Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: David Ober on January 17, 2013, 04:02:54 PM
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Mine is ridiculous and no one will agree with me and by revealing it, I will open myself up to scorn, ridicule, and possible banishment from GCA.com, so I shall reserve my choice until later. ;D
So what's yours???
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15 Kingston Heath
13 CPC
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3 Mauna Kea
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Mine is the 7th at Sand Hills, there are so many different possible outcomes (for me) for such a short hole. Plus, it means I am at Sand Hills.
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#2 Ballyhack by a longshot.
WW
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Shoreacres 15
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12 TOC, playing in July and already thinking which route to take.
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I won't say because I use it for the password on several of my accounts.
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This is the best thread in ages. I am stunned but I dont think I have ever thought about it. I have lots of favourites holes on various courses but no stand out.....yet!
No cheating by making a list; if everyone only names one hole then it would be cool to see the favourite hole on GCAtlas.
Now to work out mine, this is hard!
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I won't say because I use it for the password on several of my accounts.
Hmmmmm..."lakeside12" ? ;D
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a168/carrera993/tee.jpg)
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The 6th at The Creek Club
You’re thrilled to be at the top of the bluff looking at one of the great vistas in golf. There’s the great holes below followed by the holes in the dunes and finally the sound beyond.
We all love the thrill of a big drop off the tee on a long hole. The tee shot appears fairly simple because there is tons of room out on the right and the bunker barely comes into play so there’s little intimidation, but you really need to be on the left to have a reasonable chance at approaching the green. That’s where the complications begin. The forest on the left of the hole defends the ideal line and a shot into the forest is a lost shot. Therefore you must hit a light draw around the tree line to gain position on the flatter plateau for the approach.
The approach is a stunner. The green is a reverse redan falling hard to the back right and Raynor has lifted the entire surrounds to create a deep punchbowl setting for the green. This is the most unique and wonderful green complex I have ever seen.
The shot is either a fade into the approach to access the front pin, or to the front half of the green to access the back pin position. The ball will release and run a long way from both spots, although short right will take off right and into the bunkers.
The joy of the hole is that it uses the rambling hillside to define the locations of the landing area and then a diagonal ridge to dictate the approach. Since the hole goes with the grade the whole way everything blends in magnificently.
It is my favourite hole because of the audacity of the punchbowl redan green site.
(http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/230/2341/1600/P1010068.1.jpg)
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David,
Par 3 # 6 NGLA
Par 4 # 8 NGLA
Par 5 # 18 NGLA
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Lots of contenders, I need to narrow it down. May require many multiple rounds of testing. ;)
#8 at Pebble
#16 at Cypress
#12 at Ballyneal
#15 at North Berwick
#3 at NGLA
#4 at Tumble Creek
#14 Royal Dornoch
#7 Western Gailes
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For me, I derived great joy from the 16th at Sand Hills.
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Aronimink #7
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I won't say because I use it for the password on several of my accounts.
Hmmmmm..."lakeside12" ? ;D
Nice try but no.
Maybe lakeside16 for Jim Furyk though?
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#8 at Pebble.
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This is a much better question than asking for the best hole in the world. Torn between the fifteenth at Highlands Links and the sixteenth at Royal Cinque Ports. Honourable mentions: Woking twelfth, Pinehurst No. 2 fifth, Halifax GC seventeenth.
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Favorites of the moment:
Par 3: #8 at Old White
Par 4: #14 at Avocet Course at Wild Wing Plantation
Par 5: #15 at Ballyhack
Gun-to-head, my singular favorite of the 3 is the par 3.
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**Add pictures if your can**
My favorite hole (#15 at Cypress Point Club) is as much about ambiance as it is about architecture. It starts as you walk across 17 mile drive and get your first look over the cliffs and rocky coastline. Excitement builds as you walk through the cypress trees, arriving on the tee. I am awestruck every time! You also get your first view of #16 and the peninsula green. If you are lucky enough to settle down at that point, you are faced with a well-bunkered boomerang green. Although the 15th is only 135 yards, wind is almost always a factor. Once you hole out, you exit through another set of cypress trees towards the famed 16th. The 15th is embossed in its own stadium of cypress trees and beautiful coastline. You won't hear any other golfers or see any other holes, it is just you and a 135 yard shot!
