C is for CAPE
THE ORIGINAL
National Golf Links of America serves as a showcase for template golf, and it’s only fair that Charles Blair Macdonald would contribute his own designs to the mix—rather than draw inspiration from the Scottish standbys. Being so, the No. 14 “Cape” also underwent more tweaking by the architect than the rest of NGLA’s entries.
NGLA 14th hole - image courtesy of National Golf Links of America
The original played just more than 300 yards, ending with a green surrounded on three sides by water, providing the template’s name. The player also needed to reason against the fairway’s left-to-right slope, which could easily propel a standard fade toward the creek running along the right side. Perhaps recognizing the danger of club technology before it was trendy, Macdonald later extended the hole by moving the green. This fact is important when considering the qualifications for future Capes: Macdonald intended for the second shot to matter just as much as the first. Granted, this lengthening came at the cost of the cape status, at least geographically. The current version plays about 400 yards, featuring a trio of bunkers defending the left and back of the green (water remains along the right).
Granted, Macdonald was hardly the first to invoke a diagonal tee shot, as examples such as the famous opener at Machrihanish demonstrate. Therefore C.B.’s codified emphasis on the second shot is all the more important for understanding the accepted meaning of “Cape” within golf architecture.
OTHER INTERPRETATIONS
More often than not, the average golfer does not think NGLA when they think “Cape.” For being “Grandfather of American Golf,” Macdonald ended up placing his most famous Cape on the British territory of Bermuda. Mid Ocean Club’s No. 5 emphasizes the popular diagonal approach to the fairway, with a perched teebox inviting players to take more aggressive lines. The risk, of course, is hitting the lake that runs along the length of the hole. Even getting across guarantees nothing; an approach from the left side of the fairway will be tough into a front-right-to-back-left green, which slopes toward the front to deposit shots in a long bunker of significant depth.
Mid Ocean Club 5th hole - image courtesy of Fergal O'Leary
Perhaps the most recognizable Cape—at least to television viewers—is the closing hole at Pebble Beach, where players must reckon with the Pacific Ocean all along the Par 5...as well as trees and bunkers that punish golfers who “chicken out” and stay too far away from that hazard. Another PGA Cape renews Macdonald’s distance concerns every year during the Arnold Palmer Invitational: No. 5 at Bay Hill plays 555 yards from the back tee, and bold players take jaw-dropping lines to get a shorter approach on the crescent-shaped hole. With the green “only” 350 yards from the tee—across a lake, of course—one must wonder how long until someone goes for broke (as Babe Ruth reportedly did at the aforementioned Mid Ocean Cape).
Pebble Beach 18th hole - image courtesy of Pebble Beach
Water is not essential to a Cape. Yale’s eighth hole, dubbed “Cape,” takes the same approach, but around a deep gully instead of water. The second shot lives up to Macdonald’s prescribed hype. Right is the way to aim; the green actually plays to Redan standards, guiding balls to the middle, and the rightward bunker isn’t that bad. Well, at least compared to the 9 metre-deep bunkers on the left.
The Course at Yale 8th hole - image courtesy of John Sabino
MAYBE...MAYBE NOT
We’ll stir the pot and suggest a Par 3 cannot be a Cape. Pete Dye has several great shorts that tempt the player to attack the pin at the risk of a watery grave—such as No. 17 at Kiawah—but Macdonald’s emphasis on the second shot leaves these holes wanting.
While on the topic of iconic holes wrapping around water, No. 13 “Azalea” at Augusta National certainly bears mention, thanks to the Rae’s Creek tributary that flows along the left side. It certainly requires two great shots to get home in two, but it’s questionable whether angle truly figures into the tee shot. Because of the forest along the left, the best tee shot is a question of hitting a longer draw, not taking a more aggressive angle. And, of course, the green is not a “cape” in the sense that it is protected on four sides, not three. We feel Macdonald probably would not have minded this tweak, however.
Augusta National 13th hole - image courtesy of The Masters
No. 18 at Pebble gets all the “Cape” credit, but there may be a case to be made for No. 8 as well. The tee shot is not a diagonal one, but the uphill, relatively blind nature of the shot means players are taking bigger risks the farther they push. Too long or too right means literally driving off a cliff. And the approach, across a cove and between bunkers, arguably requires enough finesse to qualify as an unconventional Cape.
Pebble Beach 8th hole - image courtesy of Pebble Beach
Finally, it is worth noting that there is a “Cape” older than any of the holes mentioned thus far: No. 4 at Royal North Devon is named “Cape,” less for any resemblance to Macdonald’s work, but rather a gigantic railway-sleepered bunker shaped just like Batman’s cape.
