Round 13
Whistling Straits reprises its 8th hole in shorter form on this mid-length par 4. For the fourth consecutive time, the average player stands on the tee feeling visually intimidated but encouraged by the manageable yardage. The deceptive tee shot gives way to the most stunning approach on the course - a downhill shot to an infinity green set against the edge of Lake Michigan. Whistling Straits has some really spectacular moments, and this may be the one that outshines the rest for me.
Erin Hills 13th falls more in line with what I would call a "transition" hole. Playing across a wetland area, we get a par 3 with plenty of short grass surrounding a green that holds most of the hole's interest. The green falls away on both sides and also has a few swales that can send the aerial shot bounding through the green if the ball lands in the wrong spot. The bunkering concept here is nice, but I feel like the hazards are set just a bit too far from the green.
Lawsonia's 13th makes the short list when I think of best par 5s I've played. A fantastic tee shot over three cavernous bunkers leads to a generous fairway that presents a real conundrum on the second shot. Do you play for the short blind approach, or do you lay back for a long approach with a good look at the green? Factor in one of the most demanding green complexes on the course and you have a hole that gives every player a chance while only rewarding those who execute well. I also love the unique feeling at the green. Surrounded by pines for the only time on the course, it feels briefly like you've left into a whole different world from the rest of the course.
Blackwolf Run's 13th gets some praise and some flak. It's a bit of a standard Dye "water par 3" with the hole wrapping around the small lake in front of the clubhouse. To me, the hole feels a bit out of place - more like a decorated landscape in front of the clubhouse than a real part of the rest of the course. The flatness and white rock really feels jarring after that wonderfully natural and rolling stretch on the front 9. But in spite of it all, the hole itself plays well. I love that, like the previous two par 3s, it offers a risk/reward scenario on a one-shot hole. The bold player is tempted to hug the lake and risk disaster to get a little closer. Meanwhile, the weaker player has plenty of bailout room but will get no level stance for a reward. Blackwolf Run is at its best when it features swashbuckling risk/reward holes with greensites that have lots of action in the surroundings to generate short game interest. 13 fits the bill, but also feels a bit common.
Lawsonia stretches its lead a bit before its weakest stretch of holes. Can it hold on?
Lawsonia - 10
Whistling Straits - 9
Blackwolf Run - 7
Erin Hills - 6
Overall
Whistling Straits - 109
Erin Hills – 106
Lawsonia – 111
Blackwolf Run – 102