Ranking my favorite holes at Pine Valley from 1-18

[cary lichtenstein]

I've played Pine Valley twice, easily my favorite course in the world. It's been many years, so my only good recollection is the 4th par 3 hole, what a bear.


If something could post picturtes, I'd love to print them out and read read all of these comments

[Mike Worth]

i’ve played the course 3 times


I don’t that permits me a hole-by-hole ranking - not enough plays (also perhaps I’m not high enough in the treehouse lol)


But taking from Archie and Tom Ws list - I agree with all of the comments, but I would rank #15 last. I see it the way Tom Doak does – – one has to hit the first 2 shots perfect or the result is a 7 (for me perhaps an 8 ).


I get everyone ranking #12 low but for me, the hole is fun and a chance to get a good score after perhaps getting beaten up on some of the previous holes


I would rank #13 higher.


And agree with Archie about #1 and 4

[Michael Felton]

I've played Pine Valley twice, easily my favorite course in the world. It's been many years, so my only good recollection is the 4th par 3 hole, what a bear.


If something could post picturtes, I'd love to print them out and read read all of these comments

Ran's course profile has a few - not great quality, but if you've been there they're enough to refresh the memory
https://golfclubatlas.com/countries/pine-valley-golf-club/


Also this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVL-gbO0fLU

[mike_malone]

I've played Pine Valley twice, easily my favorite course in the world. It's been many years, so my only good recollection is the 4th par 3 hole, what a bear.


If something could post picturtes, I'd love to print them out and read read all of these comments

Cary,
3 is a 3 and 5 is a 3   4 is a great par 4.

[Stewart Abramson]

If something could post picturtes, I'd love to print them out and read read all of these comments

Cary, Here's a link to PV photos.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/albums/72157708879375691/


They are best viewed in full screen size on a monitor. Feel free to Download ands print,

[Stewart Abramson]

         1    yep number one is my favorite, at least today.  It sets the bar for the whole day. Be fearless and challenge the corner on
               the opening tee shot , don't want a long shot to this green


Pine Valley #1 from tee 


Pine Valley #1 challenging the corner unsuccessfully

        4      would have been my top choice if not for the "new" bunkers (25 years ago)  that changed the angle of the tee shot for
                 many!  Even so, too many great things going on here particularly the second shot


Pine Valley #4 from tee 


Pine Valley #4 from top of central bunkers 


       16     just so pretty walking down to the green with water everywhere!   also the scene of my favorite Ernie Ransome moment


Pine Valley #16  approach to green


       2       Is it the finest green out here , probably    Giant breaks in front and pernicious as hell in the back


      11     best cut-thru for caddies here and even on the hottest days there was a breeze ,  subtle genius in the design here

       
       9       the new addition of the skyline green (left)  made this one move up on the list....great two shotter


Pine Valley #9  approach 

      13     gotta stripe the tee shot right of center


Pine Valley #13 from tee 

and then the splendor of the second shot opens to the eye 



Pine Valley #13 h approach 
       
     
      5        one of the best par threes on the planet , so it has to get some respect. Green demands your full attention

 

Pine Valley #5 par 3 zoomed 

     
      15     it is so hard to build a fortress par five, particularly now that distance is out of control ..... still valid today as a three                                  shot hole....green is so difficult that many a great round ends here


Pine Valley #15 from tee par 5 


Pine Valley #15 par 5 


Pine Valley #15 pitch to green 
       
       8      how could I wait so long....in Crump Cup qualifier might be the scariest par


Pine Valley #8 from tee


Pine Valley #8 h approach note alternate green 


       18    awesome finishing hole where despite it's difficulty you can make a birdie (or double) 


Pine Valley #18 from tee 


Pine Valley #18  approach 



       7       Hell's Half Acre is the defining feature here , the longest hole on a course where distance isn't the most important skill


Pine Valley #7 par 5 second shot hell's galf acre 
       
       3        two disparate sections to this downhill par three , so get your yardage right


Pine Valley #3 par 3 

       
        6        bite off as much as you like on this  "Cape"  hole but maybe a three wood a better option with the new tee, miss Alec
                  Ewing to this day! 


Pine Valley #6 from middle tee 


       
       17       the new tee a great add on , before that the easiest hole on the course , in match play a pivotal hole in high level                                 matches


Pine Valley #17 from tee 


Pine Valley #17 h approach from right side of fairway

       10        there is another bunker lurking left on this hole that is unmentionable too   


Pine Valley #10 par 3 

        14        if it's even a little windy never wanted to hit first here


Pine Valley #14 par 3 




        12        beautiful little par four with a green that slopes away , have to hit your tee shot long and right to get an easy angle                 
   
Pine Valley #12 from tee 


Pine Valley #12 pitch to green

       

Cary, I added a few photos to Archie's initial post

[MCirba]

Which of these looks out of place above?   

[archie_struthers]

 


Mike , it almost brings me to tears. Had they just cut down all the trees on the left and exposed the existing "pots" and crevasses it would have been brilliant. But the rest of the pictures are just fabulous and thanks to Stewart for posting them!

[MCirba]

Mike , it almost brings me to tears. Had they just cut down all the trees on the left and exposed the existing "pots" and crevasses it would have been brilliant. But the rest of the pictures are just fabulous and thanks to Stewart for posting them!

Archie. Yep.


It looks about as natural as Carson Kressley's face these days.

[mike_malone]

Stewart,


 That’s a great set of photos.