Through the key holes at the Brabazon
Sep 24 2008 by Ken Montgomery, Birmingham Mail
GARY ALLISS, head professional at the Belfry, singles out six key holes on the Brabazon on which the result of this week’s Masters could be decided.
Fourth: 442 yards, par 4
ONCE a doddle but not anymore. It looks inviting off the tee but the fairway narrows at driving distance and there’s a bunker on the left 245 yards from the green. What used to be a stream just in front of the green has been widened to form a lake and it is very easy to misjudge the distance.
Sixth: 430 yards, par 4
FROM being one of the easiest, this hole is now probably the hardest on the front nine. The green has been moved far to the left and the hole lengthened. The player must thread his tee shot between two lakes and is then faced with a longish approach with water threatening on the left.
10th: 311 yards, par 4
THIS has always been one of the Brab’s iconic holes, made famous when Seve Ballesteros was the first to drive the green, fading his tee shot over the lake and between the trees. The hole still offers the same challenge though few would chance it off the far back tee that was built to increase the risk. Maybe the tee will be brought forward for the final two rounds of the Masters to tempt the braver souls.
12th: 208 yards, par 3
THIS is the best of the short holes and was transformed when the small lake in front of the green was enlarged and the waterfall created down the right side of the green. The putting surface is two-tier and getting the distance right is imperative for the chance to make a birdie. Another hazard is out of bounds on the left.
16th: 413 yards, par 4
A NEW green built in the past year to improve the 11th necessitated creating a new tee for the 16th. This has made it more of a dog leg and with new bunkering, the hole calls for great precision, especially with the approach shot. The green retains the big ridge angled across it and a player is faced with a very tricky putt if he’s on the wrong tier.
18th: 473 yards, par 4
THIS is one of the world’s finest finishing holes and has seen a lot of drama over the years. It’s a risk and reward hole. The risk is massive but the further left you dare to go over the first lake, the shorter the approach over the second lake to the three-tier green.