(http://imageshack.us/a/img833/7186/img0431al.jpg)
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Probably #2 at Kingsley. You walk up the hill and get the view of almost the entire front nine. I love the fear factor on the tee and the anxiety after hitting that tee shot that doesn't go away until your ball has (hopefully) landed on the green and finally come to a stop. And sometimes, that when the fun is just beginning.
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#2 Portsalon
Why?
1.seriously overstimulating, strategic, yet highly playable
2.because you have 35 holes left
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11 at Pacific Dunes, by a small margin over #7 Old Macdonald.
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11 at Pacific Dunes, by a small margin over #7 Old Macdonald.
Both in my top 3 at the resort and I considered them in this.
I still have no answer. Perhaps I've yet to play it.
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The 6th at The Creek Club...This is the most unique and wonderful green complex I have ever seen...It is my favourite hole because of the audacity of the punchbowl redan green site.
(http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/230/2341/1600/P1010068.1.jpg)
Ian,
Great write up. When I was out there I loved the green so much that my host insisted that I get my picture taken with it - several times.
It is a mystery to me why this green complex is so unique. The natural grade of the green-site is one that is replicated 1000s of times throughout the world. You would think someone would have thought of copying it...
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In my rather limited experience, the 8th at Crystal Downs -- in large part because it was the first (and still only) Par 5 I've ever loved, and in fact one of the very few I've even liked. Must be a heck of a hole to overcome such long standing prejudice.
Peter
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#13 at Pacific Dunes. If I could hole out, go back to the tee and play it again, then repeat myself, I'd do it.
Honorable mention #17 at Double Eagle. I always have fun playing a short par 4 where there is a safe option, and a risk-reward option.
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Par 3 # 6 NGLA
Only 3 pin positions (back left, center, and front right)...endless opportunities for shot type and club selection. What a fantastic 3 par!
(http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/6131/459292170633cf99985cb.jpg)
*image borrowed from Chip Gaskins post
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I would have to say the 3rd hole at Royal Cinque Ports. It is a fun risk reward hole with a delightful and quirky green site. Thinking about playing the hole brings a smile to my face.
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The 5th hole at Ridgeview Country Club in Duluth MN. 150 yards uphill with cross bunkers short, a bunker green side right( the best miss) a long left bunker (auto bogey usual double) with a wicked back left to front right sloped green. Long and or left is dead. And to top it off you block it right and you are OB on the road. Crazy fun hole. Hit the green past hole high and you are very busy. Add a lake wind and some fog-what a hoot.
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Cape hole at Mid-Ocean. Love the little tee at the top of the hill, the view, and as many others have said, "because iam at...."
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#8 at Prairie Dunes. Also maybe the hardest hole I've played.
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ANGC #13. My favorite spot to watch play at Augusta is the fairway on #13. I have probably seen close to 1000 second shots hit from there, including some historic ones.
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In January of 2006 at the Bay of Dreams, Tom D told me his favorite hole was the 8th a PD.
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#17 at Sawgrass, and I really am not a fan of water hazards making a great hole, but this one just seems brillant to me. I've only played it once, but seen it a 1,000 times. It's exciting to watch the best players in the world play it under tournament pressure. If it wasn't on tv, it wouldn't be as special to me, but it is and I love it.
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16 at Bandon Dunes, for me.
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13 at Silloth. Kidding.
18 at Harbour Town
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#9 at Royal County Down.
There's just something about the blind drive, walking up the hill, and seeing your ball, the town, and the sea as you take it all in.
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7th at Ballyneal
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#3 Pacific Dunes
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In January of 2006 at the Bay of Dreams, Tom D told me his favorite hole was the 8th a PD.
I think I said that was my favorite hole that I'd ever designed. And it was part of my recognition that an architect has two types of favorites ... the ones that were always just there (like 7 or 13 at Pacific), and the ones where you really had no idea of the finished product when you started construction. The 8th at Pacific Dunes was one of the latter. The green was in a thicket of trees and we had no idea what we might build, and the inspiration for the green, the 3rd at Woking, came to me on an airplane headed to or from Portland. Those are the kind of holes you really love in the end. The 4th at Barnbougle Dunes and the 7th at Ballyneal are two others in that same class for me.
