Video: Pinehurst No. 2's Third Hole

Before Coore and Crenshaw were allowed to put back the sandy roughs at Pinehurst, there were two holes where it was obvious the course had lost its aura: the third and fourth tees. There was nothing but green grass visible from these two tees.

Thankfully, trees are gone behind the green to make judging approach distances tricky and the scrub is back at this potentially driveable par-4. The USGA's Mike Davis will be tempted to make this one easily driveable on multiple days for both men and women, if nothing else to spread out the divoting that figures to be at its worst as players otherwise lay-up to the same spot and take sizeable chunks out of the turf.

As much as I love the driveable four, this one is actually more interesting at a distance that provokes an agressive lay-up shot versus a wise lay-back, assuming players are tempted enough to drive close to the green. As an easily driveable hole, the aim is to the front bunker that will be raked during play, unlike the sandy roughs. (This may be where the style of bunker maintenance will be most influential.)

A terrific green awaits at this beautiful short par-4 where, it will be noted ad nauseum, architect Donald Ross once had a home overlooking the fairway.