Hi all,
Since there were at least 10 GCAers playing Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland last Saturday, I thought it might be a good time to have a little discussion on the course. I hope everyone had a great time. I have played the course several dozen times and think it has some very interesting holes. It also has some “almost” holes, where the architect’s intent is undermined by bailout areas he did not consider off the tee (right on #10, left on #17 to name two). Certainly not a minimalist course (it would be very flat!), but fun nonetheless. Here are a couple of holes I particularly enjoy:
Hole #2 – 374/350 – par 4A centerline bunker on the second hole makes for interesting choices off the tee. Shorter, accurate hitters may choose the left side, although a water hazard will doom a hooked ball. Longer hitters may be able to carry the bunker, depending on the wind (in your face on this hole).
From the tee (sorry for the poor quality photos):
Hole #4 – 446/421 – par 4This bunkerless hole plays downwind and slightly downhill. A draw down the left side leaves a surprisingly short second shot. However, a back left pin (as seen on Saturday) is much easier to access from the right side. Missing the green left will leave a VERY difficult up-and-down.
The green (taken from
www.playmetro.com):
Hole #10 – 538/511 – par 5Almost a great hole. The diagonal carry off the tee doesn’t quite work because there is a bailout area to the right. I usually aim for this area if the wind is too strong to carry the bunkers.
Tee shot:
The layup shot provides for many options that depend on the day’s pin placement. If the pin is in the left depression (as it was on Saturday), a layup 120-140 yards away, just short of the hazard, gives you the best angle to the green. If the pin is on the right side, you might hit a longer layup shot to the right of the hazard, taking it out of play for your third. Yardage markers won’t help you here, you have to judge all the layup distances yourself. I’m always surprised by how many people hit woods down the right side, not realizing that they could be just as close to the hole with a well-placed 8-iron.
The green, with three distinct tiers:
The 5th and 6th holes are my least favorite. The 5th is a 166/144-yard par 3 that often plays downwind, yet a slope at the front of the green prevents a run-up shot. The 6th hole is a par 5 with water hazards on both sides off the tee. The green is actually one of my favorites on the course, but the tee shot is not fun at all (especially with those ugly ball-eating bushes on the left).
I’d love to hear others’ thoughts on the course from an architectural standpoint.