Tim,
I'm sorry to say that I don't share the same opinion with you on this hole. This is one of my favs on the course and absolutly love it.
After first playing this hole I had a different reaction, but when looking at it in retrospect, I was only bit in the ass because I didn't realize how to play it. It could be the toughest 40 yard chip to a green from a fairway lie that you will ever have. Even though Tom admitted in Dream Golf that its a bit unfair, that could only be said the 1st time you play it because after that you know better right?
In many ways its similar to the 10th at Riv in strategy:
- Standing on the tee it looks like the play is to go right at the green, but once you get up there its very obvious its not.
- The safe play is indeed out to the left to open up the best angle into the green.
- Driving just short of the green leaves a very difficult approach with little chance for birdie and just hoping to save par.
- Successfully challenging the green on its left side can lead to a very doable birdie if not eagle with a pin on the left.
- Even with a successful layup out to the left, its still a butt puckering wedge approach in missing right, long, or left are all pretty much dead.
I think the hole is brillant and its once again one of those mind game kind of holes. Your standing on the tee, short par 4, wind behind, and your licking your chops. Then when you walk off with a double bogey your muttering to yourself.