The Wall Behind the Klondyke Hole

[Ian_L]

The stone wall behind the green on the 4th hole at Lahinch is covered with grass.  I remember reading somewhere that the grass is there to help balls get over the wall and go O.B.  When I was there, though, I couldn't help but think it would be far more interesting as a bare stone wall, with interesting recovery possibilities.  Am I missing something?

A link to the picture: http://www.golfarchitecturepictures.com/Web%20Galleries/Ireland/Lahinch/pages/Lahinch%20053.htm

[Guy Nicholson]

To help balls go OB? Couldn't they expedite the process by just removing the wall? I'm with you, although I can imagine some tricky grass lies on or against the wall as depicted.

[Tom_Doak]

One of the interesting things about that hole is that it goes all the way from the beach to the wall ... which means that eventually you are going to have to cross over it to get back home, as they do on the 18th tee shot.

[Shane Wright]

Hopefully this picture shows up.

[Shane Wright]

I don't see how the grass will help the balls go out of bounds.  A ball would have to hit towards the top of the wall to really go out of bounds. 

But anything hitting 3/4 of the way up the wall and down is going to stay in bounds.  If you are going for the green in two, you can take 1 or 2 less club (with prevailing wind) and let the ball run up onto the green.  The wall would help if anything else. 

[Shane Wright]

[Ally Mcintosh]

In my opinion, it is to stop a multitude of unplayable shots nestled against the foot of the wall.

The slight angle of the grass covered dyke assists balls rolling away far enough to get a club / putter and small backswing behind.

[Shane Wright]

Great point.

[Ronald Montesano]

And, as in miniature golf, if you stop against the embankment, you get one putter head relief with no penalty.

[Jim Sweeney]

Looks to me like Ally is correct and that the grass would reduce the chance of some wicked ricochets.