LENGTH vs Distance

This is a classic problem Dave Edsall Golf Design, Inc. encounters. The Original Layout of this hole has become somewhat obsolete. The longer hitters can carry the intended sand bunker in the dogleg, taking that hazard out of play.

When this hole was designed, the average player could drive the ball

225 yards. This was a classic dogleg right par four, with a visual, as well as

physical hazard placed in the dogleg. Most players would take the route down the middle of the fairway,

leaving a mid iron approach to the green.

As equipment improved, and players become considerably longer off the tee, the

hazard in the dogleg became increasingly easier to carry for the longer hitter.

As new players began to play this hole, they simply disregarded the sand bunker, leaving a short iron or

wedge into the green. Older players who could not carry the hazard are faced with the same mid iron second shot to the green,

giving a huge advantage to those who can.

The easy solution is to move the tee boxes back, creating more DISTANCE.

This solution only solves one of the problems, however.

By increasing the distance of the hole, it is more challenging to the long hitters.

To the shorter hitters, it makes the hole impossible. While those able

to clear the right side sand bunker will have short irons into the green,

those who cannot will be faced with a long iron or fairway wood for their second

shot. This strategy penalizes the wrong player. Simply adding DISTANCE

gives the longer player a much better advantage.

Under the 'IMPROVED HOLE' renovation, the tees are not moved back.

Instead, the strategy here is to change the landing area. By making

the landing area the focus of the improvement, instead of the tee box,

we have increased the LENGTH of the hole rather than adding distance.

Behind the Original sand bunker in the dogleg, we added additional

visual and physical hazards. We build the area behind the bunker up,

making the bunker more visable to the player on the tee.

Tall grasses behind the bunker give the

perception of depth to the back of the bunker. This will catch the eye

of the driver on the tee box. It also forces the carry from the tee an

additional 30 yards. We have added more risk, but the reward remains,

a wedge into the green. For the shorter hitters, the hole remains playable.

They can still play the hole in the manner they have without additional

hazards in play. We added a left side bunker to make the longer hitter

take notice that they cannot simply blast away down the middle.

We provided a much needed strategy upgrade that deals with the

real problem, and doesn't penalize those who don't it the tee shots as long.

It is a formidable hole, as the Original Design was, but the renovation tackles

the problem without making the hole unplayable.

Dave Edsall Golf Design, Inc. uses the best methods to increase the golf experience for every player of every skill level. Renovations are intended to improve the quality of this experience. From nagging drainage problems that increase maintenance, to upgrading the playability of the course, or a combination, we are dedicated to providing upgrades that exceed your expectations. We work within the budget provided and give you the best possible result, mixing your visions with solutions that work.