Royal Melbourne (East) v. Kingston Heath

[Chris Kane]

A number of months ago I posted a hole-by-hole analysis of Royal Melbourne's Composite course and Kingston Heath, in the famous Ran Morrissett format.  It was suggested that I compare the East course to KH, so here goes:

1. RM - RME 1up
2. RM - RME 2up
3. RM - RME 3up
4. RM - RME4up
5. KH - RME 3up
6. KH - RME 2up
7. Halved - RME 2up
8. KH - RME 1up
9. RM - RME 2up
10. KH - RME 1up
11. RM - RME2up
12. Halved - RME2up
13. Halved - RME 2up
14. KH - RME 1up
15. KH - All Square
16. RM - RME 1up
17. RM - RME 2up
18. RM - RME 3up

The East course is 6up with its holes on the main paddock.  For me, thats what separates the East Course from Kingston Heath as Australia's second best course.  However, KH is 4up on East Course holes that are on the far paddocks.

[Ran Morrissett]

Very interesting with a surprising result (at least to me) but first things first... isn't giving the 1st, 3rd, 9th and 13th to RM a bit generous? And isn't the 4th at RM miles better than 4 at KH with the 12th at RM better than KH's?

[Chris Kane]

Ran,

I don't entirely agree with you about the 1st and 3rd - but you're right about the 4th.  Don't quite know what I was thinking there!

I've amending 12 and 13 to halves: I like 12 at KH, and the RM hole doesn't stand out for me.  13th holes are both rather ordinary, which is out of character for these two great courses.  

The 9th - I just love the green complex on 9 at RME, over and above the nice hole at KH.  

[Brian Walshe]

Chris,

I'm not sure I agree with all your selections.  I'd give 1 to KH which is a very strong opener needing a good drive and long iron first up.  The first on RME is a nice friendly introduction to the round but nothing special.  At 300m and very open it's just a little too easy.  A guy I played with there a month or so ago drove it and there was no wind.  Oh and when I say drove it he carried it onto the green.  And no it wasn't Justin and his new wonder driver.

The 3rd on both courses are great holes.  RME 3 is just great use of the land but the 3rd at KH is a classic.  I'd have to halve them.

I'd also give 7 to KH as it asks a little more than 7 RME.  I'd halve 10 rather than give it to KH.  I just love the bunkering on RME 10, the diagonal cross bunkering is awesome.  Likewise I'd halve 11.  

When you start looking at comparing courses this way it gets pretty hard and I'm not sure it makes a lot of sense.  How do compare 16 RME a great par 3 with 16 KH which is such a good par 4?  

Brian

[Justin_Ryan]

I have to disagree with Brian about the first hole on RME, it is a fantastic short par four where it is very easy to rack up a big score if you put it in the wrong place off the tee (or on the green).  That green can be diabolical.  Brian also neglects to mention is the guy he played with who drove it on the green is one of those 0.01% of all golfers who hits the ball extreme distances, and btw is the current Victorian Amateur Champion.  It is the exact type of hole that we should be seeing more of.  It possibly works better when played later in the front nine in the various combinations of the composite course than as an opener, whereas KH1 is a great opener, complicating any head to head comparison.

I do agree with Brian on 10 RME and also on the difficulty of making comparisons that aren't like for like.  The fact that you have taken the time to compile and post this list also alerted me to the fact that school holidays have started.  I also note that Brian is continuing to direct personal abuse my way, but I won't lower myself and this forum down to his level.