14 at Bandon Trails

[David Ober]

How hard is it to keep the ball left on the tee shot and not have it descend to the "pit of despair" to the right? My buddy posted here many years ago about that hole and set off quite a firestorm.


I've heard the hole has been tinkered with since then and the green expanded a bit. How has that affected play? Is it still absolutely diabolical from down to the right?


More importantly, if you hit a 180 shot off the tee and keep it left, is the approach shot "gettable" with a crisp wedge?

[William_G]

way easier now to keep it left and have an easier approach than from below right
a proper approach shot is still required from the left however

[Peter Flory]

How hard is it to keep the ball left on the tee shot and not have it descend to the "pit of despair" to the right? My buddy posted here many years ago about that hole and set off quite a firestorm.

I've heard the hole has been tinkered with since then and the green expanded a bit. How has that affected play? Is it still absolutely diabolical from down to the right?

More importantly, if you hit a 180 shot off the tee and keep it left, is the approach shot "gettable" with a crisp wedge?

Sounds like the hole is already in your head!  Just pretend that it is a very easy par 5. 

[Jason Thurman]

I know this hole has been discussed a few times before, but I'm surprised this thread hasn't gotten more traction as I still think 14 at Trails is one of the most "open canvas" holes I've seen, strategically. And I don't think the hole is in David's head, as Peter suggests - I think David is a pretty strong competitive player looking for a little insight to how aggressively he should think about playing this hole in the upcoming tournament he's playing with his son.


I've only played it once, and made two of my worst swings from the tee in an otherwise pretty damn good round for me. I never found the first ball, but made "par" with my second ball to save double from the right side. My two cents is that I didn't find the right side completely terrifying. It's a very uphill shot to a very small target (the target is very small regardless of where you're approaching from), but I found one thing to like about it that may or may not appeal to other players:


My personal feeling is that, when I have ~170 yards or less into a hole, I'd generally rather have a target that's wider than deep if I have to choose. I like my chances of hitting the ball solidly a little more than I like my chances of hitting a ball dead straight. From low right, about 100 yards out and going straight uphill and into the wind, I was able to hit a wedge that carried onto the green and held - the green slopes a little left-to-right if I recall and was pretty receptive from that angle. It's a demanding shot for sure, and I suspect the approach from left is easier. But I can vouch that right isn't literally impossible.


The small target and stern consequences for missing it probably mean that any shot that finds the green is a good one. Playing it with a certain degree of respect gives a chance to gain some shots on the field.

[David Ober]

I know this hole has been discussed a few times before, but I'm surprised this thread hasn't gotten more traction as I still think 14 at Trails is one of the most "open canvas" holes I've seen, strategically. And I don't think the hole is in David's head, as Peter suggests - I think David is a pretty strong competitive player looking for a little insight to how aggressively he should think about playing this hole in the upcoming tournament he's playing with his son.


I've only played it once, and made two of my worst swings from the tee in an otherwise pretty damn good round for me. I never found the first ball, but made "par" with my second ball to save double from the right side. My two cents is that I didn't find the right side completely terrifying. It's a very uphill shot to a very small target (the target is very small regardless of where you're approaching from), but I found one thing to like about it that may or may not appeal to other players:


My personal feeling is that, when I have ~170 yards or less into a hole, I'd generally rather have a target that's wider than deep if I have to choose. I like my chances of hitting the ball solidly a little more than I like my chances of hitting a ball dead straight. From low right, about 100 yards out and going straight uphill and into the wind, I was able to hit a wedge that carried onto the green and held - the green slopes a little left-to-right if I recall and was pretty receptive from that angle. It's a demanding shot for sure, and I suspect the approach from left is easier. But I can vouch that right isn't literally impossible.


The small target and stern consequences for missing it probably mean that any shot that finds the green is a good one. Playing it with a certain degree of respect gives a chance to gain some shots on the field.

Thanks, Jason. Yeah, was just kind of "wondering" as we approach our little tournament. When did you play the hole? From what I've heard, it's been softened a bit and is now more "playable" with fewer "other" scores recorded in tournament rounds. ;-)

[Jason Thurman]

July 10th of last year... easy to remember as a birthday spent at Bandon is a pretty good one.

[William_G]

Thanks, Jason. Yeah, was just kind of "wondering" as we approach our little tournament. When did you play the hole? From what I've heard, it's been softened a bit and is now more "playable" with fewer "other" scores recorded in tournament rounds. ;-)

-the Poa is all in on the greens as of this weekend, and will be ready for the USAM
-the course has played significantly easier ever since they redid significant stuff on #2, #4, #5, #14, #15, #16, and #18
-14 has been widened and softened around the green and the LZ


have fun and don't over think it

[David Wuthrich]

I think that it is much easier now than it was since the green has been expanded.

[David Ober]

I think that it is much easier now than it was since the green has been expanded.

Can you still butcher the hole if you play it poorly? Is 7 in play for a good player like it can be on, say, 10 at Riviera?

[William_G]

1-10 are possible numbers at #14


stay positive dude

[Kalen Braley]

I'd be curious what the over/under is for golfers picking up with ESC at that hole on any given day?  50%?

[Garland Bayley]

I played it by aiming my tee shot at the green. My fade left me in the fairway bunker on the left. Use your draw man! Wedged to hollow left of green. Putted up and tapped in for par.

No worries man! Easy peasy even for a high handicapper shooting 100.

