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Ben Sims

  • Karma: +1/-0
The straight-on bench
« on: Yesterday at 09:50:08 AM »
I started a thread about greens sited sideways onto a ridge/hill/dune recently and many people used it to comment on ANY benched green. So I’d like to discuss the “straight-on” bench now.


The most famous examples would be the numerous Mackenzie holes at Cypress, Meadow Club, and Claremont (among others) where a green is located at the base of or benched into the side of a hill as the general shape of the hole is perpendicular to the ridge/hill/dune.


Another one I like alot is the 14th at Friars Head. I think that hole gets the short shrift as people enjoy discussing other holes at FH more. I think that’s a mistake but I digress.


One critic I like a lot said that Mackenzie goes to the well too often on “using the ridges”. They said this in reference to Meadow Club. I’ve never seen it. But Cypress Point also featured that theme and the opening 13 holes of that course are pretty good if you ask me.


Thoughts on holes that run headlong into ridges/hills/dunes and have a green sighted directly on or at bottom of that higher terrain?

zachary_car

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The straight-on bench
« Reply #1 on: Yesterday at 11:18:16 AM »
Oddly, here in Ontario and Western Quebec, we had a short-lived fad of holes playing headlong into often really shallow yet amply wide green surfaces that are raised anywhere between 10 and 20 feet from the fairway. Thomas McBroom, in particular, did this repeatedly at the golf courses that he built in the 90s and 00s in Mont-Tremblant and in the Muskokas.


He definitely overused the trope, but I do find that it works decently well on holes between 350-400 yards, when you're left with merely a finicky flip wedge in, more so than on the longer holes, when you're approaching with a mid iron or so. Considering how much the game has become a driver-wedge affair, I do think that benched - and obscured - green pads are an effective way of adding interest to holes of this length especially

Charlie Goerges

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The straight-on bench
« Reply #2 on: Yesterday at 11:43:40 AM »
but I do find that it works decently well on holes between 350-400 yards, when you're left with merely a finicky flip wedge in




God I wish I was routinely left with flip wedges in on 350-400 yard holes.




These straight-on benched holes are fine to me, but like almost everything else, I prefer them to be used somewhat sparingly. But if the land lends itself to great (and varied) examples, maybe not so sparingly if it's well-done.
Severally on the occasion of everything that thou doest, pause and ask thyself, if death is a dreadful thing because it deprives thee of this. - Marcus Aurelius

Paul Jones

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The straight-on bench
« Reply #3 on: Yesterday at 11:46:36 AM »
Any pictures to share of examples?
Paul Jones
pauljones@live.com

Kevin_Reilly

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The straight-on bench
« Reply #4 on: Yesterday at 11:54:22 AM »
I'm not sure if this is what OP had in mind, but saw this picture from Claremont this morning:


https://x.com/Top100Rick/status/1853432512581865649




"GOLF COURSES SHOULD BE ENJOYED RATHER THAN RATED" - Tom Watson

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The straight-on bench
« Reply #5 on: Yesterday at 12:27:41 PM »
Straight on bench shots tend to be more rudimentary than side by side. That said, it can often be a thrilling shot.

6 Anstruther


Appleby has a cracker version at the 4th. It is set below the hill, but straight on. Below is a look at the hole from the 5th fairway. Play is from the right.


Even Colt couldn't quite manage to achieve an aesthetic that looks "right". #3 Prestbury.


Ciao
New plays planned for 2024: Nothing

Ben Sims

  • Karma: +1/-0
Re: The straight-on bench
« Reply #6 on: Yesterday at 12:57:23 PM »
I'm not sure if this is what OP had in mind, but saw this picture from Claremont this morning:


https://x.com/Top100Rick/status/1853432512581865649


Kevin,


Yes this is the post that prompted my thought. As much as I’m not really a fan of Rick’s raison d’etre, he does take some nice photos from time to time.


Thanks for helping the illustration a bit.

Mike Hendren

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The straight-on bench
« Reply #7 on: Today at 09:49:17 AM »
5th at The Eden.
Two Corinthians walk into a bar ....

David_Tepper

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The straight-on bench
« Reply #8 on: Today at 10:06:08 AM »
« Last Edit: Today at 10:08:49 AM by David_Tepper »

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