What's the greatest hole in the world?

[A_Clay_Man]

Of course there can be no wrong answer since it's all subjective and perhaps this thread has been done before but I don't recall it.

My answer would be the ninth at CPC. It's esthetics, elevation changes, strategic options, green contour  and just about everything about it is GREAT.

What you say?

[THuckaby2]

I'd say I can live with that one!

It might be cliched also, but lil ole #16 there is kinda neat.  Easy answer and won't win me any cool points, but that's ok.

I'd also like to cast a vote for #2 at NGLA.  Most people think I'm insane for my love of that hole, but dammit talk about having everything... Funny thing is most people don't put it in the top 5 holes on that course, and here I'm calling it the greatest hole in the world.

This is a fun exercise... there are infinite answers... several at Sand Hills... #11 or 14 or 16 at Shinnecock.. and this is all just sticking to courses often discussed here... Foxy at Dornoch... #6 there... hell all 18 there...

Sorry for the rambling.  I could indeed go on all day.

TH

[Nick_Ficorelli]

Did it used to be the road hole?

[Chris_Clouser]

Based on only being able to restrain my comments to holes I've seen in person, I would have to say the 8th at Prairie Dunes.  Now if I can use photos...

[Fred_C.]

No. 2 at Pine Valley.  The views from the tee and then from the fairway (hopefully) are astonishing.  Two good shots never feel so good!

[Joel_Stewart]

All good choices, my favorite is #8 at Pebble Beach.  The 2nd shot is one that makes me so nervous I tend to soil myself

[SPDB*]

This may not be the greatest, nor my absolute favorite, hole in the world (i mean its tough to argue with the 2nd @ Pine Valley, or the 17th @ NGLA, or any hole at Cypress (save 18) but the 6th at The Creek is always one i have had a fondness for. It is a transition hole which leads the course down toward the Long Island Sound. The views from the tee of the whole course, and the Sound and New York beyond are spectacular. The strategy of the hole is terrific as well. Take a downhill tee shot as close as you can to the woods on the left in order to open up the green for your approach. The green complex with its narrow front left opening and contour which feeds running shots to the hole is awesome.

just some food for thought.

[Bob_Huntley]

The greatest hole in the world, for the greatest number of people playing, no matter how execrable their games....the 7th at Pebble Beach.

[THuckaby2]

SPDB - reading this, reading about the hole in George Bahto's book, man The Creek is on my MUST list.  Some day....

What's interesting to me is your mention of a hole that's damn near contiguous to the one I mentioned, at NGLA.  17 is a great hole in all respects... I just find 2 to be better!  And I fully realize I am in the minority on this.  I don't mention this to argue, but rather to show this as a testament to what an incredibly great golf course NGLA is.

TH

[THuckaby2]

I'm with you, Bob.  Just remember that heathen Rich "16 at Cypress is no big deal - it's just a simple driver shot" Goodale has nothing but ill-will for this hole as well.  I hope he reads this.  

TH

The greatest hole in the world, for the greatest number of people playing, no matter how execrable their games....the 7th at Pebble Beach.

[Jeff Mingay]

My gut feeling tells me, it might be the Road Hole.

The Road Hole seems tempts better golfers to try risky shots, while at the same time there are lateral options that cater to the less skilled, and less adventurous.

It's your choice at the Road Hole. Try the risky shots and reap the potential rewards, or play safe with the likelihood of carding a higher score.

Or is it, try the risky shots with the likelihood of carding a higher score?!  

Furthermore, there's tremendous interest in and around the  green.

If not the best hole in the world, the Road Hole is likely the most durable.

[David Kelly]

I'll go with the 8th at Pebble Beach.  The last time I played there as I was standing in the fairway looking down on the green I had the thought that at that moment I was at the pinnacle of what the game of golf had to offer.

[David Wigler]

#16 at Cypress Point and then start the discussion for 2nd place.  It is simply awesome.  No other hole can run the emotional rollercoaster that tee box puts in place.

[THuckaby2]

Funny how you and I think alike re this, Dave.  What Joel said about 8 at Pebble applies to me on 16 Cypress without a doubt... My knees were literally knocking each time.  It's just the enormity of it...and the familiarity... you've seen it in pictures so many times, and popping out of the grove coming from 15 tee, there it appears before you... It that doesn't make one's heart stir, well... I won't finish that.  I like Rich Goodale too much and he poo-poohed this hole.  

