[NAF]

Sir Peter Allen referred to this 505 yard par 5 or 465 yard par 4/5 hole as the finest links hole he ever played.  Henry Cotton included it in his best 18 UK holes.  The 16th requires a deft tee shot into an undulating fairway with rushes right and a collecting bunker left.  Most of the time the wind is dead straight into you as it is on the back beat home at Deal.  Played as a par 4 it is almost impossible to get home in 2 with the wind blowing or set up a chance for eagle played as a par 5.  Moreover you are likely to lay up in what Bernard Darwin labeled the Valley of Inglorious Security.  This has to be one of the most whimsical, inexplicably wonderful statements I've heard to echo the sentiments one feels.  The insidious valley gives you a chance to hit a tiny tiny green perched upon the face of the sand dune shown below.  It is the most surgical or delicate pitch I've hit in golf.  The punchbowlish green is no easy 2 putt either.

I wound up eagling this hole, one of the greatest thrills in my life with a shot that went into the cup.


 

[Darren_Kilfara]

Noel, I would imagine that most people who have made eagles did so "with a shot that went into the cup."

Just kidding. That's a great looking photo - it kind of reminds me of the 14th green at Dornoch, except with bunkers. Kinda sounds like it plays like that as well, except without the run-up shot as a possible alternative.

Cheers,
Darren

[Chris_Hunt]

I thought that picture looked familiar

For holes of this length on that coast, this is certainly one of my favorites.  The length/par flexibility is quite similar to that of Sandwich's 4th, which was quite a birdie hole as a 5 in the Open, despite a roller coaster green.  I fear that technology has taken some of its bark and bite these days, though.  These 'tweener holes are much more excitable with approaches affording some rub of the green, such as this one at Deal's 16th.  It would be interesting to see how the hole was played in Open qualifying last year.

CH  

[James Edwards]

Noel,

Are you and Russell members still?

Deal is one of my favourite places to play golf.  I played my first links golf here along with Princes in the Kent Winter Trials along with Littlestone and Sandwich to make up the four.

Over the years 16 hasn't changed at all apart from the odd restoration.  Nicklaus has been quoted as saying, It's the toughest back nine of golf he has ever played"  which must have echoed your comments on the wind being directly into his face from 12 onwards.  With only one par 3, the 14th playing some 230 yards of it to a plateau green as you know, there is not much restbite until you hit 16.  At least you think so anyway.  Your description is sound - the tee shot must find fairway, and then it tempts you to have a go which is it's main defence.  The green is high, blind and runs to the centre from all sides with 4 distinct levels/tiers.  If youlay up, the landing area is riddled with divots.

A great short par 5, one to be studied by any enthusiast!

Cheers for posting a great hole.

James

[Brian_Ewen]

NAF
Thanks for posting.

I have never played Deal but I caddied for a friend at RStG and Deal during the Amatuer Championship a few years back . My friend couldnt believe I would travel all the way down from Scotland , pay all my own expenses and carry his bag for that few days . But it was wonderful and I have some lovely memories of Deal , I often wonder if its because I never took a camera with me that week (unusual) that I have so many memories .

I really loved that stretch of holes on the back 9 and the course has my favourite halfway hut .

Brian

[James Edwards]

Brian,

I spend a lot of time at Deal.  The Professional Andrew Reynolds, is our county coach so we see him quite often.  I totally agree about the back nine - It's a great 9 holes of golf indeed! and the halfway hut is definately a contender for a top place...

Yes, I have similar thoughts on cameras.  I take (like many) a great deal - [pardon the pun] - of pictures and have only limited memories.  Sometimes it is better to just take it all in.  I was at Cypress this week, and took so many pictures of 15,16 and especially 17 with the plaque but almost forgot to look around!  It was only when my Boss sat the 6 of us down on the 17th tee and looked around for 45 minutes, that we understood the enormity of the place.  

[Keith Durrant]

The website has a good pic too:

http://www.royalcinqueports.com/htms/hole16.htm

http://www.royalcinqueports.com/htms/hole14.htm

I liked the par 3 14th. Played into a 1.5 to 2 club breeze slightly off the right. It was a thrilling shot to throw a drawing 3 wood out over the 3 bunkers set into the side of the dune, and watch the wind bring it back onto the green.

[RT]

Just a word about Deal.  It's a very accomodating place, Andrew Reynolds and his pro shop crew are the nicest guys you'll ever meet, Deal is a fine costal town to stay, and the greens are always in good nick and roll very nicely.

And what a great stretch of holes 12-18.  All different, with individual character.

And love that half way house after 9.  A classic too....

RT

[James Edwards]

Russell,

Our memberships are a done DEAL (sorry?), when I send this thread to the secretary.  

[NAF]

JJSE,

I recently became an overseas member..RT and I will be in Deal in 2 weeks time..

The halfway shack at Deal is known for its sign that says there is nothing of value in these premises.

[Tommy_Naccarato]

I'm sorry, I can't feel the same about Deal until the Sandy Parlour is put back in play in its full regalia!

I don't care how good the new hole is, it isn't the Sandy Parlour. anything les would be a crime of the highest order and therfore not in the true Spirit of the Game.

Long Live The Sandy Parlour and the blind & semi-blind shot par 3! Anything less is not Links Golf!

Signed,
The Coalition of World Golfing Citizens and True Links Lovers
aka TCWGCTLL

[NAF]

Tommy,

Will take a picture of what Sandy Parlour would be today for you and we can do a photo comparison when I return in 2 weeks..

I believe it was Herb Fowler who wrote an article prior to Deal's first Open Championship who criticized the hole.. Tom MacWood probably still has it and can comment.

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