[Lawrence Largent]

I'm fortunate enough to be playing in the Baltusrol Invitational in a couple of weeks. I've never played either of the courses and wondered if anyone could give there opinion on each and the differences between the two. Also wondering if anyone has played the courses recently to see how there playing. In the invitation we are supposed to be playing championship conditions. I look forward to hearing your opinions.

Also we might be playing Winged foot on Friday afternoon. How long would it take to get there from Baltusrol with traffic say if we left at 2:00 to drive up.


Lawrence

[mike_beene]

You could make a Saturday teetime.

[Matt_Cohn]

Lawrence,

You lucky dog. (Although I'm sure luck has little to do with it.)

The Upper is quirkier and smaller in scale. There is more local knowledge involved on the Upper. The Lower is a big, big golf course. It's flatter and I suppose has a bit less variety. It's one of those golf courses that's capable of making men feel like boys but it's actually very enjoyable. It's not monotonous, I don't think.

There's something about both courses that's just different. They're both a little weird, but wonderfully so.

I unabashedly love Baltusrol.

[Dean Paolucci]

Lawrence - I agree with much of Matt's assessment.  

The Lower is very long, larger flatter greens, with generally more landing area.  You will need to move the ball in both directions to compete effectively.  If Championship means all the way back it could be 7400 yards.  Green speed is always fast but for this event don't be surprised if you are looking at >12 on the stimp meter.  

The Upper can play to 6975.  Not exactly short but the variety of shots required is much more vast than the Lower.  Shot accuracy is the key to the Upper.  Many of the holes are impacted by the Watchung Mountains.  Looks can be deceiving, especially the first few holes which run along the base.  Greens are smaller but not small and have more undulation and break.  Your practice rounds and caddy will be very important.   Expect similar green speeds to the Lower as well.  The Upper tends to separate the pack.

As far as Winged Foot, on a Friday in the summer it could easily be a two hour drive with traffic.  Given the drive, I would stay at Baltusrol and use the time to familiarize myself with the two courses more.

Good Luck!

DEAN

[Dean Paolucci]

On another note, be sure to get the specific dress code for the event.  Shorts are permitted on the course now, but the events in the Clubhouse may have jacket and tie requirements.  You do not want to miss any of the festivities because you do not have the proper attire.

JDP

[Cliff Hamm]

Best tip for Baltusrol, especially the Upper but also somewhat true on the Lower, is putts will break away from the 'mountain'.  On the first few holes that run along the mountain irons need to be hit to the right of the pin.  Even if your eye tells you otherwise the mountain affects how the putts roll.  If your caddy is decent rely on him.

[Tommy Williamsen]

I love the Upper.  Make sure you are below the hole on the first few holes.  They can be treacherous.  On the lower, stay out of the rough. I don't know hopw long off the tee you are but on some of the holes you may want to lay up and hit a gap wedge from the fairway, rather than miss the green.  I think par is easier that way.  It can be dicey to get up and down from around the green.

[Christopher Klingenstein]

Greetings, This is my first post and wanted to introduce myself. I have always had a complete love for the game and now finding CGA ( Via Kevin Mendik) has really turned my attention to Articheture and design, There is a wealth of knowledge here that has been very insightful, I look forward to continuing the learing process here and maybe provide a bit of knowledge myself!

With that being said, my family has belonged to Baltusrol for sometime now, As I have not played this year, ther has been talk that the courses are not in as good of shape as years past, but that is all hear say,

while the Lower course obviously gets the attention, the upper is no slouch itself:

Agreed everything breaks off the mountain no matter what you see or think, trust it, and do trust your caddy, most are really good about reading greens, if they tell you to send it out 5 feet wide of the hole, trust it!

Looks can be decieving as there are many classic false fronts on the beginnig stretch of holes,

Shorts are permitted on the course now( that took a long time!) and only in the lower level of the clubhouse and outdoor areas,

It should take you about 2 hrs to get to Winged Foot, but traffic can be bad on Fridays as well

Have a great time,

Regards,

[George_Bahto]

first six holes on the B-Upper: LISTEN to your caddy or you will seriously mis-read those putts - great course

[George Pazin]

Welcome to the site, Christopher, please don't be shy about sharing your thoughts!

[corey miller]

Hey Bahto, shouldn't you be working today

I recently played in a three day member-guest at the club and I would echo much of what has been said.  I would say the course was in better shape than I have ever seen it with fast and firm greens and fairway roll.

