New GolfWRX Column Up!: Going for #10 at Riviera

[Richie3Jack]

This past weekend, we saw No. 10 at Riviera Country Club provide PGA Tour players with a dilemma as to whether to go for it on the 315-yard par-4. In my last column, I discussed the numbers on Tour behind going for par-5's in two shots and that in general, golfers are better off going for par-5's in two shots rather than laying up to a specific yardage. However, much of the decision revolves around whether or not the golfer can get the ball inside 40 yards of the hole. If not, he would be better off laying up to a specific yardage.

With No. 10 at Riviera, itfs a different situation given that it is a par-4 rather than a par-5. Initially, my thoughts were that Tour golfers would be better off going for No. 10 off the tee because there was no out-of-bounds or water in play. Here is what the final numbers through all four rounds looked like:


Read More: www.golfwrx.com/69945/the-numbers-behind-going-for-it-or-laying-up-no-10-riviera/

[gmbtempe]

Good job Richie.

There were saying that with increased green speed and the changes they made to the hole in the last few years that the hole is a bit of a "gimmick" with that back pin placement. The deisgn never accounted for the speed and slope they added making it almost unplayable if you miss the green anywhere around pin high, including the greenside bunker right.

[Richie3Jack]

I thought it played quite fine. The players just needed to know when to layup and when to go for it. IIRC (don't have the data with me at the moment) there were 6 or 7 players who played it correctly in each of the four rounds. Their scoring average for the 4 days ended up being better than the field's scoring average, although no player finished well. And part of it was skewed by Chris Kirk who took a triple on day 1 out of the right bunker, but it was a bad skull shot.

I think the dynamics of the hole from a distance perspective forced golfers to better prepare for the hole and how to play it. Several guys got it correct, most did not.





3JACK

[rok78]

Thanks for breaking it out more by round and pin location. I have a similar hole I play on my regular course that is only 270-280 depending on the tee. But when pin is back it's a tougher up and down from around the green if you don't have the right angle, and you can definitely miss the green on a short pitch with no angle.

Since changing my strategy to lay up when the pin is back and go for it when the pin is up I have been MUCH better on that hole. My big number is gone and it's either birdie or par. I can't remember the last time I bogeyed it.