this might be one of the best short form talks on any topic I've ever seen. Mr. Whitten gives us history, context, impact of modern technology and the resilience of the Great Game in a matter of a few enlightening minutes.
this is such good content. I love the history of it and the evolution. Its always interesting to feel what the architect did or try to force you to accomplish. Even on good public courses, theres a real emphasis about making the player think and execute.
My uncle was in the inaugural opening foursome. He was head pro at LACC. He along with the Bel Air head pro played against the U. S Am champion and the SCGA Am champion. They beat the Ams 4/3 in best ball.
Ron was always in my golf or golf digest magazine back in the day. Driveable par 4's are great, gives you so many options. Thanks to Tom W. for adding them to most of his designs and making it more common now.
One other thing that happened was analytics came along, and showed that it's better to be agressive off the tee than people, even tour pros, thought. To create a drivable Par 4 today which invokes the same risk-reward feeling (that turned out to be a bit false) as a few decades ago, the penalty for a miss has to be escalated. Water, thick grass like you've mentioned, or OB in play. A.I. and analytics have taken a bit of the romance out of shot selection, but it could always reintroduce it in the design of new golf courses.
Back in the era of wooden drivers when I used walk the course with my Dad during the LA Open every year no players would hit driver. They all hit mid irons off the tee. I must say its become a funner hole with todays technology.
I play this hole safely up the left hand side with a 200 yard shot and consider a safe scoring hole. I don't have the length to consider driving it, but surgical inside of 125. Now #2. That's a hole I'm ok with bogey and thrilled with par.
Great video. Although it would have been better saying those who went for the green averaged 3,8 shots and does who didn't 4,9 or whatever, instead of -63 and +18
*Sees the oeverhead* Yep, I'd take a six there, a five there, at least an eight there, might get lucky and get a bogey there, ha, that's a 10 right there...
What if we made tour pros swing woods made out of wood again instead, MLB players have to swing wood bats despite metal bats existing, and being much better performing as well as more durable, so why not make golfers do the same thing?
@@xTRUExiNsANiTYx No the greens are softer and larger and the rough around the green was manicured so that they can hit flop shots In the past you could not hit your driver to the left and be left with an easy flop shot to the pin
Love this guy. All of his breakdowns are spot on and anytime I see one I watch it immediately. Give me more gd!
Read this as ‘give me more godd*mnit!’ 😂
this might be one of the best short form talks on any topic I've ever seen. Mr. Whitten gives us history, context, impact of modern technology and the resilience of the Great Game in a matter of a few enlightening minutes.
This must be a fake comment right?
Ron Whitten is the GOAT
We need a weekly Ron column!
The goat of what?
this is such good content. I love the history of it and the evolution. Its always interesting to feel what the architect did or try to force you to accomplish. Even on good public courses, theres a real emphasis about making the player think and execute.
My uncle was in the inaugural opening foursome. He was head pro at LACC. He along with the Bel Air head pro played against the U. S Am champion and the SCGA Am champion. They beat the Ams 4/3 in best ball.
Excellent presentation. We need a person with this demeanor to run our country
these hole breakdowns slap!
Best voice in golf architecture, period
It's just pleasant to listen to his videos.
Super underwatched and underrated golf content!
Ron was always in my golf or golf digest magazine back in the day. Driveable par 4's are great, gives you so many options. Thanks to Tom W. for adding them to most of his designs and making it more common now.
That was some great historical information. It's my favorite hole at Riviera. Much tougher playing to the alternate green, though.
Every time I come on RUclips I hope for another one of these videos. Love them.
I love these videos could watch them all day the history of golf is so deep and fascinating
Holy Moses what an insightful video!!!
always excellent ... Thankyou !!!
More of these videos please! excellent watch
My favorite hole at Riviera, too.
Fantastic video, thank you
Well done. More please!
Such a great video
Love this series so far!
Fantastic thanks! Wonderful insight.
Ron Whitten is a treasure
Love the "Hogan's alley" pun. Good job, Ron.
I love these videos so much!
Makes me think of my local 9 hole course and it’s 1 drivable par 4 and how awesome it is
One other thing that happened was analytics came along, and showed that it's better to be agressive off the tee than people, even tour pros, thought.
To create a drivable Par 4 today which invokes the same risk-reward feeling (that turned out to be a bit false) as a few decades ago, the penalty for a miss has to be escalated. Water, thick grass like you've mentioned, or OB in play.
A.I. and analytics have taken a bit of the romance out of shot selection, but it could always reintroduce it in the design of new golf courses.
"Right up Hogan's alley." Way to sneak in the old nickname for Riviera.
Back in the era of wooden drivers when I used walk the course with my Dad during the LA Open every year no players would hit driver. They all hit mid irons off the tee. I must say its become a funner hole with todays technology.
Please do a Pete Dye course review.
I love these videos.
I play this hole safely up the left hand side with a 200 yard shot and consider a safe scoring hole. I don't have the length to consider driving it, but surgical inside of 125. Now #2. That's a hole I'm ok with bogey and thrilled with par.
Probably because the green complex is insane
Great video. Although it would have been better saying those who went for the green averaged 3,8 shots and does who didn't 4,9 or whatever, instead of -63 and +18
really like these videos and I don't even play gold
I thought I read that there is a redesign proposed for this hole.I think it was prompted by hosting US Open. Did you hear anything about this?
Love the video and commentary, really not a fan of the backing music
Can you compare this to some of the short par 4s in Australia
Im taking down notes so i can shank it 170 when i never play this course.
Mid gettable distance and a small green
*Sees the oeverhead*
Yep, I'd take a six there, a five there, at least an eight there, might get lucky and get a bogey there, ha, that's a 10 right there...
I see Ron Whitten, I click.
Says “front left to back right”
Draws front right to back left ???
Not played but I'm making double for sure.
🔥🔥🔥
For pace of play remove those bunkers. The hole we still be just as difficult
this guy has a voice like Morgan free
What if we made tour pros swing woods made out of wood again instead, MLB players have to swing wood bats despite metal bats existing, and being much better performing as well as more durable, so why not make golfers do the same thing?
drivable par 4s fun, lots of fun
220 yard par 3s----why? why why? not fun
So they make changes just beacuse people get good lol
They don't anymore because the PGA Tour softened the hole
Can't show bogeys on camera
Lol. Or the Tour players are just really good, and the advancement of club & ball technology has outpaced the advancement of course design
@@xTRUExiNsANiTYx No the greens are softer and larger and the rough around the green was manicured so that they can hit flop shots
In the past you could not hit your driver to the left and be left with an easy flop shot to the pin
@@DanielSong39 lol. Sure thing buddy
@@xTRUExiNsANiTYx Whatever floats your boat dude
@@DanielSong39 okay champ
Hole stinks- let’s stop pretending
1:30 shows a drawing of Front Right to Back Left.... LOL!