The rough is a much greater penalty on the Lower than the upper.  

Be careful with the shorts as it is my understanding that there are only three acceptable colors.

Great club and a great bunch of guys.

[David Stamm]

Greetings, This is my first post and wanted to introduce myself. I have always had a complete love for the game and now finding CGA ( Via Kevin Mendik) has really turned my attention to Articheture and design, There is a wealth of knowledge here that has been very insightful, I look forward to continuing the learing process here and maybe provide a bit of knowledge myself!

With that being said, my family has belonged to Baltusrol for sometime now, As I have not played this year, ther has been talk that the courses are not in as good of shape as years past, but that is all hear say,

while the Lower course obviously gets the attention, the upper is no slouch itself:

Agreed everything breaks off the mountain no matter what you see or think, trust it, and do trust your caddy, most are really good about reading greens, if they tell you to send it out 5 feet wide of the hole, trust it!

Looks can be decieving as there are many classic false fronts on the beginnig stretch of holes,

Shorts are permitted on the course now( that took a long time!) and only in the lower level of the clubhouse and outdoor areas,

It should take you about 2 hrs to get to Winged Foot, but traffic can be bad on Fridays as well

Have a great time,

Regards,

Welcome Chris!

[Patrick_Mucci]

I'm fortunate enough to be playing in the Baltusrol Invitational in a couple of weeks.

It's a nice event, with a neat format.
Fortunately, the club changed the dates from mid fall to summer years ago.[/color]

I've never played either of the courses and wondered if anyone could give there opinion on each and the differences between the two.

I think that they are night and day.
Both with unique qualities.
The upper is the sportier of the two, but still a solid test.
The Lower is long with generally flatter greens, making recovery easier.  It's the brute of the two.
They provide an interesting contrast.
Over the years I've always asked members how they split their rounds.  I was surprised to hear many members indicate a 50-50 split[/color]

Also wondering if anyone has played the courses recently to see how there playing.

In the invitation we are supposed to be playing championship conditions.

I'm sure they'll try to present the best conditions possible.

Many years ago, there were some on the committee who relished embarrasing the field through course set up.
When the average score on the upper was close to or above 90, you know it was difficult.  Today, prudent set-up is the rule rather than the exception.  I'm sure you'll enjoy the experience.

I'll just tell you one story.
Years ago I was paired with a team from Houston, Texas.
We were playing the upper.
After the first six holes, one of the fellows from Houston had three putted four (4) times and four putted two (2) times.

After four putting the sixth green, he calmly walked to the 7th tee, whereupon he attacked and demolished the bench.
Ripping and stumping it into submission and smithereens.
Once my partner and I recovered from the initial shock, we laughed for 10 minutes.  I had never seen anything like this in my life.  Then, the attacker's partner told me some stories about the attacker that had us laughing for the rest of the round.

Subsequently, someone acquired some official looking stationery and wrote to him informing him that he was banned from EVERY amateur invitational in the country, individual and team, and, that he was on double secret probation for all USGA events for 5 years.

All of his friends in Houston were aware of the gag and tortured him mercilessly for months.

We became friendly and stayed in touch for many years.[/color]

Also we might be playing Winged foot on Friday afternoon. How long would it take to get there from Baltusrol with traffic say if we left at 2:00 to drive up.

At 2:00 it shouldn't take you much more than an hour barring an accident or construction work.

Take 24/78 EAST to the Garden State Parkway North, to the New York Thruway EAST ( Interstate 287) to the Cross Westchester Expressway EAST, to EXIT 9 S, The Hutchinson River Parkway SOUTH, to EXIT 22 which is Mammaroneck
ROAD (not Mammaroneck Street).  GO left on Mammaroneck ROAD approx 1.3 miles and the back entrance to Winged Foot is on the RIGHT

Club #       914-698-8400
Pro shop # 914-381-5821

In case you get lost.

You could also take 24/78 to the NJ TPKE North to the GW Bridge to the Henry Hudson NORTH to I 287 EAST and proceed as above, or GW Bridge to the Cross Bronx EAST to
I-95 NORTH to EXIT 18 A ( FENIMORE ROAD in Mammaroneck),
LEFT off ramp, .3 miles to club entrance, but, I don't recommend the last two.  The first is a little longer, but, you usually encounter less traffic, although at 2:00, route # 2 isn't bad.

Good luck and have fun.[/color]

[Cliff Hamm]

Lawrence...when you get a chance would love to hear your impressions of Baltusrol.

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