Greetings readers, first post, pleased to be on board.
As a new member of Royal Adelaide (RA) this would seem an ideal topic for me to begin ‘g c atlasing’. I’m the person referred to by Ed Getka in his post who is a member both of RA and NSW golf clubs.
Probably best to explain my 8 – 2 observation between those two courses before I go any further. This was a reference to which course I enjoyed more. Having been a member of NSW for 22 years and RA for a little over 22 hours I’m not expecting my ‘old love’ to be usurped by another course anytime soon. I then replied that if indeed the courses were somehow both equally available then I’d not hesitate on a 50/50 split.
On to some personal thoughts about the course; Andrew’s reply post #3 and Tyler’s #8 encapsulate RA exceptionally, though I do find more merit in the greens than Tyler ascribes. I particularly can understand Tyler’s comment of wondering what all the fuss is about. On first inspection underwhelming is a word that may come to mind. My first game here was approximately 12 months ago when I moved over from Sydney. Having heard and read many great things about RA my expectations were high. Coming from a visually stunning course like NSW it was a bit of a shock to drive along the entrance road, which affords a view across at least half the course, and get an eyeful of what looked like a very ‘plain jane’ affair.
A few rounds under the belt later and my initial hesitations were well forgotten. RA is a course that reveals herself slowly, (to my amateur understanding at least) and many of my early judgements have been altered considerably. Most notably my derision to Matt Mollica and David Elvins of the pokey little green site of hole #8 which is now the green I most look forward to challenging each round. (unfortunately it was out of play when Ed and David visited)
3 of the par 5’s are as solid a set of long holes as you’ll play. While they don’t ask a lot of your tee shot the staggered bunker placement for your second provides you with ample opportunity to be perfectly placed after 2 shots, or even on the green, or being bunkered well back from the green or facing an approach shot from an unfavoured angle, the latter particularly the case on #2. The other par 5 (#17) doesn’t have as much interest for your first 2 shots but its green probably asks more of your approach shot than the other 3.
The par 4’s are the course’s strength, great variety in length ,266m to 445m, those of similar length having differing directions and terrain. Something which I’m particularly fond of are those greens close to the level of their surrounds, notably No.’s 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11 and 18. Ally these with some crowned numbers (8 & 10) and you have a test of golf that I find most enjoyable. These green complex types are not a feature of NSW so it has been a delight to be presented with the challenge of acquiring a new shot skill after so many years.
Par 3’s #7 and #12 are challenging without achieving greatness judged by the standards of many of the better Australian courses. Even prior to holing my 4 iron tee shot at #16 yesterday I considered it a very fine hole. Par 3’s with the green at a similar level to their teeing ground as this one has have always appealed to my eye and now of course I’ll not tolerate a bad word said against it.
Cary, I can understand what your non gca buddy says. I have family visiting from the east coast in a fortnight, non gca types who love their golf. They’re going to play Kooyonga twice and RA not at all because I know that is what will appeal to them and please them most. For a gca’er there is lots to see and study, particularly if you have enough time to go round more than once.