Number Three (Par Five)

Moving from the oldest hole on the course to the two newest brings the players to the long dogleg par five, third hole. Playing along the southern corner of the property the third is a long three-shotter that calls for a variety of shots depending on skill, conditions, and bravado. The course’s first two water features shape play on each of the first three shots and the final climb up to the green is surprisingly intimidating. Player A, especially if he is coming off a bad score at number two will be tempted to pull out driver and attempt to peel the cover off of the ball. Driver might not be a bad play, as one wants to end up at the base of the hill, but a little restraint might be in order; ending up through the fairway or in the first pond will kill a scorecard in a hurry. A hard fade around the fairway pine will leave a good look at the distant green. However, for anyone this side of the PGA Tour, the green is probably a shot too far, especially as it climbs twenty feet at the end. The next decision is to play over or short of the second pond which is obscured by a large mound on the left side of the second fairway. The better lie is to be found on the near side of the water, but this landing area is obscured by a large mound between the ponds and can seem difficult to hit. If a player opts to go over the second water hazard, a long iron is the preferred club and

Von Plinsky Golf Course Analysis

the key is to simply try to find the middle of the fairway as the lie and look at the green are less than ideal from either side. From either landing area the green is open to attack with a mid to short iron, and the only real danger is misclubbing. A club too short risks running ten yards or more back into the fairway, while a club too much will bring the woods beyond the green into play.

For Player B the third hole is a not so obvious opportunity to make up ground. While it can be a slog, especially when playing into the wind, if a player plays within his game and hits the prescribed landing areas he can sneak a score past his braver opponent.

The key here is to know the clubs necessary to find the good lies in the fairway. A good drive is essential to find the first flat area in front of the first water hazard. From there a strong mid to long iron is

Figure 90: The Third Hole at Pine Grove Springs. A. Plan View. B. View from the Tee Box. C. View from lower fairway. D. View from behind the Green.

C

A

B

Golf Course Analysis Von Plinsky

needed to find the good lies in front of the second hazard. If player B’s ball is still dry, the most difficult shot of the hole awaits him; a full long iron or fairway wood up a steep climb to a partially obscured green. The idea here is to miss to the right spots, in this case short and right. A chip from there is not too daunting and can garner a player a par. Missing long or short left leave shots that lesser players are intimidated by.

Assessment

Number three appears at first glance to be a long, hard slog that is best survived. However, the difficulty has more to do with the number in the par column on the card than with anything on the course. If a player plays within his game, a score no worse than six is most often the result. Architecturally speaking, the beauty of the hole and the ways that it can be improved are the ways that it can (and could) tempt the player to play outside his game. The easiest way to tempt players to play outside their games is to shorten the hole. In this case moving up the fairway by 75 yards would bring visions of driving the first water hazard dancing into their heads. The benefits of such a play are well balanced, as pulling off the shot leaves a very good chance at reaching the green in two and a rare eagle putt. Additionally, the penalty for failing will cost the player that stroke he was trying desperately to gain.

Thinking a little more long term, narrowing the water hazards on the hole and allowing the water to run to the wetland area beside the fourth tee more rapidly has potential strategic bonuses. A narrow water hazard is less intimidating to players even though the impact of the hazard is not really lessened at all. A stream that is five feet wide but buffered by slopes for twenty feet on either side still plays as if it was forty- five feet wide but appears much less intimidating. The ecologic and turf impacts of such a move would need to be examined of course but the idea is at least worth considering.

The final area of concern is the green. While it is not unusual for a long, difficult par five to have a fairly easy large target, it is at least worth considering the possibilities available atop number three’s hill. Perhaps removal of the front bunker or conversely its expansion would induce more doubt or confidence than is otherwise warranted. The worst idea is to make changes for change’s sake but each of the above ideas should be examined to strengthen an already very good hole.

Von Plinsky Golf Course Analysis