Strategy and Penalty index

I think the way we discuss and approach the idea of penal and strategic as a binary needs improvement. As it creates a reductive discussion seeking a binary answer to a non-binary problem.

As it’s clearly evident in every great both strategic or penal hole, all have a clear penal hazard or strongly directive contours that direct a lead one or multiple lines of play.

If we believe this last statement to be true, then we must accept a non-binary application of the terminology. This scale is a work in progress and is presented with an interest in discussion of not only the concept but the definitions and how best to apply it to features, holes, and golf courses.

The 0 is reserved for golf essentially as impossible or inconsequential.

The 1 is the golden goose. We haven’t been able to define or find a purely strategic hole without a clear penalty. They either are a bit too penal to be a 1 or they are so ineffective that it creates a 0. So 1 and the definition of strategy are open for debate.

(?)

7 is much clearer as that’s the point of penal golf. The most recent perfect example was 18 at Bethpage with the flanking bunkers on the drive and the uphill cross-bunkered approach.

Excited to hear and see the discussion. Remember this is a tool for discussing and cataloging golf not a value judgement on the hole or its quality. (Please find a way to add photos to comments; this thread needs it).