....the finest course the pros play each and every year for four rounds (Pebble Beach and Dunhill Cup don't count)?

The answer should certainly be no. Augusta National SHOULD BE the hands down winner but based on my tour last spring,  I don't think so as it lacks great holes (the 3rd off the tee is not happening, the work off the 5th tee is not a sight to behold, the 10th is too one dimensional relative to the original 10th green placement, mangled fairway lines ruin the 11th hole's playing angles and the butchered 13th green complex knock out these once great holes). AN remains a solid 8 on the Doak scale but gee...it was once far more diverse/engaging. Kapalua retains its width, angles of play, variety with the trade winds another HUGE factor in its favor.

Riviera again at one point WAS far superior but few courses can withstand nothing going right for in excess of three decades, culminating with new 8th and 13th greens  

Harbour Town's lack of topographical interest coupled with the fact that it is a full-on housing project hinders its bid, despite a number of first to world class holes.

Thus, I wonder if Kapalua Plantation is indeed the finest course the pros play four rounds on each year? Given how unique it is and given that it takes time to understood how best to play it,  few  pros might agree - but that makes me wonder if we're on to something  

Pity about the 13 inches of rain in the first of January - the course may not be at its best - but I certainly look forward to tonight's viewing  

Cheers,

Who's Ran Morrissett?  The name sounds vaguely familiar...

Ran, I know I enjoy watching at Kapalua more than most because of the uniqueness you mention, but it's still tough to beat Riviera, even with the hatchet job done out there.

Wouldn't Golf Magazine sort of put the steroid-injected Torrey Pines in contention, as well?    

Well it's that time of year again where we debate the merits of the Plantation course.  I, for one, think it's a fine mountain layout, but its elevation changes simply make it too extreme to be a truly great course.  I think the back nine is far more interesting and appealing than the front.  Yes, there are no 500 yard separations from green to next tee, but Kapalua is a cart ball course first and foremost and in my opinion just can't be considered one of the greats.  It certainly has to rank behind Augusta and Muirfield.  Frankly, there are other layouts in Hawaii that I prefer to Kapalua.

On the Television issue I absolutely agree that the Platation course makes for good viewing, but this in of itself does not make a great course.  While I can't comment on the Player designed course that played host to the President's Cup, that course certainly made for great TV.  

Other than the British Open, very few other venues bring the ground game (and wind, too) into play.

Other good venues the pros (I assume you mean PGA Tour pros) play on 4 times a year not already mentioned:

TPC@Sawgrass
Colonial
Dubsdread

Ran -

Whether or not Kapalua Plantation is better than ANGC, is there any US tournament venue that has - (a) wider fairways, (b) less rough, (c) more wind with a direct impact on shot making, (d) funkier green surrounds, or (e) more ground game play?

And, by the way, aren't these also precisely the same attributes we admire in Golden Age courses?  

Looking at the replay of the Woods/Els match last night, I was struck again by how great KP is.

But more importantly, I was struck by how much of that greatness is based on design values straight out of the Golden Age hymn book.

An extraordinary course.

Bob

henrye,

I have to disagree with your mountain course comment . . . first the Plantation course does not play like any mountain course I've ever played before, so much wind and ground game there it's scary.  For instance, one round I hit a 5-iron second to the 18th that had to roll forty yards and ended up about pin high right of the green; second, why can't mountain courses also be great?

 

How many times are they shuttled?

I know that's the case between nines at Kiawah Ocean, as well.  

It does seem sort of ironic in light of the Casey Martin situation.

The Plantation course offers plenty of challenge, especially with the trade winds.  It's certainly a second shot tract, but that doesn't make it lay down for tour players.  -31 is insane on that course.    

Will no one come to the defense of ANGC?  I remain astonished by the extent to which it remains a whipping boy on this site.

Regards,

Mike

Course wise, it's my favorite watch of the year. The only other regular stop that probably comes close is TPC Sawgrass. I love Riviera, but it seems like you see more creative shots at Kapalua and TPC. It's just so rare to see them throw darts at Kapalua.

I'd have to separate out Augusta - I can't ignore the major related drama. I will say that if SWWOG were to offer two matches with the same players at Augusta and Kapalua, I'd watch Kapalua first.

My recollection is that they use shuttles in 2 situations. I'm walking it if I ever get there. At least the first 18.

The Tour players are shuttled between holes 3 times.  Between 5-6, 8-9, and 9-10.

The shuttles are Mercedes Benz 4x4's.  I would also add Riveria to the great courses the pro play during the year.