Mike:
The people were "very nice" and you don't wish to be "harsh." My God Mike, when has that ever stopped you before in any posts you have made.
(*only kidding here)
Mike, you expressed your reservations about the lost balls -- have to point this out to you but the sheer nature of Pound Ridge is tied to the psycho-elements the Dyes push upon the player. Too many people on this site believe that extra wide is the ONLY way to go. Pound Ridge goes the other way -- it requires accuracy and if you can consider this -- it's philosophy is meant to combat the 460cc invasion in which power personified is the only ingredient that many players have sought.
Pound Ridge advocates accuracy to the max -- no doubt that can be difficult and I'm not suggesting it would make for a fun time no matter how many or little times one plays the course.
I was struck by your comment "kind of enjoying it." What kind (e.g. holes are your speaking about) before the elements you indicated overpowered all else?
Mike, if you played Oak Tree, TPC Sawgras (before all the modifications), The Honors Club, Lost Canyons / Sky, the list is rather extensive, Dye has followed a mantra of elevating the "eye" fear to a level far beyond what others are used to from other architects. Just pulling the trigger on a shot can be quite daunting.
Too many people here on GCA see architecture as a one-way street -- all holes must be wide, they must provide multiple options and, of course, they must always be firm and fast. Dye doesn't follow the game plan at Pound Ridge and no doubt it will be difficult for others to accept that motif.
Mike, I find it odd you mentioned about the demands of walking -- I didn't see that as much of an issue -- the real issue for me is the nature of how utterly COMPACT the holes are in when squeezed as tight as they are.
Given the compactness of the property the usage of the stone walls does make sense -- you drew an analogy to Vegas golf and as someone who's played there many times I don't see the connection. The shot rewards are there at Pound Ridge but you need to be VERY precise in just about everyway -- I do agree that if you wish to draw a Vegas parallel then the bunker complex at the 10th hole -- on the right side seems completely out of place and overly done. You also forgot to mention the side mounding which acts as containment but the last time I was there was cut to rough height and didn't allow balls to bounce back down.
Mike, I completely concur w your thoughts on the trees on #18. Their continued involvement is max overkill on a hole that already has enough going on there.
Since you mentioned about the close proximity of the bunkers on the left -- Mike, keep this in mind, the Dyes have followed this formula previously with the 18th at TPC / Sawgrass using H20 instead of water. If you didn't like the 18th at Pound Ridge then the finale in Florida would have the same scorn heaped upon it by you.
I do differ with you -- the bunkers most certainl are in play -- the slightest pull and either by air or bounce the balls can find its way into any number of them. My issue is the simple overkill of throwing everything but the kitchen sink into the mix. The 18th at PR, as presently constituted, is akin to the mega of mega car chase scenes you see in the movies.
Mike, I do agree with your comments on the small size of the green -- but I think you are again referencing a classic school of architecture viewpoint which likes to see large greens with a range of contours within that size target. Dye did not start his career with that sort of configuration -- Harbour Town came to life because it had the smallest of greens. I don't doubt that 450 yards is a long hole for such a target but the only people who should tackle the hole from that distance would be the truly advanced players. Pound Ridge is ONLY meant to be played from the tips from those who are truly 3 or better handicaps. The rest are simply pissing in the ocean if they try to handle what it requires.
I liked the bailout area to the right -- it certainly does mandate a deft touch to get it up'n down from that side. I think you are being a bit unfair when you say chipping into the water is likely. If someone were to skull a shot then it's possible -- I don't see the real difference between having a long and curving putt if the green were made to be much larger then compared to a chip shot which requires an equal or greater range of skill to get it close to the hole.
Mike, I'm glad you were able to play the course. No doubt you are 100% correct -- the overall price will discourage repeat play from the casual observer and I do agree that the configuration of rocks and other distractions can be sheer terror for any player who is hitting it sideways.
I've played my share of Dye courses and others that really put heat on the player on the tee game. Pound Ridge is not the pure "classic" school golf design that so many here on GCA love. I'm not saying it's my cup of tea either on a daily basis -- but I will say this about the course -- it puts a real mental pressure on the tee shot constantly. I would think that the player who believes in bomb and gouge tactics would be brought to their knees when playing there -- that's a good thing overall given today's tech stuff. On the flip side the players who are accuracte will find a course that elevates what they do best.
I agree with you there are elements at the course that need tweaking -- in some cases (the 18th with the trees at minimum) requiring major surgery.
Pound Ridge is indeed a controversial layout and I can see why the Dyes have once again fallen back on using controversy as a means to get notice. Will the course have staying power? Ah, that's an entirely different matter -- it will require some tinkering and adjustments to take away the severe sharp edges found there now.
We shall see ...