Royal North Devon "Cape" bunker – 16th green "Punch Bowl" in the foreground
V is for Valley ORIGINAL Everyone knows that the National Golf Links of America is the holy land for template golf architecture, as C.B. Macdonald set out almost all of these holes based on UK precedents, which he would continue to refresh and recycle at courses to come. You need to wait until the second hole for that reality to set in, however, as the opener at NGLA is a Macdonald original. National Golf Links of America 1st hole - image courtesy of Jon Cavalier @LinksGems “Valley” is nearly driveable with modern technology, at 330 yards, but Macdonald’s creative design has maintained its challenge. From the tee, players hit down into the title valley, and the friendly slopes help the first shot of the day back down into the fairway. Bolder individuals can choose to go over the bunker-laden hilltop along the left (mind you, there are more bunkers than you can see. If you don’t see a ball roll up the fairway on the other side, be concerned). Even the resulting short pitch back up to the perched green guarantees nothing. The first hole features what many consider the club’s most turbulent green. Although not quite crowned, poorly-struck putts will still feed off the edges of the green, potentially into the bunkers along the right. Those who take a less-daring route to the right side of the fairway will probably have a blind approach to this roller coaster green. A bunker set in the fairway features a tall backing mound that obscures the uphill approach. OTHER INTERPRETATIONS “Valley” is not nearly as prevalent as other templates in the MacRaynor library and—considering that it’s a Macdonald original and not based on European originals—some may consider whether it merits the “template” status at all. Fortunately for our side of the argument, Macdonald named one other hole “Valley.” No. 8 at the Mid Ocean Club follows a similar formula, but reverses the sides of the fairway. This time the safe route is to go left of a hillside that rolls in from the right, which results in a partially obscured look and a less favorable angle to a green that angles front-right to back-left. The tiger may try to take advantage of a (Mid)ocean breeze to carry the hillside and get the perfect angle to the green, but those who come up short will be provided an awkward lie on the hill, aiming at a daunting green. Although not as topsy-turvy as NGLA’s, the green slants aggressively downhill from back to front...staying below the pin is essential. Two bunkers lurk on the left, very deep as Macdonald and Raynor built the green up using soil from an irrigation pond nearby. Mid Ocean Club 8th hole - image courtesy of John Sabino Subtler, the “Valley” at Seth Raynor’s Blue Mound Golf and Country Club is more akin to NGLA’s standard than many realize. For one, No. 6. is named “Strategy”... and to further confuse matters, the course has a hole named “Valley” at No. 14 (which is not linked to any template). Finally, the geography is not nearly as dramatic as the examples at NGLA and Mid Ocean (but the downward tee shot and upward approach remains). The ideal tee shot is less risky, but the player must have their distance measured. There are three bunkers, evenly distributed, that jut in from the left fairway. The player’s goal is to choose a landing area between two of these (or aim to drive the full 335 yards to the green), which will provide the best angle of approach. The first fairway hazard on the right appears about 200 yards out. Those who truly muff their tee shot and land in the right of this bunker will be fully blind to the green. Those who land in the fairway or in the left portion of the hazard will not be fully blinded, but another deep bunker at the green’s front-right will block their view to certain sections of the green (which is contoured to mimic its inspiration at NGLA). Playing to the right will always create some challenge during your approach; how much challenge is determined by your execution. The green is more geometric in a classic Raynor style, and is surrounded by “moat” bunkers at the rear, left and right. Blue Mound Golf & Country Club 6th hole - image courtesy of Jerry Rossi As “Valley” is not a popular template per se, it is not replicated frequently and—when it is—the architects may simply be following the lay of the land. One example is at a more modern Long Island classic. Like at NGLA, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw open Friar’s Head with a drive down into a valley and back up to a green on a plateau. In this case, a drive down the left risks running into the treeline protecting the driveway. Although the angle is not necessarily better than that from the right, it will involve less of a forced carry than the approach from the other side. The waste area on the right of the hole continues up the hill and almost touches the green, creating a muddling effect that confuses the player where the hazard ends and the green begins. Those approaching from the left will not need to be as nervous about the approach, as they have very little sand to carry. Friar's Head 1st hole - image courtesy of Fergal O'Leary MAYBE... MAYBE NOT There is another template that could easily be misconstrued for a “Valley.” The “Knoll” concept is built around playing up to a green perched at the top of a hill, and many examples of this template also involve driving down into a valley before playing up to that green (although a downward tee shot is not necessary for a true Knoll). Consider, for example, No. 13 at Piping Rock Club. This hole features a play down into a valley, and then back up the green atop the Knoll. Unlike a “Valley,” however, there is not necessarily strategy from the tee box when considering a Knoll. Almost all emphasis is on the player’s trusting their distance during the uphill approach, whereas Valleys put at least equal emphasis on placement of the tee shot to determine the difficulty of the approach shot. Of course, sometimes a gut check can be just as telling. How high is the green perched, and how steep is the rise? A Knoll typically rises higher at a more aggressive slope to the green than a “Valley.” Piping Rock Club 13th hole - image courtesy of Jon Cavalier @LinksGems The “gut check” test comes into play with at least one Seth Raynor entry as well. No. 13 at the Country Club of Charleston shows some similar features to a “Valley,” including a drive down from a ridge and an arc of bunkers along the right (which appears like it might have a blinding intent). However, does the green really rise high enough to satisfy the “Valley” requirement? Do the fairway bunkers truly muddle the approach? As we say, “maybe, maybe not.” More damningly, the strategy from the tee is different from a true “Valley.” In this case, the ideal approach angle is from the right, actually encouraging players to hit toward the “blinding” bunkers. Within a typical “Valley,” shooting toward these blinding bunkers would result in a less ideal angle of approach, while a different set of hazards would serve to threaten more aggressive tee shots down the left.
