Alex Elias It's been 12 years since the first course at Cabot Cape Breton opened, and today, Cabot Links (2011) and Cabot Cliffs (2015) rank #39 and #10 in Golf Digest's World 100 Greatest Courses. Since then, Cabot has expanded to Cabot St. Lucia, Cabot Highlands in Scotland and Cabot Revelstoke in British Columbia (Coming 2025). Cabot Citrus Farms, Cabot’s first destination in the United States, and one of the most anticipated new courses of 2024, is set to open in October 2024 with two 18-hole courses, a 9-hole course, and an 11-hole Par-3 Course. Karoo
Designed by Kyle Franz, known for his superb restorations at Mid Pines Inn & Club, Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club, Southern Pines Golf Club, and Country Club of Charleston, Karoo features many fairways over 75 yards wide, though course management is of the essence, as seven holes offer split fairways. With either large waste areas, cross bunkers, or center-line traps, Karoo demands players decide left or right based on their club selection off the tee as well as the pin location on a given day. With many greens exceeding 10,000 square feet, golfers immediately indulge into Franz's green complexes as the opening hole presents a massive double green for the first and sixth holes. As Karoo is routed on what was once World Woods Golf Club (Pine Barrens), Franz removed thousands of trees, opening the property to long views of the topography and expansive waste areas. The Squeeze Designed by Mike Nuzzo, the 9-hole course plays less than 3,000 yards. Playing over varied terrain with short Par-4s, dramatic Par-3s and a 559 yard Par-5, The Squeeze is the ultimate match-play course and demands every shot in the bag. The Wedge Designed by Mike Nuzzo, the 11-hole Par-3 course adds up exactly to 1,000 yards. No. 6, the shortest hole, plays 70 yards, and No. 9, the longest hole, plays 115 yards. Although only a wedge and putter are needed, don't be fooled by the yardages on the scorecard as Nuzzo saved some of his most dramatic features for The Wedge, particularly No. 5 and No. 11. With lights and music located throughout the course, The Wedge is the perfect way to end a memorable day. Media Day When I received my invitation to the Media Day at Cabot Citrus Farms, I immediately responded, "Yes," and quickly thereafter began counting down the days. To say, Cabot Citrus Farms delivered would be an immense understatement. Thanks to the lights on The Wedge, I was able to play all 38 open holes, and while the architectural design of each course is certainly to be greatly appreciated, the vibe throughout the entire property is unmatched. Whether it be the Comfort Stations on Karoo, The Porch overlooking The Wedge, the opportunity to make eagle on The Squeeze or an ace on The Wedge, it's easy to imagine players having as memorable a day as any with friends and family.
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Alex Elias
As a drivable Par-4 best embodies risk/reward, historic golf course architect George C. Thomas wrote in his Anatomy of a Golf Course: "The great courses entice the golfer to outwit himself."
Riviera Country Club - No. 10 - 335
Considered by many to be the best drivable Par-4 in the country, No. 10 is the ultimate example of strategic architecture. If a player decides to go for the green, the tiny, skinny green is set at an angle and flanked with deep bunkering. If a player decides to lay up, the massive cross-bunker hides much of the primary landing area.
Los Angeles Country Club - No. 6 - 335
Just as George C. Thomas had wished to engage the players' mind, Collin Morikawa said, "I think there’s going to be a lot of different strategies there [No. 6 at LACC]. Some guys are going to feel comfortable going for it and taking what they got with any lie, and some guys are going to lay up knowing that they’re going to have a wedge in their hand," following a Practice Round in the 123rd U.S. Open. Although No. 6 is a drivable Par-4, the tee shot is blind. The green is roughly 11 yards front to back, and is protected by an unkept barranca short left, a bunker short right, and a bunker long. Following the 123rd U.S. Open, 2008 Masters Champion and current CBS analyst Trevor Immelman asked on Twitter, "What's a better drivable par 4?"
Cypress Point Club - No. 9 - 292
Although the signature Par-3s (No. 15 & No. 16) often receive more praise, No. 9 is one of the best drivable Par-4s in the country, featuring sand left and right and a narrow shelf green tucked between sand dunes.
Ridgewood Country Club - No. 6 – 291
Known as "Five and Dime", No. 6 earns it's name thanks to Byron Nelson, who said the best strategy was to hit a 5-iron and 10-iron (pitching wedge), when he served as the club’s assistant pro in the 1930s. The shortest hole on property, No. 6 features one of the smallest greens (2,200 sq. ft) in golf. Although Nelson would lay up with 5-iron, many attempt to drive the Par 4 6th, arguably the greatest Risk/Reward hole in golf.