As for favorite hole ever, anywhere, I've had a few over the years. The 9th at Cypress Point was probably the first ... I played it when I was 15 and I was just mesmerized. Then for a long time I cited the 4th at Cruden Bay, because the first time I saw it was a spiritual experience, back in the days before Golf Club Atlas when you had no idea what each hole was going to look like.
For Paul Daley's book I picked the 2nd hole at St. Andrews, not realizing that it still needed some tweaking by Mr. Dawson and Mr. Hawtree to be perfected. >:(
I'm one who has to keep finding new favorites. And, it's an honor to have worked on a couple of holes mentioned by others in this thread.
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I don't know how anyone who has played a lot of golf courses could ever pick one absolute favorite. Jeez.
I have two favorite # 12s. The Old Course and Ballyneal.
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#17 at Mid Ocean - Beautiful Redan hole. Depending on wind direction and seasons, it can range from an 8 iron to driver.
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Well, a couple of my also rans have just been mentioned but I'll stick to the title.
12 at North Berwick. My favourite hole, on my favourite course. It's not even the best hole on the course but the green is really cool and its sited on one of the most beautiful spots in golf. I always smile on the tee as I am excited about getting to the green.
In terms of GCA I like how the bunkers used to be. Just a solitary one on the left and one on the right in the DZ. You would start out way right and then sneak further and further left until on day, bunker. The hole slammed your aiming point back over to the right, just like an old school typewriter....and the process would start again. The kids call the bunker on the right the "impossible bunker", as no one ever goes in it. Even if you flush it right at it, the ball always steers away. Weird.
And Tom...I thought you had a least a brief affair with 13 ;)
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13th at Pine Valley....
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Well, a couple of my also rans have just been mentioned but I'll stick to the title.
12 at North Berwick. My favourite hole, on my favourite course. It's not even the best hole on the course but the green is really cool and its sited on one of the most beautiful spots in golf. I always smile on the tee as I am excited about getting to the green.
In terms of GCA I like how the bunkers used to be. Just a solitary one on the left and one on the right in the DZ. You would start out way right and then sneak further and further left until on day, bunker. The hole slammed your aiming point back over to the right, just like an old school typewriter....and the process would start again. The kids call the bunker on the right the "impossible bunker", as no one ever goes in it. Even if you flush it right at it, the ball always steers away. Weird.
And Tom...I thought you had a least a brief affair with 13 ;)
Simon, The Pit would be my co-favorite 13th, along with Cypress Point!
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The 13th hole at Pine Valley GC...probably my favorite second shot in golf as well!
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thats a great one Chris. My fave at PV for sure.
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Well, a couple of my also rans have just been mentioned but I'll stick to the title.
12 at North Berwick. My favourite hole, on my favourite course. It's not even the best hole on the course but the green is really cool and its sited on one of the most beautiful spots in golf. I always smile on the tee as I am excited about getting to the green.
In terms of GCA I like how the bunkers used to be. Just a solitary one on the left and one on the right in the DZ. You would start out way right and then sneak further and further left until on day, bunker. The hole slammed your aiming point back over to the right, just like an old school typewriter....and the process would start again. The kids call the bunker on the right the "impossible bunker", as no one ever goes in it. Even if you flush it right at it, the ball always steers away. Weird.
And Tom...I thought you had a least a brief affair with 13 ;)
Simon, The Pit would be my co-favorite 13th, along with Cypress Point!
3 way tie with Chris' call on 13 at PV.
My favourite stretch in golf is probably 11-17 at North Berwick. Each hole is very different to the one before and/or after it. Many of them not to be found anywhere else, unless they have been copied.
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Well, a couple of my also rans have just been mentioned but I'll stick to the title.
12 at North Berwick. My favourite hole, on my favourite course. It's not even the best hole on the course but the green is really cool and its sited on one of the most beautiful spots in golf. I always smile on the tee as I am excited about getting to the green.
In terms of GCA I like how the bunkers used to be. Just a solitary one on the left and one on the right in the DZ. You would start out way right and then sneak further and further left until on day, bunker. The hole slammed your aiming point back over to the right, just like an old school typewriter....and the process would start again. The kids call the bunker on the right the "impossible bunker", as no one ever goes in it. Even if you flush it right at it, the ball always steers away. Weird.