R is for Road ORIGINAL Even the most casual tour follower is familiar with the original Road Hole, the penultimate challenge at The Old Course, which often serves as the deciding test during competitions, such as when Seve Ballesteros parred the hole to Tom Watson’s bogey during the 1984 Open. The hole begins with some quirk, almost unthinkable in today’s naturalistic age: The player must drive directly over the hotel (formerly railway sheds) at the corner of the dogleg. This artificial blind shot influences the hole’s peak drama, which occurs upon approach. Those who trust their line across the roof will have the “best” angle to the narrow front-right to back-left green (which is still a very demanding shot, even with an ideal angle). Those who play safe to the left of the fairway have very little chance of rolling a long approach past the notorious pot bunker that guards the front of the green. Even poor shots from the ideal angle will potentially funnel down into its maw. Although the name of the hole stems from the street named Old Station Road, which runs immediately behind the green, the term “Road Bunker” traditionally refers to the deadly pot. St Andrews Old Course 17th hole - courtesy St Andrews Links Trust An interesting note from the hole’s history is its transition from par 5 to par 4. This occurred during the lifetime of the hole’s original architect, Allan Robertson. A distinguished competitor, Robertson never once carded a birdie at Road after it became a par 4. The ultimate lesson is that regardless of par, whether a short 5 or a long 4, a Road hole must offer some incentive for trying to reach the green, and punishment for those who stumble in that task. Ben Crenshaw believes that “the reason the Road is the hardest par 4 in the world is because it is really a par 5.” OTHER INTERPRETATIONS C. B. Macdonald naturally brought the Road concept to the United States, and his first stab came at Piping Rock. The 8th green is considerably larger than that of its predecessor, and front pins are much more attainable for players who don’t have an ideal approach angle, as this Road bunker leaves the front two-thirds of the green more open, with the front protruding forward out of the bunker’s reach. Macdonald pulls one trick from his bag by making the front a more intimidating target. Similar to his Narrows or Double Plateau templates, a fairway bunker short of the green blocks the player from seeing how much room they have to land and run up, creating a new source of tension for approach into this Road hole. The late George Bahto knew more about templates than anyone and his assertion (documented beautifully in The Evangelist of Golf) that No. 8 at Piping Rock is one of the finest Road examples is irrefutable. Piping Rock 8th hole - George Bahto collection Macdonald’s admiration for No. 17 at St. Andrews is best displayed in the title of his Road hole (No. 7) at the National Golf Links of America. Although the Old course gave us classic templates such as the Eden, Macdonald chose to name NGLA’s Road “St. Andrews.” This variant on the hole is a short par 5 (but, at 478 yards, it could work as a long par 4 for longer hitters). Although he doesn’t seek to emulate the blind tee shot at The Home of Golf, he does place a large waste area along the right corner of the dogleg; those who can carry the cape get the best look at the green for a potential eagle attempt. Those who choose to take the safe route get an easier passage to the green than at St. Andrews, with wide fairway landing areas. Although the original Road can make even pitches tough from the front, Macdonald did not crown his green to guide poor chips into the namesake bunker. This, and many Road holes to come, feature bunkers at the back of the green, in place of the title “road.” NGLA 7th hole - image courtesy of Jon Cavalier @LinksGems Many takes on the Road, particularly from Seth Raynor and Charles Banks, did not require a dogleg carry from the tee. Their most effective variants, such as the one at Long Island’s North Shore Country Club, still requires a test of skill (or power) from the tee. The best approach into this green will come from the plateau on the right of the fairway, while shots that fail to peak may roll leftward toward a sizable fairway bunker. The original Road is tough to green in its own right, but the North Shore version slopes from front to back, which makes stopping the ball at the correct spot on this deep green a nuisance. Tom Doak has proven especially keen on the Road concept among modern designers, and his version at Cape Kidnappers (No. 14 called “Pimple”) may be the most daring. The back tees come in at 348 yards, but those willing to tee it forward can make this a drivable variant of Road. The green is near identical to Road specifications, and its front is directly in line