Most Underrated Holes on Good Courses

[Jon Spaulding]

How about 9-12 NGLA....rarely mentioned when this course comes up. I thought collectively they were one of the highlights of the course.

[Ed Oden]

Ed,

I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on #2 at Oak Hill.  While not one of my favorites on the course, I still think it is a very neat hole.  What gives the hole such great merit for you?

JNC, I like the fact it is a relatively short hole on a course chock full of long and difficult holes.  So it affords a rare opportunity for a decent score.  Yet it still has enough bite to fit with the rest of the course.  I like the fact that it doesn't feel anywhere near as claustrophobic as the other short par 4s.  The trees on 12 and 14 effectively make those holes akin to threading a needle.   I like the fact the best spot in the landing zone is blind from the tee.  I love the approach.  I will admit to an affinity for uphill approach shots and, for me, #2 rivals #9 and #13 in terms of the best uphill approaches on the course.  And, finally, I think the green site is terrific.  There are no bargains if you miss the green and lots of interest once you are on the green.

Just to be clear, I never said #2 is a "great" hole.  Its not even my favorite at Oak Hill East (#9 probably gets that nod for me).  But I do think it is very underrated.  You never hear it mentioned at all.  I personally think it merits more attention.

A few pictures for those unfamiliar with the hole...







Ed

[Sean Leary]

11 and 16 at Prairie Dunes. 11 gets some love, but 16 gets none. Into the prevailing wind, it can be a bitch.

[JNC Lyon]

Ed,

Thanks for the pics and the insight.  The tee shot is always a test.  The player must be committed to whatever shot he wants to hit off the tee.  Otherwise, a bogey or worse lies in wait.  However, that does not mean the golfer has to hit any one type of shot of the tee.  I have driven into perfect position with both a big draw and a big cut off the tee.

I think the green is excellent.  The golfer must stay below hole to have a real shot at a four.  I am guessing you played the hole from the whites at 360 (most should play from those tees unless they are scratch).  The hole is much different from the 400 yard tees.  From there, a large oak tree overhangs the tee shot and essentially forces players to hit a snap hook to hit the fairway.  The hole is much better at 360.

9 is also a very underrated hole.  The triangle-shaped green is phenomenal, another hit-or-else proposition.  The hole could do with some tree trimming.  It is common theme at Oak Hill for great holes and green sites to be compromised by overgrown trees.  9, 12, and 14 are perfect examples.  However, the unique land features at 9 (and 12 and 14 as well) make up for any shortcomings.

I'm glad to see some discussion of the East Course that does not focus on the Fazio changes.  There are so many interesting holes out there. It is a shame to have them overshadowed by the four weak holes.

[Ed Oden]

JNC, actually, I played the back tees.  But I hit a good drive (you can see my ball in the second picture on the left side just barely in the fringe).  I think I had about 130 yards uphill.

I loved #9 and almost mentioned it in my original post.  But I thought it was more acclaimed so didn't know whether it met the underrated test. 

As for 12 and 14, both seemed to me to be holes that were designed to be defended at the green.  In my opinion, the trees on those holes are unnecessary and really detract from the intent.  Funny thing is, I suspect cutting the trees back wouldn't alter those holes much for major championship play since most all the pros likely hit an iron off the tee and rarely miss the fairway. 

Ed

[Matthew Hunt]

#7 at RCD.

[Carl Nichols]

#5 Sand Hills
#2 Oak Hill East
#3 LACC North
#7 Plainfield
#13 Shinnecock

Agree on #5 Sand Hills. I thought it quite the deal from the back tees where the hole is completely different than the other tee. The variable blindness of the 2nd shot depending how left one hits it off the tee is sublime.

Disagree on #3 LACC. Most locals go absolutely nuts over that hole....in a good way. Also, in the "Pre-Gil" era, it might have been the only truly interesting look in the first 6 holes, other than the 2nd shot into #1. Fortunately, they're well into phase 2 of the project, wait until you see the new version!

Jon:
When will the current work be done?

[Greg Tallman]

#4   Long Cove
#14 Cabo del Sol Ocean
#11 Muirfield Village

[Carr Harris]

#5 @ Harbour Town - Really fun driving hole (And this is from someone who plays a cut) My favorite hole on the course.

#7 @ Oakmont - Overshadowed by #'s 3, 15, & 18 as long par 4's go but a very good hole. Good green.

#13 @ Firestone (south) - Full aware of many of the members of this site's feelings on Firestone but the 13th is a damn good hole. possibly overshadowed by #'s 9 or 18

[Mike Wagner]

#'s 1 & 7 Bandon Dunes

[Patrick Hodgdon]

I would offer up #14 and #15 at Seminole.

[Doug Spets]

#3 ANGC

[Ed Oden]

Disagree on #3 LACC. Most locals go absolutely nuts over that hole....in a good way. Also, in the "Pre-Gil" era, it might have been the only truly interesting look in the first 6 holes, other than the 2nd shot into #1. Fortunately, they're well into phase 2 of the project, wait until you see the new version!

Jon, I'm sure you are right that LACC #3's virtues are recognized by those in the know.  But it sure doesn't register much elsewhere.  #11 seems to get the lion's share of praise.

Ed

[jim_lewis]

I may be the only one, but I have always thought that hole 14 is the best hole on Pinehurst #2.  Pure golf, no frills.

[ChipOat]

Mike Cirba:

Do you really think #14 at Merion is underrated?  It seems to get plenty of recognition - all of which is well deserved, yes?

On the other hand, not enough people have played #12 from the back tees.  For my money, it's more difficult from back there than #16.  The green's now too severe for the Stimp so I think #16 is a better hole.  But #12 just doesn't seem to get much mention - and it ought to.

[Gene Greco]

#5 Sand Hills
#2 Oak Hill East
#3 LACC North
#7 Plainfield
#13 Shinnecock

GREAT CHOICE in #13 at Shinnecock Hills.

Myself and Adam Messix believe it to be the flat out best hole on one of the courses considered to be best in the world.

[Gregg Evans]

I think of #3 at Carnoustie. Been a while , but I remember it as a visually pleasing short 4 which has a very masterful green complex. Second shot was critical. Nobody ever mentions it, and you'll never see it on TV. Everybody fixates on 16-18, understandably so.
I remember really getting the wow factor on three.
That is one hard golf course and a shortish par 4 won't raise too much sizzle .

[Sean_A]

#17 North Berwick
#15 Prestwick
#5 & 15 Enniscrone   
#11 Pennard
#4 Old Town
##8 Formby
#3 Cavendish
#5 Beau Desert
#16 Portsewart
#8 & 12 Brora
#7 Burnham & Berrow

Ciao
                           

[Scott Szabo]

I'll throw in #2 at Ballyneal and #9 at Sand Hills.  I love the approach shots into both.