David M. (and Tom D.)
I continue to think about this long and hard. Stone Eagle remains a very difficult course for me to assess. There is a lot I like about it, and a little I don't. It sucks we have to focus on the latter. But that's this website!
First things first: David, you are forgiven for not reading all of my many posts here, but if you did, you would have read that I said several times that I have zero issues with the tee shots at Stone Eagle. In fact, it's one of the most forgiving courses I have ever played in that respect. I saw some shots that would have been off the world at munis end up just fine at Stone Eagle, four fairways away. Others can find rocks, of course, but it's kinda cool in that respect. So no issues there, my friend.
It's the approach shots I still maintain are too tough for the higher handicapper. And again, Doak did the best anyone could there - it's just the nature of the site.
So I'll address the rest to both you and Tom D. First, Tom, you continue to insist this is all about me and MY PLAY, but it's not. Like I've said, I had one bad round, one great one. I did witness several other players though, and I also have a pretty good imagination, and feel for how higher handicappers play, given I have been one, and most of the players I play with are such. So what does it matter where I lost golf balls? Actually even in my bad round I didn't lose that many!
But I sure saw lots of others lost.
And more importantly, I also saw lots of others, and myself, get into bunkers with lies, or distances of carry required, from which Tiger Woods would have been lucky to get out in one shot. I alluded to this before, but the sand in the bunkers last weekend was VERY soft. We got lots of buried lies, plugs, fried eggs. Is it meant to be that way? I'd assume not. But even if not, well... the bunkers are huge and deep and many... thus many holes leave a bunker fate that at times may be worse than the rocks - it's more of a delayed death. This won't effect the good golfer too much, but will KILL the poor one.
And I'd venture to say this happens on every single hole. No David, I don't believe golf courses need 360 degrees of easy approaches, but I also don't think that every single green site should have a combination of rocks and bunkers such that immediate or delayed death is very possible, if not probable, for the lesser golfer on any shot from any distance. And I truly believe that is the case at Stone Eagle. Are there ANY greens where either rocks or deep bunkers in quantity or both aren't within 25 yards of the green, often times much less? Then even on the sides with more grass and/or banks, aren't either death bunkers or more rocks lurking just over the grassed area? As I go over it in my mind, I recall that is the case. And if so, well... as I say it's just too much for the lesser golfer.
So yes, that's how I see it. I'd agree there are better places to miss on nearly all holes; but the lesser golfer surely can't/doesn't play for those, as our discussion with George Pazin herein proved.
Hey, it's a pretty damn fun golf course. It's visually incredible without a doubt. Some of the fun shots the better player can play into greens, and the lesser one can if he lucks out and misses on grass, are really really fun. I found the greens to be genius, not over the top at all. It is one hell of an achievement, without a doubt. Tom you created the most playable course possible on that site. I'm a decent golfer, and while the course really isn't my cup of tea that much (just due to the difficult walk and the fact I'm not really all that into rocks on golf courses), I'd sure as hell play it again and I have no doubt I'd have fun.
I just couldn't possibly bring my Dad there; he - a pretty smart 25 handicapper who does tend to spray/chunk/mish-hit his irons, as most 25s do - couldn't finish the course. He'd lose too many balls in the rocks, or take too many strokes in the bunkers - and it would all happen by the green. I just plain can't see him having fun there. He'd get far too frustrated.
And this is my only complaint/critique/whatever you want to call it. Stone Eagle is a course for better players, made as close to doable for lesser ones as anyone could given that site... but on that site, well... it's just not meant for lesser golfers.
Oh well. Maybe you'll buy this, maybe you won't. No hassles.
I certainly could be wrong. David, I'd guess you'll show me very clearly why you disagree.
But while you do, I'd also be interested in what other criticisms you have for the course, as you say exist.
TH