Forward Momentum (Day 84 of 365)
No matter what we do to Hole 18 at future events, the hole is going to be hard.
It’s still going to be a story.
An 8 still stings like a 13. As a TD it emotionally hurts just as bad as seeing someone take a 20.
Someone will always be angry because of that hole.
So let’s just play it how they will in 10 years.
Par 4 | FPO 780ft & MPO 900ft
Rules: If OB from tee go to Drop Zone. Fairway is surrounded by OB. Green is surrounded by OB.
How do you play the hole now?
At what point is the stress too high?
At what point are the stakes so high that you take every shot seriously?
The reality is we could spend 10 years tweaking the hole and making it the story.
The Par 4 version removes all but one safety net. It’s you and the disc. Playing golf.
None of the potential changes solve everyone’s problems.
Someone still takes a 10. Someone is still hurt. Someone still brings up how the layout in 2025 was the hardest hole on tour.
The hole has its place now.
Do some tweaks smooth out the average?
Likely, but all we are doing is mentally handicapping the hole.
I get that now.
This Hole has to be taken seriously to make it make sense.
We have to demand higher skills to see prettier scores.
We have to expect professional level play with everything we do.
Hole 18 is hard.
Thats the point.
Yes, Yes, and Yes!
Absolutely one of my favorite holes. The shots are relatively easy. The punishment brutal. Thsts not an indicator of s bad hole design. I seen tons of poorly executed shots on coverage and they were punished. Mason Ford made it look easy because it’s really not that difficult of a shot. Golf needs this at that level of play. I know pros are looking back saying how could I not execute such a basic shot over and over. They were not given advancement if they didn’t preform. It’s that simple.
We have a few holes on our courses that readily score 1+ strokes over par (as in a par 3 that scores an average of 4.48 with all divisions included).
I simply remind everyone that we all have to play the same holes. Par is irrelevant. Some people let that par number get in their head and it’ll destroy them thinking they need to throw a shot they can’t. Simply put, stay in your lane when playing and do what you can do.
I know it’s a little different with the pros but par is irrelevant whether it’s a 4 or a 5. And if pros are pushing or have in their mind they need to hit par instead of playing the field then they are playing wrong.
I do get where your thoughts are because some of these younger players like AB are throwing 600+ ft in tourney play now. 10 years from now there will be a few dozen just like him.
I like the mix of having complicated and technical. All the ball golf converted courses are boring to me to watch, and I’d imagine even more so playing (only played one once). Not sure why wooded and/or technical courses get bad raps just because they make you think and require technique and effort.
Really enjoyed getting to see Sprinkle on coverage because I’ve only gotten to see bits and pieces otherwise. Y’all did an amazing job building this course and it looks great!! Hope to make it back to Texas someday to play, grab a beer, and a pizza!!
Love this take 👏