Lets Talk About The Eden!--Why is it so underated?

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Not only that, why do people conintually pass up this great course just because of Donald Steel's inane changes to the course?

I think that for 11-13 holes that they maybe some of the best putting surfaces in Golf, What's your opinion of all of the features? (routing, quirk, type of land etc.)

[Brian_Ewen]

Tommy
Who are you refering to when you say people ? . This course is always as equally busy as the other courses , so who is passing up on this wonderful course ?.

[Bob_Huntley]

Brian,

The American golfer on a blitz.

Tommy, just a week ago I played eight rounds on the Old Course and every time I stood on the 13th tee, I vowed I would play the Eden the following day. Never got there.

I do believe that the changes made to accommodate that horrid driving range, have lessened its appeal for the golfer wishing to play the classic Fife course. Like you, I find it a fascinating test.

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Bob & Brian,
There is so little discussed about the Eden, and I find it to be one of the most underated experience over there. Brian, Wouldn't you agree that those time slots are all locals?

Bob, As mentioned before, I someday hope my dream foursome for walking and studying the Old Course would be you, Tom Doak, Tom Paul and myself, but I can't help to think that we would also walk the Eden for good measure. I just feel that this is a perfect example of Golf Architecture 101 from just not the putting surfaces, but the strategies and routing to the use of small dune line.

Just the first 11 holes is all we would have to do! I promise!

[Thomas_Brown]

Shouldn't Darren_Kilfara be the author of this thread?  

Tom

[CHrisB]

Tommy,
Here's a thread I started last month about the Eden and Jubilee after playing a tournament there:

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forums2/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=5885;start=msg111775#msg111775

[Tom_Doak]

Before the changes, Americans skipped the Eden because it was a par-69.  (Did Donald Steel fix that?)

[Tommy_Naccarato]

I have just the nicest little love affair for this course.
Chris, thanks for the link. I'm sorry I missed it!

Tom, I didn't know it was originally a par 69, which of course makes me like it even more. Some dynamite, a dozer or two and that driving range would be history.

What are your guys thoughts on the strategy and the green at #6? The first time I played it, I more or less pulled a shot into the left side of the green, I saw it hit then completely disappear only to reappear, and turn right and disappear again, this time behind the dune, which was blocking the right side of the green. I knew then I was in love.

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Thomas,
It's funny after reading Chris' Brit Mid-Am post because on the Jubilee, #15 and 16 are my favorite holes on the course. I have played them in much lax conditions then Darren describes, but all that wouldn't matter to me because I like the wind from any direction, and any strength, and if it rains, well I have braved SFGC and Lake Merced in torrential downpours.

Yes, it wasn't anywhere probably as close to cold as being out on the Pilmour Links with a biting rain, but I'll still take an "A" for effort there. Give one to Lynn Shackelford while your at it!

(I also just remembered that Tom Doak was supposed to TRY join us that day at SFGC, but there was no sign of him to be found with the weather that day. Dave Wilber will tell you!)

[Jonathan Cummings]

Tommy,

As your mother says, why don't you ever call me....

I have played all the St Andrews courses many times (even the new Bay courses).  Every time I go to Fife I promise myself that I will venture forth and play other area courses.  I end up trying but continually come back to the Old.  It is like trying to convince yourself that as you tour the lesser pyramids that they are worthly under the shadow of the Giza.

J

[Bob_Huntley]

Jonathan,

Like you, I return to St. Andrews and promise myself that I shall partake of all the courses. However, when the porter at the R&A says "Mr. Huntley, Mr. So and So has the 2.20pm time on the Old and wonders whether you would care to play" I throw all my resolve out the window and join him. At my advanced age, nothing, but nothing, can take away the pleasure of the Old.  

It is the greatest round of golf available to the addict.

[les_claytor]

Put me down as an advocate of the Eden. Colt's work there is a labratory.  I especially liked one of the short par 4's on the front (#6 I think, but I'm too lazy to confirm that) where a knob in the front of the elevated green controls the strategy.  

The original Eden is true.  Unfortunately, the redesign makes the course a schism between classic, museum quality, mule and scoop architecture, and short sided modern design.  How do you copy the principals nose a stones throw from the original?  And the bloody pond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sharp Park reminds me somewhat of the Eden, although I prefer the non-original holes at Sharp over the Steele holes at the Eden.  However, the Colt holes on the Eden are head and shoulders above the crowd.

[Jonathan Cummings]

Bob - maybe someday I'll be that so and so...  

[Darren_Kilfara]

Y'know, as fun as the Eden's front nine is (even though my main memories are of domed greens crowned in the middle so as to repel any ball not finding the geographical midpoint of them)  , the holes on the back nine are so mundane or even downright bad as to make me dread their approach throughout the front nine. I can see how Tommy and others fall so readily in love with the good side of the Eden, but I've never really warmed as much to it as I might have. To be fair, I'm pretty sure I've never played the Eden with the temperature above 50 degrees, the wind speed less than 20 mph and the course in good condition...or at least it feels that way. I really should get back there one of these days and play it properly!

By the way, to answer an unanswered question of Paul Turner's in the thread to which ChrisB has linked, the Strathtyrum is completely forgettable - uniformly flat fairways with artificial push-up greens. But that's the mandate Steele was given, I guess, so I don't hold it too much against him. It's a fun course upon which to regain your confidence after so many batterings on the bigger courses in St. Andrews, if you're that way inclined...

Cheers,
Darren

[Brian_Ewen]

Tommy

I agree , that its mostly the locals that are playing the Eden ( wasnt that who it was built for ? ) and I think thats one of things that appeals to me about the course . I would hate it if the Eden was overrun by "The American Golfer on a Blitz" . I am sure it will continue as well with the openings at the Dukes , StAndrews Bay , Kingsbarns , No.7 etc.

Silly question maybe but , would you really redesign the Eden ? . I am all for leaving it the way it is , so all future students of the game can see how wrong it is .

Brian