I had the opportunity to play Rye this Wednesday, which I had been very keen to see from reading Ran's review and also the selection of the course as a Gourmet's Choice by Tom Doak. I picked one of the hottest days on record to play what is often called a winter course, and it was certainly on the brown, dry side. In places it made Hoylake look lush.
Everything I'd read about Rye was spot on. It's a wonderful, wild place - I think of the links I've played only Pennard can challenge the natural feel of Rye. The par 3's are certainly tough, although it was more the long par 4's that grabbed my attention. There is a good mix of approach shots required, from 3 wood to lob wedge, but the priority is always to keep the ball straight, as there are some very dangerous spots on the course (a famous example the 4th, which rides the top of a narrow dune. I missed left and hit what I thought was a fine pitch back to safety: lost ball).
The routing is sublime - some of the greens sit in the most inspiring positions in and around the sand dunes, and you are always changing the direction of play in what can be a very wind-exposed site. The staff assured me that the wind I had was as tame as it ever is at Rye, and to a city boy it felt very strong.
Conditions were as you would expect after such a dry, hot spell in England - very firm and very fast. I hit a lot of low, punchy shots and around the greens resorted to chipping with a rescue club and putting wherever possible. In comparison with Lahinch or Sandwich, say, the contouring on and around the putting surfaces are fairly subtle but the conditions make holing out a nerve-racking business, especially on the more exposed greens.
Sorry to waffle, I know you're really here for the photos
What an opening teeshot: OB all the way down the left and half the landing area obscured by a bank on the right.
The 2nd green from way left
Daunting teeshot on the 4th
And another on the 6th. The hole swings hard left over the dune
The dangerous short 7th...
...don't miss short!
The approach shot to the 9th
The green at the short dogleg par 4 11th, one of my favourite holes on the course
Teeshot at the 13th hole, which has a long, blind 2nd of at least 170 yards...
...and the view from the markers atop the dune
Not the place to miss the par-3 14th
Almost featureless teeshot on the 16th - the hole swings left past the bunker on the left of the picture...
...and the green
A tough, thin target on the final short hole (222yds!) - the 17th
And finally a great finishing hole. Here's the teeshot...
...and the green. With the wind in my face and a pulled drive the second shot was around 200 yards, passing very close to the clubhouse. Even more terrifying than the opening teeshot.
Once again, a course that I might not have bothered with if I hadn't spent too much time on here! Thanks GCA.