My dry moat thread, coupled with my recall of the 5th hole at Riviera and the 11th hole at NGLA, got me to thinking, why aren't there more vertical features/hazards/impediments on golf courses ?
Especially on courses where excess dirt or debris need to be carted away ?
The first answer might be because "blindness, or semi-blindness is frowned upon in American architecture.
Yet, some of the greatest holes in American golf have elements of blindness in them.
# 1, # 2, # 3, # 5, # 7, # 8, # 9, # 11, # 14, # 16, # 17 and # 18 at NGLA just to start with.
Some of Prestwick's most famous holes are blind.
Isn't # 1 at Pacific Dunes partially blind to a so-so tee shot ?
What's wrong with creating a partially blind hole where a properly postiioned drive is rewarded with a clear vew and a poor tee shot is presented with an obstructed view ?
It doesn't get more basic than that, does it ?
Hit good shot, be rewared, hit poor shot, be marginally penalized.
What are examples of good holes with blindness as a full or partial feature
The 6th at Old Marsh is blind