The misdirection continuum: Classic to Hokey

[Kyle Harris]

At which point does misdirection become hokey and forced?

I started by considering the concept of having a dogleg hole with a green that is blind from the tee but a green from another hole that isn't. The nature of the topography would be that a first time or forgetful golfer could reasonably believe the hole played to the other green.

I like the idea, especially if playing for the wrong green doesn't penalize the golfer with position, but isn't the optimum position either.

Depending on the configuration of the other hole, it could even be possible for the holes to switch greens on setup - using different color flags to indicate which green is in play for which hole.

Does this sort of misdirection or uncertainty come off as forced or hokey, or does it have a place in the mental challenges of the game?

[J_ Crisham]

Alton Muny -A perfect example of the worst dogleg ever designed .The forgetable 9th is a 120 degree dogleg that should be blown up . As a young golfer it seemed bad and as I look back 20yrs its worse! Not sure of the architect but one to definitely avoid if in the area. From the tee you have no idea where in the hell to hit it.

[Jim Sweeney]

Kyle:

I think there are some potential problems. From a practical standpoint, such a design may invite players to play toward other people on the course, clearly a liability issue.

Philisophically, I wonder if this would be an artifice substituted for cleverness. A feature, natural or not, that is used to attract the eye of the unwary, to cause him to presume a line of play which is not optimum, might be clever. But to "dupe" the player into playing to a different hole through the device of an artificial "target" seems of dubuious architectural merit.

A policeman can dress up as a hooker and arrest someone who proposes to pay for a hooker's services, but cannot solicit the proposal.

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