The 2015 'How Would You Play It?' Fantasy Thread

[MMB1500]

The 2015 'How Would You Play It?' Fantasy Thread

 

Background

 

Every year my father-in-law sends me a golf calendar given to him by a local real estate broker in Saskatoon. My father in law has zero interest in golf, so is happy to send the calendar my way and knows how much I like receiving it (sad, I know). Over the years I've spent a lot of time looking at each hole and thinking about how I would play it and what my strategy would be. Of course that partly depends on the weather conditions at the time, but let's not nit-pick. Incidentally this 'planning' usually takes place during some mind-numbing work meeting - meetings being the main reason human beings will never reach their full potential.

 

Anyway, I thought it might be fun to extend this wonderful time wasting exercise to my fellow Wrx brethren and get everyone else's input on how they would play the hole instead.

 

The Format

 

The format is simple. Every month I will be posting an image of each new hole, taken from some of the world's great courses, as they appear on my calendar (I am a little late with January, but it's not too late to recover!). So, 12 holes over the next 12 months. For the purposes of the discussion, the following info would be good:

 

- How would you play the hole?

- Have you actually played the hole in real life?

- If so what happened, including best and worst scores if you've played it more than once. Honest answers please, even if you completely gashed it up!

- Any interesting stories or tidbits about the hole or course pictured?

 

The only rule that I can think of at the moment is that your answer to how you would play the hole should be based on the yardage shown in the picture. None of this tee it forward nonsense!

 

I apolgise that we will only have time to squeeze in two thirds of a round this year, but we've got to work with what we've got. ;)

 

So first up is a somewhat challenging par 3, especially if the wind is blowing...

 

January 2015: 13th Hole, Par 3, 250 Yards. Punta Espada Golf Club, Dominican Republic.

UPDATE 29/01: As several people have rightly pointed out how to play this hole is very much dependent on wind. Thus, for the sake of argument, let's assume there is a 10-15MPH right to left wind.

 

 

 

UPDATE: As several people have rightly pointed out.

 

Your thoughts please!

 

P.S. I am in no way affiliated with Cam and Jordan Bird - Lol.

[Lord Helmet]

I'm conservative by nature. I'd hit it 200 off the T, then try to stick a pitch tight. Worst case scenario is a bogey.

[Midnightexpress]

hey there...Ottawa golfer here too! well.. tough hole to start! looks like a high draw 5 wood hit perfectly would do it...if the wind was pushing from right to left, looks like a cut 3 wood.

cheers!

[MMB1500]

Tough hole for me. My miss is left and 250 is on the limit of my 3 wood. This hole's got a big number written all over it, but then so do most holes I play.......Also no way am I hitting driver on a par three, just out of principle! I'd have to aim at a safe landing zone right and short of the green, then chip/pitch on and hope I could two putt.

How's that for confidence?

[MtlJeff]

I'm a lefty who plays a fade, so it depends what the wind is doing. 230 is a bad distance for me, i hit my 3 wood too far and my hybrid that's a big distance for all carry

if there's wind in the face 3 wood, if not hybrid, but i'm aiming well right and hoping it fades, if not i'm chipping

[Lord Helmet]

Never realized you were a southpaw.

[CommerceTiger]

Three wood 230 to the right side and try to get up and down. Thats a tough hole right there

[eagle1997]

Tournament or semi- serious round, I'm trying to hit a draw to the front right edge with the appropriate club, probably 3h or 3w.

For giggles, and with the correct wind, I'm hitting a cut driver at the water and hoping the wind brings it back onto the green.

Based on your pic, bogey looks like a very acceptable score.


Edit: if I played it on the regular basis, I wonder what the score differential would be if I laid up to 100 and tried to get up and down from there vs. trying to get on or around the green.

[BicknellCC]

If I played it smart I'd hit 9 iron or pitching wedge off the tee (depending on wind) , then the appropriate wedge/iron for the distance left. If I don't hit a stupid shot, should get a bogie at worst.


Nice topic by the way, thanks for posting, cool to see how others plan out shots.

[Michael C.]

250 is perfect driver and I didn't come to play jacks. I'd hit driver right in the hole.

[KrazyTrain18]

Never played it, but I would aim down the right and draw in a 3 wood if there's no wind, or hit a lower 2I on the same line and see if it would chase up.

[knock it close]

I'm a lefty so I'd probably take 3 would start it at the right side and hopefully it cuts in, if it doesn't try to cut up and in.

[MMB1500]

[quote name='BicknellCC' timestamp='1422239222' post='10818023']
Nice topic by the way, thanks for posting, cool to see how others plan out shots.
[/quote]

No worries. I thought it might be a fun discussion. It's going to be more interesting on other holes coming up in the following months.

[Itsjustagame]

I would move up 2 tee boxes and play it at 174.

[MMB1500]

[quote name='Itsjustagame' timestamp='1422273532' post='10819381']
I would move up 2 tee boxes and play it at 174.
[/quote]

See my first post. No teeing it forward!

[Itsjustagame]

[quote name='Eagle006' timestamp='1422274452' post='10819393']
[quote name='Itsjustagame' timestamp='1422273532' post='10819381']
I would move up 2 tee boxes and play it at 174.
[/quote]

See my first post. No teeing it forward!
[/quote]

Oops. I see that now. Should stay way from threads that involve 250 yard par 3's or 7,300 yard golf courses. Can't/won't play them.

[Albatross85]

That shot is completely dependent on wind. No wind or left/right wind im hitting 2Hybrid right at center of green. Into or right/left im bailing out right and trying to get up and down

[eagle1997]

[quote name='Albatross85' timestamp='1422283473' post='10820003']
That shot is completely dependent on wind. No wind or left/right wind im hitting 2Hybrid right at center of green. Into or right/left im bailing out right and trying to get up and down
[/quote]

i think it would be very interesting if it were playing downwind also...

