...really worthy of inclusion in a World Top 5?



Should they cut it down a wee bit (or raise the tee a smidgin?)
Or do we think it's quirk?
Or do we think of it as an opening shot with mystery?
Or is it architectural symbolism for the lifting curtain of the performance?

It's certainly a DAUNTING experience being asked to whack one over it at 7:30 in the morning!!!

FBD.

Martin:

Great pic.  

I've just never felt that hedge was all that "daunting" - the top if it is below your feet as you stand on the tee, so it's not a shot performance issue - only the worst of foozles will hit it.

And while one can't see the fairway, as your picture shows, one surely can see the trees on either side, so you know where to aim.  As blind shots go, this is 20/40.  

I kinda like the "lifting of the curtain" idea.  But I also think WAY too much is made out of that hedge, which of course is there out of necessity, sparing tourists' cars from those bad foozles I just mentioned, as well as giving the club some privacy lest those same tourists stop and gawk (which they sure as hell would).

This famous hedge has been discussed in here before.  We'll see if the previous "discussers" come out again.

TH

ps - no pic of THE FENCE on 15?  I am saddened.  

FBD

The hedge is certainly not the most attractive bit of shrubery.  What does the hedge hide?

Ciao

Sean

17 Mile Drive - the road tourists currently pay $8.50 to traverse.

Huck,
just for you, Buddy! Man, I love Photobucket!



As for daunting - just ask Nancy. We were all busy telling her she would be driving from somewhere over the road, and we were all wandering off down to the fairway when the caddies stopped us and said, "Ma'am, you drive from here too".

Rich,
you do understand, as far as I am concerned the question is entirely rhetorical!!!

FBD.

If you think that first tee ball is blind, take a trip to Santa Fe and play Black Mesa one of these days!  Anybody have a photo?

If you think that first tee ball is blind, take a trip to Santa Fe and play Black Mesa one of these days!  Anybody have a photo?

Great call Bill - I was thinking of that as well when I made my 20/40 comment.  We might as well have all been Stevie Wonder on the first tee there.  And it worked - damn well.  I love that hole.

TH

FBD

The hedge is certainly not the most attractive bit of shrubery.  What does the hedge hide?

Ciao

Sean

WE, those humble Knights of Neat, that go ricky-ticky-ticky-ticky demand that you open the gates so we may enter this sacred castle!

Or something to that effect....

Blind shot first holes, H. Chandler Egan's  Lake Oswego CC. A really fun one too over a hill or dale or whatever you want to call it. Very quirky fun.

I'm kind of busy at the moment so I will leave you all with only a single comment ...

Ms. Nancy did not seem to have a problem with the hedge ...

And this was after the initial shock of realizing that she had to hit from this tee box ...

Carne starts with an almost blind drive. You can't see the landing area, at least.

For some small people, many holes are blind. Not to mention blind people.

     I was reading the the thread title, and I immediately thought of the submarine periscope on the first tee of Elie in Fife, Scotland.  Never played the hole, but the idea of hitting the first drive of the day as a blind shot immediately gives a sense of adventure to the golf course, especially with a periscope next to the tee.  Ross's Teugega in Rome, NY has a periscope next to the tee on the fifth hole, a short par-five with a superb green.

     In fact, my home course, Oak Hill, has an opener (East Course) that plays directly into the sun, effectively making the drive a blind one.  I think it adds to the challenge and interest of the course, especially since it is a 440 par 4.  It certainly hints at a mysterious adventure.  Don't like the first hole into the sun?  At Oak Hill, you have two choices with which this can be avoided:
1)  Take a caddy.
2)  Play the West Course in the morning (more Ross in the     greens), with its first hole playing due west, and then play the EAst in the afternoon, when the sun is not a factor on the opener.

No.1 is a pure example of the temporary nature of plants — roughs, trees, shrubs, narly grasses, etc......are all a part of the golf course which is ever-changing. Cypress Point Club is only graced with a hedge along Seventeen Mile Drive due to the popularity of the road and the compelling desire not to bean bicyclists from low tee shots.

It is easily changed. It has not much to do with golf architecture, and everything to do with that temporary condition caused by plantings, maintenance practices, etc.

As I recall, your fellow SC alumnus actually played away to the accompanying sound of a passing motor vehicle - serious cojones...

I did it just for you Martin ...

What many may fail to realize is that the golf course is not at all visible from the road, either. It isn't seen until after you hit this tee shot...  ( Whch is directly into the winter's sun ala the 17th at Apache Stronghold ) ) ... walk down that litte path on the left, there in the photo, cross the road and BANG ZOOM there's the most beautiful GC right in front of you and you never saw it. Truely a religious experience for some.