Preferred Position of Template Holes in a Routing?

[JJShanley]

(I write this as one in the early stages of his appreciation of such holes.)

When playing courses utilizing template holes, do you prefer each example to come at a similar time during the round? 


For example, the Redans I've played (Camargo and Angel's Crossing) have come on the back nine.  I wonder whether the nature of that hole, where you don't necessarily see where your ball has finished until you get closer to the green, lends itself to later in a round.  Perhaps more so in the midst of a tight match.  On this note, I wish that C&C had designed Warren's 14th as a Redan.  I suppose I could appreciate such a hole and its dynamics early in a round, but I'm not sure it works during the middle-third.  I do like a front-nine Biarritz, though.


Both Road holes I've played (Camargo and Mt. Prospect) come at the 17th.  That seems to fit with the original, although they each play as par-5s.


That said, the Short works wherever I find it. 

[Matt Frey, PGA]

In my opinion, it has to fit the course and the rest of the routing. It shouldn't be crammed into a course just because we think the Road has to be No. 17 (TOC, Camargo) or the Redan has to be No. 15 (North Berwick, Camargo) or Eden on No. 11 (TOC, Fishers). Although one can make the argument that template holes are contrived, if they appear too so, they won't be as fun.

[JJShanley]

You certainly can't force a template on the terrain, but I suppose I mean: do particular holes, which is to say, challenges work best at certain times during the round?


Having to think about an approach into a Road for 16 holes makes it all the harder.  Why release the tension by hitting that shot on 3?  Similarly, a hole that offers a birdie can play on a player's mind for the remainder of the round if not taken advantage of fully.