Donald J. Ross vs. the 2nd at Kingsley Club

[Mike Hendren]

Sorry Terry, but yes, another Kingsley Club thread.

Ben Cowan has justifiably challenged me to identify 10 par threes less than 160 yards that are superior to the 2nd at Kingsley Club - a fine hole no doubt.   I thought I'd let the treehouse in on this.  Rather than getting caught up in the definition of "superior" let's go with this:

What are Ross' best par threes playing no more than 160 yards from the regular tees?

Thanks.

Mike

[Brian Finn]

#11 at Plainfield is outstanding.

Below is one of several photos of #11 from Ran's write-up.

[Brian Finn]

#14 at Brookside CC in Canton, OH is also very strong.

Below is a photo, courtesy of Mark Saltzman's tour.

[Josh Bills]

In Hartville, Ohio, Congress Lake Club's 5th is a great uphill par 3. 

[Ron Smith]

The 16th at the French Lick Ross course is a great hole at under 160 yards.  A magnificent green complex with severe undulation that really makes the hole play so varied based on the pin location.  The bunkering and slight downhill approach all add to the appeal of the hole.

[Steve Salmen]

.

[BHoover]

7 at Pebble
15 at Cypress
11 at Shinnecock
7 at Muirfield
13 at Muirfield (used to be 155)
6 at Dornoch
13 at Dornoch
8 at Troon
14 at Crystal
12 at Augusta

Are breaking news with this post? Are you telling us you've uncovered evidence that Ross designed these courses too???

[Ronald Montesano]

I like #14 at Triggs Memorial in Providence. I also like #2 at Whitinsville. #15 at Teugega is pretty awesome, as is #7 there. #12 at Country Club of Buffalo is nifty. #3 at Glens Falls is good but #9 is great.


Here's the rub: I've never played Kingsley, so I can't say how good said hole is. Cue sad face and waa...waaaaa...waaaaaaaahhhhh

[Josh Tarble]

I think Broadmoor #4 is better than Kingsley #2

Holston Hills #8 is as good, if not better.

I personally don't think #2 is the best par three under 160 yards at Kinglsey.

[hhuffines]

It's not better than #2 at Kingsley but #17 at Raleigh CC can be really sporty depending on the pin.

[Steve Salmen]

My mistake. I just picked 10 holes, wrongly ignoring the Donald Ross portion of the thread.

[Ryan Taylor]

9th hole with back left pin from 160 yards at Pinehurst No. 2 is better.

[BCowan]

9th hole with back left pin from 160 yards at Pinehurst No. 2 is better.

The 9th at #2 is top notch and one of my favorites.  Unfortunately it's 165-175 yards and is disqualified 
I'm not going by the members tees..
 

[Jason Way]

I'm not sure that I like it more than #2 at Kingsley, but #7 at Essex County is an awesome short 3.  The green site is outstanding and the green itself is by no means a pushover. 





I might be a bit outside your length restrictions, but the 14th at Exmoor is also fantastic.

[Matt Bielawa]

I few that come to mind:


Pine Needles #3 (145 yards)



Monroe #8 (149 yards)
http://www.monroegolfclub.com/default.aspx?p=DynamicModule&pageid=297324&ssid=180038&vnf=1


Irondequoit #6 (130 yards)
http://www.irondequoitcc.org/course-tour/167.html


If we counted members tees, I'd nominate Barton Hills #6, Brae Burn #6, and Aronimink #5 as well.

[Ryan Taylor]

The 9th with front left pin at Franklin Hills CC may be better.

[Ryan Taylor]

I personally don't think #2 is the best par three under 160 yards at Kinglsey.

Agree. 9th from tees behind 8 is a better hole imo. However, 9 would even better if it was hole 18.

[BCowan]

The 9th with front left pin at Franklin Hills CC may be better.

I personally don't think #2 is the best par three under 160 yards at Kinglsey.

Agree. 9th from tees behind 8 is a better hole imo. However, 9 would even better if it was hole 18.

The 9th at Franklin is bad ass world class, but again you fail due to it being 175 yards.  The 9th at Kinglsey is way better from the tee by 8 green on the right, still not even close to as good as the 2nd hole.  #11 is the 2nd best par 3 when the green is running 10 on stimp and the pin is in the back. 

[Ryan Taylor]

The 9th at Kinglsey is way better from the tee by 8 green on the right, still not even close to as good as the 2nd hole.  #11 is the 2nd best par 3 when the green is running 10 on stimp and the pin is in the back.

9 from best tees at KC is more dramatic and strategic than 11 will ever be. Back pin on 11 requires a club less, 75% swing, run up shot. Long = bogey. Boring when compared to the challenges faced if you miss short or long at 9. Long at 9 is one of the scariest flop shots one will ever face. However, you have a chance to get up and down if you execute the perfect shot. Same can't be said for over the green on 11 with a back pin and greens running 10+.

[BCowan]

Thanks Taylor for proving my point, #11 requires shot making 75% swing allowing the ball to release. That's something you seldom find.  So now if one missing long at 11 they have a right to get up and down?  That is BS pro golfer talking points arguing fairness.  Flop shots are boring and redundent.  9 is the weakest par 3 at KC. 
 The greens should not run over 10. 

[J_ Crisham]

13 Seminole
17 Seminole
11 Plainfield
5 Aronimink
3Gulph Mills
4 Charles River
9 Skokie
12 Beverly
5 Cedar Rapids CC
9 Franklin Hills

[BCowan]

13 Seminole
17 Seminole
11 Plainfield
5 Aronimink
3Gulph Mills
4 Charles River
9 Skokie
12 Beverly
5 Cedar Rapids CC
9 Franklin Hills

Jack,

    162 yards max from the tips.  Franklin hills, both Seminole holes, Aronimink, Skokie, and Beverly are disqualified. 

I petition Mr Bogey to amend opening post to include tips not members tees.  It takes great restraint to keep championship tees at 162, KC should be rewarded.

[J_ Crisham]

13 Seminole
17 Seminole
11 Plainfield
5 Aronimink
3Gulph Mills
4 Charles River
9 Skokie
12 Beverly
5 Cedar Rapids CC
9 Franklin Hills

Jack,

    160 yards max from the tips.  Franklin hills, both Seminole holes, Aronimink, Skokie, and Beverly are disqualified.

Ben,
 Played Seminole last Weds- 13 was 154yds, 17 was 159yds. Aronimink was 151 the last time I played it . Skokie is 149 yds . We keep Beverly between 135 and 155 on a daily basis.

[J_ Crisham]

Sorry Terry, but yes, another Kingsley Club thread.

Ben Cowan has justifiably challenged me to identify 10 par threes less than 160 yards that are superior to the 2nd at Kingsley Club - a fine hole no doubt.   I thought I'd let the treehouse in on this.  Rather than getting caught up in the definition of "superior" let's go with this:

What are Ross' best par threes playing no more than 160 yards from the regular tees?

Thanks.

Mike

Ben- the premise is no more than 160 from the regular tees- not the plates. I checked my yardage book from Franklin Hills the day I played there last September - 157 pin per laser.

[Eric Smith]

Just trying to understand the premise here ... is Kingsley #2 162 yards or is their website incorrect?