Mike Golden,
Naccarato and I were discussing #4 at Lake Merced the other night over a snifter of fine Mexican Scotch on my front porch.
Many years ago, Bo Links showed me where a tee might be built to the right of the existing tee. I think it would alleviate some of the problems with the geometry of the hole and give the shorter hitter a fighting chance.
The green complex is putrid. A complete train wreck in every single respect. It is contrived, ugly, awkward and has nothing whatsoever to do with the "strategy" of the tee shot. There is just no logic to the sequence of shots. The front bunker is on the wrong side and the bailout to the right looks like something Ron Freem would do as a joke.
I suggest a Punchbowl green and a more severe kickpoint on the right side of the fairway landing area so players don't have to figure out a way to hit a 5 wood off a downhill hanging lie to an elevated green.
I also might blast the 7th green into oblivion a because for a holeof that length, it give only a tiny gap to run the ball between the bunkers. It is indulgent, thoughtless and arrogant to design something like that for a membership like yours.
While I am at it (and you are welcome to tear into our Ocean Course as well), the par-3 15th needs a shoulder on the right side. It is a great Redan waiting to happen. The flatness of the right front portion of the putting surface is a wasted opportunity to create something special.
Jim Michaels:
Do they drug test where you work?
??