What's the best use of

[Patrick_Mucci]

Various types of water features in the drive zone ?

A stream ?
A pond ?
A lake ?
An ocean ?

[Jamie Van Gisbergen]

The kind that aren't manufactured...

But the most scenic are natural rivers, large lakes, the ocean, other large bodies of water. But from a strategic point of view, they are all basically the same, although crashing waves or a swift running river can be distracting.

As for individual holes, I can't think of a great use of a stream, 18 at TPC Sawgrass is probably the best use of a pond I can think of right now, lake I am not sure about, I am not sure I've played many courses that were immediately on lakes, Edgewood Tahoe just the other day was, but Tahoe is not in play off the tee on 18 (but on that, what exactly counts as a lake? For these purposes, I personally wouldn't really count Lake Michigan or the other Great Lakes as a "Lake," but thats just personal preference), and Ocean I have to say 18 at Pebble Beach.

[Mark Saltzman]

I like the use of the stream because it has less of an 'all-or-nothing' feeling to it.  Unlike a large hazard, a stream can often be missed on either side, though there is generally a preferred side (think 18 at Quail Hollow). 

One of my favorite holes featuring a stream is 7 at Inverness.  Even though the hole would probably play exactly the same if the stream was a pond, somehow I don't think it would be as interesting.

[Adam Clayman]

Patrick, Since you play there, and I have only seen it on TV, wouldn't the 13th at ANGC be the best use of a riparian, not only in the DZ but tee to green?

Oops, I see an identical thread with the 13th cited. Rose-ann Roseanna-danna,

[Ally Mcintosh]

My own personal favourite is the diagonal use of a stream which if employed well can give four very distinct options...

[Bill_McBride]

My own personal favourite is the diagonal use of a stream which if employed well can give four very distinct options...

You beat me to it Ally.  I am a fan of diagonals,whether a creek or bunkers in echelon.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Ally & Bill,

I was thinking of that, a diagonal water hazard/stream that functions like a cross bunker.

There are a few at Preakness Hills, with the 17th being a true diagonal challenging the golfer off the tee.
I'd like to see the hole mowed differently, but, it allows the golfer to bite off as much as possible, or play safe, or play really safe short of the stream.

PHCC has streams that cross the lines of play on six holes, streams that flank the line of play on seven holes, and ponds that cross the lines of play on.  One hole has two crossing streams, one on the drive and the other fronting and flanking one side of the green.

It's a terrific golf course, one that's sporty, fun to play, day in and day out.

Google Earth it, it's in Wayne, NJ

[mike_malone]

 I think another underutilized feature is the diagonal creek that crosses the whole fairway that you aren't supposed to carry. You need to decide on distance and direction from the tee.

[George Freeman]

I think another underutilized feature is the diagonal creek that crosses the whole fairway that you aren't supposed to carry. You need to decide on distance and direction from the tee.

Mike,

#3 at Flossmoor CC in metro Chicago has a feature similar to what you're explaining.  A creek cuts across the fairway through the landing zone at a diagonal, closer on the right side of the fairway and further away as it moves across to the left side of the fairway.  You can attempt to clear the creek with a good poke aimed at the very far right side of the fairway (or rough even), play down the middle with a bunt driver or something less, or try to thread a driver up the left side of the fairway short of the creek.

Really makes you think at the tee.  The green is such that having a short iron is a big advantage as it sits above the level of the fairway and is pretty treacherous.

[Thomas McQuillan]

My own personal favourite is the diagonal use of a stream which if employed well can give four very distinct options...

This is made even better if the side in which the water is furthest from the tee is the prefered angle into the green. this means that a person laying up on the correct side will have a better angle than someone with a huge ego who tries to carry it just for the sake of carrying it.

[Tim Martin]

will try again

[Tim Martin]

The Orchards has a creek that runs diagonally through the south western portion of the property that affects the tee shot on 1 and 10. The first hole is a par 4 of 413 yards that plays downhill on the tee shot and forces an immediate decision to lay up with a shot of 220 yds or attempt a carry of 240 yds over the creek. The same creek runs diagonally in front of the 176 yard par 3 tenth with a green that slopes severely back to front making the front portion desirable but bringing the creek more into play. The same creek makes the 2nd and or 3rd shots on 9 and 16 which are two great half par holes very much risk reward par fives.