Kidney-shaped greens

[Pete Buczkowski]

The kidney-shaped green can be an effective way to dictate the line of play.  IMO, it is best applied when the narrow portion of the green is in front with a single bunker or string of bunkers in the area where the green is absent.  

Here my attempt at an illustration (G - green, B - bunker):

          GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
   GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
  GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
  GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
  GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
  GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
    GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
                  GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
    BBBB    GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
 BBBBBBBB     GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
 BBBBBBBB      GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
 BBBBBBBBBB    GGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
 BBBBBBBBBB     GGGGGGGGGGGGGG
 BBBBBBBBB       GGGGGGGGGGGGG
 BBBBBBBBBB       GGGGGGGGGGGG
  BBBBBB              GGGGGGGGGGGG
   BBBB                      GGGGGGGGG  

Of course, the picture could be reversed along a vertical line through the center.  

Suppose the green is used at the end of a short par 4 or long par 5, so the approach is played with a short iron or a pitch to a small green.  Referring to the above drawing, if the pin is front right, the player can approach from the right and test his accuracy or approach from the extreme left and test his distance control.  If the player doesn't hit to his favored side of the fairway, there is still a chance for a GIR, but leaves the player uncomfortable with the shot.

If the pin is back left, the right-side approach is desireable if the player wishes to take the greenside bunker out of play.  A back right pin is the easiest for member play.  If the hole is well-designed, the more desireable side of the fairway will have some risk (i.e. bunker placement).

Quite frankly, I don't think this type of green is used enough.  Interested to hear other's comments, examples, and viewpoints.

Pete

[Bill_McBride]

I think Nicklaus has done a number of greens where the area you show as B for bunker is GB for grassy bunker.  Those can be even tougher in that location than a sand bunker.  When the slopes feed any mishit down into the grassy hollow, it can be fun to watch but not fun to escape.

[Brian_Gracely]

Pete,

I don't know if you remember, but RCC as a green that's shaped like that (#14, long Par3, best approached with a punched driver), where the "B" in your picture is a grassy swale and there are bunkers along the right hand side.  

I agree with Bill that a recovery from those grassy areas is almost more difficult than a sand bunker.

[Pete Buczkowski]

Brian:

The round at RCC (and the mention of the National at Pinehurst) got me thinking about this.  The hole I really like is #2 at Finley, since there is a fall-off to the right of the green and you have an option of attempting to carry the fairway bunker on the right to give you a straight shot at the front pin placement.

You're right, that #14 at RCC is quite difficult.  JD hit quite a shot in there, but it fell into the hollow where my "B"s are.  From what I recall that green contours helped move a drawn shot to the back left hole location, whereas Finley does not have that feature.  

I agree that the grass bunker is harder for the better player, but maybe not for the higher handicap.  I didn't get to watch to pro event this weekend, but did Mirasol have any such green complexes?

Pete

[Gene Greco]

My son Christian is sitting here with me and is excited because the first hole he ever birdied has a kidney shaped green - the eighth at Sand Hills. It has four moon craters surrounding it back left and right and a little Pine Valley like DA right up front.

Made one of my great fours here.......

Drove the green front left, pin on right, putted it into the bunker, splashed it out long and it spun back to a foot for the tap in.