Raising your game when the time is right

W hen I design a hole, my goal is to give golfers of all abilities a way to play it. Often I try to present three distinct options for the tee shot, escalating in difficulty. If I can do that, I figure I have nearly everybody covered.

Paramount is recognising the path down a hole that best suits your game. The perceptive player learns to identify all the choices. That way, when there’s a change in weather or circumstances, you’re ready to pounce on the opportunity to play more aggressively— or be more conservative, if that’s what the situation calls for.

Let’s take the par-4 18th at The Loxahatchee Club ( illustrated) in Jupiter, Fla. It’s a course I designed in 1984, and our team renovated in 2016. The prevailing wind is against. This sets up three basic positions attainable with a solid drive, depending on your power. However, if the wind switches to helping, as it frequently does here in the winter months, consider moving up a position. It’s your chance to play the hole like a stronger player.

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