And Tom...I thought you had a least a brief affair with 13 ;)
Simon, The Pit would be my co-favorite 13th, along with Cypress Point!
3 way tie with Chris' call on 13 at PV.
My favourite stretch in golf is probably 11-17 at North Berwick. Each hole is very different to the one before and/or after it. Many of them not to be found anywhere else, unless they have been copied.
Ha ha Simon, 9 at North Berwick is a favorite par 5 and I absolutely adore 10, one of my favorite par 3's! So I'd say 9-17.
You are a lucky man to live in that blessed area!
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I've only just realised that in the past few years, Bill.
Growing up I always wanted to play big parkland or US courses that I saw on TV. Literally, the grass was always greener etc. Well, that got old pretty quickly. I guess like many things, you have to be away from something before you truly appreciate it.
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I've only just realised that in the past few years, Bill.
Growing up I always wanted to play big parkland or US courses that I saw on TV. Literally, the grass was always greener etc. Well, that got old pretty quickly. I guess like many things, you have to be away from something before you truly appreciate it.
Simon, I obviously meant #9 as a favorite par 5. Where to drive? Dare the wall left or the hay right? One of my favorite centerline bunkers. The approach is fun because of the slope of that green, which will help one get close to most any pin.
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Brother, there are so many, some well known and some not.
#5 Pine Valley
#16 Cypress Point
#13 at CC at Woodmore (Palmer MD)
#6 and 7 at Musgrove Mill
#9 at Royal North Devon (similar to #2 at Ballyhack)
#4 at Ballyhack
#8 Pebble
#1 Sand Hills
#9 Four Streams (Smyers MD)
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Great thread! Cool to see very few of the same holes listed.
My #1 is 14 at Cape Kidnappers. Funny but it's actually one of the few away from the cliffs on the back. The strategy is brilliant, short par 4, the closer to the ravine the better angle to avoid a NASTY road hole-esque bunker.
#2 is 15 at Crooked Stick. Fun drive and amazing crescent shaped green.
#3 is a tie between 18 at Harbor Town and 16 at TPC Sawgrass.
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I have already listed my favorite hole, but if I could hit only one more shot, it would be the tee shot on the Road Hole.
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The obvious cliche answer is...Cypress Point's 16th. Partly because it's the most awe-inspiring shot in the world - ultimate failure or glory but, either way, it is a hoot to play! Partly because you get to hit driver on a par-3...over 200 yards of ocean! Partly because you can hit a 5-iron pitch! And lastly because I made 3 the first time round en route to a 79!
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This is a great thread idea. I've enjoyed seeing many of the answers.
Tough call, but my first thought was #1 at National Golf Links so I'll go with that.
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Pine Valley #2. Great landscape, wild green, unique, but still playable. Anything from a 3 to a 7 is very possible.
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Got to be #10 at Riviera. It's all right there in front of you and doesn't look so tough............
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I do wish we could keep it to one hole and not a plethora of second, third and other choices.
My choice, the 15th at Cypress Point.
Bob
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Top 3
5th at The Country Club (Pepper Pike) - 1st Hole in One
17th at Oakmont.
18th at Pebble - proposed to wife on green
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#16 Carnoustie. My lifetime average on the hole is 1.5, so I gotta make it my favorite! ;)
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4th @ Barnbougle Dunes. Not only because of the various strategies on offer but also the sheer size of the fairway / dunes / bunker that give it a colossal feel, yet its such a short par 4. Plus regardless of what score you make you get to walk to the 5th tee afterwards... :)
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My first thought was 15 at CPC. Then I considered a host of others, many of which have been mentioned here (including Muirfield 9, Huntercombe 3, RCP 16, Dornoch 14, Golpsie 9 (I think), Elie 13, RSG 4 and Ganton 14). Then I decided I was right first time.
CPC 15
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I'm a bit stuffed because no single hole popped into my head when I read the title of the thread. If I picked one today it would be #18 @ Kington.
Ciao
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16th at Deal
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#12 at Medinah #3 for me.
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The 6th at The Creek Club
You’re thrilled to be at the top of the bluff looking at one of the great vistas in golf. There’s the great holes below followed by the holes in the dunes and finally the sound beyond.
