Famous Golf Holes

[The_Power]

Incredible though it seems, with favourable conditions a long driver can actually drive the green on the 18th hole at the Belfry, a hole made famous by the Ryder Cup. I know this because I accomplished that feat way back in 1995. This hole doglegs more than you think and you can launch your drive straight over the trees on the left on a similar line to what Paul Azinger took in his Ryder Cup match with Seve Ballesteros, when he made the front greenside bunker after dropping back into the forest from the water.

Given that our sport is struggling to find a fan base, my point is that if we could have long drive events on famous, real golf holes, there would be an instant frame of reference for golf fans leading to a massive ?wow? factor for the spectators. For example, imagine having a long drive event this year straight after the British Open at St Andrews; after 4 days of watching the Pro?s struggle on the famous 17th ?Road Hole?, in amazement the spectators might suddenly witness a golfer actually driving the green!! I haven?t done this one but I suspect that by taking a super aggressive line over the hotel and utilising the extra roll you get on links courses, it may well be possible for our elite.

Due to the dogleg nature and topography of these two particular golf holes, they are not ideally suited to a long drive competition; however, they are excellent for one-off ?drive the green? publicity stunts.

I really like the concept of holding a long drive event on a famous golf hole, where alongside the raw distance there is also a frame of reference such as: ?wow, he drove the green? or ?incredible, I never thought I?d see anyone drive it past that bunker?.
   
Let?s see if we can put our heads together and come up with some suitable holes, perhaps there?s one waiting for us at Augusta National!

Phil ?The Power? Naylor

[aj]

Phil

I think this suggestion is a good one. I was amazed to read that you had driven the 18th at the Belfry and I'm sure if you someone managed it at the 17th at St Andrews then the publicity would be huge.

AJ

[Beowulf]

This is actually a really good suggestion.  I missed this post the last time around.  I think it would be even more incredible if we were to set up on a par 5 and drive it!  I know it can be done, but we do need optimal conditions.

Shawn