Natural Rock Outcrops in Golf Holes?(photos)

[ian]

Rock as framing: the 3rd green at cataraqui, the backdrop of limestone framing the green.

Rock as an accent: 6th hole at Bigwin Island, hitting over the rocks

Rock stategiclly in play: 4th hole at Taboo, second shot is up to or over the granite ridge

Rocks as a hazard: 8th hole at Taboo, 200 yard par three

Rocks defining the entire stategy of a hole:18th hole at Taboo, second shot on the par five


North of Toronto there has become a one upmanship on the use of natural granite outcrops as a feature of the golf course. They are incredibly beautiful and I really enjoyed Taboo. The question becomes, how much is too much and what becomes unfair?

[Matt Kardash]

I think i would be scared teeing it up at Taboo!....you're gonna need full-out hockey gear if you're gonna survive those deflections off the rocks. That par 3 looks down right frightening!!....Isn't Mike Weir calling that course home now?
I haven't played Taboo but it looks like they might have gone a bit overboard with the rock concept...The first photo of Cataraqui was really nice though.

[Doug Siebert]

Sort of reminds me of Connemara in the NW of Ireland.  That part of the Irish countryside is kind of like a moonscape in places, it is quite a sight.

How far north of Toronto is this?  I did some consulting there that had me flying in every week during 2000, and I may do another project for the same client in a few months.  This looks like a nice course to visit if I find the time.

[Paul P Kelly]

Picture of Connamara http://www.globalgolf.com/Ireland/West/play_at/connemara/1.jpg

I would say it's a nightmare trying to mow the fairways. I think it looks good though.

I believe Hackett did not have to move any stones when building the course. I have played there a number of times and the stones never seemed to come into play. They enhanced the visuals, however.

[Rick Shefchik]

I don't have a problem with the rocks in any of these pictures -- as long as they were all there in the first place. I wouldn't be a fan of trucking in a bunch of rock and dumping it on a hole that didn't have it in the first place, but if you can build a good golf course on a site with a lot of natural rock, and leave some of it exposed, fine by me.

[Dan Kelly]

My partner Mr. Shefchik took the words out of my mouth.

Except I'd go further: I LOVE these rocks.

They're the perfect strategic hazard. They just scream: Stay the hell away -- or take the consequences! And you'll have no idea what those consequences might be!

[A_Clay_Man]

I know of one of our faithful who absolutley despises the use of rocks near or too close to greensites.

Are any of these that close to the greens?

[Scott_Burroughs]

Adam,

Here's rock outsroppings by the #5 green at The Shattuck GC
in New Hampshire, by Brian Silva, which is today's 2nd AOTD.

 

[Chris_Blakely]

As far as The Shattuck goes, there are at least 5 holes that have rock outcroppings including the par 5 sixth hole.  Unfortunately, none of my pics are digital.

Also, Skyview GC in Sparta NJ has several on a bunch of holes including the 4th and 5th holes that are framed by rock outcroppings.

http://skyviewgolf.com/pic4.shtml

Also, Blackhead Mountain Lodge's 15th runs entirely next to the rock ledge from the mountain.  Also, the 18th if one looks back after reaching the fairway will see that their is a huge rock outcropping before it drops down to the lake.

The 14th green at the GC at Mansion Ridge in Up State NY has a very large rock outcropping behind the 14th gren the hole is entitled "Bear Corner."  This rock wall is close enough to the green to come into play for the one who over shoots the green.

I too like the use of rock outcropints and believe that they are a good natural hazard as long as they are not overused.

[SPDB1]

The outcroppings at the 11th at TCC, are terrific.
It's a got a great now you don't/now you see it aspect

check it out (from the course review):

[ian]

Matt, Its easier than it looks, and the course is fair

Rick, Everything is natural and has been exposed for the aesthetics.

A Clay Man, No none are unfairly close to a green site. On another course called Rocky Crest (up here) they have a number of greens where rock is immediately beside the green and would be an automatic lost ball (unless your name is Hale Irwin-Crosby reference sorry).

Scott, I have played a number of holes like that, my thoughts are as long as you don't have to many all or nothing shots that the occasional lost ball is worth it.

SPDB1, Love the photos, love the hole, thanks