen a hole like it.  A drop shot par 3, the back tee is 250 and the bulge of the downhill is what makes it so you can't see the green.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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TEPaul

Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2002, 08:10:13 PM »
Lots of blind uphill par 3s. Philly Country's #15 a real uphiller of about 225 now, sort of reverse redanish. Whitemarsh Valley's #16, severely uphill to a blind surface and that little thing stuck in the corner of one of Hershey's courses about an 8-9 iron and so uphill you think you have to put more loft on a high 9 iron--if that doesn't upset you the walk up the hill will. Believe Misquamicut's #12 is about totally blind across a berm about 150.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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corey miller

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #13 on: February 06, 2002, 08:10:30 PM »
the eighth hole at Maidstone in mostly blind. there are pictures on this site.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Mike_Cirba

Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #14 on: February 06, 2002, 08:56:01 PM »
A blind par three is surely one of the most exciting shots in golf.  Craig Rokke and the Miller brothers have named several of the most fun ones I've played, and Findlay also built others at little known courses I've played.

In modern times, Jim Blaukovitch built one at Stone Hedge near Scranton PA, which is a course I'd recommend seeing.
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Dan Grossman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #15 on: February 06, 2002, 11:23:04 PM »
While the "Dell" at Lahinch is blind, there isn't much skill to that shot.  It is a matter of hitting at the white rock and letting the ball bounce around the dune.  Its fun, no doubt, but a little frustrating.  However, the 15th at Cruden Bay is really great.  It takes a well struck shot to find the green.  Fun and skillful.

TEPaul - I don't like to argue with "Doyen" members, but I am looking at a picture that I took of #7 at RCD and I can see the entire green.   I'm confused?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Dan Grossman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #16 on: February 07, 2002, 12:19:21 AM »
TEPaul -

I apologize - you are absolutely right.  I was looking at my picture of #4.  I was really jetlagged when I played RCD....
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Paul Richards

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #17 on: February 07, 2002, 03:39:04 AM »
There was a blind par 3 at the Evergreen GC in Chicago that
kids used to hide up near the green on, and when someone
hit a shot near the hole, the kids would scramble and toss
the ball in the hole, and then run back to the bushes and
hide! :o

Many people got really excited over hole-in-ones they
thought they had made!! ;D :'( >:( :D
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"Something has to change, otherwise the never-ending arms race that benefits only a few manufacturers will continue to lead to longer courses, narrower fairways, smaller greens, more rough, more expensive rounds, and other mechanisms that will leave golf's future in doubt." -  TFOG

TEPaul

Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #18 on: February 07, 2002, 07:22:58 AM »
Dan G:

It's never a good idea to argue with Doyens--even if you are jetlagged! Doyens never make mistakes and even when they do, they don't!
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BillV

Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #19 on: February 07, 2002, 07:29:56 AM »
I love these kinds of holes.  It's not like they are usually a full 2-iron, either.

Inniscrone 5, Maidstone 8, Philmont North #3. 3 terrible holes, I suppose.

Tom Paul, since a Doyen is infallible, the next level must be GCA Pope!  KEEP POSTING!  KEEP POSTING!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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THuckaby2

Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #20 on: February 07, 2002, 07:38:31 AM »
Papacy requires 3/4 majority vote from the College of Doyens.  The Venerable Paul has the votes now, but the election doesn't occur till his 1000th post.  The Doyens are preparing to gather next week.

And as for infallibity of Doyens, look who is one.  This obviously can't be correct.

TH
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Dan Kelly

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #21 on: February 07, 2002, 08:08:15 AM »
Tom IV (good name for a future Pope, eh?) --

We'll be watching for that puff of white smoke -- symbolic of the fact that (a) the College of Doyens has elected Pope Tom I (or maybe Pope Paul I, or even -- in the mode of recent Roman Catholic popes -- Pope Tom Paul I); or (b) some higher-up at Clorox has stumbled across your secret life.

 :o
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"There's no money in doing less." -- Joe Hancock, 11/25/2010
"Rankings are silly and subjective..." -- Tom Doak, 3/12/2016

SPDB

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #22 on: February 07, 2002, 08:14:48 AM »
Is there any connection between Tom H's doyenhood and CLX 20% drop in profit? Can't be the economy since CLX makes recession-proof consumer staples.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Dan Kelly

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #23 on: February 07, 2002, 08:17:07 AM »
No one has mentioned the blindest Par-3 I've ever played: No. 4 (or maybe 6) at North Berwick. I can't remember now for sure, but I don't recall that there was even any directional guide of any kind -- just a tee box aimed at a high hill.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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"There's no money in doing less." -- Joe Hancock, 11/25/2010
"Rankings are silly and subjective..." -- Tom Doak, 3/12/2016

THuckaby2

Re: Blind Par-3 Golf Hole
« Reply #24 on: February 07, 2002, 08:22:47 AM »
Watch for the smoke signals, fellows.  It shall be interesting.

But also interesting to me is that we actually recorded our first GOOD quarter in a long, long time coinciding with my doyenhood.  Rich G. would not be surprised by this, given he noted the direct relationship between Clorox results and my participation here long ago (ie the more I'm here, the better we do).

Check out our recent press release for what's going on here, if you care to.  People here are bubbly lately.

TH

http://www.clorox.com/company/news/pr020502.html
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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