with the tees. That shot first requires carrying a chasm separating the tees from the fairway, as well as the pair of bunkers short of the green on the right side. Reaching the green demands a laser-guided shot, as any sort of fade will roll right down into the chasm. As with the debate between “Long Par 4” and “Short Par 5,” a drivable 4 lives up to the exciting matchplay requirements of a Road. Cape Kidnappers 14th hole - courtesy John Sabino MAYBE...MAYBE NOT Although Old Station Road runs alongside the original Road Hole, the holes most frequently mistaken for “Road” only include that element of the original. One such example is the closer at Royal Worlington & Newmarket, which is a reasonably misleading case. On one hand, the player must choose an appropriate line from the tee during this dogleg right, while avoiding the field on the right (in line with a true Road). The similarities end after that. No “Road” bunker exists, and Golf Links Road itself bisects the fairway about 40 yards short of the green. Although this could make for daring strategy from the tee (carry the dogleg 260 yards and bounce up to the green?), it is not a Road hole. Royal Worlington & Newmarket 9th hole - courtesy RW&N GC Although some Road holes prove themselves worthy without a dogleg, some are lacking. We’ll be as bold as to suggest that Macdonald’s No. 4 at St. Louis Country Club doesn’t meet his own demanding standards. We’re not bothered by the “Reverse Road” nature of the green, which opens at the front-left and travels back-right around the Road bunker, but we would argue there is not enough difficulty along the left fairway to punish those who fail in seeking out the best angle of approach. If these bunkers were to jut out more into the fairway and sit closer to each other, potentially creating a landing area where players must carry the first and stop short of the last, this would be an ideal solution. But the spirit of the original Road lies in it being one of the most intimidating holes in professional golf. St Louis CC 4th hole - image courtesy of Jon Cavalier @LinksGems The No. 2 hole at Lost Dunes in Michigan displays Doak again putting unique spin on classic concepts. As with Macdonald’s “St. Andrews,” Doak’s dogleg right involves carrying a large bunker complex at the corner to find the ideal angle into the green. There is no Road bunker, however. Rather, two large native mounds rise to block view of the back two-thirds of the green for those who are not in prime approach position. It’s possible that these hazards do too much to deter an attempt at the green, however. Although it is never wise to attack the Road Hole from the left, the option remains open. And, in the case of Ballesteros, glory awaits those who can pull off the heroic shot. Would Seve have taken the shot if he could not even see the green? Doak’s Lost Dunes innovation is an intriguing one, but perhaps goes a touch too far to be a true Road. Lost Dunes 2nd hole - courtesy Lost Dunes Golf Club
D is for DOUBLE PLATEAU THE ORIGINAL The Double Plateau is one of the occasional templates that has no obvious “original,” but it could have been inspired by a number of plateaued greens Macdonald witnessed during his overseas research. The safe bet in such cases is to head to the National Golf Links of America, C.B. Macdonald’s distinguished template gallery. NGLA 11th hole - image courtesy of Jon Cavalier @LinksGems The Double Plateau template begins at the green, and works backwards. Greens displaying the ideal “Double Plateau” interpretations have three tiers: Two are the actual “plateaus,” raised higher than the third “ground-level” platform. It’s similar to the Biarritz in that landing on the wrong level will make two-putts a tough prospect. It is unlike the Biarritz in that all three levels are at different elevation, while the front and back levels are at the same height for a Biarritz. NGLA’s singularly-named “Plateau” at No.11 showcases a kidney-shaped Double Plateau rather than the more typical stumpy “L” shape—with plateaus at the front-left and back-right. The Double Plateau is rarely doglegged. Rather, the player must take pin position into consideration from the tee; its location alters whether the left or right side of the fairway makes for the best approach. As seen at NGLA, adjacent bunkers guard the plateaus to enforce this strategy. The most famous hazard on a Double Plateau, however, is the “Principal’s Nose,” located about 70 yards out from the green, which both interferes with the player’s sightline and their ground game. NGLA’s is a more psychedelic “Nose,” as it features three “nostrils” around a central hump. The hump is the more relevant element of a Principal’s Nose, preventing victims from taking a direct line to the green when escaping from the hazard. OTHER INTERPRETATIONS Those who prefer