Sand Hills Golf Club - No. 7 - 283
Designed by Coore & Crenshaw, the signature 7th hole features a perched green. Any tee shot slightly to the left will drop into a ten foot bunker, while one to the right will result in a second shot fifteen feet below the putting surface. Alex Elias Ahead of Round 1 of the 123rd U.S. Open, Cameron Smith said, "I typically love short Par-3s. I think a lot of the greatest courses that we play around the world all have a short Par-4 and a short Par-3 and they can end up kind of being the trickiest as well... I think everyone's favorite Par-3s are those 9-irons and wedges where you really have to dial it in and hit a good shot." 2023 U.S. Open Champion Wyndham Clark said, "Your shot can be right online with the flag, right where you want to hit it, but you don’t know whether to tell it to go or sit. If you hit the right yardage, you’re going to have a short birdie putt or maybe even make a hole-in-one. But if you’re off, it’s an easy, easy bogey." World #1 Scottie Scheffler said, "I love those little short Par-3s. I think that's the way most Par-3s should be, just because there is opportunity for birdie and bogey. I think they're good separator holes." Cypress Point Club - No. 15 - 139 Often overshadowed by the Par-3 16th, No. 15 is not only one of the best short Par-3s in America, but one of the best in the world. Perched above the ocean rocks, the green is protected by several magnificently designed Alister McKenzie bunkers and breathtaking cypress trees. Los Angeles Country Club - No. 15 - 133 Listed at 133 yards, No. 15 played a mere 72 yards during one session of matches at the 2017 Walker Cup and played as short as 103 yards and as long as 115 at the 123rd U.S. Open. Protected by bunkers on each side, the green is divided by a ridge. Merion Golf Club - No. 13 - 128 The Par-3 13th played a mere 107 yards in the 2022 Curtis Cup. The oval-shaped green, obscured from the tee by a bunker, is one of the smallest on property. Pebble Beach Golf Links - No. 7 - 107 Perhaps the most famous Par-3 in the world, the cliffside seventh hole is set against the second-to-none backdrop of Stillwater Cove. At barely 100 downhill yards from tee to green, No. 7 might require a smooth wedge one day and a knockdown 5-iron the next. Shoreacres Golf Club - No. 12 - 136 No. 12 is as equally demanding as it is picturesque. Playing downhill to a superbly Seth Raynor designed green, the false front is quick to send shots inches short of perfection back into the bunker. The Country Club - No. 12 - 131 The Par-3 12th features an elevated tee box, where the green sits roughly 30 feet below and is guarded by four daunting bunkers. Wannamoisett Country Club - No. 3 - 137
Perhaps Donald Ross' best short Par-3, bunkers surround the front and left demanding a precise short iron to make par. Alex Elias Although C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor are most associated with template holes, famed golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast pioneered "Great Hazard," a massive expanse of waste area which typically comes into play on a player’s second shot on a Par-5. Chris Gabriele, Lead Assistant Golf Professional at Quaker Ridge Golf Club (Pictured Above), said, "It [Great Hazard] definitely puts a ton of pressure on the drive, in order to play the Par-5 as you wish." Gabriele continued, "It is an amazing template that stands the test of time." Baltimore Country Club (East) - No. 14 - 607 The Great Hazard at Baltimore Country Club (East) encompasses the entire fairway, 225 yards from the green and spans over 150 feet. If carried, players will be rewarded with a downslope, resulting in a wedge third shot. Baltusrol Golf Club - No. 17 - 655 Magnificently restored by Gil Hanse in 2020, the Great Hazard at Baltusrol Golf Club is known as the "Sahara". The bunker spans the width of the fairway and has been re-fashioned to include grassy church pews. Bethpage State Park: Black - No. 4 - 517 Often considered A.W. Tillinghast's greatest Par 5, No. 4 is double dogleg over a diagonal Great Hazard. Fenway Golf Club - No. 7 - 636 Notably, the Great Hazard at Fenway Golf Club doesn’t stretch across the fairway. Even so, it is an incredibly daunting second shot, as those who want to play safe to the left side have to beware of OB left. Pine Valley Golf Club - No. 7 - 636 The first Great Hazard ever built is No. 7 at Pine Valley Golf Club, as A.W. Tillinghast convinced course architect George Crump. Known as Hell’s Half Acre, the Great Hazard covers 100 yards and puts immense pressure on the tee shot. Philadelphia Cricket Club - No. 7 - 553 As Philadelphia Cricket Club, Tillinghast's home club and the site of where is ashes were scattered, is known for its superb bunkers, the Great Hazard on the Par-5 7th is the most famed. One must find the fairway with their drive, in order to take the Great Hazard out of play on their second shot. Ridgewood Country Club - No. 4 (West) - 606
