Before heading there, the most prominent photographs that Joe or I had seen of Falsterbo were from the air. And why not? Given how the Falsterbo peninsula protrudes into where the Oresund and Baltic Sea meet, there are few better camera shots in golf.
Nonetheless, the game is played on the ground and that's where courses get their golf quality - or lack thereof. Joe and I had seen few ground photos of Falsterbo so neither knew what to expect. Still, expectations were high, given its famous setting.
To begin with, the course is flat and the best views of the water are indeed from the air. In terms of the two large bodies of water that define it, the golfer primarily just sees them from the twelfth and seventeenth tees. The lighthouse is more prevalent as a dominant feature as it is seen from many more holes. That's good in its own right as lighthouse=sea=wind, so the key - albeit invisible - element of wind is definitely there.
In a most refreshing manner, the course seems to thrive on its flatness. There is a total absence of built-up tees or framing around the greens. In addition, very little dirt/sand was disturbed tee to green. In that regard, given the lack of eye candy/framing and of trying to make the golfer feel comfortable, Joe and I left thinking that many Brits would love the course and many Americans might be slightly disappointed.
Those who prefer things spelt out for them - from the commanding position afforded from an elevated tee to hazards that are clearly defined to greens where depth perception is no issue - will be in for a tough day. Conversely, those who like golf played in an open landscape will embrace the absence of artificiality here. You likely won't score as well as you would hope as it will take rounds and rounds to get a feel for distance, but that's ok too!
Without a doubt, the course sits softly upon the land, freeing the golfer to appreciate the many long views. Despite hosting big events, the Club has never fallen prey to any fads in architecture and has always remained true to the course's natural setting. For that, they should be applauded for being such good stewards.
Tom Doak wrote in The Confidential Guide that Hoylake 'separates the true lovers of links golf from those who only sort of understand it.' I don't really agree with that as you are an idiot
if you don't love Hoylake but the sentiments of those words apply very well here at Falsterbo. There is a raw element of man versus nature at Falsterbo that any old trooper will appreciate. As you will see in the nineteen photos found in this course profile, there is lots of good golf on the ground.
Next course profile to be posted, which will be on Monday: the best 5,600 yard course in the world!
Cheers,