Cypress Point’s wondrous 16th, playing 233 yards over the Pacific Ocean, is
undoubtedly a world-class match-play hole. But maybe not for the reason you
think.
The genuine fun stems from an option to play safely toward an inviting
fairway short and left of the green. That sanctuary of turf creates a strategic
dilemma of whether to lay up or go for the green, especially if you’re 2 up with
three to go.
Without the safe option, the beautiful 16th merely becomes a
contest of who can make the carry. Instead, the hole offers tantalizing
options that are heightened during the game’s version of mini-warfare: match
play.
Former amateur great and architect Max Behr once wrote that
the finest match-play design asks the golfer “to assume immediate risks if he
wishes to rid himself of future liabilities.” If the architect presents mostly
risk and little reward, a match becomes a sheer physical contest. The best
match-play holes fall into par’s gray area by introducing excruciating
decisions.
And what is the ultimate sign of an elite match-play hole?
When having the honor on the tee is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing, when
successful negotiation of the options places the opponent at a disadvantage even
before he pulls a club. A curse, when the hole’s choices so entice and torture
that the player with the honor wishes it were not his turn.
Now, 18 of these holes might drive a golfer batty. However,
they would make one awesome Ryder Cup course, providing suspense, strategy,
physical challenge and dramatic reversal of fortunes on every shot. On the next few pages, we offer such a layout: the 18 best match-play holes in the world.
