[Matt_Ward]

Had the pleasure in playing the new John Fought design in Hurricane, UT called Sand Hollow. Previous info has been already posted on the course and while I will at some point opine on the totality of what is there -- I want to share my thoughts on the sensational short par-4 13th -- one of the really great holes I have ever played.

The hole maxes out to 320 yards -- it provides what short par-4's should do -- seduce the player in going for the big play. Generally the prevailing wind is behind the player's back and when it is it only serves to seduce you even more to go for the green.

What makes the hole so stellar is its topographical features. The hole plays slightly uphill but it is positioned on a cleared strip of land that is parallel to a major cliff fall-off that run up the entire left side. Any serious pulled shot or snap for a right-handed player is certain doom.

Fought smartly included two (2) fairway bunkers. The first is in the left center portion and confronts the player who opts for the safe tee shot to set-up a short pitch. It must be avoided as it is quite deep and not very player-friendly. Total distance to lay-up is roughly just under 200 yards and to clear the bunker takes a shot of roughly 215 yards.

The second fairway bunker is positioned above the hole and on the right side. It is there for those who opt to bailout to that side and avoid the cliff fall-off. It can be carried but anyone seriously going for the green gets no bonus points in missing the fairway too far right. The resulting short pitch shot must then land on a very narrow green that runs away from the player.

There is an alley-way to the green but it offers as space as the gap you see between two Manhattan (NY) buildings. The worst nightmare for the player is to pull the shot just to the left of the green. You then must flip a very short shot DIRECTLY up over a small crest of a hill to the green. Going too far is also something to avoid. I hit a driver and knocked the ball over the green and after about 10 minutes looking for it -- found it about 30 yards passed the hole and in some high grass which made me move the ball barely a few yards before then pitching onto the green.

The great thing about Sand Hollow's short par-4 13th is the beauty of the hole and the nature by which so many options are racing through the player's minds. The hole also features a very narrow green that is quite deep -- likely around 40 yards.

An eagle can be had -- more likely those who fail to execute could see the dreaded DB or TB on the card.

Sand Hollow has a number of other worthy discussion points but I'll start the ball rolling with this hole because it clearly opened my eyes in a big time way.

[Ben Sims]

Matt,

These are the types of holes that make golf fun.  #6 at Pacific Dunes, #10 at Riviera, #2 #7 or #10 at We-Ko-Pa Saguaro.  I LOVE drivable par 4's with more than 2 options (short and long) off the tee.  Based on the website, this hole looks like it's been made in their image.  The bunkering gives pause, the green angle gives pause, the cliff gives pause.  But that green chute of land leading to eagle or certain birdie beckons like a far away bikini model.  I wish more courses had 2-3 of these per round.  Alas, Saguaro is the only course that comes to mind with three par 4's in the 280-320 range. 

As for opening your eyes.  I can't believe an experienced guy like you hasn't seen the benefit of short two shotters until Fought's gem.

[Rob Rigg]

Having never played the hole I cannot comment on it.

However, I do recall that it is one of Garland's favorites based on a previous thread! 

[Matt_Ward]

Ben:

Just a small correction -- I am very much aware of the meaning of short par-4 holes but they need to be really interesting in order to amount to something. Sand Hollow's 13th is clearly one of the most fascinating I have played in quite some time and as an FYI -- I have played the others you mentioned and I see SH's 13th being in such elite company save for the likes of the 10th at Riviera which I see slightly ahead of it.

By the way -- the ones from We-ko-Pa's C&C course - are second fiddles to the likes of the hole mentioned from SH in my mind.

[Ben Sims]

What makes Sand Hollow's 13th better than Saguaro's 2nd?  I've only played one of them, but the shot and options are very similar.  I also think Saguaro's is slightly less penal for a miss than SH's, IMHO.  The ones at Saguaro remind me of 3rd at Augusta.  Better players fear short grass around greens as much as rough. 

[Matt_Ward]

Ben:

The scoring range at SH's 13th is far greater. You can go from an eagle to anything up to "X" with the wrong execution. I also think the general location and sheer beauty / wild nature of the property argues in favor of the Hurricane, UT layout.

[John Mayhugh]

Anyone have photos of this hole?  Sounds like one I would really enjoy playing, but my limited imagination needs some supplements.

[Matt_Ward]

John:

I believe there were photos posted on a previous thread detailing Sand Hollow and the hole itself.

You can also access the site -- www.sandhollowresort.com

I believe there may be links as well there.

[Scott Stambaugh]

Matt-

I had a chance to play Sand Hollow last month, after playing a very slow front nine, we jumped over and played the nine holes of the Links Course.  So, I can't comment on #13, but I can say that the Links Course was amazing.

Maybe because it's only nine holes (possibly 18 someday), maybe because of it's still fairly new and somewhat remote, but it surprises me how it has barely been mentioned on this site.  Even Sand Hollow's website makes a lame reference to it.  I would put it on equal ground with some of the other minimalist darlings discussed around here.  Hopefully someone smarter than me will take some photos of it.

Scott

[John Mayhugh]

The Sand Hollow website wasn't too useful.  They have a course map with drawings of the holes, but the 13th didn't look like your description. 


Or as it turned out Bill Satterfield's pictures (hope no problem reposting those).
I didn't see Scott's original post.  But he had these pics from the 13th.


From behind the green.


Great looking hole.  From the pic taken behind the green, it looks like the hole is downhill.  But from the tee, it seems like a little downhill to the middle of the fairway and then back uphill some.  How big is the drop off the cliff? 

[Matt_Ward]

John:

My original description was spot on concerning the hole.

The hole plays slightly downhill but then rises back gently to the green complex.

The first bunker on the left is meant to handle those who layback. The second bunker on the far right is meant more as a protection bailout consideration for those who block it right.

Miss too far left or right and the situation can turn bleak very quickly.

I have to say it's one of the best short par-4's holes I have played recently -- clearly among the public side of the aisle.

The drop-off from the cliff is at least 300 feet -- once the balls goes over it's gonnnnnnnnnnnnne !!!

Scott:

Agree with you on the links nine. Save for the spotty tees and fairways -- the greens on that side were simply fantastic -- plenty of contour and movement and encourage the run-up shot whenever needed. With a helping SW wind the first two holes are driveable by strong players but the greens will frustrate those who don't respect them.

I agree more should be posted on the links side.

Too bad you missed the back nine when there !

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