We all love the thrill of a big drop off the tee on a long hole. The tee shot appears fairly simple because there is tons of room out on the right and the bunker barely comes into play so there’s little intimidation, but you really need to be on the left to have a reasonable chance at approaching the green. That’s where the complications begin. The forest on the left of the hole defends the ideal line and a shot into the forest is a lost shot. Therefore you must hit a light draw around the tree line to gain position on the flatter plateau for the approach.
The approach is a stunner. The green is a reverse redan falling hard to the back right and Raynor has lifted the entire surrounds to create a deep punchbowl setting for the green. This is the most unique and wonderful green complex I have ever seen.
The shot is either a fade into the approach to access the front pin, or to the front half of the green to access the back pin position. The ball will release and run a long way from both spots, although short right will take off right and into the bunkers.
The joy of the hole is that it uses the rambling hillside to define the locations of the landing area and then a diagonal ridge to dictate the approach. Since the hole goes with the grade the whole way everything blends in magnificently.
It is my favourite hole because of the audacity of the punchbowl redan green site.
I need to give the question more thought, but this is my favorite Punchbowl by far. Interesting that you mention Raynor and not Macdonald.
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee169/wcb323/The%20Creek/DSCN0283-Copy.jpg)
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee169/wcb323/The%20Creek/DSCN0288.jpg)
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee169/wcb323/The%20Creek/DSCN0284-Copy.jpg)(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee169/wcb323/The%20Creek/DSCN0287-Copy.jpg)
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14th hole at Shinnecock Hills...
Mike
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While this is akin to confesssing, at a literaru soiree in Paris, that I am the author of a novel based on a screenplay, my favorite hole ever is the 10th at Preston Country Club in Kingwood West Virginia. I will neither describe nor attempt to justify my plebeian tastes beyond saying it just fits my eye.
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7th at Ballyneal, narrowly edging out #15 at Shoreacres.
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Mine is the 7th at Sand Hills, there are so many different possible outcomes (for me) for such a short hole. Plus, it means I am at Sand Hills.
Mine would be #4, but if you are at Sand Hills, all else is irrelevant.
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The all world "shipwreck" 5th hole at Boston Golf Club. An almost drivable par 4 with an incredible amount of strategy present.
(http://i45.tinypic.com/nvrvw3.jpg)
Mark
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I will join in the chorus for #8 at Pebble.
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#6 Royal Melbourne West
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My single favorite hole ever is every one I've yet to play and will have the joy of experiencing until death do us part...
As for the ones I've played I don't think I can choose unfortunately. I'd have to pick too many and I don't want Brian to get upset with me ;-) before I've had the chance to take his money.
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NGLA #2.
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#1 at my home course, Hotchkiss, because it means I'm starting again...
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Merion East #1. I knew it was a tough hole the first time I played it because I had so much trouble putting the peg in the ground :)
(I was way beyond nervous)
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#13 Bandon Trails.
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favorite hole:
the 13 th at Elie... nice tee shot and a super fun great complex
or any hole at North Berwick
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The 4th at Fishers Island Club (Punchbowl)
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13 at Pine Valley by an impossibly close margin over 13 at Pac Dunes, 7 at Ballyneal, and 14 at Cherry Hills
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Gotta go with #17 TOC. Ive played it over in my head more than any other hole.
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#1 at my home course, Hotchkiss, because it means I'm starting again...
Can't argue with that logic
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Hotel California, by The Eagles
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The 9th at Cypress Point Club
(http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/2807305.jpg)
Not my favorite picture or look. (above) From the teeing ground the hole is Audrey Hepburn.
Here's a little story about the hole and how instrumental, this hole, or any great hole can be, in someon's life.
http://www.impactzonegolf.com/the-9th-hole-at-cypress-point-“my-story”/
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The all world "shipwreck" 5th hole at Boston Golf Club. An almost drivable par 4 with an incredible amount of strategy present.
(http://i45.tinypic.com/nvrvw3.jpg)
Mark
Mark-That really is a great hole. When pinned in front it is certainly not easy to get at due to to the lack of width on the front portion of the green. There is no shortage of dramatic shots or great golf holes at BGC.
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Agreed Tim! I am never more scared with a wedge in my hand than I am when I'm on this hole...
Mark
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#2 PVGC
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16th TOC.