the more traditional, two-nostrilled Principal will admire Chicago Golf Club’s Double Plateau, which very accurately resembles a human snout. It’s another Macdonald classic, but featuring a more cubist nature, reminiscent of what protégé Seth Raynor would create in decades to come. This version also features a cross bunker off to the right. Although not an issue for modern drivers from the tee, it does pose a distraction from strategic consideration of the flag placement. Considering the number of plateaus the aforementioned Raynor added to his greens at Fishers Island, it is not surprising that there’s a Double Plateau in attendance. But which one? The obvious choice is No. 9, based on title alone: “Double Plateau.” The green is a mirror version of those seen at NGLA and Chicago, with the added benefit of the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. That said, it’s a touch short (365 yards) and the blind tee shot makes it impossible for the visiting player to fully identify the “perfect” placement off the tee. Fishers Island 18th hole - image courtesy of Jon Cavalier @LinksGems George Bahto instead makes an argument for No. 18 at Fishers in his book on Macdonald, The Evangelist of Golf. Some point out similarities to the Road Hole based on the green’s shape and strategic pot bunker, as well as its length (450-plus yards, playing as a Par 5 during strokeplay) and its playing angles. But this green actually checks all the boxes for a Double Plateau, and its visibility from the tee box allows players to play accordingly. When considered as a classic “Par 4.5” matchplay hole, No. 18 arguably fits more comfortably within the definition of “Double Plateau” than No. 9. On the other hand, Bahto advocates strongly for No. 14 at Raynor’s North Shore Country Club, which also features a blind tee shot over a (slightly smaller) ridge, before approaching an indisputable Double Plateau green. It features no Principal’s Nose, but neither do either of the aforementioned Fishers Island entries. Tom Doak is especially keen on his rendition of the Double Plateau, hosted at Bandon’s Old Macdonald course, describing it as “my favorite opening hole that we've ever built.” The choice from the tee box takes on an element of risk/reward, as bold drivers can attempt to carry a fairway bunker on the right to reach a lofted plateau, resulting in a more comfortable approach. The Principal’s Nose is very much in the green’s business, sitting right at the foot, rather than 50-or-so yards out. Old Macdonald 1st hole - image courtesy of Bandon Dunes MAYBE...MAYBE NOT The lack of an original, iconic hole leaves many angles for argument among aficionados, including these next few examples: We would propose that a true Par 5 cannot be a proper Double Plateau, in the template form. Although Fishers Island No. 18 is a “Par 5” by virtue of its scorecard, it is extremely short and more realistically a “stiff Par 4.” Macdonald’s design at St. Louis Country Club, on the other hand, features a 495-yard Par 5 named “Narrows,” which confusingly is an entirely separate template rendition. If the player looks to get home in two, then it most certainly plays as a true Double Plateau; after all, accuracy upon approach is paramount. But if the player opts to lay up, a short pitch takes considerable bite from the green, watering down its intent. Of course, if a Par 5 is of obvious three-shot length, then it could very much play into the Double Plateau’s purpose. Regardless of your (or our) take on the St. Louis iteration, No. 15 should be noted for its unique green setup: The first plateau is at the front, dropping off to the lower level, with the other plateau at the back-left. St Louis CC 2nd hole - image courtesy of John Sabino Remaining at St. Louis, we also suggest that a par three cannot be a genuine Double Plateau, in the template form. However, No. 2 at St. Louis Country Club started out in life as a short Par 4 and is actually named “Double Plateau.” This hole—now a brutal 225-yard uphill Par 3—may well have been more appropriately called “Biarritz.” The enormous green sports a three-foot swale cutting through its middle. It just goes to show how blurry the lines are in the world of template golf holes—especially at St. Louis Country Club. Charles Banks and Knoll Golf Club West in New Jersey come to the conversation with the course’s second hole. Here Banks employed his popular “thumbprint” technique to create a horseshoe-style green: The lower portion is front and center, while the raised “horseshoe” wraps from front-left up around the back and down to the front-right. The horseshoe does change altitude from left-to-right, but it differs from other Double Plateaus in that the plateaus are directly connected. The question is whether the two plateaus must be totally separated by the lower level?
