Course Management - How Would You Play This Hole?

[Javs]

On 10/29/2023 at 6:34 PM, cnosil said:

Elevation above sea level is 1,680 ft so I will get a little extra distance.   Still might be a bit to much to carry over the trees to go left of the stream so I am going right with a 3 or 4 hybrid.   Probably same club again to the next dogleg.   Green appears to be pretty big and I would be coming in with 9 iron or less so unless the flag is close to an edge probably going to be attacking the pin.  

I would hit a driver over the creek and trees. Then with a 2 hybrid or 3 wood to the middle of the green.

[GolfSpy_APH]

Next up is Cabot Cliffs iconic 17th hole. Weather no doubt plays a big factor here as it is a true links course. 

That being said for the purposes of this exercise there is a 15 km wind straight down the whole (going with you) and because it is in Nova Scotia Canada you can all figure out how many mph that is

Weather is chilly only 14 degrees C and you are on your last golf ball of the day. 

 

 

https://cabotcapebreton.com/golf/cabot-cliffs

 

[Josh Parker]

24 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Next up is Cabot Cliffs iconic 17th hole. Weather no doubt plays a big factor here as it is a true links course. 

That being said for the purposes of this exercise there is a 15 km wind straight down the whole (going with you) and because it is in Nova Scotia Canada you can all figure out how many mph that is

Weather is chilly only 14 degrees C and you are on your last golf ball of the day. 

 

https://cabotcapebreton.com/golf/cabot-cliffs

 

Because I can't trust my driver these days I'm playing a 2DI to the wide part of the fairway and letting it roll towards the green.  Leaving a short wedge shot on. 

[BLD7]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Next up is Cabot Cliffs iconic 17th hole. Weather no doubt plays a big factor here as it is a true links course. 

That being said for the purposes of this exercise there is a 15 km wind straight down the whole (going with you) and because it is in Nova Scotia Canada you can all figure out how many mph that is

Weather is chilly only 14 degrees C and you are on your last golf ball of the day. 

 

https://cabotcapebreton.com/golf/cabot-cliffs

 

The tail wind and room on the left is begging this lefty to hit the big stick but that seems like the suckered play with firm grasses and chilly temps. From the tips I'm probably hitting the 5 wood leaving about 120 to the green. However 3 wood is an option depending on the way Im playing that day and a variety of other arbitrary factors. Either way I've got a comfortable wedge in hand am playing what the hole gives me from there.

[Javs]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Next up is Cabot Cliffs iconic 17th hole. Weather no doubt plays a big factor here as it is a true links course. 

That being said for the purposes of this exercise there is a 15 km wind straight down the whole (going with you) and because it is in Nova Scotia Canada you can all figure out how many mph that is

Weather is chilly only 14 degrees C and you are on your last golf ball of the day. 

 

Screen recording 2023-11-11 2.32.10 PM.webm 6.21 MB · 0 downloads  

https://cabotcapebreton.com/golf/cabot-cliffs

 

Watching the video of the hole changed my initial impulse. While driving the green is very possible it is tight and the miss would be severe. So, I would hit a nice hybrid to the left side of the fairway as close to the green as possible. Then an easy half low spinning 58 degree wedge right at the pin. Then pray for a great putt. This gives birdie a chance and takes disaster out of the picture!

[funkyjudge]

3 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Next up is Cabot Cliffs iconic 17th hole. Weather no doubt plays a big factor here as it is a true links course. 

That being said for the purposes of this exercise there is a 15 km wind straight down the whole (going with you) and because it is in Nova Scotia Canada you can all figure out how many mph that is

Weather is chilly only 14 degrees C and you are on your last golf ball of the day. 

 

https://cabotcapebreton.com/golf/cabot-cliffs

 

I play a hole pretty similar to this one somewhat frequently (at least a couple times a year, and we played it in our senior championship a couple weeks ago then again in a Winter Golf Tour tournament last week). It has the bunkers and the hazard to the right like this hole, but no cliff down to the water, just a swamp area that is a lateral hazard to the right (also OB left).  It also has an uphill tee shot to a ridge in the fairway with two bunkers at the crest of the ridge and on the left side of the fairway and then everything slopes sharply downhill and slightly left-to-right to the green, which is protected by a deep bunker on the front to front-right. The hole played at 271 yards in our senior championship match and at about 288 yards in the Winter Tour event, and I hit driver both times, driving the green in the senior championship, and leaving my tee shot just off the edge of the greenside bunker in last week's tour event.  Soooooo -- as long as I am hitting my driver well that day (and I should certainly know that by the 17th hole), I am likely pulling the big stick on this hole.

With a 9-10 MPH tailwind, you are not getting that much wind assist, and the twin front pot bunkers probably would come into play, especially since I would aim for the left side of the fairway and let the contours over there take my ball toward the green.