No doubt tomorrow it will be a different hole, after all variety is golf's best attribute.
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Favorite Green (aside from #6 at NGLA): Sea Headrig, #13 at Prestwick.
Favorite Hole: #16 at NGLA. Crazy hogback fairway and a Punchbowl beneath the Windmill.
Honorable Mention: Perfection at North Berwick, #3 Bandon Trails, #2 Eagle Point, #4 Olympic Lake, #4 Kapalua, #7 Maidstone, #11 Shinnecock, Klondike at Lahinch, #2 at RCD, #13 at Stevinson Ranch, #2 at Pac Dunes and #13 at Crystal Springs because every time I play it, I'm 9 years old again.
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The 9th at Cypress Point Club
(http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/2807305.jpg)
Not my favorite picture or look. (above) From the teeing ground the hole is Audrey Hepburn.
Here's a little story about the hole and how instrumental, this hole, or any great hole can be, in someon's life.
http://www.impactzonegolf.com/the-9th-hole-at-cypress-point-“my-story”/
Adam,
I saw the play of the hole. The pin was up top as the caddie would say; if looking toward the tenth hole Clampetts ball was a little long and right of the flagstick. The putt looked in but missed and the comeback seemed tentative. Had Bobby won that tournamen at his age, I do believe he would have been a world beater. Few players hit it better.
Bob
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It seems impossible that #4 at Spyglass has not been mentioned and defended as belonging in the Pantheon. I've played it 50 times and win lose or draw, still find it maddening . . . . . .
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Treetops Resort Gaylord MI But
Hole # 6 on Masterpiece - Robert Trent Jones
This amazing par 3 really helped put Northern Michigan golf on the map. If my wife would let me we would move to Northern Michigan 8) (http://)
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In honor of our magazine raters, I have some different categories: ::)
Most unique - Old MacDonald #7
Most fun - Ballyneal #7
Best test - Pinehurst #2 - #5
Most underrated - The Dunes Club #8
Oh, and to answer your question, everything combined, probably Pacific Dunes #13.
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So as the thread starter, I figure I should go ahead and come clean with my favorite hole....
It's the "short" version of the par-3 15th at Lakeside GC in Burbank, California. It plays 60 - 75 yards. There are two reasons for the choice:
1) If I'm playing the hole, it means I'm playing in the Kelly Cup. The Kelly Cup, to me, is the highlight of my golf year. As an unwashed "Inland Empire guy," and someone who didn't start playing golf until he was 20 and competitive golf until he was 30, getting an invite to the Kelly Cup was a big, big deal to me.
Back in 2005 or so, I asked a friend how to get into the tournament, and he said to call the club. I did, and was directed to the tournament chairman, who asked that I submit a "golf resume," which I did. I was nervous and excited at the same time. It seems silly in retrospect but, to me, this was my chance at playing "The Masters" of SoCal amateur golf. I got in for the first time in 2006(?) and will play every year until they no longer invite me. For those of you that don't play competitive golf, all I can tell you is that there is just something about the Kelly Cup that makes me happy to be alive, and the 15th hole makes me even happier.
We arrive at the hole late into our round, and the second day of the tournament there is usually a large gallery at the snack shack by the 15th and 8th tee boxes. The atmosphere is fun and loose, and there are usually guys betting on whether each player will hit the green or not with resulting whooping and hollering after each successful (or failed) shot.
The shot is just a little chip lob wedge, but I can tell you that it gets the adrenaline pumping. The gallery; the tiny, pushed-up green; the two yawning bunkers guarding the front; the hot, bikini-clad girls ;D all combine to make the shot much more difficult than it actually is.
To me, that hole, at the Kelly Cup, is what golf is all about.
The second reason is really simple: I just love really, really short holes for some reason. I think it's how deceptively simple they seem, but how difficult they can play for both the good player and the average player. I've seen +2 indexes make 5 and 2 on the hole from 65 yards! One of my other favorite par 3's ever is the short 6th hole at my home course in Murrieta, California, Bear Creek. The hole plays from 110 to 150, but I've seen more 5's on that hole than almost any par 3 I've ever played! The wind swirls there, and standing on the tee box on a windy day can result in a very high sphincter-factor -- especially when the holes is cut in the front-right section of the green, which is no more than five paces deep at its deepest.
