Former amateur great and architect Max Behr once wrote that
the finest match-play design asks the golfer “to assume immediate risks if he
wishes to rid himself of future liabilities.” If the architect presents mostly
risk and little reward, a match becomes a sheer physical contest. The best
match-play holes fall into par’s gray area by introducing excruciating
decisions.
And what is the ultimate sign of an elite match-play hole?
When having the honor on the tee is both a blessing and a curse.A blessing, when
successful negotiation of the options places the opponent at a disadvantage even
before he pulls a club.A curse, when the hole’s choices so entice and torture
that the player with the honor wishes it were not his turn.
Now, 18 of these holes might drive a golfer batty. However,
they would make one awesome Ryder Cup course, providing suspense, strategy,
physical challenge and dramatic reversal of fortunes on every shot. On this
gatefold, we offer such a layout: the 18 best match-play holes in the world.
Par 3s
Augusta National Golf Club; Augusta, Ga.
12th hole,155 yards
Every golfer knows the Sunday dilemma here. Play to the
center of the green or go for the far-right hole location. But the angled
putting surface, swirling winds and knowledge that a tournament-changing birdie
is within reach after one good swing conspire to make it the most beguiling par
3 on the planet.
Cypress Point Club; Pebble Beach, Calif.
16th hole, 233 yards
Alister Mackenzie initially envisioned this as one of the
world’s great driveable par 4s. Marion Hollins talked him out of it, but the
same options that would have made it a fun par 4—drive the green or play
safe—also help make it the world’s most famous par 3.
Lahinch Golf Club; Lahinch, Ireland
5th hole , 154 yards
Totally blind and sandwiched between dunes, how can this
possibly be exceptional for match play? Several of the master golf architects
actually wrote about the anticipatory thrill of approaching a hidden green to find out
who knocked it closest to the hole.
Royal Troon Golf Club (Old); Troon, Scotland
8th hole, 123 yards
The lay-up area—there really is one according to locals most
familiar with the world’s most famous short one-shotter—is the front bunker or
even in the rugged fescue grasses short of the green. Pin-high misses on the
“Postage Stamp” are so wicked that some would prefer to lose the 7th hole just
to see what their opponent does first.
TPC Sawgrass (Stadium); Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
17th hole , 137 yards
What options? Either hit the island green or head to the drop
area, right? Actually, each of the quadrants on Pete Dye’s artfully designed
green has a hole location that dangles just enough risk for the bold player
seeking a birdie, along with room for a safe play that leaves a difficult
two-putt.
