Florida Swing: Ranking Best 9 Holes
By Ryan Andrade
4. 15th hole at Doral
Peninsula green on 15th makes it the most unique hole at Doral.
The biggest change on the course when Doral was redesigned, had to be the par-3 15th hole. Before the redesign, this hole just lacked the excitement that fans want to see down the stretch. It was pretty much just a shallow green with two bunkers that fronted it. Now, it is a must see hole.
Who better than the designer himself, Gil Hanse, to talk about the changes made.
As that green juts further out into the water, the green just gets shallower. It makes distance control even more critical because there isn’t much room to work with. The smart shot is at the middle of the green to let the natural contours take the ball to the hole. If the hole is on the right, it’s imperative to put the ball on the right level. If you miss too far left your going to leave yourself a very tough two putt.
The green is also extremely exposed, thus the wind will come into play here more than any other on the course. If the hole is playing down wind in firm conditions it makes keeping the ball on the green a challenge. If it playing into the wind, it requires you to flight your ball down a bit so it doesn’t flutter up in the wind and come up short.
The excitement is back at the Blue Monster, and there is no greater example of that than the new par-3 15th hole.
Next: No. 3 - Arnie's Place