So there's my favorite.... :-)
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3 at Camargo.
Complete eye candy.
Fun from any tee, drivable from some.
Choices of landing area- playing short means a semi-blind to blind approach, playing long means flirting with fronting bunker or puts right slope/trees into play.
Phenomenal green- a "Short" style green with a thumb depression. Multiple pin locations.
Great hole for match play. Terrific walk.
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Great thread. Seriously tough to come to a conclusion.
My three favourite holes in terms of excitement on the tee and also from a design perspective are Royal Melbourne West 6, Kapalua Plantation 17 and St Andrew's Beach 2.
Given I love short par 4s, I'll go with SAB2.
Cheers
Dom
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For most golfers, this might be easy, for personal reasons like hole in one, first birdie, etc. But for golf architecture freaks, this might be tougher, and we might even over analyze, rather than go with the gut.
I recall chills standing on TOC No.1 like no other hole, so that probably counts.
Other holes I recall as standing out as my faves include 12 at Shoreacres. It was just so different than anything I had ever seen, but of course, many Raynor holes are similar, but less spectacular than this version.
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Ballyneal 7 makes you smile every time
Muirfield Village 14 one of the greats.
Sleepy Hollow 16 the view is spectacular
TCC 19 sitting on the porch with a Fernando !
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Single favorite hole ever has to be 14 Long at St Andrews. Except for the time I pulled my drive into one of the wee Beardies. It's great fun to tack around Hell and play your bump and run third from over by the fifth fairway. I love Mackenzie's diagram of players A-D playing the hole with different routes. If anyone can post it, thanks!
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Probably #2 at Kingsley. You walk up the hill and get the view of almost the entire front nine. I love the fear factor on the tee and the anxiety after hitting that tee shot that doesn't go away until your ball has (hopefully) landed on the green and finally come to a stop. And sometimes, that when the fun is just beginning.
Bill,
You are correct....the view from # 2 is awesome ;D Hole # 1 still gives me the jitters......it lets you know your about to experience a special round ;D
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My first impression on this thread was how can you ever have a single favorite hole ever? It has to be a somewhat dynamically changing selection. Tom Doak's post shows how much his favorite hole has changed. Me? I'm even more wishy washy. I can't even keep it the same on the same course. I started with 7 at Old Mac, then it was 16, finally it is 3. 3 is the epitome of the universal theory of golf. It is also shows so many things. Sure there is a best line off the tee, but the high handicapper seldom achieves that. However, the challenge the hole puts up for the high handicapper is to get it over that ridge line and then see what you get. That challenge is doable, and the result is held off as a surprise once you get over the hill to find your ball. That surprise varies so much you have so many different challenges that will be presented by second shots that just keep you on your toes.
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I will go with 12 at the Old Course. The first time I played it it was into a significant headwind and the caddie advised my father to aim way right near the gorse. I had no idea why he gave the advice. Seeing the deep bunkers in the fairway that were invisible off the tee was like magic.
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Ballyneal 7
I thought quite a bit about this question. Everytime this hole comes to mind first and I could never ever drive the green but the options are there for one and all.
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Bethpage Black #4
It's both the finest Half-Par hole and 3-shot hole at the same time.
If your drive is poor, then your second is fraught with disaster. If your drive is in play then it might be the best second shot on a 3-shotter I know of. You've got three Monty Hall doors to choose from...straight at the dangerously defended green in two, cutting the corner to the immediate green approach, or cleaving well-right into the safety of broad fairway. Depending on your execution, the bargain is then pushed onto the third shot, which for most will be one of the more unique intermediate pitches regularly encountered...a 30-85 yard pitch into the oblique contour of green pad.
Aesthetically, it's a winner too, as you go from the exhilarating panorama mapped out by the tee to the semi blinds of the second shot to the frankness of that third short pitch...all the while, snaking around that imposing Glacial Bunker to the temple summit. It feels like a quest to the soul and an engaging, solvable challenge for the spirit.
If it was an 18th hole or part of a championship closing stretch...it would be talked of with greater frequency and notices than
(http://i50.tinypic.com/dc57kl.jpg)
cheers
vk
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Best View-- Kauai Lagoons #16
Most fun - Bandon Trail #14
Best test - Hazeltine #16
Most underrated - Chicago #4