Philly's Most Haunting Hazards

[Nate Oxman]

Please tell me if this type of thing is frowned upon, but I'm looking for some help for a story I'm working on for a local magazine here in Philly on the 18 most intimidating hazards (9 private, 9 public) in Philadelphia and its suburbs. Any nominations?

I'm having some trouble deciding whether to include the quarry at Merion because it's not a bunker (although it is loaded with bunkers) or a water hazard. I think I may have to include it since its so famous and maybe add a note stating that it doesn't fit the USGA definition of a hazard.

So if I'm not breaking any rules, have at it. Your help is much appreciated. If I am, I apologize.

Thank you.

[Joe Bausch]

Wow.  What a topic!  I would need some time to make my list, but I would be a decent source (I think!) since I've played just about every public course in the area.

Should I ask my colleague Professor Regan for his suggestions Nate?!

[David Amarnek]

The Devil"s Asshole and Hell's Half Acre at Pine Valley must be included on any list.

[Nate Oxman]

Thanks, Joe. I figured you would be a valuable resource. Any help you, Professor Regan and anyone else could provide would be terrific. Let me know what you come up with.

[Chris Roselle]

How about the two bunkers that Sam Snead hit into during his tragic finish to the 1939 US Open at Philadelphia CC.  What was the 18th hole back then is now the 3rd.

[Tom ORourke]

Manufacturers has a neat quarry. My son put me in there in a father / son so I have played from down there. Lehigh makes great use of the Little Lehigh creek, especially on #7. Water is pretty standard but Laurel Creek uses it well on the par 5 ninth as you have the option of going over it (in 2) or around it. I also like the 6th at Pine Valley as you can cut off as much as you want but missing it short or right can lead to big numbers down in the sand and scrub. Some of the Merion bunkers on holes like 8 and 10 are fairly nasty as you might have plugged coming in with a wedge and they are deep enough to cause issues.

[Jim_Kennedy]

This one's been gone for a long time - thankfully.    

[JeffTodd]

Hi Nate. I can add to the public side of the discussion. The forced carry over the quarry on #16 at Scotland Run is worth adding to the discussion. I'd throw in the center-line Cobbs Creek #5, the various options on McCullough's #7, the Hell's Half Acre knockoff at Blue Heron Pines, the island par 5 at Old Orchard, and #10 at Buena Vista. That's not to say these are great features, but they are memorable public holes in NJ.

[Bill Shotzbarger]

It would be neat to include Cobb's Creek once on each nine:

Private: the 11th at Merion East

Public: As someone mentioned, the 5th at Cobb's Creek (or the 3rd)

[Rob_Waldron]

The quarry on the par 3 #8 at Manny's as well as the quarry on #16 at Manny's make for two very challenging and intimidating approaches.

[Mark McKeever]

The quarry at Lulu is also a good candidate!

Mark

[John Burnes]

tee shot on the current #5 at cobbs from the back tees. I give 4 to 1 odds to anybody on this board who hits safely onto the left fairway.

[Geoffrey_Walsh]

Does Rock Manor still have the drive between the water tower and the house?

[Tim Martin]

Creek on 18 at Philly Cricket Wissahickon.

[Ed Brzezowski]

18 at Lookaway??  11 at French Creek??

However 16 , 17 and 18 at Merion East will always be the gold standard to me.

However I am a moron since they are not defined as hazards, it just looks terrifying . Does that make them a psychological hazard??

[archie_struthers]

 


John burns , it's been over thirty years since I played Cobbs Creek and I forget the trepidation re: the tee shot on #16 .  How far is the carry ?  4-1 is a pretty good reason to make the drive to Philly .  

[Mark McKeever]

While we are on the subject of the Wissahickon course, how about THE CLUBHOUSE sitting right next to the second green!  It's too early in the round to feel that kind of pressure!

Mark

[John Burnes]

archie-

probably a min. carry of 220 to a narrow left to right green with ob to the left, water and crap in the front, water on the right, large overhanging tree to the far right.  I'll save you the commute, you ain't doing it on one ball.

[MWagner]

If you live in the area, stop or drive by Whitemarsh Country Cllub...they have restored Thomas's bunker...some real monsters...all along Thomas...  there by the road are brutal.  Both fairway and greenside...

[John Burnes]

I meant to the fairway, not to the green.