Is Rye 4th among the elite holes in the world?

[Robert Mercer Deruntz]

Supposedly this was Vardon's favorite hole in the world.  I played it into a 3 club wind and somehow found the fairway--a hogback  that is penal short left and brutal on the right.  Short left of green is a bailout area, but the pitch is tough.  Greenside right is a 10-15 foot falloff with a couple bunkers.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Rye #4 I love the hole but really do not like this best in the world contest. I do say that Rye has 7 or 8 holes that are great great holes that belong in a discussion of the best holes of its type. I also find Rye to be a most special place that belongs in the worlds elite courses. It is a place I would be thrilled to play all the rounds the good lord provides for me until I join him at the great 19th hole above.

[henrye]

I think Rye #4 is certainly an unusual one.  I think it was routed on the top of the dunes to make a true challenge and because there was no where else to really put it.  I find it too penal, but can see how others would like its uniqueness.

I think the par 3's are truly wonderful, especially #7, which has a stroke index of 17, but also the deepest small bunkers I have ever seen.

[Robert Mercer Deruntz]

There is no doubt that this is a brutally difficult hole.   Fortunately, it is placed after a not so tough hole.  If the hole were built today, it would probably invoke a storm or criticism.  However,this hole certainly fits the description of a found hole among the dunes.  It was the only hole that ate my lunch and I hit the fairway.  My mess up was from a poor decision--the proper play was so obvious--there are options for the approach--aeriel, ground, bailout left--no matter what--do not miss left.  Also, the bailout left requires proper positioning for the 3rd shot--must get to pin high or runup is accross slope.  Over is not terrible if back into wind.

[Marc Haring]

Just to help aid the discussion, here’s the tee shot.



It really is a brutal drive with frankly nowhere to go except straight. Anything left dives into that crater of 3ft grass, weeds and lost golf balls. The tendency is to err on the right where at least you have a chance of chopping back to the fairway and a chance at the green in three. I personally wouldn’t call it world class simply because there are no options (well not on the tee shot) but it really tests ones commitment.

[ForkaB]

There is no doubt in my mind that this is a world-class golf hole.  Tough?  Yes, but so what?  Do you want to disqualify all of Pine Valley for that reason?

Great minimalist architecture, great transition to the heart of a truly great course, if that ain't "elite" I don't know what is.....

[Matt_Ward]

Shivas:

How many, in your words, "Holy Sh*t holes" does Rye have?

For comparison purposes -- what course have you played has the most HS type holes?

Thanks ...

[Thomas_Brown]

My answer: Yes.  It's among the elite.

I did not know that bit of Vardon trivia - I would guess Vardon would consider it quite a different hole with today's equipment.

I played 2 iron off the tee, then 7 iron to the green, so I wouldn't say it's overly long.   The tee shot is one of the most interesting, difficult tee shots I've seen - It's more about angles and using the fairway pitch properly.  The wind I played was left to right and into.  Marc's picture is nice, but fails to capture how much is going on in that tee shot's landing area.

Agreed on #7 being another all world contender.
From my view, the title of this post could identify any of the holes from #3 - #7 as being among the most compelling in the world.

Having said all this, I have no idea what Tiger Woods would hit off the tee, but for me it's really quite an interesting hole.