If I am having a poor driving day, I'd probably take 4-hybrid or 5-iron off of this tee, leaving a short pitch with my 54* or 58* wedge.

Edited November 11, 2023 by funkyjudge

[GolfSpy_BEN]

2 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Next up is Cabot Cliffs iconic 17th hole. Weather no doubt plays a big factor here as it is a true links course. 

That being said for the purposes of this exercise there is a 15 km wind straight down the whole (going with you) and because it is in Nova Scotia Canada you can all figure out how many mph that is

Weather is chilly only 14 degrees C and you are on your last golf ball of the day. 

 

Screen recording 2023-11-11 2.32.10 PM.webm 6.21 MB · 0 downloads  

https://cabotcapebreton.com/golf/cabot-cliffs

 

Given the stated conditions, I play a 3 hybrid off the green tees. I can flight it low with a draw that would put me 70-80 yards from the pin. The bunkers guarding the front of the green would keep me from playing a low runner into the green. I’m guessing 15 km is about a 1-1 1/2 club wind, so I play a 3/4 lob wedge to the center of the green, allowing for the wind to deviate the path as it would. Depending on proximity, anything inside 20’ I’m going for the pin. Outside of that, I lag for par and keep it moving

[cnosil]

2 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Next up is Cabot Cliffs iconic 17th hole. Weather no doubt plays a big factor here as it is a true links course. 

That being said for the purposes of this exercise there is a 15 km wind straight down the whole (going with you) and because it is in Nova Scotia Canada you can all figure out how many mph that is

Weather is chilly only 14 degrees C and you are on your last golf ball of the day. 

 

 

Short hole and generous landing area that makes you think about taking shorter club.  For me taking driver aiming between the bunker on the right and the ciffside.   Then it is letting the contours feed the ball toward the green.  Mentality is get the ball as close as possble,  not a 300 yard driver even with the wind so I am probably not making the green.   Wedge approach and hope for birdie but nothing worse than par. 

[Jim Shaw]

3 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Next up is Cabot Cliffs iconic 17th hole. Weather no doubt plays a big factor here as it is a true links course. 

That being said for the purposes of this exercise there is a 15 km wind straight down the whole (going with you) and because it is in Nova Scotia Canada you can all figure out how many mph that is

Weather is chilly only 14 degrees C and you are on your last golf ball of the day. 

 

https://cabotcapebreton.com/golf/cabot-cliffs

 

what a hole, and what a course... The first thing I would do is hire a caddy lol, I would need some guidance where to aim off this hole, to pick a spot off the tee to launch my tee shot. My immediate thought it to favour the left hand side but the gorse etc. over there is penal. Anyway find the line and commit to the shot, yikes, then find your ball and hit it again...14 degrees celcius won't affect my distance too much but the wind will, another tip is "swing easy when it's breezy, as most of you know solid contact off the face is important in the wind...

[Shlax]

10 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Next up is Cabot Cliffs iconic 17th hole. Weather no doubt plays a big factor here as it is a true links course. 

That being said for the purposes of this exercise there is a 15 km wind straight down the whole (going with you) and because it is in Nova Scotia Canada you can all figure out how many mph that is

Weather is chilly only 14 degrees C and you are on your last golf ball of the day. 

 

Screen recording 2023-11-11 2.32.10 PM.webm 6.21 MB · 1 download  

https://cabotcapebreton.com/golf/cabot-cliffs

 

This hole suits my eye and shot shape like no other! However, considering it’s my last ball at Cabot Cliffs and I would absolutely want to finish the round, I’d drive with 2-iron or 4-iron! In fact, that’s actually the play, especially with a tailwind.

Approach with LW followed buy a 3-putt.

Done deal

[BMart519]

Having played this a month and a half ago, I will second the comment about needing a caddie. The tee shot is completely blind and uphill. If you hit driver more than 250 you don't need that much club as the final 80 yards is straight downhill and can be played with a putter (see below ). If you hit 250+ straight you will run through the fairway and into the long fescue as there is minimal rough along the fairway on this links-type setup. 

Playing this for the first time without a caddie would be extremely frustrating as you have no idea where to aim and walking up to the fairway, then back to the tee would take a ton of time. The gimmicky layout takes away from the amazing views which was unfortunate and breaks up an amazing finishing stretch between 15-18. I used 19* hybrid which plays 220-230 at sea level, didn't hit it great and still made it to the fairway from the tees at 277.

 

 
pin high 

Edited November 14, 2023 by BMart519

[Josh Parker]

@GolfSpy_APH 

[GolfSpy_APH]

Been a bit, but this is one of my favorite courses that I have never played. 

https://coursepreview.golf/chambersbay/?hole=16

Great way of viewing the hole on their site. How are you playing this? Looks simple enough, but nothing is as simple as it seems!