[thekru]

I would hood a six iron with a hard draw that lands front right of the green, takes one hop and spins a little left. While the ball is in the air I am staring it down the entire way. After it lands I pick my tee up, flick it into the water, adjust my hat. Everyone says, "nice shot", I casually smile with a little nod of the head then go lean against my six iron on the edge of the tee box. Been there, done that fellas, chase that!!...the rest of the foursome is intimidated and I know it.

[MMB1500]

[quote name='thekru' timestamp='1422291838' post='10820895']
I would hood a six iron with a hard draw that lands front right of the green, takes one hop and spins a little left. While the ball is in the air I am staring it down the entire way. After it lands I pick my tee up, flick it into the water, adjust my hat. Everyone says, "nice shot", I casually smile with a little nod of the head then go lean against my six iron on the edge of the tee box. Been there, done that fellas, chase that!!...the rest of the foursome is intimidated and I know it.
[/quote]

"Nice shot. "

...though this is GolfWRX. I would expect nothing less. Actually I'm surprised you didn't go with a smooth 7.

[thekru]

[quote name='Eagle006' timestamp='1422295825' post='10821337']
[quote name='thekru' timestamp='1422291838' post='10820895']
I would hood a six iron with a hard draw that lands front right of the green, takes one hop and spins a little left. While the ball is in the air I am staring it down the entire way. After it lands I pick my tee up, flick it into the water, adjust my hat. Everyone says, "nice shot", I casually smile with a little nod of the head then go lean against my six iron on the edge of the tee box. Been there, done that fellas, chase that!!...the rest of the foursome is intimidated and I know it.
[/quote]

"Nice shot. "

...though this is GolfWRX. I would expect nothing less. Actually I'm surprised you didn't go with a smooth 7.
[/quote]

Well after I tossed a piece of grass in the air I noticed that someone turned the fan up a little, had to take more club and keep the 'traj' down.

[MMB1500]

[quote name='thekru' timestamp='1422296071' post='10821371']
[quote name='Eagle006' timestamp='1422295825' post='10821337']
[quote name='thekru' timestamp='1422291838' post='10820895']
I would hood a six iron with a hard draw that lands front right of the green, takes one hop and spins a little left. While the ball is in the air I am staring it down the entire way. After it lands I pick my tee up, flick it into the water, adjust my hat. Everyone says, "nice shot", I casually smile with a little nod of the head then go lean against my six iron on the edge of the tee box. Been there, done that fellas, chase that!!...the rest of the foursome is intimidated and I know it.
[/quote]

"Nice shot. "

...though this is GolfWRX. I would expect nothing less. Actually I'm surprised you didn't go with a smooth 7.
[/quote]

Well after I tossed a piece of grass in the air I noticed that someone turned the fan up a little, had to take more club and keep the 'traj' down.
[/quote]

Youz a playa.

[HawkeyeDan]

Natural draw ballflight, so I am hitting 2h and aiming down the right side. And hoping for the best. I would rather miss right than left on this hole. From there I am most likely short, just off the green. Appropriate wedge hopefully close enough for par putt.

[NCHACK85]

3h to Lw

[pappaf2]

Depends what the wind is doing. Most likely play for me is us the driver and hit a fade starting at the center of the green and peeling away. If it goes straight then I'm on the green, if it fades I should be in the bail out area around the green. If the wind doesn't seem conducive to that I'd hit 5w or 4h at the bail out on the right and leave an extremely awkward distance to hit a wedge shot.

[Toph84]

As others are saying definitely depends on the wind...

What I would like to happen: I'm reaching for the 18* hybrid or a 2 iron that would replace my 3 iron for this course. I'd let it fly down the right hand side, and hoping for the best. Chip and a putt for a hard 3.

What would actually happen: I'd double cross myself and the hopes of a slight fade towards the bail out spot short and right, would turn into a high over cooked pull-draw that goes into the water. I'd struggle to a shameful triple and the 3 under par front nine would be offset by the meltdown on the back nine that all started on this hole.



What hole is up next!?!?

[Qqq123xx]

If wind comes in from ocean then layup. If going out to sea then 3wd. Ride that wind baby.

[MMB1500]

[quote name='Toph84' timestamp='1422559878' post='10842665']
As others are saying definitely depends on the wind...

What I would like to happen: I'm reaching for the 18* hybrid or a 2 iron that would replace my 3 iron for this course. I'd let it fly down the right hand side, and hoping for the best. Chip and a putt for a hard 3.

What would actually happen: I'd double cross myself and the hopes of a slight fade towards the bail out spot short and right, would turn into a high over cooked pull-draw that goes into the water. [b]I'd struggle to a shameful triple and the 3 under par front nine would be offset by the meltdown on the back nine that all started on this hole.[/b]

What hole is up next!?!?
[/quote]

Lol. Sounds like how I'd play it.

Don't worry, the next hole is pretty straightforward. Should give you a good opportunity to recover after your triple!bYou'll have to wait until February though. Only a few more days....

[farmer]

Get something onto dry land. Pitch it close, make the putt, easy par. Or, pitch onto a forward tee, then hole the next shot for an easy two. Or, duck hook three into the ocean, then go sit in the cart and pout.

[MMB1500]

OK, here's February's offering. A straightforward par 3, certainly compared with the last one anyway. Very likely some of you will have played this one, so do share your stories.

[b]February 2015:[/b] Desert Highlands GC, Scottsdale, Arizona. 15th Hole, Par 3, 146 yards. For this hole, the wind is blowing off the mountains (right to left) at 5 - 8 MPH, slightly against.

[attachment=2597735:Desert Highlands.jpg]