What if I hit it HERE?

[Tom_Doak]

Jeff:  A great deal of my design work (and of my evaluation of any golf course) is based on the interest of recovery shots.  In fact, that's what I chose to write about for Neil Crafter's SAGCA Journal.

Most golf pros would never understand it, but what I'm trying to build is a variation of difficulty for recovery play, ranging from easy to tricky to damn-near-impossible.  I see that as a positive -- I see it as allowing players with differing short games to utilize their talents.

Does anyone remember that bunker shot in the playoff at Riviera this year?  That's exactly the kind of shot that a pro would whinge about, yet Charles Howell pulled it off with the tournament on the line ... it's the most memorable golf shot I've seen so far this year.

Remember, they hate the back bunker on #12 at Augusta too.  That's why it's such a good golf hole.  Solidarity!!

[John_McMillan]

"Whinge" is an interesting typo.  I assume it's a combination of cringe and whine - which sounds like the most common golf professional reaction to architecture.

[B. Mogg]

John.

Whinge is not a typo - it sounds like Tom has been spending too much time in the Southern Hemisphere.

Whinge, whinger and Whinging Pom are very much a part of the Aussie (and NZ) lingo.

Cheers,
Brett

[Tim_Weiman]

Jeff Brauer:

I would completely disregard input from this particular golf professional. Just tell him not to hit his approach shot to where he thinks a recovery to 8 feet is too hard...... and shut up.