Guys, Guys c'mon please -- do you want the folks there to give passports to Irish citizenry with all the pubs included and import the sheep at Lahinch to make it an authentic Irish links? The place is located in Bayonne, NJ -- hello anybody home?
Does anyone need mapquest to know where that is and what the site was prior to the golf construction?
Give me a break please. NO ONE SAID THE COURSE IS A COMPLETE AUTHENTIC TRUE LINKS TYPE COURSE.
The singular fact is that for all those pissing and moaning about the Irish linkage the simple FACT is that the course does incorporate many of the same features -- from the rolling, bumpy fairways that don't leave many level lies to the greens which fall-off in any number of directions and so forth and so on.
Tom D said, " ...and the bump-and-run game is not that much in play."
Tom -- help me out how do you presume such a thing simply from looking at photos? I played the course and integration of the ground game does exist on a number of holes at Bayonne.
The course right now is playing a bit slower because of recent rains that have been a constant issue this summer here in the greater NYC metro area. The fairway turf uses fescue and when up to full speed the bounce will be alive and well on any number of holes there. I played several bump and run shots when there and it will be a main feature for those playing the course.
Tom Dunne:
Forced carries on #8 ? Really. The approach does require a pitch over the march area -- so what? I can name plenty of holes -- the 13th and 15th at Augusta have forced carries as well. Frankly, the carry required is subject to how close you wish to play your second shot to the lay-up corridor that Jin included with his photo set of the hole.
The tee shot you see pictured gives the allusion of a massive forced carry but if the player plays from the appropriate tee box the carry required is not anywhere near the Herculean effort some, including yourself, are suggesting.
Tom, another point you misunderstood that I made. I simply opined that the qualities of the 8th hole are on par with two other superb NJ par-5's -- the 12th at Plainfield and the 15th at Pine Valley.
When you say the hole isn't links-like allow me to refresh your memory -- I never said it was. The hole presents another side of the course. However, think of the holes that you face throughout the front nine and a good number of them on the back. The re-creation of Irish / Scottish links by Bergstol has come off quite well and works in fine fashion.
The 8th is a well crafted risk and reward type hole. Players have to decide very carefully how much is appropriate for them to handle. The options from start to finish are numerous.
Allow me to point out holes where the ball CAN be bounced onto the following surfaces -- 3rd, 4th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 17th and 18th. The "broken ground" you refer to is nothing more than separation points often used on real links courses. In many cases the "broken ground" does allow for play to take place there but there's no guarantee of that happening and that is no different than what you see with a number of courses from across the pond that are links oriented. One other thing -- the 16th plays considerably downhill and often downwind -- the demands presented there are quite appropriate and not onerous.
I'll say this again -- if people play the appropriate tee boxes the requirements are very reasonable.