[Sean Leary]

Sean, the green runs out to the 4th fairway, if you look at the below pic, you can just make out about half-way down the LHS of the hole where the 7th green intersects.

For those that complain about how tight courses like Pine Valley (and others) look in pictures, take note of this picture. This fairway is like 100 yards wide and it looks tiny in pictures...

[Steve Kline]

Most of those other courses don't have views that extend for 10-20 miles.

I do agree that some things are really hard to judge in pictures though.

[Kyle Henderson]

9th hole

[Charlie Gallagher]

Kyle,
      Just remarkable how the twilight green side picture of the 9th green highlights the mounding in front and in the green its self, where the mid day photos hardly hint at what the land presents.
 Adam Clayman pointed out to us that the fairway bunker left was an addition by the owner as he repeatedly saw players hitting balls into that area.

[Jeff Taylor]

I moved from the NGLA thread to this one. No need to debate how natural NGLA is after looking at these fine images of these "natural" golf holes.

[Adam Clayman]

The ninth was a key hole in the final routing decision. Making this hole playable, required the most of the earth moving of any hole on the entire project. Imagine a massive dune connecting both sides of the fairway. (you can almost make it out in these great pics) That was all melted down.

I'm still of the opinion that following the 6,7,8 sequence, this hole is a type of breather hole. I say type because it has nothing to with difficulty, par, or, score. It has to do with how one senses and feels while soaking it all in.

Charlie, for clarification, I know for sure it was the early set of fairway bunkers, on the left, that were added. Mr. Hepner could give better detail on what was actually done. The last bunker in that sequence was more of a scabby area, perhaps created from the extensive earth moving mentioned above?  

[Kyle Henderson]

Really cool picture, Kyle.  I've never seen that angle before, but it really gives an appreciation for the scale of the humps on the right side of the green.

I took a b-line through the scrub towards 13, to keep the sun out on my lens and collect images from rare angles for both holes while utilizing the yuccas to drain my legs of unneeded blood cells.

[Kyle Henderson]

10th hole

I never managed to time my play of holes 10-12 to allow for optimal photography, but here are a few decent portraits…


I love the new bit of hidden fairway (not pictured) that was added beyond the right bunker to allow more latitude…


…for avoiding the depression that dominates the left side of the landing zone. I've seen many attempt the 170+ yard, blindish uphill approach with little success from down here.

[Patrick Kiser]

Kyle,

Some awesome pics there.

I was very fortunate to revisit about a week ago thanks to a very generous GCAer and I was reminded how good it can get out there.

I think the 10th is one of my favorites on the course.  I'd also venture and guess this is one of the holes that had the least earth moving.  The green looks and feels like it was just sitting there waiting to be discovered.

Then the transition to the 11th and 12th and even 13th is such a cool stretch.  Love the ebb and flow at this stage.

Thanks for posting and sharing.

[Adam Clayman]

Kyle, The fairway above the bunker is not new. It would've been malpractice not to have any reward for the risk of carrying that beast.

[Bill_McBride]

Trying to get up and down from behind the 10th green is one of the great adventures at Ballyneal.   Best not to be too aggressive with that long second shot!

[Charlie Gallagher]

Like #4, 10 is more spectacular in person than the best camera can possibly capture. Standing on the tee at 6:00 pm last week presented shadow down the right side of the hole where the imposing fairway bunker sits. Gorgeous is about the right word.

[Kyle Henderson]

Kyle, The fairway above the bunker is not new. It would've been malpractice not to have any reward for the risk of carrying that beast.

Yes, but it appeared to have been altered somewhat. Certainly, the native flora has been trimmed quite a bit in that area to improve the chances of finding your ball in a decent lie with slight miscues. Before, the safety margin was quite small.

[Kyle Henderson]

11th hole

[Mark Woodger]

Super pictures. Looks like a truly stunning place.

One question I do have, if the yardages are unknown or super variable do the holes have a stoke index/handicap? if so on what are these based?  If not then how do two players of wildly differing abilities have a "fair" match using handicaps and strokes given/recieved?

thanks,
Mark

[Michael Underwood]

Each hole at Ballyneal has a handicap rating on the score card.  The course can be played between 5,210 - 7,147 yards in length, but regardless of the chosen tees hard holes are hard holes and easier holes are easier.  There is no problem having a "game" at Ballyneal.

#1 - 10 handicap
#2 - 4
#3 - 18
#4 - 5
#5 - 14
#6 - 1
#7 - 15
#8 - 7
#9 - 11
#10 - 3
#11 - 17
#12 - 12
#13 - 8
#14 - 16
#15 - 13
#16 - 6
#17 - 2
#18 - 9

[Kyle Henderson]

12th hole
Again, the light conditions were less than optimal for some of these photographs, but the 12th has so many features that it is difficult hard to display them all in one or two “money shots.”

[Kyle Henderson]

13th hole

[Jordan Standefer]

I love the option to use the furthest back tee as part of their Whiskey Loop, just in case you'd like to squeeze in a few holes before dark.

[Charlie Gallagher]

A note about 12. Where the hole location is in one of the pictures was near where the hole was when we played it, right side middle. Any approach just slightly deep middle on that green will tend to roll left and down into a collection spot.   We experimented with running balls towards the hole from the back left from a left line and a right line of attack. Balls putted along the right ridge line would fall off to the right unless the putt was perfectly aimed, and balls run up left to right also required good aim and enough power to get the ball to the hole. On a course with a stellar set of greens, I thought this one was one of the best.

[Jerry Kluger]

I know others have their favorites but Ballyneal is without a doubt my favorite Doak course and could very well be my favorite modern course.  Played it a bunch of times and loved every minute of it.  Routing is brilliant, holes have great variety and you could putt those greens for hours and never get bored.  

[Kyle Henderson]

I know others have their favorites but Ballyneal is without a doubt my favorite Doak course and could very well be my favorite modern course.  Played it a bunch of times and loved every minute of it.  Routing is brilliant, holes have great variety and you could putt those greens for hours and never get bored.  

Nailed it. Charlie's discussion above about the #12 green is something to which any GCA lover can relate. It's nice to be on a course with relatively little play to allow for these extended "study sessions" on the greens.

[Kyle Henderson]

14th hole

[John Foley]

Kyle - great pics - thanks for the hard field work for those who have not been there.

Do you have a picture of the routing plan? I see the snips on their web site but I'd love to see a better pick.

Thanks

[Josh Tarble]

Does 14 play as good as it looks? 


...I guess I could ask that question about all the holes, but 14 especially looks insane.

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