On a personal note, I was dissapointed that my home course, The Honors Course, lengthened the second hole a couple of years ago.
The old #2 was 524. The drive was semi-blind over a hill and despite a visible bunker on the right, you had to hit the ball 20 yards left of that spot or end up in the rough on the right.
Second shot was either a 7 iron lay up as far left as possible to give yourself a good angle coming down the green or an attempt from 230 or so to go for the narrow green angling away from you.
Over time as technology shortened the hole, I understand it needed a little length to keep the second shot in the 230 range. But, I liked the idea of a shortish Par 5 that gives you a chance to make an early birdie that you need on this difficult course. Of course, going for it and messing up the round with an early double is also a possibility. Beileve me, even early in the round, these thoughts could race through your head (and isn't that a goal of the architect--to get you thinking
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"We" have moved the new back tee to 570. Now it is unreachable by everyone except the longest hitters (yes we "designed" the hole for the NCAAs that come every so often!!) and a VERY BORING hole. For a good player who CAN hit it 290-300 it is now unreachable. The play for that guy is a 3-wood, 5 iron and a wedge.
NO THINKING, NO STRATEGY no debate--just hit these three shots
I can't think of a better example of a reachable par 5 that is now a blah hole.
I would have reccomended pushing the tee back to 540--another 16 yards or so. The more it is reachable by a very good drive from the best 30% versus just the elite 5% I think you put even more pressure on all the good players as they now feel that anything less than a birdie and they have "lost" a stroke (or 1/2 a stroke) to the field.
Lastly, the new tee is elevated so much, you lose some of the blindness that I thought was pretty neat