Ballyneal Par 3 11th

Today GPW brings you two pictures of the Ballyneal's par 3 11th.

The 11th plays anywhere from 145 yards all the way back to 200 yards. Depending on the tee selected, the hole may play seriously uphill or perhaps slightly downhill. The player may see all of the green on the tee shot, or almost none of it. There are more options at the 11th than a fat man has going through a buffet line at Thanksgiving.

After the tee has been selected, getting the ball to the green is challenging. The green sits atop a large sand hill, making it one of the most exposed green sites on the course. In high winds, the 11th can be dangerous. The preferred miss is right of the green (up near the Sherpa, A.K.A. caddy). Several bunkers are found below the green, including this vicious pot bunker on the right side. GPW's advice is to laser a hybrid 4 iron to 3 feet, as evidenced in the second picture, and drain the birdie putt to go 3 up on some poor sap from FL named Bo.

Black Sheep Par 3 8th

Today GPW brings you two pictures of the par 3 8th hole at Black Sheep.

The 8th hole measures 175 yards from the back tee, however, in the pictures, taken from the front tee, the distance is only 140 yards. The 8th is a tricky golf hole. The prevailing wind is from behind the player and to the left. Understanding the wind is pivotal to scoring well at the 8th. The native grasses in front of the green, and a severe bank short, force the player to fly the ball all the way to the green.

The correct play is to aim at the bunker right and behind the green, working the ball left. Aiming at a hazard is a difficult mental hurdle for most golfers, but it is the sane course of action at the 8th. While over the ball, many golfers will try to execute this shot, but, cannot pull it off (see GPW) or cannot bare the thought of NOT aiming at a flag (see Jefe & JC). A pulled tee shot or a too aggressive line left will madly ride the wind like Jefe rides his caddy when he hits a bad shot (just ask Caddy Boy how he really got that bum knee). The wind will carry the ball left of the green and into head high prairie grass, never to be seen again, which, one day, is something GPW fully expects to happen to Caddy Boy*.

*GPW has a $1M life insurance policy on CB.

Sand Hills Par 3 3rd

Today GPW brings you the par 3 3rd hole at legendary Sand Hills.


The 3rd measures 216 yards from the back tee. From the elevated box, the player can see miles and miles of empty and desolate and rolling sand hills. In other words, perfect land for golf.

The hole plays straight down hill. A sand ridge perhaps 100 yards from the green partially obscures the front portion of the green. The green is elongated (like GPW's skull) and sits on a diagonal. The putting surface has more ridges and swales than GPW has excuses for shooting 84. The only bailout is short of the green. Missing the green right will likely result in a lost ball.

Ballybunion Par 4 11th

Similar to a bad case of genital herpes, GPW can lay dormant for weeks, but you know it will eventually return. There's no getting rid of it, no matter how much it may cause you to itch. GPW is back!

Today GPW brings you three pictures of a world class golf hole; the par 4 11th at Ballybunion's Old course.



The 11th measures 453 yards from the back tee, however, it will likely play shorter than that. The tee is located high atop the dunes. From here, the player can see the entire hole, as it tumbles down the dunes toward the sea. The sea is very much in play here. The prevailing wind blows in from sea, forcing the player to aim just inside the OB stakes on his drive. The majority of the back nine plays through the enormous dunes seen on the horizon.



The second shot at Ballybunion's 11th is one of the world's great second shots. The hole continues to fall down the dunes, the fairway a mess of ridges and rolling humps. The green sits just steps from the sea, well below the player's position. From here, the crescent beach and Irish countryside are in full view. Once again, the player will have to factor the wind, likely starting his approach right of the green.



The front of the green is guarded by two steep dunes. The opening between them is no more than 15 feet wide. These dunes force the player to fly the ball all the way to the green on the approach. There are few holes in the world like Ballybunion's 11th.

Lost Dunes Par 3 5th

Today GPW brings you the par 3 5th hole at Lost Dunes.



Frankly, GPW has never experienced such venom and outrage from his subscribers, all over the tardiness of this post. Think LeBron's return to Clevland times 10! Before GPW leaves work today he is having an annoying co-worker start his car.

On to the picture. The 5th plays significantly downhill. The tee is somewhat sheltered by trees to the player's left, while the green rests peacefully at the bottom of the hill. Long views are offered here, as the 6th and 7th holes can be seen from the 5th box.

The bunker fronting the green is an issue, forcing the player to fly the ball all the way to the putting surface. This plays right into the hands of Tommy D., the mad architect of Lost Dunes. The green tilts from front to back, so shots launched into the heavens will likely not hold the crazy deep green, but instead trickle to the back, where three wacking is highly likely.