TH

[Bob_Huntley]

Tom:

Take heart, Rich would say that the Victoria Falls was a nothing but a wee splash of water over some rocks, just to be ornery.

[THuckaby2]

Well said, Bob.  I kinda get that feeling from Sir Goodale myself at times.  But I also very much look forward to his reply if and when he reads this... It ought to be VERY good!

TH

[David Wigler]

Tom,

I think I have a good way to describe #16 at Cypress.  G-D created the perfect place for a golf hole and Seth Raynor was smart enough to notice it and insist that it be put there.

Last week I had the opportunity to play Mauna Kea.  #3 is another of those holes that is a unanimous top 18 hole in golf.  The hole is actually 30 yards longer than Cypress.  It was playing 260 yards at sea level with a wet crosswind.  Todd Eckenrode and myself (Not the shortest of hitters) both hit driver that day to clear the ocean.  I thoroughly enjoyed the hole and had some anticipation before teeing off but no butterflies.  

When I go to church each year on the High Holidays, I say prayers asking for G-D's help to be a better husband and father, etc.  I also promise to only pray for things that are important and tell G-D that he is free to ignore the "Please let UofM score on this possession" prayers, if he will listen to the "Keep my children safe" ones.  Standing on the tee box of #16 at Cypress, I felt the need to ask for a waiver on my "No need to listen to unimportant prayers" dictum and asked for divine guidance to hit the green.  #9 at Cypress, #8 at Prairie, #3 at Mauna Kea, etc. are all great holes but none of them made me feel the need to make a special request with the Big Guy before hitting.

[Paul_Turner]

Impossible question but just to be different, how about the 13th at Newcastle?  Nothing quite like it.

I determined to think that the 16th at Cypress isn't, it's just too do or die.

[Andy Hodson]

#13 at ANGC is a pretty good one.

I'm told.

[THuckaby2]

Paul:

Oh, but 16 at Cypress ISN'T just do or die... the faint of heart or of strength surely can take the easy route left.  Dave sums up its greatness well above, for my thinking anyway... I too said certain prayers usually reserved for other dire sporting events and other life or death issues on that tee... But then again, that's because there was as much chance of me going left as me shooting 62 there.  Not going to happen.  But it surely is an option, if one requires such for greatness in a golf hole...  

[A_Clay_Man]

Funny how a question with no wrong answer can be so difficult. Kind of an enigma like the game sometimes. What it does do is help define what each persons preferences are. I know from my response that I do prefer that rugged natural dunesland look to the contrasting land and sea. Don't get me wrong, all the examples given (that I have seen) make me doubt my choice, just a bit. But in the deep down regions of my sub sub conscience I get giddy when I am surrounded by dunesland. Sand hills notwithstanding, I was giddy all day.

Tom- You're the only one who I can't quite make out what your prefernces are. Maybe if I knew the 2nd at NGLA, but even then I doubt it. I do have one question though, When you play poker do you like almost every hand, too? If so I suggest a game soon.

[TEPaul]

Architecturally speaking I might have to say Riviera's #10! Basically on a flat sort of nothing landform that hole about has it all. It's mentioned on here for one thing or another so often too. Talk about a great variety of options that're all tried and used all the time and by touring pros too!

For great architectural concept applied beautifully and through and through it's textbook!

[Paul_Turner]

Tom

Yes but the safe route is only reasonably exciting for the duffer (I'm guessing).  I think I just wouldn't pick a hole where water is the main hazard.  I prefer a hole like Brancaster's 8th, where you always have a chance of the heroic recovery

[Forrest Richardson]

No.16 at Cypress Point Club. Nothing is as pure, as optional, as aesthetic nor as wonderful in all golf. (The Road Hole in 1800s was probably as 'bad' as it ever got in golf of that era. We only love it now for its longevity and its history -- and the quirky qualities which have become so beloved. Like an old woman with a tremendos, but awful, hairdo, we love her, but not for her trueness.)

[John_D._Bernhardt]

I am biased to the 15th Cypress is my hole to end all holes, 11th TOC and 8th at Pebble are close. I have a soft spot for 5 at Turnberry, 7 at Troon and 6 at Carnoustee 4and 14 at Dornoch, 3,6 and 8 at Machrihanish. Oh what a wonderful world of great holes 6 at Seminole, 13 Pacific Dunes, 16 at my home course, and the list goes on and on.