Pup, you asked on Golfclubatlas why is the 4th at RCD so special. I can't post on there so here is my take!
Firstly, the view is both scary and exhilarating! The gorse around the 4th and the majestic mountains of Morne are an imposing backdrop. The hole plays 230 yards off the champs and 218 yards off the plates (normally into the breeze which can be very strong seeming the water is only 100 metres away!). There appears to be no bailout although there is an area approx 20 to 40 yards short that is trouble free. Around the long but narrow (I reckon max 16 metres wide) elevated green up are 9 bunkers (only half are visible from the tee!) and very challenging mounds. No bunkers are easy at RCD as they are deep and surrounded by thick grass. There is no regulation short game shot anywhere around this green! The green is also full subtle undulations and roles off on all sides!
To summarise, a long iron at best or a driver at worst to a small target surrounded by trouble. A slightly miss-directed tee shot requires a reload due ball lost in gorse or bush! A good player can be faced with extremely complicated short game shots which may result in ping-ponging across the green!
Par is a great score anytime! I made a 5 after hitting a 5 wood 3 yards left of the green! An all world Par 3 that is in the top 2 dozen holes in the UK. 6 at NSW is a snack compared to this one!
I played as well as I could to shot 76 that day. I believe RCD to be the best and hardest course I have ever played (and I have played all of the Open rota courses).
Regards,
Pete
p.s. do a google search on the course and you will find a good hole by hole guide.