6-6-6 Courses?

[Adam Lawrence]

Trajectory, Seve's firm has made a bit of a thing about 6-6-6 courses in recent years. The course Jamie is referencing is The Shire in Barnet, north London (www.theshirelondon.com), which opened a couple of years ago. It's not bad, but the 6-6-6 formula, combined with a 'no two consecutive holes the same par' thing makes it a bit forced. In particular, the opening hole is a par three with what's effectively an island green - not my idea of a welcoming introduction to the round.

They also did the 6-6-6 thing at Porto Santo in the Madeira islands (where the Madeira Open was hosted last year). I rather liked that course - the front nine is a bit plain, but it works its way up to some big sea cliffs and the back side, and the holes around the cliffs are really pretty good.

[Mark Pearce]

Garland,

The thing about Berkshire Red is that it has 8 or 9 par 4.5s.  Wonderful.

[Sean_A]

Garland,

The thing about Berkshire Red is that it has 8 or 9 par 4.5s.  Wonderful.

Plus it really makes the Red different from the Blue despite the similarity of terrain.  Does anybody know if Fowler did this on purpose?

I know of another 6-6-6 course, Bank House outside of Worcester, but it is a very mediocre course.

Ciao

[Mark Pearce]

Garland,

The thing about Berkshire Red is that it has 8 or 9 par 4.5s.  Wonderful.

Plus it really makes the Red different from the Blue despite the similarity of terrain.  Does anybody know if Fowler did this on purpose?

I know of another 6-6-6 course, Bank House outside of Worcester, but it is a very mediocre course.

Ciao

It would be fascinating to know if it was deliberate.  The difference in feel between Blue and Red courses is remarkable given the similarity in the terrain.  I wonder if he made the Blue a par 71 for the same reason.  Thinking about what else helps differentiate the feel of the two courses, one starts with a par 5, one with a par 3, one finishes with a 3, one with a 4.

Someone really should do a photo essay thread on the Berkshire.  Maybe I will try out my photographic and descriptive skills after one of my two visits there this year.

[Mark Chaplin]

Berkshire Red could quite easily be the world's toughest par 66 as all the par 5s are well within reach in two strokes

[Jonathan Webb]

Haile Plantation Golf and Country Club (Gainesville, FL)

Gary Player Design.

http://www.golf.com/golf/courses_travel/coursefinder/course/0,28290,1476089,00.html

[Roger Wolfe]

I believe Carroll Valley Resort in Fairfield, PA is a 6-6-6.  Classic
ski resort course.  FUN!

[Mike Tanner]

Alex and David,

Another course that returns to the clubhouse at 6-hole intervals is Tom Fazio's Keowee Springs course at one of The Cliffs communities.

[Sam Morrow]

High Meadow Ranch is a damn fine coursed and in great shape!

[Chris_Clouser]

I know the Maxwell original course at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City was a 6-6-6 layout.  From all accounts of the people I know that played the layout it was far superior to what is there now.

[mike_beene]

Mike Tanner,actually the K. Springs course loops to a halfway house after 6 and 12 but the 1st and 18th are the only holes playing from and to the clubhouse. Same idea though.

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