A course much favoured on GCA, but not so often photographed, at least not in the summer. Orthodoxy is that the course is best in the autumn and spring, and too dry and quirky in summer. This was not the case last week - the course ran, but not too much, and the combination of sun plus a 20mph wind made it a fantastic links challenge.
One feature of Rye with the prevailing wind coming off the sea is that only about three times in your round do you play straight into (when you hit over the dunes on 6 and 13, and the tee shot on 11). Otherwise the wind is almost always across you.
The short holes are justifiably famous - hitting some relatively small, and firm greens with a strong left to right wind, clever collecting bunkers...you can quickly run up a big score. I am sure if you play this course regularly you develop a fabulous short game.
The opening tee shot - in fact the landing area is bigger than it looks, but a 200 yard carry with a strong right to left wind to a smallish target is not the easiest way to start!
The first of the great set of 5 short holes - very difficult to hit and hold given the prevailing wind
The approach to three - the saddle on the right front of the green made that flag very difficult to get to.
The famous 4th which proceeds along the top of the dune. A hook and you fall eighty feet down to the right, and the fall off to the right is similarly drastic.
I hit the perfect drive to here - was left with about 170 yards, but a slightly flared second was enough to land me with a six! Only two very good shots get you home here.
The tee shot on the short 5th - not especially long, but partially blind and with a wind howling left to right - no easy shot..
...to this green much of which is hidden behind the ridge you can see on the left of the picture.
The tee shot on the 6th is the first time you have to drive blind over the dunes. After a 180 yard or so carry, this is the view from the top.
The tee shot on the magical 7th - a beautiful hole to look at and a huge challenge to play. When you take account of the slopes/run off from the green, the numerous bunkers, the slick surface and the strong cross wind, you are doing well to hit the surface.
The next three shots are also of the 7th. No apologies!
The approach to the 8th - an appealing dog-leg to the right, and a standout hole for having a very flat fairway.
A foursomes partners looks back as his partners tee off on the 9th. A driveable par 4 in the summer.
This shot of the 9th green gives an indication of some of the undulations you encounter at Rye.
Looking back through the 9th green gives you an idea of the Rye dunescape.
Second nine to follow....