It is interesting to see Joe's presentation with some of my old language in there. Upon reflection, I never thought of the two nines as being "unequal". The next three holes coming up are very good, and it is now clear to me that the back nine is superior to the front.
Mike,
What lead you to this conclusion?
Ken
Ken,
The 10th is a great visual hole off the tee with the tee shot focused on Bok Tower in the distance. The further right you go, the more the bunkers and tree line come into play. The second shot can be bounced in but the green is raised so it needs to be firm. The green goes away from the golfer. A great par 4.5 hole.
Next you have "Marion's" halfway house but she retired recently.
11th Redan is just fun to play. Are there better? Yes, but Mountain Lake's is the best I know of in Florida. Also great visuals.
I think the 12th is very underrated and it is NOT an original Raynor green, but the blind shot and the great green make it a tough Par 4, but again it is a fun hole.
Other reasons for preference of the back:
* Par 34, so my score is better
* There are more "All Florida" holes in the back: 10, 11, 12, 18
* The pacing of the holes on the back has great flow (next two holes are dog right, they dog left)
* Holes 4-9 run along the road, so you do hear some part of the outside world on that side.
* 18 is one of my favorite holes to play. Even I can't lose a ball on the width of that fairway.
* Cocktails on the porch above 18.