Holes We Love: Ballyhack
Four of our favorites in Virginia
Matt Bevan, Ballyhack Head Professional
As cliché as this sounds, often my ‘go-to’ response when asked to highlight a few signature holes at Ballyhack, is that we really are truly blessed with eighteen of them. Time of day, season, wind-direction, and which hole lately has left you exasperated with expletives on how badly you have been beaten up, can all equally affect the process of highlighting any favorites! Here are a few of mine:
Hole #3
Par 3 (111 yards – 251 yards)
As golfers, we tend to have an innate sense of self-punishment and this par three, which I often refer to as “the shortest Par 5 in Virginia,” doesn’t disappoint. Golf course architect and designer Lester George often promotes the thought process of laying up just short of this green to play the odds of getting ‘up and down’ from short of the green. For those of us who simply cannot resist the temptation of flag-hunting, a shot that is left below the hole is always preferable here with distance control being paramount. With a green complex as challenging as this one, take your par and run!
Hole #6
Par 4 (242 yards – 354 yards)
This is a classic risk-reward par four that is a nice change of pace from the challenging opening to the round! There are two main options in a) laying up to a generous fairway, and for those long enough b) attempting to drive the green. The hole is framed beautifully through the elevation change from the tee box, a marsh area that the lines the left-hand side, and a steep bank of high grass on the opposing side. The best aim point from the tee box when trying to drive the green is the green-side bunker complex that is cut into the cliffside on the right of the green.
Hole #10
Par 5 (462 yards – 595 yards)
I put this one in the list of my faves in large part due to the vista from the fairway approach where the green has a stunning backdrop of the blue ridge mountain range winding to the south. In addition to its photogenic setting, it in turn is a very playable par five that can be reached with a brave second, or a more conservative three-shot approach.
Hole #16
Par 4 (283 yards – 491 yards)
This is a hole that would be on most player's lists since it contains every ingredient that represents Ballyhack in a nutshell: elevation changes, forced carries, high grass, winding creek bed, perfectly placed bunkering, and a green framed into the rolling farmland as if it has been there since time began. I get exhausted thinking about playing this one, however navigating it successfully is a reward in itself! The fairway is generous despite the intimidation tactics from Mr. George, so once the fairway has been hit, you will be well on your way to securing a good score!
Matt Bevan
Ballyhack Head Golf Professional
mbevan@ballyhackgolfclub.com
