What is an Eden hole? And how can identifying one help your game? - Golf.com

Can you identify some of the best Eden holes?

Fishers Island, No. 11: Many consider the 11th at Fishers Island to be the best Eden in the United States. Backing up to the water, the hole is in a pristine location on the property featuring gorgeous grass-faced bunkers on either side. The peninsula of the green looks like a little slice of heaven.

National Golf Links of America, No. 13: Playing over water, the 13th at National Golf Links of America is one of the best renditions of the famed template par-3. The green is much bigger, if less severe, than the original, making for an intriguing challenge. Even with the water short, Macdonald still included a Cockleshell bunker, and the Strath bunker can be deadly.

Camargo Club. No. 5: The first par-3 of the day at Camargo is probably the best. The 179-yard Eden template is striking, with the Hill bunker on the left sitting some twenty feet below the surface of the green. There is an opening at the front of the green, and a good draw can still result in a solid birdie try.

St Louis Country Club, No. 3: The third hole at St. Louis Country Club is one of the longest Edens out there at 210 yards. Any shot that goes long will likely end up in a back bunker four feet below the putting surface, while anything short will probably find the hill or Strath bunker, even further below this difficult green.

Mid Ocean Club, No. 3: Macdonald ventured outside the US for very few courses, but he did make his way to Bermuda for the Mid Ocean Club. The third is a wonderful Eden playing 190 yards. The green is a shallow target, and left pin locations play up against the water, making a pull a scary prospect. Just like at St. Andrew’s, weather and wind conditions are a huge part of the challenge here.

Shinnecock Hills, No. 17 (sort of!): The 17th at Shinnecock Hills is an almost-Eden in many ways. The hole was refined during Macdonald’s time at the course. The hole plays like an angled Eden, with the three bunkers to the left playing like the Hill, Strath and Cockleshell bunkers, while the green also slopes in that direction. The back right has an Eden bunker with the green sloping away. This version is a great challenge for the penultimate hole of a major championship.

To receive GOLF’s all-new newsletters, subscribe for free here.

2020-02-09 12:45:00Z
https://www.golf.com/travel/2020/02/08/what-eden-hole-identify-help-your-game/