Dye Fore Greatness

[Robert Mercer Deruntz]

[Robert Mercer Deruntz]

[Robert Mercer Deruntz]

[Robert Mercer Deruntz]

[Robert Mercer Deruntz]

[Matt Kardash]

It looks pretty cool and dramatic....except for pics 3 and 4. Those just look kinda bad, i have to admit.

[Robert Mercer Deruntz]

Pictures 3 & 4 are of the 9th.  This hole does not seem to photograph very well.  It is a left to right cape with great teeing strategy--challenge the right and the fairway bunker, or hit left and have an extremely long approach. The green is about 45 yards front to back and is much larger than the visual appearance.  However, it plays small because it is rock firm--try holding a 200+ uphill shot!  There are a couple of holes to simply play for par--this is one--it is an easy par if you are not greedy.

[Robert Mercer Deruntz]

This course warrents much closer examination.  It is an extremely important design that seems to be lingering under the architecture scrutiny radar.

[cary lichtenstein]

I have played it twice, enjoyed it very much, the pictures do not do it justice.

[Jim Nugent]

Nice score, Robert.  Can you tell us which tees you played?

[Robert Mercer Deruntz]

I always play tips except at TOC where they are somewhat less than accomodating.  One great genuis of Dye Fore is that my ex-wife who was not very accomplished scored 5 pars among some more than others (8 strokes+) and thought it was the best course she played that year--which included Walton Heath, Piping Rock, Maidstone, and many rounds at Cherry Valley.  The real brilliance of this course is that it really challenges world class players while offering a fun interesting round to the very average player--echoes of Shinny.  By the way, I've played the Dye Fore 10 times now and it was very firm and fast except last fall when I came after some serious rains.

[wsmorrison]

"The real brilliance of this course is that it really challenges world class players while offering a fun interesting round to the very average player--echoes of Shinny."

Interesting that you say that, RMD.  I happen to agree with your Shinnecock reference.  Many detractors seem to think the opposite of this.  I cannot understand why it has become an accepted label but plenty of misconceptions are taken for truth if certain people say it or it makes a good story or perhaps if it boosts to neighboring courses    

[John Goodman]

I was in the DR in late December and played Dye Fore four times.  It is not of course on the ocean, but I will go out on a limb and say that it very much is in the same league as Teeth.  I am in a hurry at present and don't have time to elaborate, hope I can write more later.  I will say that on any future trips down there I would split rounds 50/50 between Teeth and Dye Fore.

[Ben Cowan-Dewar]

Wayne,
I am thrilled to see you managed to reference SH in a post about golf in the D.R.  

Robert,
I cannot believe that you are same person who is such a fan of Kingston Heath, you do have diverse tastes.

When we were down for the GCA outing in 2005, I think DF was underwhelming for all of us. I cannot see the comparisons with Teeth, mainly because the land is so much more severe. It certainly does show the difference in Dye's style as he aged (although I have no idea how involved he was).

[Robert Mercer Deruntz]

The best way to appreciate these many different but absolutely great courses is to think of them as great wines.  I love Pinot's, Cab's, Meritage's, Champagne, ect.  I love Shinny, Kingston Heath, Royal Melbourne, Sand Hills, PV, TOC, Riviera, Teeth of the Dog and Dye Fore.  Greatness comes in many different appearences--interestingly, these courses really place a premium on course management, imagination, and solid ballstriking.