3rd hole

[eddys]

>:(I know I'm not alone in thinking that the addition of a lateral water hazard to the left side of the 3rd green is ludicrous. Under normal playing conditions being in that dip is a virtual guarantee of a 4 being put on the score card (unless you have the short game skills of Mickelson) but now with the option of taking a penalty drop or playing the shot without grounding your club it's a 5 that will score. This is not an easy par 3, 184 yards off the medal tee, normally into the prevailing wind, a long iron/rescue club/3 wood or for the short hitters a driver is the normal tee shot and now we have to be very accurate, bail out right or short, the left has been declared a no no. Perhaps the greens committee can explain the reasoning behind their decision because I can see no justification in the hazard being there? What do other members think?

[kevnixon]

It's a good hole . Balances well with the shorter 7th. Maybe keep the tees at max 180 yard mark

[disco]

the 3rd is a really difficult hole as it is and the hazard will only add to this making it a true challenge. this can only be seen as a good thing to have more challenging holes on the course.

what i was thinking was that if the trees that obsure the vision to the left side of the green cud be cut because if u cant see the ball go into the hazard, the shot has to be replayed and after looking for 5mins this cud add to playing time.

would this be possible as it wont take anything away from the hole but will add a safety factor and will speed up play

[kevnixon]

Good point about trees but an excellent hole. Possibly the hardest yet most rewarding shot on the course

[Johnny Miller]

Absolutely......great hole, but I agree the trees could do with being cut back to open up the view of the left side.

[steve89]

agree the trees do need to be trimmed but think adding the hazard to the left makes the whole a lot more interesting, just need a bunker over the back now for those big hitters....only joking that would be silly but stranger things have happened.

[lizbet]

How can anyone think that an area of ground which is soggy can be called a lateral water hazard is beyond me, and to think it is an improvement beggers belief. When I hit a ball into this area it is never from the 3rd tee but from the 8th fairway. Has anyone tried to take a drop when your ball lands in the gorse on the hillside? You can't take it down because you are in the hazard and your can't take it up onto the 8th either so you are punished both ways. Why not call it G U R with the option of playing out of the hazard? This seems to be a much fairer option and far more logical.

[facebook]

You can play out of the hazard just like if you made it GUR as long as you do not ground the club so i cannot see the problem.

[kevnixon]

Can't see your point re the 8th. You can't complain about an area of a hole that is not on the hole in question. If you want to stay out the water off the tee hit iron centre fairway instead of a driver into the ditch on the 3rd

[kevnixon]

What are peoples opinions now we have had a few months with the hole under this format? Personally I believe the change has been for the better and a good tee shot to the centre of the green is rewarded. I believe this is one of the best holes on the course. Even when you end up in the hazard the ball is generally playable

[Johnny Miller]

I can only remember being in the hazard once (I'm usually over the other side), but on this occasion as a group we were all agreed that my ball had landed in the hazard, as it happens it wasn't found, presumed plugged on a wet day, so for me it was definately an advantage and allowed me a drop as opposed to going back to the tee to replay the shot, and holding up play as a result.

[jamesdawson]

ERM... Weren't red stakes removed some weeks ago once rough had recovered??

[kevnixon]

Your right James, I'm just going to pretend it's still there as I've started playing to the centre of the green and didn't notice