12 and 16 Addington. They are both thrilling holes over wild terrain. I hit 3-wood, 7-iron into 16 one of my rounds, and the first time I played 12 I killed a drive down the middle and never found it! These holes show how routing creates great excitement. I liked 2 at Addington, with its subtle fallaway green, as well.
9 at North Berwick. Sure, this hole is on some of the less exciting land at NB, but I loved this split-fairway par five along the boundary line. I also thought it was interesting that the golfer can drive away from the boundary wall and still make a four. The hole has a great elevated green as a capper.
16 at Huntercombe. Very short for a par five, but the hole is highly unique and very fun. I loved the centerline hazard off the tee that catches the unsuspecting long straight-ball. Then, the huge crater makes for an effective but negotiable hazard on the second shot. Although the hole is only around 470 yards, the golfer still has to hit two well-struck and well-placed shots to reach the two-tiered green in two. The hole shows how a par five can be really effective at short distance.
3 and 16 at Deal. These par fives, along with those at Addington, were the highlights of the year architecturally speaking. 3 is wonderfully simple, a rolling, straightaway hole that ends with a brilliant and thoroughly maddening punchbowl green. Any approach shot that fails to make the bowl leaves a very difficult recovery. 16, on the other hand is wonderfully complex. The drive should be played well left of the WWII pillbox, leaving an uneven lie for the second shot. When the hole is downwind, the green is very reachable, but never very hit-able. The prudent play, regardless of wind, seems to be a short layup into the "Valley of Inglorious Security" followed by a wedge approach that avoids the giant mound fronting the green. Of course, egos get in the way, and many a golfer will find himself short of the green with no clear recovery route to make four. The green, rolling and heaving in every direction, provides a final defense on this brilliant short par five.