designing an uphill hole

[bwiese]

would you rather throw straight up a steep hill, or have the fairway run up and along the side of the hill so any unplanned fade costs you strokes?

[cydisc]

Straight up a steep hill should be banned. There is nothing appealing about this.

[Dave242]

Agreed. I really like cross-slope holes. If possible, have one going one way and another going the other to keep things balanced. Also, you need some sort of level path on the cross-slope holes (especially for when it is wet).

[toothyfish]

My only gripe about steep side-hill fairways is that if the chance of rolling down the hill becomes a crap shoot. If the thrower has the ability to control this, then it's fine, but if it's based on freak, random landing, then it's just frustrating, because skill has been replaced with luck.

Now if there is a "safe" landing area, that is proportional to the length of the drive, and anything short, long, left, or right produces a roll, then I would say it is a good hole because a controlled shot is required.

[bwiese]

My only gripe about steep side-hill fairways is that if the chance of rolling down the hill becomes a crap shoot. If the thrower has the ability to control this, then it's fine, but if it's based on freak, random landing, then it's just frustrating, because skill has been replaced with luck.

Now if there is a "safe" landing area, that is proportional to the length of the drive, and anything short, long, left, or right produces a roll, then I would say it is a good hole because a controlled shot is required.

I agree. There is nothing worse then throwing the shot you want and then watching it roll away. But I do like when people get greedy and hit a tree and cost some strokes. (unless its me):)

[bwiese]

Agreed. I really like cross-slope holes. If possible, have one going one way and another going the other to keep things balanced. Also, you need some sort of level path on the cross-slope holes (especially for when it is wet).

That is a good idea. Is the change of the slope enough variation to keep the holes from being redundant?

[toothyfish]

But I do like when people get greedy and hit a tree and cost some strokes. (unless its me):)

Greedy is the key, here...it suggests risk/reward, meaning there is a drive that has a high success rate, but perhaps is laying up, and an option that is maybe 50/50 or worse.

What you don't want is to have to throw a bigger distance drive, uphill, to hit a small island green for any hope, and not have any safe fairway landing where the reward is a nice and makable upshot to the green.

[sidewinder22]

If there is a level path its good, but Im not a fan walking on steep side slopes(hard on ankles and knees), especially if its more than one hole the same slope back to back. Also make sure the tee is fairly level. Up/down hill tees can get away with not being level, but sideways tees are just dangerous.

[Dave242]

My only gripe about steep side-hill fairways is that if the chance of rolling down the hill becomes a crap shoot. If the thrower has the ability to control this, then it's fine, but if it's based on freak, random landing, then it's just frustrating, because skill has been replaced with luck.

Now if there is a "safe" landing area, that is proportional to the length of the drive, and anything short, long, left, or right produces a roll, then I would say it is a good hole because a controlled shot is required.

Yes - this concept is key to all areas of course design. If the course is designed appropriately for the intended skill level it will appropriately punish those of that skill level.......and it might unfairly punish those who are below that skill level who really need to press (get greedy) to score well.

One of my favorite cross-slope holes for its uniqueness, challenge and risk/reward choices is Foothills DGC (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=534) (Easley SC) hole 9 (395'). It throws around a curving slope formed by the outfield line from a baseball field that is above it. Road below is OB (across road is not OB).

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course_pics/534/2b0ed465.jpg

Approach (it was harder when the basket was higher up the hill and those roll-away obstructions were installed below the basket):
http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course_pics/534/e65bc94b.jpg

[Dave242]

Another favorite of mine is Glenn C Hilton (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=902) (Hickory NC) hole 3 (only 236'.....but tough!). What you do not see is an OB creek down to the right. It is a good example for me (LHBH) getting punished by getting too aggressive and kicking/rolling OB and finally recovering for a 5 or 6! You can call that unfairly bad luck (its not), but I am well aware of the severe risk and play for a 3 (putter putter putter) in tournament play.

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course_pics/902/48e942b8.jpg

Approach:
http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course_pics/902/6bb0f04d.jpg

[WillACarpenter]

Throwing straight up the hill should only be done if it somehow makes a great shot.

I've seen great shots that have a steep hill you have to climb, but I've played a few holes where there's another obvious choice that would have been more fun.

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