PGA National Match Course?

[Dan_Callahan]

For a Florida course, this actually looks pretty interesting.

https://golf.com/travel/pga-national-match-course-emphasis-fun/


I hadn't heard anything about it until I saw this article.


I thought this was an interesting quote:


"No. 11 is an aggressive Redan with a kick-slope working the ball from right to left. It’s one of Staples’ favorites."

“They let me build a green that is basically 50% unpinnable,” he said, “which every good Redan hole is like.”

[Ronald Montesano]

Planning to see it in April. Excited is an understatement.

[Sean Corriston]

I was fortunate to play The Match in January and will be playing again in April. For starters, I was impressed with what Andy was able to do being limited to the footprint of the Squire course. The Match is unlike any course at PGA National and is a welcome change of pace.


Playing the course was equal parts fun and challenging (don't be fooled by the unofficial par 68!). The template holes do provide a sense of familiarity but come with their own unique features. Few that stick out were the railroad tie bunkers on a few par 3s, #2-Short & #11 Redan; #3 alps(sorta) with a demanding lion's mouth green; The Grass bunkering on a number of holes makes you think about your shot placement.


There's a clear emphasis on strategy off the tee but, The green complexes are the star of the show. They're dramatic with significant movement, if you miss one creativity becomes the name of the game oftentimes having to play away from the hole to get it close.


Can't forget the par 3 course, a must-play even if there's an hour of daylight left. 3 wedges, 1 putter, and your drink of choice is all you need.

[Jeff Kallberg]

For those who have played (or just know how this works), how do they go about deciding the official handicaps for each hole on a match play course with widely variable yardages for each hole?  Looking at a scorecard I found online, the #1 handicap hole (the 5th) plays at a maximum of 512 yds and a minimum of 293 yds.  Picking a little randomly here, the #9 handicap hole (the 7th) plays at a maximum of 418 yds and a minimum of 252 yds.


So given variability in who chooses where to begin a hole, I assume it would not be unusual for a match where someone is giving, say, 4 strokes, where the #1 handicap hole plays 125 yards shorter than the #9 handicap hole (minimum yardage on the 5th; maximum on the 7th).  Does the handicapping still work?  Or is part of the strategy in choosing what tee to play involve deciding, say, to choose a shorter yardage on a hole where you might be getting a stroke?


Jeff Kallberg

[Adam_Messix]

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Match Course and will try to play it again soon.  In addition to my enjoyment of the templates mentioned, I particularly liked Staples rendition of the Road green on the 10th hole.  I also liked 16 as a "half par" hole. 


For Florida The Match is unique and should attract good business.