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Anthony Gray

The third at Pacific Dunes
« on: January 21, 2012, 04:29:38 PM »


  The caddies want you to play your third shot from around 100 out. They say a closer play that is a low pitch will rum through to the back bunker. Is this the golfers best strategy?

   Anthony


Tim Passalacqua

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The third at Pacific Dunes
« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2012, 04:45:20 PM »
It might depend on the time of year.  The summer time wind is howling in your face on that hole.  I don't think there will be that much of a problem stopping a shot on the green with less than a full swing.  You can probably get it as close as you want to the green in two, but with a strong wind in your face, that will be tough.  I can't comment on winter winds at Bandon, but it sounds like a good idea to lay up to 100 yards, so you can get some spin on the ball downwind.

Will Lozier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The third at Pacific Dunes
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2012, 04:51:31 PM »
Anthony,

That really depends on from where you are playing your second shot which depends on a whole host of variables - the limitations of your player, wind of course, pin placement, etc. etc.  To a back right pin with minimal of the typical wind into you, I would say that 100 yards is a better number than something shorter especially if you are coming in from the right over that huge bunker that you don't want to be in and the two gaps behind the green which, anything scooting long could easily go down leaving a horrid situation - chipping from a who-knows-what-kind-of-lie to a green 5' above you downwind with the front bunker suddenly a real possibility.  

If your player feels comfortable playing a draw into the breeze (or strong wind!) hoping to run it up on the left side where a shorter chip is actually a fairly straightforward shot to any pin with a variety of trajectories and clubs.  My conclusion is that the strategy on this hole - or any quality par-5 hole - goes beyond simply leaving oneself with a good yardage.  For me, the line and likely trajectory would dictate more the strategy on PD #3.  In really fun conditions with the wind up, strategy needs to consider all three - yardage, line, and trajectory.

Cheers

Tom_Doak

  • Karma: +2/-1
Re: The third at Pacific Dunes
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2012, 09:52:50 PM »
Anthony:

It depends on YOUR game.

If the hole is playing downwind, the best place to be is as close to the green as you can get, down the left side.  You just can't fly a pitch onto the green and hold it downwind, and it's tough to land the ball short [on the upslope] and get it to wind up anywhere near where you want it to.

Into the wind, getting to 100 yards makes it easier to judge.  For most people, it takes two pretty good shots into the wind to GET to 100 yards ... it's only a layup for really good players, I think.

Michael George

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The third at Pacific Dunes
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2012, 10:47:05 PM »

I don't know the answer to the question, except to say that you don't want to be deep left or short right .... especially in the same round.  Pretty much a round killer.   :'(
"First come my wife and children.  Next comes my profession--the law. Finally, and never as a life in itself, comes golf" - Bob Jones

Kalen Braley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The third at Pacific Dunes
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2012, 12:52:24 PM »
Anyway you slice it...the 3rd hole is a brute of a par 5.  For mid cappers and higher, the best play just may be to go very safe and layup short and left of the green with the 3rd and try to get it up and down for par.

Long, Right, and short right are so dead....

Michael George

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The third at Pacific Dunes
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2012, 01:23:50 PM »
Kalen:

I think you are right.  The first time I played it, I was short 100 yards on the right of the fairway.  Hit it over to the back left.  Hit it into the front right bunker, finally on green and in for a 7.

Second time, I hit it left of the fairway in an opening about 80 yards out.  Hit on green and 2 putted for par. 

From my experience, you cannot be too far left for your approach on this hole - whether you are 100 yards out or 20 yards out.
"First come my wife and children.  Next comes my profession--the law. Finally, and never as a life in itself, comes golf" - Bob Jones

William_G

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The third at Pacific Dunes
« Reply #7 on: January 22, 2012, 03:40:55 PM »
Kalen:

I think you are right.  The first time I played it, I was short 100 yards on the right of the fairway.  Hit it over to the back left.  Hit it into the front right bunker, finally on green and in for a 7.

Second time, I hit it left of the fairway in an opening about 80 yards out.  Hit on green and 2 putted for par. 

From my experience, you cannot be too far left for your approach on this hole - whether you are 100 yards out or 20 yards out.

no doubt that...left approach is best
It's all about the golf!

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