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Jason Thurman

  • Total Karma: 2
Your Favorite and Least-Favorite Template Holes
« on: June 30, 2020, 10:02:20 AM »
Criss T and I were talking last Thursday after his round at Camargo (and subsequent 9 holes carrying me in our Thursday night men's league). Among other things, we discussed favorite holes on the course.


For me, most of my favorite holes on "template" courses end up being the same templates over and over again. I'm a sucker for the Redan, Alps/Punchbowl, Road, and Leven templates, as a rule. I get less excited about the other par 3 templates in particular. I think the Short is a nice addition to the puzzle in most courses, but never my favorite hole. I don't particularly think the Biarritz concept really works as intended with modern equipment, and they sometimes look pretty silly to me. And an Eden rarely feels like much more than a "normal" par 3 with a back-to-front sloping green. But Criss cited Camargo's Eden as a favorite, and it's hard to fault that. It stands out in a way that most Eden's don't.


So, what template holes work for you? Which ones don't? And do you find yourself liking the same template holes over and over on different courses, or do your favorites vary depending on the specifics of the hole at each site?
"There will always be haters. That’s just the way it is. Hating dudes marry hating women and have hating ass kids." - Evan Turner

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Nigel Islam

  • Total Karma: 0
Re: Your Favorite and Least-Favorite Template Holes
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2020, 02:50:25 PM »
The Short and the Eden concepts probably do not feel as special since a lot of architects tended to use them (and still do.) I think each can be exceptional. In particular the Ross version of a Short hole often tends to be my favorite on a course he has designed. He was a master of this.


The Biarritz might be the prettiest looking hole concept, but I am not sure it ever really fulfilled the strategic intention. Interestingly one of the best Biarritz greens is at Tillinghast's Somerset Hills on the par 4 13th hole.