I was blessed with an invitation to Fishers Island this fall and, despite a Barkleyesque collapse in my game, enjoyed a splendid day in calm weather with great friends.
The golf course features many of principal architect Seth Raynor’s favorite templates, but famously features no fairway bunkering – according to legend Raynor passed on before he could add the finishing touches to the course. One still finds plenty of challenge from the tees, especially when the wind blows (as it usually will).
Aerial Photo
A spectacular setting for the practice green adjacent to the 1st tee.
The 1st hole narrows considerably, requiring that aggressive drives stay left.
Our benevolent host silhouetted by the sunrise behind the 2nd green (Redan).
The 3rd hole is a short par 4 that requires a modest uphill carry (not so modest into a howling headwind) on the way to a skyline green.
Finding the putting surface is vital, as any shot that strays behind the 3rd green…
… or left of the 3rd green will require deft bunker play to salvage bogey.
The 4th (Punchbowl), like so many of its sisters, enjoys open sea views along its entire right side.
Up ahead, a pole marks the center of a punchbowl green further along the shore.
Sir Spaulding flaunts his golfing omnipotence on the 4th fairway.
A view of the punchbowl’s trailing edge. Raynor was not a stringent minimalist.
The thrilling 5th (Biarritz) tee shot.
Only the rear section of the 5th green complex is maintained with putting length grass. The flagstick sits just left of a subtle bisecting ridgeline.
Traversing a substantial portion of the island, the 6th fairway incorporates a thrilling section of tumbling earth. Long drives can reach the down slope pictured in the foreground.
The 6th green marks the highest point of the front nine.
Diving down to the north shore, the 7th narrows progressively, much like the 1st.
The skyline 7th green.
The 8th is a subtle rendition of The Road Hole, rewarding drives that challenge the right side with an open angle along the axis of the green.
A deep bunker sits behind the 8th green, in place of a thoroughfare.
The 9th (Double Plateau) tee plays blind over a ridge, with a large carry bunker eating well into the fairway.
Once over the crest, the 9th fairway offers another wow moment, as one takes in the panoramic views. Unlike most of the other greens, the 9th ties in tightly with the surrounding grades. Behind the putting surface, waves wash over a former bunker location.
A close look at the right/front corner of the 9th green.
A pristine landscape adjoins the 10th tee.
The steadily rising 10th
Don’t miss the short of the 10th green.
The 11th offers more of a ‘do or die’ proposition than the original Eden hole, but makes up for some of its lack of variety in daily play with a spectacular setting.
The 12th brings golfers (momentarily) away from the shoreline.
The “reverse redan” green.
The approach to the 13th green is played over a saltwater pond to another seaside green.
Playing around a saltwater pond, the 14th represents the FI rendition of a Cape hole
The pond carry at #14.
The 14th green, more subtly constructed than most of its playmates, sitting just a smidge above its surrounds.
The 15th is a bit bland, although the false front of the green allows for some creative approaches. Perhaps a fairway bunker would help.
A lovely cove neighboring the 16th tee.
The 16th hole occupies a narrow landbridge shared by the 3rd tees.
#16 from behind
The 17th, like #15, is a bit bland until one reaches the green.
The 18th tee shot must carry a small cove. Like at the 8th, drives that brave the longer carry up the right side will open up the multi-tiered green.
Von Kiser recovers successfully from the beach, sacrificing his new pants to the thorny bushes en route.
A lovely day.