[Josh Parker]

2 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Been a bit, but this is one of my favorite courses that I have never played. 

https://coursepreview.golf/chambersbay/?hole=16

Great way of viewing the hole on their site. How are you playing this? Looks simple enough, but nothing is as simple as it seems!

Finally a hole that plays to my lefty fade from the tee.

I'm playing driver from the blue and playing just left of the trap down the right side.  My normal small fade will put me in the fairway leaving me with most likely a PW in to the green. 

I'm playing that shot to the front section of the green being the widest part. 

[Javs]

7 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Been a bit, but this is one of my favorite courses that I have never played. 

https://coursepreview.golf/chambersbay/?hole=16

Great way of viewing the hole on their site. How are you playing this? Looks simple enough, but nothing is as simple as it seems!

This is a beautiful looking hole! So, from the blue tees I hit either a choke down drive or 3 wood with a slight draw to the left side of the fairway. Hoping the mounds bring the ball into the left center and a flat lie. Then a high short iron into the small green. Depending on the pin, I would probably favor a slight draw to the middle left side of the green. Then pray for a great putt!

[GolfSpy_APH]

48 minutes ago, Javs said:

This is a beautiful looking hole! So, from the blue tees I hit either a choke down drive or 3 wood with a slight draw to the left side of the fairway. Hoping the mounds bring the ball into the left center and a flat lie. Then a high short iron into the small green. Depending on the pin, I would probably favor a slight draw to the middle left side of the green. Then pray for a great putt!

I remember Brandon Grace hitting one over the tracks right during the US Open. He was playing well and had just a horrific tee shot.

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

9 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Been a bit, but this is one of my favorite courses that I have never played. 

https://coursepreview.golf/chambersbay/?hole=16

Great way of viewing the hole on their site. How are you playing this? Looks simple enough, but nothing is as simple as it seems!

Aboslutely love their site layout.

So for this hole going 3 wood off the tee which is draw bias. Driver could flirt with the left side and I wouldnt want that. 3 wood would put me around 150 out so depending on hole location I am going in at the green with a 8 or 9 iron. Definitely favoring the left side of this whole all day.

[KC Golf]

Chambers Bay is on my list to go play in 2024.  Walked the course at the US Open and it was a lot of vertical and lots of fescue.  The lack of any flat lies makes this course look really tricky.  Plus add a bit of wind since it’s by the water and it makes it even tougher.  16 is a great hole.  But there a number of other holes that look equally challenging…

[bens197]

12 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Been a bit, but this is one of my favorite courses that I have never played. 

https://coursepreview.golf/chambersbay/?hole=16

Great way of viewing the hole on their site. How are you playing this? Looks simple enough, but nothing is as simple as it seems!

If it rolled like it did during Speith's win, I may pull a driver but the smart play here is a 4 iron off the left mounds.  A decent ball with some rollout should leave me about 130-140 to a slight downhill approach.  Easy 9 or hard wedge, 2 putt par...or 1 putt if my MEZZ Max Broomstick arrives in time

 

[BMart519]

I would be playing the 2nd tees from back at 360. The fairway narrows down to about 40 yards at 120-130 from the hole between the giant trap on right and hill/fescue on left. I'm hitting a driving iron or hybrid off the tee intending to get it out there 220-240. DI even more likely if the winds are up. Aiming directly at that knob or just right of it. 

Saw some stat the other day (likely Stagner) that once you are within 150 or 130 from the hole you are close enough that it doesn't make sense to take on sand. So that is my logic for not pushing driver up farther. 

[Javs]

16 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Been a bit, but this is one of my favorite courses that I have never played. 

https://coursepreview.golf/chambersbay/?hole=16

Great way of viewing the hole on their site. How are you playing this? Looks simple enough, but nothing is as simple as it seems!

Can you imagine if a course had one hole from each of the course management rock drill we are doing? Would be a great track!

[Josh Parker]

Ok, this thread lost a little steam.  Adding a little twist to this one.  Looking at this weeks event at the Sony Open and the stats, the hardest playing hole on the course so far is the 5th hole.  

Let's consider 20mph crosswinds and playing from the tips.  How are you playing it?

Par 4 - 467 yards

[GolfSpy_APH]

2 hours ago, Josh Parker said:

Ok, this thread lost a little steam.  Adding a little twist to this one.  Looking at this weeks event at the Sony Open and the stats, the hardest playing hole on the course so far is the 5th hole.  

Let's consider 20mph crosswinds and playing from the tips.  How are you playing it?

Par 4 - 467 yards

Well given I'm a 260 off the tee in taking driver. Leaving me roughly 200 out so taking 5 iron and just hoping to make a good up and down.

I'm playing that with the hope of par and expectations of bogey.

[ILMgolfnut]

3 hours ago, Josh Parker said:

Ok, this thread lost a little steam.  Adding a little twist to this one.  Looking at this weeks event at the Sony Open and the stats, the hardest playing hole on the course so far is the 5th hole.  

