Driveable par 4 among changes coming to Sawgrass

[boogielicious]

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/driveable-par-4-among-changes-coming-tpc-sawgrass/

A 358 yard Par 4 is already driveable for some!

Quote

Changes are coming to the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course.

Following the completion of the 2016 Players Championship in mid-May, the iconic course is slated to close for six months to undergo several changes, the most significant being a redesign of the par-4 12th hole, making it driveable. The 12th hole's official new yardage is still unknown, but it is already the shortest par 4 on the course at 358 yards.

"The redesigned 12th hole will add an element of excitement early on the back nine which we expect will be well-received by contestants, spectators and television viewers around the world," said Andy Pazder, PGA Tour Executive Vice President and Chief of Operations.

Other changes coming to Stadium Course include:

• Resurfacing the greens with TifEagle Bermudagrass and making slight modifications to certain areas of the greens on Nos. 1, 4, 8, 9, 11, 13 and 14 to counteract wear and tear from everyday play and add, in some cases, a new hole location to further reduce wear on the greens.

 

[imsys0042]

I think that's great news.   On my home course, out of 27 holes we have 6 par 4s that can be driven depending on tee placement and how soft the ground is (three would require some roll).  What makes them challenging is that only one is a straight shot, the others require a risk to cut the distance off.   But it was designed that way.   I've driven 2 of them and been within a few yards on all of them.  

Its a lot of fun when you are driving the ball well.   Good for tournaments and matches too if you can pull it off.   You can also hybrid/4-iron/whatever-your-safe-shot-is the hole as well and play it more traditionally.   I think this is a good move there. 

[David in FL]

Great move for what I'd always considered a meh hole

[iacas]

2 hours ago, imsys0042 said:

I think that's great news.   On my home course, out of 27 holes we have 6 par 4s that can be driven depending on tee placement and how soft the ground is (three would require some roll).  What makes them challenging is that only one is a straight shot, the others require a risk to cut the distance off.   But it was designed that way.   I've driven 2 of them and been within a few yards on all of them.

6 out of 27? There's probably only 15 par fours in there if there are two par threes and par fives per nine. 6/15 is way too high IMO.

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I like the change for Sawgrass. Kinda wish it was a little earlier, though. Perfect world, that is - obviously the 12th is likely the only hole that works.

[rob0225]

5 hours ago, imsys0042 said:

I think that's great news.   On my home course, out of 27 holes we have 6 par 4s that can be driven depending on tee placement and how soft the ground is (three would require some roll).  What makes them challenging is that only one is a straight shot, the others require a risk to cut the distance off.   But it was designed that way.   I've driven 2 of them and been within a few yards on all of them.  

Its a lot of fun when you are driving the ball well.   Good for tournaments and matches too if you can pull it off.   You can also hybrid/4-iron/whatever-your-safe-shot-is the hole as well and play it more traditionally.   I think this is a good move there. 

I think this would contribute to slow play. Either looking for balls that don't make it and people waiting for the greens to clear because they think they can make it.

Edited December 22, 2015 by rob0225

[imsys0042]

2 hours ago, iacas said:

6 out of 27? There's probably only 15 par fours in there if there are two par threes and par fives per nine. 6/15 is way too high IMO.

 

19 minutes ago, rob0225 said:

I think this would contribute to slow play. Either looking for balls that don't make it and people waiting for the greens to clear because they think they can make it.

Yes. 15 par fours.   But only one really has the potential to slow down play.    The course, despite being ridiculously penal, actually works out.   One is pretty straight out and long hitters would need to wait for the green to clear.   Most times, people play the hole with a shorter club or don't aim at the green and leave a short approach because of the layout.  For the other 5, you have this (numbers are not actual hole numbers):

1 -  The approach shot would require a big draw because the green has a forest between the tee and green, it's the only way to get there unless you wait for winter and try to clear the trees.   For this reason, maybe 1 golfer out of 50 will try it in a day.

2 & 3 & 4-  the balls would roll or skip onto the green and it requires a very high risk/reward shot either with a big lake in play, or hitting over 200 yards OB, with all OB left a two shot penalty.   #2 and #4 requires the forward tee being used.   #3 and #4 need dry conditions to make it to the green.   

#5 is a split fairway.   Most people play the long way to the left.   If you take the drive-able way to the right, you can hit while people are on the left, or while they are going to the green which the path over a lake is way beyond where you can hit from the tee.

The course was very well designed and for players of my capability it's a risk to try and pull most of these off.  5 of the 6 of them will basically kill your hole because you don't have much of a bail-out.   But for a professional who is more consistent and can hit longer, these holes would be very much in play to be drive-able.   I've hit 4 of them and been close on the other two.   Generally unless someone duffs a shot and is between a normal drive and the green, you'll be able to hit at a normal pace after they hit their approach shots.