Gentlemen:
I just returned from a 4 day trip to Bandon, and was like most of us struck by the beauty and challenge of the complex. Having read extensively and had the opportunity to play a few of America's best, I was particularly looking forward to PD, Without question, I agree that it is a fantastic course, and certainly one whose strategic merit matches its high regard on this site and rankings nationally.
However, I must say that I had some experiences on 16 to discuss with the group. I played twice, in 30+ winds and again in 10ish winds, both in the prevailing summer winds, and had no prayer of hitting that green in reg despite perfect tee shots both days (to Mr. Doak's "position A" for those that have the Pacific Dunes video). Pins were middle right both days. The first day, despite perfect lie and solid ballstriking all day, my caddie told me without equivocation "aim left of the green into the hollow and hope to 2 putt from there." I proceeded to hit three balls, against his advice, two landing 20 feet left/short and taking the huge Bandon bounce into the back bunker. Then a pitch and run landing just short and kicking directly right into the hollow. Same experience on round two, for a total of 6 balls from 90 yards and in, none on the green. I mean, I'm not be best player around, but as a 3.2 index, I'd expect to get on there at least a couple of times, assuming good shots. The same things happened to the other <5 handicaps in my foursome. Bogey won the hole both days - that back bunker shot is nearly impossible.
It seems to me that this hole stands alone as being particularly penal in a course that otherwise is fairly challenging but accomodating. Are these experiences unique to me? In terms of Mr. Doak's best short par 4s, and other quality short par 4s on PD alone (namely #6), what is the group's opinion as to where the 16th stacks up? Did I play to unusally hard greens? Simply strategic mistakes/poor shotmaking on my part?