The 2nd at Royal Dornach

[Anthony Gray]

Speaking as a chip and putt merchant no. 2 is by far the hardest since the other two generally present easier recovery shots when I've successfully missed the green like I normally do. I've played any number of holes similar to 10 and several similar to 6 but can't think of any similar to no. 2 with its steep drop off either side and run up in front. All very good holes but no. 2 the pick of the three not only for difficulty but also for its unique design IMHO.

Niall

  +1. There is just no healthy place to miss it.

  Anthony

[Tom Dunne]

Speaking as a chip and putt merchant no. 2 is by far the hardest since the other two generally present easier recovery shots when I've successfully missed the green like I normally do. I've played any number of holes similar to 10 and several similar to 6 but can't think of any similar to no. 2 with its steep drop off either side and run up in front. All very good holes but no. 2 the pick of the three not only for difficulty but also for its unique design IMHO.

Niall

  +1. There is just no healthy place to miss it.

  Anthony

Well, if anything, it's got to be short. David Tepper actually advised me to lay up and try to chip and putt for the 3. It didn't work out for me, but I was happy enough with 4 when I got up to the green site and saw what lay to either side. 2 at Dornoch is no joke.

[Ed Brzezowski]

Sounds like the plan used at Winged Foot on their long par three, number 10?? Lay up and chip on, if I recall.

I just thought the 2nd was a great hole at RD. Well i loved the entire place to be honest.

[Niall C]

DT

Be warned, I won't be laying up so you might want to think about laying up before the green 

Niall

[Steve Salmen]

I believe this is best par 3 I have ever played for the following reasons: the distance is about 165 yards, perfect length.  Large target (granted it's a lot smaller with wind of any direction).  Area to miss your tee shot (short).  Punishing if you miss your tee shot anywhere else (see reasons #1 and #2).

I've been fortunate to have played the hole about 200 times and have hit every club from 2 iron to PW (down wind to a forward hole).  I spent the week in Scottsdale with a scratch player from Dornoch.  I'm going to forward him this thread, have him write his thoughts, and post under my name. 

[Kris Shreiner]

Well the locals often refer to a quote first uttered long ago when asking about the toughest play at RD...." the second....at the second!" That settles it for me. I'll say that personally, I generally play that hole quite well.

I think the toughest recovery of the par threes there is the miss right of #6. It is: steep as all get out, you really can't putt it, VERY tight turf for what amounts to a flop shot recovery, and a chip and run/scamper up the face is difficult to judge, leaving a very real chance you can run over the narrow green into the left bunker, with a thin shot there leaving you right back down the hill to start it all over again! Brutal spot to say the least.

Cheers,
Kris

[Steve Salmen]

This was the response I received from my very good friend, Kevin Matheson from Dornoch.  We spent last week golfing in Arizona when this thread of the 2nd at Royal Dornoch popped up.  I forwarded it to him and this is his response:

Steve,

The hardest thing about the 2nd at RD, is that it is the 2nd hole! If it were the 8th it would not be so hard. Like the other par threes at RD you have to hit a perfect shot, so to have to hit the perfect shot as early as the 2nd tee is tough. If you don't, then you will do very well just to make bogey.  We say to start 4 4 means you’re level, miss the green but make a 3 you think you’re Seve.

Strategies – well, many people often lay up (higher handicaps) when playing in competition as many a card has been wrecked while walking to the 3rd tee. The worst place to miss is left, as the bank is at it's steepest and it’s too soft to play a run shot.  Also, you’re likely to have a bad lie and the green runs away from you.
Missing the green to the right is not as bad because you have the option of putting up the slope. If you do decide to lay up, then it has to be 20 yards short to avoid the run offs.
I have layed up on a couple occasions when the wind has been too hard to have any control of the ball. Course management!

I prefer the pin to be middle or deep because the green is wider. When the pin is at the front, you have to play past the hole, which leaves a very fast putt back to the hole.  If you land your tee shot too short, you will kick into the right or left bunkers, which are as testing as any bunkers you will find in Scotland.

In the 2003 North of Scotland Stroke Play (August) the 2nd green was running at 14 on the Stimp and as hard as the A9.  The green could not be held with a mid iron.

Some of the best stories about the 2nd are from the Carnegie Shield, when during qualifying players have made 14s and 16s.  Their Shield was over in 30 minutes causing a not so enjoyable long trip back to England!

Royal Dornoch and Seminole have the best set of par 3's I have played and the 2nd at Dornoch is right at the top.   I think it's all a par 3 should be.
 
Hope Gil does a better job in Brazil than he did at Crail!