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Jeff Fortson

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Your Favorite Shot of the Day #8 - Pinehurst #2
« on: October 05, 2003, 12:48:59 PM »
What is your favorite shot on this Ross masterpiece?  Why?

I'll start.....

I'll nominate the tee shot on #9.  What a green!  A close second is the second shot into #2.

Jeff F.
#nowhitebelt

Tim_Weiman

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Re:Your Favorite Shot of the Day #8 - Pinehurst #2
« Reply #1 on: October 05, 2003, 02:23:53 PM »
Jeff,

It has been almost twenty years since I've played Pinehurst #2, but the approach shot on #2 still stands out as my favorite.

Redanman:

If you have birdied #5 a half dozen times, you should go right to the Senior Tour. I don't know many people who can make that claim.
Tim Weiman

CHrisB

Re:Your Favorite Shot of the Day #8 - Pinehurst #2
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2003, 04:08:59 PM »
The approach into #2, especially when the pin is far right. I love the approach on #18 as well, especially when the pin is in that evil front-right corner.

I think that Pinehurst #2 may be the most misunderstood great golf course this side of St. Andrews (even after over a dozen rounds there, I still have a tough time figuring it out!). Every hole is full of options, but the problem is that the majority of golfers are not able to use them all. For example, on the 2nd hole, the contours on and around the green may be attacked in a number of ways; it is up to the player to decide what type of shot is best and then execute it. If the pin is center-right near the back drop-off, where do you land the ball? and at what height? and with how much spin? and how much curve--fade, draw or straight? I'm still trying to figure this out! There are a number of combinations that the player can try if he has the ability to do so.

How about the 1st hole: play down the right to open up the green or play left for a shorter shot but a tougher angle. But how do you play the shot from the left side of the fairway to the back/left pin? Do you hit a high spinning shot, a low-running hook, a standard shot to short-right of the pin, a bailout to the short or right chipping area that takes the deadly left bunker out of play completely?

So the strategy isn't always as simple as: hug the trouble & get the better approach vs. play safe & have a more difficult approach. The strategic options lie just as much in the shotmaking as they do with angles, placement of hazards, etc...

...in my opinion!
« Last Edit: October 05, 2003, 04:16:10 PM by ChrisB »

DTaylor18

Re:Your Favorite Shot of the Day #8 - Pinehurst #2
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2003, 08:24:43 PM »
To me, Pinehurst #2 is the type of course where the whole thing outweighs the specific memories of any individual hole.  It is a wonderful course that is challenging yet relaxing at the same time, as the fairways are generous and it's tough to lose a ball.  Combine this with the amzing practice green and area with all of it's history, which leads me to the tee shot on #1.  You just know you're about to embark upon a great challenge that you know you'll enjoy regardless of your handicap.  

HamiltonBHearst

Re:Your Favorite Shot of the Day #8 - Pinehurst #2
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2003, 08:27:58 PM »

Second shot to #3.  One of my favorite short fours.

Brad Klein

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Re:Your Favorite Shot of the Day #8 - Pinehurst #2
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2003, 08:36:05 PM »
Redanman -
when you say you've birdied the 5th hole half a dozen times, I thought that was even funnier and more of a joke than your claim that all of the approaches are the same and that the tee shots at Pinehurst No. 2 were the really interesting shots.

Knowing your ability to rate courses, I have to assume that the entire post is meant ironically and that in all cases, the reverse was true.

GeoffreyC

Re:Your Favorite Shot of the Day #8 - Pinehurst #2
« Reply #6 on: October 05, 2003, 09:17:12 PM »
Hamilton said it just right from my perspective.  

#3 is one of the great short par 4's in golf and better since they cleared out the area behind the green and a ball can roll all the way down to #5.  

The 2nd shot with a wedge is absolutely perfect.

JakaB

Re:Your Favorite Shot of the Day #8 - Pinehurst #2
« Reply #7 on: October 05, 2003, 09:30:05 PM »
Are there anymore difficult greenside bunkers shots in the states...I got killed on number 6..and loved it.

jim_lewis

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Re:Your Favorite Shot of the Day #8 - Pinehurst #2
« Reply #8 on: October 05, 2003, 10:00:48 PM »
Since my first two favorites #2 and #3 have been mentioned, I'll add #14, which is my favorite hole on the course. But then, there is something special about the approach to #18 late in the afternoon (especially Sunday) as the sun is setting and the chimes on the Village Chapel are sounding in the background.

My least favorite is the approach(s) to #5. Just too tough for me.
"Crusty"  Jim
Freelance Curmudgeon

John Foley

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Re:Your Favorite Shot of the Day #8 - Pinehurst #2
« Reply #9 on: October 06, 2003, 09:07:27 AM »
So many options;

-Tee shot on 9, especially to a left pin.
-Approach on 14
-Approach into 18

Integrity in the moment of choice

Ken_Cotner

Re:Your Favorite Shot of the Day #8 - Pinehurst #2
« Reply #10 on: October 06, 2003, 09:56:15 AM »

Actually, I kinda like the approach to #5.  I've birdied that hole a half a dozen times, so that msut make it a great hole. ;)

Me, too.  Easiest par-7 I've ever played...

I "second" the nomination for the second shot to #2.  Also love the pitch shots from the short grass near the clubhouse behind #18, and from down the hill behind #9.  Terrifying!

Ken
« Last Edit: October 06, 2003, 03:06:10 PM by Ken Cotner »

JLahrman

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Re:Your Favorite Shot of the Day #8 - Pinehurst #2
« Reply #11 on: October 06, 2003, 03:16:28 PM »
From my rounds there I remember most clearly the tee shot at 15.  It's been about ten years, but that shot is framed in my mind more than the others.  As I recall, the green doesn't have much behind it, which really brings out the crown.  This serves to make the target appear smaller than it really is.  Even after understanding the green after my first round, I continued to make unsure swings on the tee.

erichunter

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Re:Your Favorite Shot of the Day #8 - Pinehurst #2
« Reply #12 on: October 06, 2003, 03:38:40 PM »
Approach on #5 for sadistic purposes.  Tee shot on #7 for risk/reward.  But I am happiest on #1 tee early in the morning and the church bells ringing.  Nothing finer