[David Davis]

I guess I don't like the changes. I've played it 4 times twice in the original iteration. The original made you think twice about going fo the green. Now it's been neutered. Swing away. If you are good enough to be in the US Am then the neutered version should be a 3, 4 or 5 in my mind.


By the way I don't think the other holes should of been neutered either. However, maybe speeding up the round had priority above great architecture.


I don't mind a short 4 being penal around the green if you go for it wildly. In fact, perhaps it even should be.

[Michael Essig]

There is a shelf on the left where the ball will stay that allows a wedge second down the length of green.  Going right means a shot somewhat like Spyglass #2: very uphill to a narrow green.  And worse, although made better than original iteration, is the pitch if you overshoot the narrow green with your approach.  The hole can be a relatively easy par with a long iron and a wedge; I don't see much reward from the risk of any type of shot from around the green if you tried to drive it unless you are down a few at that point.  Just plan on trying to stick a wedge to make a birdie.  Good luck.

[Joel_Stewart]

I think that it is much easier now than it was since the green has been expanded.

David and I played it a few weeks ago and our group had four pars with a front pin location. To me it's a middle or back pin that cause problems.

[William_G]

I think that it is much easier now than it was since the green has been expanded.

David and I played it a few weeks ago and our group had four pars with a front pin location. To me it's a middle or back pin that cause problems.

Joel,
I agree, the front was lengthened awhile ago and is the easiest spot
Most other holes in golf have the front being very difficult

[Sven Nilsen]

How hard is it to keep the ball left on the tee shot and not have it descend to the "pit of despair" to the right? My buddy posted here many years ago about that hole and set off quite a firestorm.


I've heard the hole has been tinkered with since then and the green expanded a bit. How has that affected play? Is it still absolutely diabolical from down to the right?


More importantly, if you hit a 180 shot off the tee and keep it left, is the approach shot "gettable" with a crisp wedge?

If you hit it 180 yards today you wouldn't have cleared the junk.


If you're going to be taking a caddie, they'll have at least 13 holes of experience to suggest the best way for you to play the hole.


Without knowing anything about how you play, the conditions on the day you're going to be playing or what pin you'll be playing to, its pretty hard to give advice on how to play the hole.


The left side can be held from the tee and the green can be hit from the right side both on downwind and into the wind days. 

[David Ober]

How hard is it to keep the ball left on the tee shot and not have it descend to the "pit of despair" to the right? My buddy posted here many years ago about that hole and set off quite a firestorm.


I've heard the hole has been tinkered with since then and the green expanded a bit. How has that affected play? Is it still absolutely diabolical from down to the right?


More importantly, if you hit a 180 shot off the tee and keep it left, is the approach shot "gettable" with a crisp wedge?

If you hit it 180 yards today you wouldn't have cleared the junk.


If you're going to be taking a caddie, they'll have at least 13 holes of experience to suggest the best way for you to play the hole.


Without knowing anything about how you play, the conditions on the day you're going to be playing or what pin you'll be playing to, its pretty hard to give advice on how to play the hole.


The left side can be held from the tee and the green can be hit from the right side both on downwind and into the wind days.

I'm a 52 year old competitive am. Always scratch and usually below during "the season." But I'm short, carrying it only about 225 to 230, max. My favorite shot is a low, trap-draw, Thinking a simple 3-hybrid draw down the left side would be the play for me, most days. May need a 5 some days and a 3-wood on others, depending on the wind, I'm guessing.


How much run out do the fairways get at Bandon?

[Scott Weersing]

How hard is it to keep the ball left on the tee shot and not have it descend to the "pit of despair" to the right? My buddy posted here many years ago about that hole and set off quite a firestorm.


I've heard the hole has been tinkered with since then and the green expanded a bit. How has that affected play? Is it still absolutely diabolical from down to the right?


More importantly, if you hit a 180 shot off the tee and keep it left, is the approach shot "gettable" with a crisp wedge?

If you hit it 180 yards today you wouldn't have cleared the junk.


If you're going to be taking a caddie, they'll have at least 13 holes of experience to suggest the best way for you to play the hole.


Without knowing anything about how you play, the conditions on the day you're going to be playing or what pin you'll be playing to, its pretty hard to give advice on how to play the hole.


The left side can be held from the tee and the green can be hit from the right side both on downwind and into the wind days.

I'm a 52 year old competitive am. Always scratch and usually below during "the season." But I'm short, carrying it only about 225 to 230, max. My favorite shot is a low, trap-draw, Thinking a simple 3-hybrid draw down the left side would be the play for me, most days. May need a 5 some days and a 3-wood on others, depending on the wind, I'm guessing.


How much run out do the fairways get at Bandon?

There is a lot of run out on the fairways at Bandon. But no. 14 does not get much run out because of the elevated tee and the fairway sloping back down from the green to the tee. Yes, the ball will run out downhill to the right.


The hard pin placement is the back of the green on no. 14 as the green slopes off the back. But it is an easier chip from the back up the hill. Many players hit it just right of the greenside bunker and it is a tough chip for a bogey player. I think the play is to stay left and have a full wedge in so you can hold the green.

[David Ober]

Circling back to this. Trails was my favorite of the courses. Absolutely loved it.


#14 was a pretty simple hole for us, it turns out. Pin was middle. Wind was from the north at 15 to 25. Necked driver to 60 yards and then nipped LW to 15 feet and 2-putted. Son hit his 3-wood to 40 yards and his LW to 8 feet and made birdie.


The other two guys in our group made a bit of a mess of it, and I could definitely see a big number being possible there for anyone.