Grade for the Plantation Course at Kapalua?

[Ran Morrissett]

Based on a 10 being world class (16 at Cypress Point, 15 at Oakmont, 14 at St. Andrews) and cascading down to 0 as a wretched excuse for a golf hole, how would you grade the 18 holes at the Plantation Course of Kapalua?

I would go something like this:

Hole/Grade
1. 7 (there is a uniqueness/inspiring element to this hole)
2. 5 (rock solid though uninspired)
3. 6 (solid and a few more interesting possibilities than #2)
4. 6 (its wild (!) green elevates it a notch)
5. 8 (a Cape hole that dares the golfer)
6. 6 (pretty cool/funky/unique hole)
7. 8 (when playing firm, the approach is one of the great/fun shots anywhere)
8. 7 (a potentially wicked hole with its forced carry (the only one on the course) being my only slight reservation)
9. 6 (I originally disliked this hole but no more - again quite unique)
10. 7 (the green complex elevates it a grade)
11. 7
12. 6
13. 7
14. 9
15. 8 (options galore)
16. 6
17. 9
18. 10

Total: 128 or an average of 7.11/hole. Obviously if you don't agree with many/any of my grades, then the end result is worthless, which is fine - to each their own but I have tempered the grades downward as best I can.

As I said in the other post, I'll be shocked if that total score isn't in the top few relative to the other courses that they play this season - a course with great holes and no weaknesses should fare will in this scoring scheme and I think KP does just that.

While no grading scale is (even close to) perfect, might this not be an interesting excercise for the rest of the year?

I will probably only watch the PGA players in the next few months when they stop at Pebble, Riviera, TPC Sawgrass, Augusta National and Harbour Town so I'm no good at doing this going forward. Any volunteer(s) to do a scorecard like this each week after the PGA event (as with me at KP, it would be great if you have played the course a few times)?

Cheers,

[Jeff Fortson]

Ran,

I'll take the Chrysler Classic if you want.  I grew up playing those courses.  I could also do the LPGA's Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills if a LPGA rotation course is worthy enough.


Jeff F.

[Bill_McBride]

Not to start a fight or anything, but I'll do Cypress Point right now: 173!  

[Chris Kane]

Royal Melbourne (Composite) in a fortnights time:
1 10 2 10 3 10 4 10 5 9 6 8 7 8 8 9 9 9

10 9 11 10 12 10 13 9 14 9 15 10 16 9 17 7 18 10

Total 166, and 9.22

[THuckaby2]

Here's how I see Pebble Beach (guaranteed to get some disagreement, but what the hell).  I've been lucky to play there quite a few times, most recently right after Christmas:

1 - 5
2 - 5 (improvements get it up this high - new bunker on left, new trees by green)
3 - 7 (I really like this hole - bold option over the trees for the brave - semi-skyline green - great view)
4 - 8 (one of the world's great drive and pitch holes)
5 - 6 (damn fine hole, don't listen to naysayers)
6 - 8 (see comment re #5)
7 - 9 (if someone tells you there is a better short par 3 on the planet, they haven't played this one enough)
8 - 10 (no comment needed, one of the world's greatest holes)
9 - 9 - (harder than 8!)
10 - 8 - (gets better each playing)
11 - 7 - (similar green to #10 Riviera, just a longer hole with less options)
12 - 5 (tough but not that much to it)
13 - 6 (undervalued by many - great green)
14 - 8 (true three shotter, fantastic green)
15 - 5 (good green but not much else)
16 - 7 (wonderful approach, great green, beautiful)
17 - 8 (too much history to be anything less)
18 - 10 (see comment re #8, change it to par 5 - naysayers be damned).

That gives a total of 131.  Interesting, it barely beats out KP and loses big time to RM... and though I too tried to temper my numbers, I am unabashedly a big Pebble fan... hmmmmm....

TH

[Doug Wright]

Ran,

Here are my thoughts about Kapalua Plantation. Not up to your total grade, but a high grade nonetheless. As I've said before, it's one of my favourite courses anywhere....

1.  6  A very solid opening hole but IMO almost too severe
2.  6  Straightforward but challenging long par 3, I rate it higher due to its placement as the 2d hole--a stern but fair one shotter that gets you into the round.
3.  6  A very good par 4, starting the uphill climb.
4.  7  One of the underrated holes on the course but not by me--strong from tee to green and the green is terrific.
5.  6  I like this par 5 but not as much as 15 and 18. Cape green is a challenge and tempting for the longer player or in lighter winds.
6.  7  All sorts of weird things/lies can happen on this somewhat quirky hole, which starts the downhill ride, and there are several ways to play it too. A great counterpoint to the long 7th.
7.  8  A wonderful long par 4 that captures the essence of Kapalua Plantation, cascading downhill, downgrain and usually downwind and allowing for the running game big-time in fast conditions.
8.  5  A solid par 3 though the green is almost too severe.
9.  5  This is a somewhat awkward hole with the canted valley slashing through the middle. Very tough for the average player.
10. 4 Probably the weakest hole on the course. Though the green can present challenge there's not much to this hole.
11. 6 A beautiful short par 3 not overly difficult unless the wind's way up (but it usually is).
12. 6 I like this hole more every time I play it. Can be driveable but poses some risk too if you choose the incorrect line.
13. 7 Very solid par 4, requires thought on the tee ball (I love Tiger's stinger 2 iron into the wind on this hole) and has a severely sloping and challenging green.
14. 9 Terrific short par 4 with options and shot variety galore.
15. 8 Really good par 5, especially around the green. Loved  watching balls slide down the hill greenside right during the tourney and the players' choices from there.
16. 5 This hole would be much better if better players had something to worry about off the tee. Right now it's blast it over the center fairway bunker to 80-100 yards and wedge it on. The green is really good and tough but throw in a few small pot bunkers around the St. Andrews-wide fairway and the fear factor and interest level would rise.
17. 8 Like #7, this is a wonderful two shotter down the hill.
18. 8 A great finishing hole. Who doesn't want to hit a career 300 or 400 yard drive on the home hole whilst on holiday, have a chance for eagle or birdie finish in a spectacular setting, then retire to the beautiful clubhouse to discuss it?

Total: 117

By the way Ran, I'm happy to do this for Castle Pines GC when it comes along in August (my quick calculation like this for Castle Pines=106).  

Cheers,

[Paul Richards]

Ran:
I like your analysis - but I'd go you one better - I'd give both 17 and 18 a 10 - what an awesome finish! - for a total of 129.

cheers!

[larry_munger]

is this replacing the Morrissett match play format?