Come on Pete, step the plate. Your rankings of the 7 please.
OK Matt
...but I am not a rater so I will give my thoughts on each...good enough?
Angels Crossing #6 (MI) - Really like this hole. May not be a "true" Biarritz since the slope angles from right-to-left, but I like that the rest of the green contouring is interesting besides just the swale. We hit some putts from the front to the back, there is a lot of interest there!
Creek (NY) #11 - This hole has been discussed often...I am not convinced that its the great golf hole that others here think it is. I do like the fact that the green angles a bit but the green is so big and the swale is relatively shallow so I don't think the running shot to the back pin is much in play here. If the tee and pin is all the way back, you'd have to hit a cut to run it to the back pin. If you are that good than likely you can hit a long iron to the back shelf and stop it...the mid-capper shouldn't try either one in a stroke play setting.
Highlands Reserve (FL) #16 - I like this green as a stand-alone but I don't see how it fits the hole or tie into its surroundings well. This is the green I referred to in the above post, where there is significant left-to-right pitch. Also, its the second shot to a par 4 where the green is diagonal left to right from the right side of the fairway, so that might explain the contours. However, the green is semi-blind from the fairway so the player doesn't get the excitement of seeing the ball on the back tier.
Mountain Lake (FL) #5 - Interestingly I think this is the only one that I've played that is bunkered on the majority of the length of both sides. Other than that the green is pretty standard Biarritz. Its an OK hole but I don't think its the highlight of the par 3's on this course. I prefer both 9 & 11 but it rounds balances the other par 3's nicely.
Southern Dunes (FL) #16 - Sort of a cross between a Biarritz and a Redan, my feelings on this green are mixed. The front and back portions are pretty small, requiring precision to hit the right level. Plus, it is a par 5, which I think is a plus, because you really have to think about going for the green and where to place your lay-up. Good thing too because the tee shot is the course's least interesting. The only one that I've seen where the middle is consistently pinned. Since the slopes are so steep and the middle portion is small (only about 3 paces), its a pretty easy pin position if you hit it on the proper level.
Wilderness at Fortune Bay (MN) #5 - Fun green at the end of a short par 4. I like the idea that you can risk hitting driver and hit it close to the green, leaving a fun running shot up the length of the green. If I remember correctly, the back is contoured to let balls feed to back pins (almost a punchbowl effect). Some day I'll get around to posting pics of this one.
Yale (CT) #9 - What else can I say about this hole (let's not talk about my playing of this hole please
). I think the coolest thing is that its on its own corner of the property...you can't even see it from 8 tee...in fact its not at all obvious to the first-time player where the hole is until you reach it. Also I was surprised that the land flows from right-to-left at the green. I want another crack (or two) at this one!
I've played the ones at AC, ML, Yale, and the Creek only once, so my thoughts my change on multiple plays. For us non-raters that is allowed.
Let the flogging begin.
Pete