The Upper Course at Baltusrol

[Patrick_Mucci]

I recently played the Upper Course at Baltusrol.

I've always been partial to the Upper course as I've always found it a sportier challenge.

I like the tremendous movement in the greens, elevation changes and variety in the holes.

Recently, Rees Jones made a number of changes to the golf course including added tee length.
I believe the course now plays to about 7,400.

The bunkering, repositioning of the bunkers, adjustment to the fairway/s and elevation of the 9th green are all positive changes when you consider the likelihood that a USGA event may be awarded to the Upper Course.

The first thing I noticed was the superior condition of the turf in the fairways.
The fairways were amongst the three best conditioned fairways I've seen this year.

While the greens weren't overly fast, the slopes in the Upper course greens are quite remarkable.
If you haven't played them, it's hard to describe.  Suffice it to say that breaks of 10-25 feet are not uncommon.

The repositioning of many fairway bunkers has returned a premium to driving accuracy.

The elevation of the 9th green, replicating the prior putting surface is a vast improvement in that hole.

The Upper Course is a FUN course to play.

The course places an extreme premium on being below the hole, which places a premium on being in the fairway for the approach, which places a premium on driving accuracy.

There's a nice mix of short, medium and long par 4's, good variety in the par 3's and the par 5's range from being easy to hit in two to good three shotters.

Rees did a nice job with these changes.

[John Moore II]

Should we bookmark this thread given that a long standing member of this site has said positive words about Rees Jones's work? I've never played the course to know either way, but given the beating that Rees takes here, I consider this to be high praise.

[J_ Crisham]

Pat,  The last time I played at Baltusrol I played the Lower- my mistake. Not suggesting that it is not a fine test of golf-it is and then some. The Upper has a flow similar to a Huntingdon Valley with holes that have a nice movement to them. The Lower does not have this.  The greens are also much more interesting as well. Our host, a long time member, was very clear that he only plays the Lower when hosting guests as he much prefers the Upper for the reasons you suggested.        Jack

[Jaeger Kovich]

I had a great time on the upper course last year. I thought the greens were incredibly fun to putt on.

[Matt_Cohn]

Sounds amazing. The upper at 7,400 would be a heck of a challenge. Any word on which USGA event could be headed that way?

[Philippe Binette]

the 1999 US amateur final was played on the Upper Course (Quinney won over Driscoll).

Tilted fairways and greens provided some interest

[Cliff Hamm]

When you say the 9th green is elevated "replicating the prior putting surface", how far back are you going?  As of 1965 the 9th was not elevated...As to the greens, fantastic - 3 comes immediately to mind.  As anyone knows who plays the course knows straight putts still break away from the mountain.

[Matt_Cohn]

the 1999 US amateur final was played on the Upper Course (Quinney won over Driscoll).

Tilted fairways and greens provided some interest

It was 2000; I was there. Pebble was 1999. Most courses don't do big renovations just to host a US Am, though.

[Patrick_Mucci]

When you say the 9th green is elevated "replicating the prior putting surface", how far back are you going?  As of 1965 the 9th was not elevated...


# 9 was ONLY elevated RECENTLY.


As to the greens, fantastic - 3 comes immediately to mind. 

As anyone knows who plays the course knows straight putts still break away from the mountain.

I'm not sure there are ANY straight putts on the Upper.

[Robert Emmons]

Played the upper about a month ago and the sodding of all the roughs was moving along. Still alot of work on one was left to do. Will they still go ahead with the pond to the left side of one? Rees's work on the bunkers does fit in well...RHE

[Patrick_Mucci]

Robert,

I believe the pond has been nixed.

[Dean Paolucci]

The pond on #1 has officially been removed from any consideration.  I am a huge fan of the Upper.  The changes are meaningful and surprisingly in context.