Routing Changes

Since my arrival, I've been pushing for the 9th hole to be changed to a short par-3 from a short par-4.

I think the hole as a par-3 is vastly superior because:

1. You get a better, more spectacular angle and view of the sandy gorge. Played as a par-4 you don't get this view, unless you accidentally lay-up to the very edge of the canyon. (INSERT COMPARISON PHOTOS)
   
2. Everyone gets to tee up the ball and knows the exact distance.
3. Women would have a far easier time; a 70 to 80-meter shot, from the edge of the canyon. Played as a par-4 most women would play it as follows: tee shot, pitch to layup, and a much longer approach to the green from a fairway lie... somewhere about 90 to 120 meters. The average female hits the ball about 100 meters from the tee, so this hole as a par-4 is next to impossible for most.
4. Golfers have to fit their tee shot into a slot when played as a par-4. If they don't they're screwed.
   

The arguments against the par-3 is the walk from 8 green to the tees for the par-3 9th. Less than 2-minutes; about 200 meters maximum. I value excellent holes over shorter walks, though you'd love to do both. In this instance it doesn't fit.

With that in mind, we've spoken about changing the outing so the 8th would be a short par-4 on the fairway side of the canyon, followed by the par-3 I'd suggested. This is an even better solution.

Let's see what happens.

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Tony Ristola
agolfarchitect.com
+1 (909) 581 0080