srixon 1
Journeyman Pro
Your 3rd hole is definitely the hardest. I used to get a 4 quite regular on 14 when it was a par 5. Now it's a par 4 I always seem to get a 5 more often than a 4.
Hardest hole v SI 1
- Thread starter Neilds
- Start date
Your 3rd hole is definitely the hardest. I used to get a 4 quite regular on 14 when it was a par 5. Now it's a par 4 I always seem to get a 5 more often than a 4.
HampshireHog
Assistant Pro
Ours is our longest par 4 at 450yds. Definitely not the hardest hole I’d put at least 2 others above it.
mikejohnchapman
Challenge Tour Pro
Allocation of SI has a limited amount to do with difficulty. Our are allocated in the middle of each 9 and it's a toss-up which is the order of difficulty in 1-4.
Interesting that some clubs seem to take a principle approach and allocate their par 3s high SIs and their 5s with relatively low SIs. Other courses do the opposite.
Interesting that some clubs seem to take a principle approach and allocate their par 3s high SIs and their 5s with relatively low SIs. Other courses do the opposite.
jim8flog
Journeyman Pro
Yes on 14 a 4 quite a rare score for me at my age. My biggest problem is running through the fairway on the dogleg and ending up in the trees. There is a plan to remove a lot of the trees to make it much fairer.
It really did have to go to par 4 though. Quite a few years ago when I was much fitter and stronger it became 3 iron, wedge or 9 iron for me and it is that sort of tactic for most big hitters. These days off the back tees it is driver long iron/rescue.
Shooter McPowick
Head Pro
Hackers76
Active member
We have 3 sets of 9, when playing blue & silver the 1st of blue is the SI 1, it’s a relatively long par 4 but not much in the way of danger. When playing silver & gold (regarded as Championship course) 5th of gold is SI 1, very tough dog leg ( near right angle) right where the fairway slopes to a brook on the right which catches sliced tee shots. There is also a big tree just over the brook so you need to hit your tee shot long enough to go past this otherwise you are trying the stinger. It’s a tough hole but I seem to play it very well, I guess being SI 1 it focusses the mind.
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
That’s a great hole but it’s all down to the tee shot to get you in position.
I birdied it last time I was there. So it’s one of my faves.
I find 17 th a tough hole at Lancaster just because you can’t see the green .
Dan2501
Tour Winner
Yeah all down to the tee shot and depending on the pin position can be relatively straight-forward if you're in a good position in the fairway.
And yeah, was going to add to the end of my post that 17's another tough one. Very tough par 4 that a lot people are forced to play as a 3 shotter due to the length. Nice hole though, nice view looking back from the green down the fairway.
D
Deleted member 21258
Guest
At home club hole 10 and 15 are 1st hardest and 2nd respectively.
For me in comps 15 is the hardest(1.3 over par) and 10 is next (1.2 over par), so pretty much spot on for me.
For me in comps 15 is the hardest(1.3 over par) and 10 is next (1.2 over par), so pretty much spot on for me.
duncan mackie
Money List Winner
From memory you have to be below he hole on 8 as well...which makes the pin position a major factor in how the hole plays each time...
duncan mackie
Money List Winner
I think it's interesting to consider how, statistically, a hole is designated hard/hardest.
There are holes that are inherently hard to par (typically long holes) and there are holes that are fraught with danger, but can be pars for everyone from time to time. Using standard software the latter will frequently come up as hardest because the average score to par is higher, whilst the former will rarely have a string of double figure scores against it!
It doesn't matter how the stat is created except in the context of this discussion.
There are holes that are inherently hard to par (typically long holes) and there are holes that are fraught with danger, but can be pars for everyone from time to time. Using standard software the latter will frequently come up as hardest because the average score to par is higher, whilst the former will rarely have a string of double figure scores against it!
It doesn't matter how the stat is created except in the context of this discussion.
i don't think it is at Nairn, prob either the 14th or the 12th with the changes
Foxholer
Blackballed
Our SI1, long Par 4 with all sorts of danger, is definitely worh its rating, as is the SI2 - though . But as currently a seriouly short hitter, neither are MY hardest holes. My most difficult ones are currently a couple of par 5s that I haven't been able to reach in 3 since hip replaced and struggled to even when fully healthy.
garyinderry
Ryder Cup Winner
Our si 1 is a bit like this. Wind off left every slice is a reload. Wind behind many can hit driver short iron. Not the hardest 5 (bogie) in the world but its very easy to make a big number.
We have possibly tougher par 4s to birdie or even make par on.
srixon 1
Journeyman Pro
I usually play there a couple of times a year. Hopefully I will be fit enough for the county seniors next year. I've written this year off for golf.
Grant85
Head Pro
I would say our hardest hole is probably SI 1. This is the 5th. I'm sure plenty run up a score because you really need to get a decent drive away to clear a valley.
SI 2 is the 12th, which I think it tough, but not as tough as 17 and 18. 17 in particular is tough - 392 into the win with a well guarded elevated green. A 160 yard approach can play 200 plus some days. 17 is SI4 and 18 (a long hole, but plenty of room on drive and approach). is SI8.
Obviously I get why 17 is not SI 1 as you don't necessarily want a tight match (where someone is only getting 1 or 2 shots) to be swung that late.
SI 2 is the 12th, which I think it tough, but not as tough as 17 and 18. 17 in particular is tough - 392 into the win with a well guarded elevated green. A 160 yard approach can play 200 plus some days. 17 is SI4 and 18 (a long hole, but plenty of room on drive and approach). is SI8.
Obviously I get why 17 is not SI 1 as you don't necessarily want a tight match (where someone is only getting 1 or 2 shots) to be swung that late.
Shooter McPowick
Head Pro
The 8th has had a major redesign this year and isn’t quite finished yet... the tees are getting moved to the left side of the valley next year.
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
Looking back through HDID and our 9th statistically plays as the hardest (or second hardest). https://www.royalascotgolfclub.co.uk/course/course-tour/hole/9/
Tee shot slightly uphill and then drops and a bunker right to catch the longer hitters. When it is bone dry the big boys can hit the ditch at around 260 yards. It doesn't look an easy hole but ALWAYS plays into the wind and so when it gets up to a one club wind or more it is usually out of range for most golfers in regulation. Quite gusty today and I hit a very solid drive but still had 198 in. Even the longest in our group who flushed the drive has 177 (and hit 4H and was short). I hit 5 wood and could only get within 20 yards.
An innocent looking hole but definitely plays harder than SI 12 and definitely always in the top three hardest holes statistically in any competition
Tee shot slightly uphill and then drops and a bunker right to catch the longer hitters. When it is bone dry the big boys can hit the ditch at around 260 yards. It doesn't look an easy hole but ALWAYS plays into the wind and so when it gets up to a one club wind or more it is usually out of range for most golfers in regulation. Quite gusty today and I hit a very solid drive but still had 198 in. Even the longest in our group who flushed the drive has 177 (and hit 4H and was short). I hit 5 wood and could only get within 20 yards.
An innocent looking hole but definitely plays harder than SI 12 and definitely always in the top three hardest holes statistically in any competition
