ANATOMY OF A GREAT HOLE April’s Tip of the Month

BY RYAN WILLIAMS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL

So much of getting around the course in as few shots as possible has to do with how a player’s mind works toward the challenges presented. High, soaring, beautiful shots can be wasted if a player has chosen an ineffective way to play a hole. I would contend that many player’s perceived inability to pull off a given shot has less to do with a lack of talent than simply asking themselves to do too much. We’ve all had the experience of walking off of the green after a poorly-played hole, realizing how simply the disaster could have been avoided. Don’t worry. That’s a sign of growth as a player. It’s also a sign you probably just played a great hole.

There are many great holes of the 27 we boast here at Woodbridge. Each 9 has its own flavor and overarching architectural themes. The Lake is a great example of “target golf,” asking the player to place the ball around penalty areas and doglegs. The River has the most interesting land movements and makes great use of the Mokelumne River. The Vineyard, perhaps the most straightforward on property, also contains what I believe to be the best hole of the 27 in the 7th hole.

Why make so bold a claim? To answer simply, the #7 Vineyard is our best example of what has made great holes great since the game has been played. Let’s discuss its features:

1. The hole is bordered by the river on the right

2. Shots hit aggressively up the left side of the fairway will have to contend with trees to be on the green in two shots

3. To have the ideal angle to the green, a player must be bold off the tee (play to the right center of fairway) or risk a less-than-ideal angle for his or 2nd shot

4. The green, with a low collection area of short grass before the green, sits at a diagonal from right to left, also encourages an approach from the right side of the fairway

5. The internal contours of the green itself move toward the right side of the green. Approaches from the right have a sideboard to move the ball back to the middle while approaches from the left will have a harder time holding a green that slopes away

In other words, a golfer trying to make an easy bogey on the 7th hole has a very high probability of doing so. The potential for disaster awaits the ambitious golfer who wants to make birdie. He or she would have to take on a hard shot off the tee or pass the buck to the 2nd shot and deal with the trees. The choice is yours and that is what makes it great!

Other holes that employ similar strategies are among the most famous in the world. 13 at Augusta, 10 at Pebble Beach, 4 at Pacific Dunes (almost every hole is an exercise in this strategy), 17 at the Old Course at St Andrews, 17 at Cypress Point, just to name a few.

Understanding the designer’s intent can help maximize your scoring ability. If you’re able to hit it on the ideal line off the tee, then it’s go time! On the other hand, if you bail to the safe side of a hole, it’s time to go into defense mode! Ask yourself how a hole is meant to be played, decide how your shot pattern can best attack it, and keep big numbers off your card!