Best Superfluous Hazard

[Mike Hendren]

What is the best hazard that has absolutely no impact on strategy and into which no right minded individual (other than a drug induced friend of Shivas) would hit a golf ball?

I nominate the bunkered crater fronting the green at the short one shot sixth at North Berwick.  A piece of art that would make any other hole world class.  For instance, can you imagine trying to carry that rascal with a long second shot to a par five?

Regards,

Mike

[CHrisB]

The 2nd hole at Ardglass Golf Club in Northern Ireland (just up the road from Royal County Down) is a 167-yard par 3 over an intervening chasm that juts in just off the tee. The dropoff is steep, rocky and deep with waves coming in below, but only a topped shot will find this hazard because it is so close to the tee. The thrill comes as you walk to the green and stop to peer over the edge.

Here's an aerial with the 2nd at the top center, going from left to right with the chasm cutting in from the top:

[bg_in_rtp]

how about the incredibly large bunker on the right side of #17 at Royal Portrush Dunluce?  a terrible end to an unbelieveable course, and that gash in the side of the dune looks almost out of place on an otherwise flat piece of land (#17, not the whole course).

[Scott_Burroughs]

How about the ocean behind holes by at least 30+ yards?

Examples:

#10 Monterey Peninsula (Dunes)
#4 Princeville (Prince)
#11 Mauna Kea Beach
the new #18 at Kiawah (Ocean)
a hole or two at Pelican Hill
#? (the par 3) Torrey Pines (North?)
#4, #12 Bandon

crashing ocean at sea level makes for better effect (such as at MPCC), than when up on a cliff (Princeville, PH, TP, Bandon)

[SPDB]

please indulge me as I provide you with the worst:

Smyers went a little overboard on the bunkering at Royce Brook. (1st)



And if that's not enough, the bunker field makes another appearance on the 9th. Maybe I should start a thread - "shared superfluous bunker (fields)"



this will probably get a rise out of Geoff C., we usually battle about this course once every year, and we're a little tardy.

[SPDB]

Only slightly less cynical - how about Ruins?

Like a course that plays among remnants of a 14th Century Norman Castle



And how about negotiating the ruins of a late 20th century bad idea:



 

[Thomas_Brown]

Sadly, the bunkers in front #16 at RCD.
Another victim of technology - 250 to carry today is a solid 3 wood.  I think this would have been a great risk/reward hole w/ a ball from even as late as the 1950's.
The proposed restoration doesn't appear to follow the terrain as well.

BTW - Scott - #3 - Torrey Pines South
#6 Torrey Pines North is also very scenic.

Tom

[peter_p]

Scott,
  I've been in the Pacific on 4 and watched it happen on 12.
Something about judging the wind and hard bounces.
  What about the velodrome by the second tee at Pacific Dunes?

[highland_foxtrot]

The fair way bunkering between 1 and 9 at Royce Brook West is not as superfluous as the fairway bunker 70 yards in front of the back tee on 18.  The first fairway bunker on 18 serves only to intimidate the outing golfer.  If it started farther on the right, it could be excused as containment.  My problem with the fairway bunkers on all three of these holes is their anti-strategic purpose.