Let's consider 20mph crosswinds and playing from the tips.  How are you playing it?

Par 4 - 467 yards

I'll offer a hacker's perspective, because, well, I am one. First thing I would want to know is how far to clear the first creek; I'm 210 with the driver on a good day and with a 20-mph crosswind might not be a good day. Laying up short of the water is very possible. But, realistically, anything playing 467 is a par-5 for me anyway, unless I somehow stick my third shot very close. Definitely lay up short of the second water and try not to make a 6 or worse.

OK I found my answer; the USA Today golf page has a yardage book for the Sony Open. It's 226 to carry the first creek. Definite layup. Then try to put my second shot where my third is 110 yards, in my 8-iron wheelhouse. The good news is if I layup on the tee shot, there is no way I can reach the second creek on my second shot -- but topping my second shot into the first creek is very possible.

Edited January 13 by ILMgolfnut
more info

[TJ Hall]

4 hours ago, Josh Parker said:

Ok, this thread lost a little steam.  Adding a little twist to this one.  Looking at this weeks event at the Sony Open and the stats, the hardest playing hole on the course so far is the 5th hole.  

Let's consider 20mph crosswinds and playing from the tips.  How are you playing it?

Par 4 - 467 yards

I’d say driver, then depending on the wind direction, either a draw 5 iron or cut 3H to the green…and of course sink the birdie putt!

At least that’s how it plays in my head…

[Indy_Oz]

This would be predicated on me hitting my driver well and straight enough (so depends on the direction of the cross wind too), ha ha... but I tend to carry at least 250-260yds, so despite the cross wind the first creek shouldn't be a concern. If I hit the short stuff and it's rolling well, maybe that's 270-280 total. That leaves me 180-190yds to the pin. If the front edge of the green is, say, 170ish and the back edge is no more than 200 I'll hit a full 6-iron (should carry 180-190 depending on the wind). I'd want to target the wider landing area at the middle to back of the green and clear the bunkers at the narrow front of the green.

If I wasn't confident with the wind and it was knocking distances down more, I'd play it as a par 5 and hope to get close with the chip and one-putt to par. I'd rather chip from 50 yards on the short stuff than have a bunker shot.

[buckpillar]

4 hours ago, Josh Parker said:

Ok, this thread lost a little steam.  Adding a little twist to this one.  Looking at this weeks event at the Sony Open and the stats, the hardest playing hole on the course so far is the 5th hole.  

Let's consider 20mph crosswinds and playing from the tips.  How are you playing it?

Par 4 - 467 yards

Being an oldster, lead off with Driver using a draw or cut to hold it against the wind, then hold the 3 or 4 iron against the wind to the center of the green, at worst 2 putt for par

[funkyjudge]

4 hours ago, Josh Parker said:

Ok, this thread lost a little steam.  Adding a little twist to this one.  Looking at this weeks event at the Sony Open and the stats, the hardest playing hole on the course so far is the 5th hole.  

Let's consider 20mph crosswinds and playing from the tips.  How are you playing it?

Par 4 - 467 yards

How I would play that hole depends on how far it is to the first creek from the tee.

[Javs]

4 hours ago, Josh Parker said:

Ok, this thread lost a little steam.  Adding a little twist to this one.  Looking at this weeks event at the Sony Open and the stats, the hardest playing hole on the course so far is the 5th hole.  

Let's consider 20mph crosswinds and playing from the tips.  How are you playing it?

Par 4 - 467 yards

I would hit driver with a good 275 yard carry. That would leave between a 6 to 8 iron left depending on the wind and pin placement. 

[ZackS]

On 11/30/2023 at 1:52 AM, GolfSpy_APH said:

Been a bit, but this is one of my favorite courses that I have never played. 

https://coursepreview.golf/chambersbay/?hole=16

Great way of viewing the hole on their site. How are you playing this? Looks simple enough, but nothing is as simple as it seems!

This one is interesting as wind direction would change my on the tee significantly. Playing from the gold tees. Down wind I pull driver as my miss is usually right but with the wind I feel comfortable carrying the bunker where it cuts into the fairway. Wind from the right I pull 5 wood it would be far enough to get past the left bunkers by stay short of the mounds allowing for wide landing area. Wind from the left I pull 4 iron to stay in the wide part of the fairway short of the right bunker that sticks out. Wind into me I pull 2 driving iron again to stay in the wide part of the fairway short of the right bunker that sticks out. As for the second shot on all but the down wind situation I am aiming for the wides part of the green in the middle regardless of pin position. In the down wind situation I go more directly at the pin evening the narrow parts of the green. Now that said if we take my last round into consideration I hit driver good all day and on the 2 shorter narrow holes where I backed off to the “safe” play I had penalty strokes. Sooooo, screw it driver!