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Any tips on playing Merion hole 5 with back pin?

• Pootick 1,185 Posts

  Tue, May 17 2016 6:26 AM

  As tough as the hole is with the front pin placement, I find it is even harder when the pin is in the back position. I have yet to figure out the best way to play the hole to make par the easiest way. I'd love to pick your brains and see how others play their approach shots here.        Thanks in advance!

  Mike

• YankeeJim 25,827 Posts

  Tue, May 17 2016 7:15 AM

  Hit to the right of the green without landing on it. The shot will bounce off the slight slope and roll to the hole. The trick is getting the landing right so it doesn't roll past the pin and down to 3 putt territory.  :-)

• SweetiePie 4,925 Posts

  Tue, May 17 2016 8:27 AM

  YankeeJim:

  Hit to the right of the green without landing on it. The shot will bounce off the slight slope and roll to the hole. The trick is getting the landing right so it doesn't roll past the pin and down to 3 putt territory.  :-)

  This is very good advice. And may I add that regardless of how short the putt you have here, it is designed to be missed, and intense focus on it must be practiced.

  ~ SP ~

   

• Pootick 1,185 Posts

  Tue, May 17 2016 12:50 PM

  Thanks for the advice. This back pin has given me fits. When the pin is in the front, I play for par and hope I might get lucky and make a birdie, however when it is the back position, I play for par and hope I get lucky and don't make a bogey  ;-)

• SweetiePie 4,925 Posts

  Tue, May 17 2016 3:22 PM

  Pootick:

  Thanks for the advice. This back pin has given me fits. When the pin is in the front, I play for par and hope I might get lucky and make a birdie, however when it is the back position, I play for par and hope I get lucky and don't make a bogey  ;-)

  Well Pootick, if it is any consolation, that course, that hole and that pin gives every player here; and I do mean every, even the very, very best (whoever that is for the moment)....gives them fits. It's a fact of life.

  ~ SP ~

   

   

   

• YankeeJim 25,827 Posts

  Tue, May 17 2016 4:43 PM

  SweetiePie:

  that hole and that pin gives every player here; and I do mean every, even the very, very best (whoever that is for the moment)....gives them fits.

  +1 on that!. That pin is arguably the toughest birdie anywhere, IMO. If you don't have an excellent approach you better be able to pitch or putt.  It can ruin a round.  LOL

• SweetiePie 4,925 Posts

  Tue, May 17 2016 5:31 PM

  YankeeJim:

  It can ruin a round.  LOL

  Yes, yes. yes.to that...and ruin your day, break your heart...even make you mix a stiff one even though it's 10AM ;-}

• MFuston 439 Posts

  Tue, May 17 2016 5:46 PM

  LOL, funny SweetiePie and Jim..and so very true!  The advice Jim gave for that hole is the only way to play it with any hopes of getting a bird..I agree 100%