Rather than a massive expanse of waste area, Ridgewood Country Club features "a series of moguls covered with deep rough," named "Muckle." Alex Elias Originally designed in 1899 at Biarritz Le Phare by Willie Dunn Jr., the Par-3 3rd no longer exists, but the design lives on through C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor. The defining characteristic of the Biarritz template is the massive green that stretches up to 60-80 yards, bisected by a prominent swale three to five feet deep, and is flanked by narrow bunkers on both sides of the green. As the green stretches 60-80 yards, the distance of the hole can differ by 60-80 yards on a given day. For example, at Dedham, No. 14 (Pictured Above) can play anywhere from 170 yards to 240 yards. Brad McCluski, Director of Golf at Dedham Country & Polo Club, said, "I think what makes a Biarritz so tough is that they can play like two different holes. They can be very narrow and have bunkers on both sides so it doesn’t give you an option to bail out. Then, the most difficult part is distance control with your approach shot as they run long with a huge swale that can be very difficult to navigate if you are on the short side." Piping Rock Club - No. 9 - Par 3 - 227 C.B. Macdonald The Par-3 9th at Piping Rock Club is the first Biarritz ever built by C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor. Notably, one unique difference of the Biarritz at Piping Rock Club is the front section is maintained as fairway and guarded by a front bunker. Camargo Club - No. 8 - Par 3 - 227 Seth Raynor/(R) Tom Doak Considered by many to be Seth Raynor's greatest set of Par 3s, the Biarritz might be the best among Camargo Club's collection. Chicago Golf Club - No. 3 - Par 3 - 256 C.B. Macdonald Designed by C.B. Macdonald in 1894, the Biarritz at Chicago Golf Club was added by Seth Raynor during his renovation in 1925. The green is flanked by narrow bunkers on both sides of the green as well in front and back. Fishers Island Club - No. 5 - Par 3 - 229 Seth Raynor Similarly to Piping Rock Club, the front section of the Biarritz (No. 5) at Fishers Island Club is maintained as fairway. Fox Chapel Golf Club - No. 17 - Par 3 - 231 Seth Raynor It is believed Fox Chapel Golf Club features the deepest swale (roughly 5’) of any Biarritz. Mid-Ocean Club - No. 13 - Par 3 - 238 C.B. Macdonald Like Piping Rock Club and Fishers Island Club, the front section of the Biarritz at Mid-Ocean Club is maintained as fairway. Notably, Mid-Ocean Club features one of the only downhill Biarritz holes. Mountain Lake - No. 5 - Par 3 - 210 Seth Raynor/(R) Brian M. Silva Fishers Island Club is often considered Seth Raynor's greatest design, but it is a direct result of Mountain Lake. The founders of Fishers Island Club hired Seth Raynor with the intention of modeling the club after Mountain Lake. Shoreacres - No. 6 - Par 3 - 211 Seth Raynor Although the swale isn’t as severe as those at other Raynor designs, the green is approximately 250 feet from front to back, allowing the hole to be played as originally intended, with a low shot that runs through the swale to the back portion of the green. Somerset Hills Country Club - No. 13 - Par 4 - 415 A.W. Tillinghast Designed by neither C.B. Macdonald nor Seth Raynor, A.W. Tillinghast implemented a Biarritz at Somerset Hills Country Club on the Par-4 13th. Notably, No. 13 is one of only a few Par-4 Biarritz holes. Southampton Golf Club - No. 14 - Par 3 - 189 Seth Raynor Although Southampton Golf Club is often overshadowed by its neighbors, Seth Raynor was a founding member of Southampton Golf Club, and therefore the Biarritz is an instant classic. St. Louis Country Club - No. 2 - Par 3 - 225 C.B. Macdonald At St. Louis Country Club, the green is flanked by two bunkers on the left and one on the right. The latter is particularly deep and is referred to by members as "the bunker of death." The Creek - No. 11 - Par 3 - 195 Seth Raynor/C.B. Macdonald No. 11 at The Creek isn't just a Biarritz, but an island Biarritz. Westhampton Country Club - No. 17 - Par 3 - 214 Seth Raynor The green at Westhampton Country Club is not only flanked by narrow bunkers on both sides but ones that wrap around the front and back. Yale Golf Course - No. 9 - Par 3 - 209
C.B. Macdonald The 1926 C.B. Macdonald design features a 200+ yard forced carry over water. |
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