Hey Mike Cirba, what are the other 7?

[George Pazin]

One major distinction in my mind is the simple fact that Sand Hills has 3 of the top 10 par fives on planet earth.

Just wondering....

 

[Mike_Cirba]

George,

Hahahaha....

You had to call me on it, huh?  

13 at ANGC
14 at TOC  (for mortals)
14 at PB
12 at Plainfield
7 at PV
17 at Prairie Dunes
8 at Crystal Downs

[Steve Lapper]

George,

Hahahaha....

You had to call me on it, huh?  

13 at ANGC
14 at TOC  (for mortals)
14 at PB
12 at Plainfield
7 at PV
17 at Prairie Dunes
8 at Crystal Downs

Mike,

FYI....I'd handily substitute either #16 at Shinnecock or #7 or #14 at Friars Head for 17 at Prairie Dunes. Also, I really feel like #16 at PV is a vastly superior strategy hole to #7!

[George Pazin]

Thanks, Mike.

Pretty interesting that you include Pebble's 14th over the 18th. Makes sense to me, but I'd guess most would disagree.

You obviously haven't seen Oakmont's 12th....

[Mike_Cirba]

Mike,

FYI....I'd handily substitute either #16 at Shinnecock or #7 or #14 at Friars Head for 17 at Prairie Dunes. Also, I really feel like #16 at PV is a vastly superior strategy hole to #7!

Steve,

Here I thought you might be suggesting that #8 at Trump National deserved consideration!    

I have to admit that I was thinking about 7 at Friars Head but think the achilles heel of that hole to the dreaded left side hole location is to purposefully miss that green just off the left, which is a much, much easier play than from anywhere else.

16 at Shinnecock is really superb, as well, but in Southampton, I'd go with 18 at NGLA first.

I also thought about 15 at PV versus 7, but the whole concept of the HHA feature is a classic strategy that was implemented best, and most fearfully, at PV.  

[Mike_Cirba]

Thanks, Mike.

Pretty interesting that you include Pebble's 14th over the 18th. Makes sense to me, but I'd guess most would disagree.

You obviously haven't seen Oakmont's 12th....

George,

Oh my yes...14 at PB is a much better, if less obviously dramatic hole than 18.

I've seen Oakmont's 12 and I came this close to listing it.

[Rick Shefchik]

Architecturally, PB #14 is the superior hole -- it easily belongs on my own list of the best par 5s I've played.

But having said that, it doesn't get into your head the way PB #18 does. I started thinking about the drive on #18 when I booked my first tee-time there, and I don't think it was ever out my mind the whole way around the course.

Does that make 18 better than 14? No. But I know which of the two I'd play tomorrow if it were the last par 5 I ever got to play.

[Mike_Cirba]

Rick,

Understood...who doesn't enjoy that scene and it's a glorious finish with the saltwater spray and the "don't hit it left" mindset that can cause one a world of problems on the right?

However, this is somewhat of an academic, dispassionate exercise, so the 14th it is.  

[Matt_Ward]

Mike:

My dear friend -- you must be suffering from a senior moment because you forgot the 4th at Bethpage Black -- the best "chain reaction" bunker for a par-5 in my humble opinion. Even though the putting surface may not be unique it still repels anything but the best of approaches.

An equal opportunity terrorizer for the world's best and the average Joe.

[Steve Lapper]

Mike,

   Matt HAS TO REAPPEAR to set you straight!!! (Even he didn't mention the "famous" and "world's greatest" 8th at Trump Galaxy! You bring out the best in all of us!

   HHA is indeed one of the greatest hazards, but hasn't the play & strategy of PVGC's#7 been rendered somewhat limited by modern technology (3 wood/Utility Club or Long Iron/Wedge)? 16 is anything but, as the driver has to find the high side and then all the next shots navigate the severe cant all the way to the hole. The latter is a far better test of the of player while the former has magnificant eye candy.

[PThomas]

14 at PB?   pls explain Mike!