Played the new hole(s) a couple days ago.
The new 10th, while an overall improvement, is a work in progress. The remnants of the old hole/green complex detract from the experience and, once removed/remediated, the hole will be infinitely more pleasing visually. Beyond that I would see some softening in the cards. Both the green and right side landing area (right of center line bunker) might benefit from "smoothing out".
Playing from the 2 tees the hole played in the neighborhood of 490. I authored one of my better tee balls at the right edge of the center bunker, landed on the very top of one of the "moguls" and backed up 6 feet. These "moguls" are what I think might need softening or "ironing". If the turf would allow a fast and firm game my ball may have kicked 20-30 yards in any direction adding to the randomness of the game. Unfortunately that is not going to happen on the paspalum turf. It is what it is and I honestly think the design should take that into consideration.
At any rate from there I had a 204 yard shot from a wicked uphill lie with my left foot about a foot above my right... tough sledding after what was, for me, a perfect tee ball. Hybrid shot from there that I thought would be quite good fell short in the front/right bunker from where I could not play at the hole. Poor me. Not really, I was able to utilize the severe slope in the middle of the green to contain the bunker shot and redirect it in the general vicinity of the hole. While I think the slope is too sever for the hole in general it made this shot possible and, more importantly, fun. There are a handful of such opportunities (the new 12th being the craziest and coolest example) around the Dunes course which makes it quite entertaining to play.
Bottom line on the new 10th - Improvement that will continue to improve. Pretty sure PC and crew have some plans that will be acted upon. It's a tough deal when doing such things on the fly with a course open for play. Taking a cut at it, watching how it plays for different levels of players, then revisiting the design is fine in my book. Having PC on site and able to make minor revisions here and there is a huge plus. Fast forward a year and I suspect the 10th will be a very good golf hole, perhaps a bit less demanding while still serving as a "half par" hole... any 4 will be hard earned even if softened.
Then again, I made 4 so maybe PC should make it harder.
