Golf Club Atlas

GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: John Kavanaugh on August 27, 2011, 03:03:03 AM

Title: The paradox of backstop.
Post by: John Kavanaugh on August 27, 2011, 03:03:03 AM
What are examples of where the further you hit the ball from the hole the closer you get?
Title: Re: The paradox of backstop.
Post by: Jud_T on August 27, 2011, 08:22:09 AM
Kingsley #'s 4, 8 and 15 (unless of course you go too far...)
Title: Re: The paradox of backstop.
Post by: Mac Plumart on August 27, 2011, 09:51:55 AM
Many options like this at Dismal  and Rivermont.  Playing the slopes and using them to your advantage rather than avoiding them.  This makes for wonderful golf.
Title: Re: The paradox of backstop.
Post by: Patrick_Mucci on August 27, 2011, 10:06:08 AM
# 16 NLGA,
# 7   Mountain Ridge
Title: Re: The paradox of backstop.
Post by: Joe Stansell on August 27, 2011, 11:01:38 AM
Chambers Bay 12, 18, as I played them last week.
Title: Re: The paradox of backstop.
Post by: Bill_McBride on August 27, 2011, 12:48:37 PM
The 12th green at Ballyneal has two intersecting ridges that cut the green into quadrants and create lots of opportunities to use the resulting backstops. 

I had an approach wind up hole left and played a putt past the hole into the backstop.  It was fun to watch the ball slow down up the slope, stop, and then roll gently back within inches of the hole. 

It's really fun to look for those opportunities. 
Title: Re: The paradox of backstop.
Post by: Anthony Gray on August 27, 2011, 01:00:14 PM


  The 16th at NGLA and the 7th at Bandon Dunes are the most memoable for me.

  Anthony
Title: Re: The paradox of backstop.
Post by: Anthony Gray on August 27, 2011, 03:36:54 PM
What are examples of where the further you hit the ball from the hole the closer you get?

  Do you like them? Is it fair to a low handicapper?

  Anthony

Title: Re: The paradox of backstop.
Post by: Chris DeNigris on August 27, 2011, 05:13:17 PM
I once bladed a wedge on tiny 9th at Wekopa Saguaro off the halfway house and back into birdie putt range... that's how I now play the hole...but I'm not really sure that that's what C & C (or JK) had in mind there...
Title: Re: The paradox of backstop.
Post by: Tim Gavrich on August 27, 2011, 05:45:31 PM
I love this feature on greens. Bulls Bay and Shelter Harbor have the best examples of such greens that I've played. So much fun.
Title: Re: The paradox of backstop.
Post by: paul cowley on August 28, 2011, 11:30:28 AM
Diamante Dunes has four (if the cut is close enough so that balls release and do not hang)...#7, #9, #13 and #17.
Title: Re: The paradox of backstop.
Post by: Greg Tallman on August 28, 2011, 01:07:13 PM
Diamante Dunes has four (if the cut is close enough so that balls release and do not hang)...#7, #9, #13 and #17.

I disagree on 13... you have gentle swales that collect the ball rather than feed it back onto the green. 17 is the most functional of the backstops. 7 & 9 may or may not return to sender.
Title: Re: The paradox of backstop.
Post by: Steve Lang on August 28, 2011, 01:15:37 PM
I once bladed a wedge on tiny 9th at Wekopa Saguaro off the halfway house and back into birdie putt range... that's how I now play the hole...but I'm not really sure that that's what C & C (or JK) had in mind there...

the education of a travelling golfer...

Chris, do you remember some of the backstops at The Mines?   

I'd say the true measure of such is when it can also present a putting option ...
Title: Re: The paradox of backstop.
Post by: Sven Nilsen on August 28, 2011, 01:18:47 PM
OM 5 and 13 (and 18 if you count the side slope on the left)
PD 5 and 16 (and 8 to a back pin)
Lost Farm has a bunch with a front pin on 4 being particularly fun, especially uphill putts that go in on the return trip
Barnbougle Dunes also has a handful including the 13th

Seems to me this feature is pretty common on the modern links-style courses, where conditioning and generally slower greens allows these types of contours.
Title: Re: The paradox of backstop.
Post by: RJ_Daley on August 28, 2011, 02:18:59 PM
Too many to contemplate.  But, I love how 17 Bayside works. ;D
Title: Re: The paradox of backstop.
Post by: Chris DeNigris on August 28, 2011, 06:30:58 PM
Steve,

When I was thinking about this topic that weekend in Michigan really stood out.

At the Mines I'm remembering that tricky little par 3 with the wicked green...great roundabout options on that one!

Kingsley 16 with the very cool sideboard...amongst several others already mentioned there.

Hope you're coping well with the Texas heat...my best to Sheila!