Need I remind you David that you've given me about 5 dissertations now today about the 18th hole at St. Andrews, a hole you have never played!!
If that isn't the black calling the kettle pot, I don't know what is!
Guilty as charged. I think I made it quite clear, repeatedly, that my comments were based on seeing the hole many times on television. My guess is that I have seen the hole played on television hundreds of times. Plus I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night. Unfortunately, I must have forgotten to tivo the numerous televised tournaments which took place at Rustic.
No matter, I welcome your detailed comments about holes at Rustic you have never seen (live or on memorex.) If nothing else, they are entertaining.
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The physical layouts of RC 12 and TOC 18 arent really that similar. As has been pointed out, there are bunkers between the tee and the green at RC 12. Other physical differences-- The 12th green at Rustic is relatively small, and the hole plays pretty downhill.
That being said, there are some similarities when it comes to strategy
based on what I have seen on television:
-- Both holes present the golfer with a wide open fairway, deviod of obvious fairway obstacles.
-- Because of the above, both invite the golfer to swing away. (RC 12 tempts the golfer to swing away toward the right edge of the fringe or further right)
-- Because of the contours on and around the green, the approach shot/chip/pitch/putt on each hole varies significantly, depending on where the drive ends up.
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Ace: there may have been some pot plants on or near that road sometime in the past, but I doubt there was a pothole.