Although there's no official definition, I've determined that the phrase "great finishing hole" means a final hole that is much more challenging than average. Usually it's a long par-4 that requires a long approach or a par-5 where there is a critical decision to be made on whether to go for the green in two because of some hazard.
Now that's great for golf spectators. A great finishing hole adds drama much like a surprise bikini model bachelorette does in "The Bachelor". You just have to watch and see whether the player has the cojones to go for it.
However, when I'm playing a round of golf, a "great finishing hole" is the last thing I want to see, especially when I'm scoring well. I can't tell you how many times my round has been ruined by a "great finishing hole". My home course features such a hole, a 450-yard thorn-in-my-side that features a narrow fairway bounded by trees on the left and a pond on the right. I can vividly recall over a dozen times when I needed a par or better on that beast to break 80. Of those times, I only parred once!As a result, that hole has taken residence in the part of my consciousness housing such terrors as the Boogie Man, Freddy Krueger and Michael Jackson. Whenever I play my home course, the thought of #18 haunts my game from the get-go. When I hear the inevitable, "This is a great finishing hole..." from a playing partner, it just sends chills up my spine. To me, it is a "great finishing hole" because it's great at finishing me off!
I'm convinced that golfers are masochists. Saying, "This is a great finishing hole..." after spending 5 hours playing 17 holes is akin to saying, "I can't wait for the Cat o' nine tails" after being flogged with a cane for a good hour. If it's alright with you, I'd like to continue with the cane please. Thank you very much.
7 comments:
Hey Grouchy - Since it's your home track and they know you - why not just play the backside first once in awhile? It may give you a new attitude about that hole. Besides, any "last" hole is tough when the prize is special. How about a 5 footer for a 69?
You make a good point about what makes a "great finishing hole." I can certainly commiserate with you about how challenging some of those finishing holes can be.
From a different perspective, sometimes a "great finishing hole" has some striking visual characteristic(s) that make it dramatic. Take #18 at Pebble Beach, as a well-known example - not all that difficult as a Par 5 (to make par that is), but it is one of the most gorgeous holes in golf.
We have one of those on my home course as well. I hate it! It hates me.
Hit a good drive and you're behind a red maple on the corner of the dogleg. Hit a great drive and you've got 158, off a downhill lie, to a pin tucked behind the most diabolical bunker on the course.
My home finishing hole is a par3 of 211yards , and the great thing I like about it , is that it plays out right in front of the clubhouse for all to see .
Isnt that what club golf should be about ? .
Believe me , I can always tell a golfer trying to get a good score home during a Sat. medal , and he knows everyone looking down from the clubhouse knows as well .
Thats whats missing from modern golf courses finishing holes nowadays IMHO.
That 450 par 4 doesn't sound like a great "finishing" hole to me, it just sounds tough and one would think you should have another hole to recoup a bogey .. I agree with the club house gallery ... I have gotten an occasion cheer on a sand save or great putt ... so I'll take 310 to the water guarding the sprawling, multi tiered greens with a pond, fountains and ducks
THAT'S why I only play nine at a time....this is supposed to be fun, right?
Question for you JimmyJ...just what is that statement "a special prize of a 69" referring to?
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