After the successes of the ground-breaking inaugural GolfSixes in 2017, the innovative tournament is back with a bang in 2018, with 16 teams set to battle it out over two days of pulsating greensomes action across a custom six-hole loop at Centurion Golf Club – with two ladies teams and a mixed team competing in the event for the first time.
Europeantour.com takes a closer look at the north London venue and the six holes on which battle will be waged this week in England, with the help of Centurion Club Managing Director, and former pro, Scott Evans.
HOLE ONE: ‘SHOWTIME’
Par: 3
Length: 176 yards (Men), 166 yards (Women)
About:
“A short one into the largest green of the six holes,” says Evans. “There are a few subtle borrows on that green with everything falling away to the right. You’d do well to play down the left side and it will probably play a seven or eight iron depending on the wind. There should be a great atmosphere with the crowds on the banks around the green. It’s a great starting hole!”
Innovation:
Every big show needs a great start and this hole more than delivered on that last year at the inaugural GolfSixes, where the players received a grand first tee welcome featuring pyrotechnics, music and mascots. Although we didn’t get a hole-in-one at the first hole in 2017, we did come close on numerous occasions. If we do get one this week the roars might be heard all the way across London.
How it played last year:
With the players that completed the par three opener averaging just 2.80 on the first hole, and with 81% of the 2017 field hitting the green here in one shot, the first hole provides the players with a relatively comfortable opening tee shot. The average proximity to the hole in 2017 was 21 feet, with only two per cent of the players finding the bunker.
HOLE TWO: ‘BIRDIES FOR GOOD’
Par: 4
Length: 476 yards (Men), 436 yards (Women)
About:
“Normally a par five for the members here and it’s usually downwind but it’ll be against this weekend,” says Evans. “That’ll be about a drive and a five iron for these guys this week into the wind probably, but it can be as short as a drive and a wedge when downwind into a good green. Depending on conditions it can be a good birdie hole which should hopefully make for some decent charitable donations!”
Innovation:
The European Tour’s charitable initiative takes centre stage here, with donations to charity being made and giveaways for the crowd when birdies are carded on this par four. GolfSixes is partnering with LIFElabs this year at the ‘Birdies for Good’ hole, with the digital-currency company donating the equivalent of £500 of LIFE tokens to the tournament’s Official Charity Partners, the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and the European Tour Foundation.
How it played last year:
Despite its length the second hole also played under its par last year, with a scoring average of 3.85. Finding the green in regulation here wasn’t a problem for most of the field, with 81% of the players on the putting surface after their second shots, however with an average proximity to the hole of 29 feet, it obviously proved difficult for the players to get in close at the ‘Birdies for Good’ hole.
HOLE THREE: ‘POWER’
Par: 5
Length: 526 yards (Men), 476 yards (Women)
About:
“Downwind at the moment, it will probably play about a drive and a three or four iron up the hill,” says Evans. “Definitely reachable in any conditions so expect a lot of birdies, eagles and excitement here. Something of a centrepiece, it’s another good crowd spot and binds the six holes together.”
Innovation:
In addition to the team greensomes matches taking place, there’s an extra leaderboard on this par five where the players can show off their power with an on-going long drive competition, so if you like to see the players ripping it, then this is the hole for you.
How it played last year:
The third hole has been lengthened for the 2018 GolfSixes after it played as the easiest hole during last year’s event, with the par five averaging just 4.13. Despite the ‘Power’ hole gaining yardage, expect to see plenty more birdies and the occasional eagle here this week.
HOLE FOUR: ‘SHOT CLOCK’
Par: 4
Length: 486 yards (Men), 436 yards (Women)
About:
“A very tough drive here with water left and right and a bunker in the middle of the fairway,” says Evans. “They’ll have to position it about 150 yards out from the green. There’s also quite a big slope across the green so even if you find the putting surface it’s not a gimme birdie.”
Innovation:
One of the most popular features of the inaugural GolfSixes, hole four is all about speed of play, with a shot clock giving the players just 30 seconds for each shot here. Like last year, there will be a stroke penalty for any breach of time, with digital clocks displayed at the green, fairway and tee. Just don’t get caught out like Paul Peterson did last year…
⚠️ Beware of the Shot Clock this week ⚠️#GolfSixes pic.twitter.com/UiMKpWLjSx
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 2, 2018
How it played last year:
The downhill fourth was the only hole that didn’t average under its par last year, with the average score of those who completed the hole coming in at 4.0. Although 44% of the players last year were able to hit a wedge into this pin for their second shot in 2017, an extra 50 yards has been added to the ‘Shot Clock’ hole, which will make birdies even harder to come by this week.
HOLE FIVE: ‘ACCURACY’
Par: 3
Length: 136 yards (both men and women)
About:
“The shortest hole on the golf course when it plays as an 18-holer, it’ll be a wedge or a nine iron and I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a hole-in-one here this week,” said Evans.
“If we have a front pin position with the slope behind, all the shots will feed down towards the hole. There’s water down the left and bunkers around the green so it should be a fun hole.”
Innovation:
This time, it’s about getting closest to the pin for the professionals, while some lucky fans can also get involved in the action, with the fifth hole being the location for the ‘Beat the Pro’ competition. Can the amateurs hold their nerves when the camera’s on them?
How it played last year:
Evans is right, we might just see an ace here this year, with many of the players coming close at the 2017 GolfSixes, most notably Renato Paratore, who took a particular liking to the par three…
Renato Paratore at the fifth hole last year 🎯🎯🎯
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 2, 2018
First match: 35 inches
Second match: 17 inches
Fourth match: 27 inches#GolfSixes pic.twitter.com/pZoZERPh5z
Expect to see plenty more drama here this week with 40% of those who completed the fifth hole making birdie here last year, and 85% of the field finding the green with their tee shot.
HOLE SIX: ‘FINALE’
Par: 5
Length: 536 yards (Men), 486 yards (Women)
About:
“If it’s downwind it’ll be reachable in two shots and it’s going to be fun, too. Expect loads of birdies here and if there’s a play-off, we’ve got a custom 166-yard par three to this green which will be a great hole in its own right. There’s water to clear by the green but there should be some good finishes here.”
Innovation:
The Big Finish. The final hole on the six-hole circuit will feature live post-match interviews. On Sunday, in the knockout ties, any play-offs will tee off from a special tee box while the trophy presentation will take place on a balcony overlooking the green.
How it played last year:
The sixth hole saw some real drama last year at Centurion GC – from clutch putts, to near misses, to Team Denmark prevailing in front of the packed grandstands. And with the par five averaging 4.16 in 2017, we can expect more red numbers here this week.
So there you have it, a quick run through of the six holes that will feature in the 2018 GolfSixes. Whatever happens, the course and the format means we’ll be in for some serious entertainment.
