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Tony_Muldoon

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Swinley Forest in winter - some thoughts and pics
« Reply #25 on: February 19, 2010, 03:31:44 AM »
Swinley without rhodos would be like a blonde without breasts.


MMM...Rhodo's are more like implants. They catch the eye but are not the real deal. Imported by Victorians they are environmentally unsound and in heathland they are officially a weed.  I would side with Sean if they were everywhere but... I can live with them on these courses.

Anyone else think the small bunker at the front right of the seventh green is to stop balls running into that bank of Rhodo’s?

I wonder if this new accessibility will actually hurt Swinley and it may fall back in the rankings.  I went to “Swinley Special” to see old photo’s there were very few poor quality.  I consulted Darwin’s Guide to courses of GB&I and it’s not mentioned.  Check out the Old golfing mags via the LA Foundation website and there’s not a single mention of the course.   I suspect that part of the allure of the place was how little was known about it and how difficult it was to get on. Rye has a similar aura.  Now it’s easier to get on will people start to question its place at the top table.

For my ability and the kind of golf I love its right up there, but if better golfers than me aren’t challenged will they stop rating the place so highly?

i.e.  Are there a few too many blah drives?  5,6,7, 14,15,16?

With James (?) saying he kept his Driver in the bag in wet conditions, doesn’t that mark the place down a bit?



Two more questions

Should the fourth really be thought of as “redanish” – the tilt of the green being all wrong? Perhaps a discussion for another thread.

Did the look from the tee on 18th sit uneasily with what had gone before? Too fussy with the (New?) bunkers to the left and stream to the right.


Having said all that. “I’d go back there tomorrow, but for the work..."
Let's make GCA grate again!

James Boon

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Swinley Forest in winter - some thoughts and pics
« Reply #26 on: February 19, 2010, 03:58:57 AM »
Tony,

You beat me to it on pointing out the imported nature of the Rhodos.

I know Ben kept his driver in the bag, not me! I'm the one that hits it short and straight so I did needed a driver in the wet conditions. Ben is the one that hits it a mile but not always in the right direction, so he needed to stay out of the Rhodos!  ;D

Will the new accessibility hurt Swinley? I can see where you are coming from, but from what I've heard a lot of the groups and societies that play tend to be rather well to do, and not your average golf society?

And I certainly agree regarding the 4th. An awesome golf hole, but its not a Redan!

Cheers,

James
2023 Highlights: Hollinwell, Brora, Parkstone, Cavendish, Hallamshire, Sandmoor, Moortown, Elie, Crail, St Andrews (Himalayas & Eden), Chantilly, M, Hardelot Les Pins

"It celebrates the unadulterated pleasure of being in a dialogue with nature while knocking a ball round on foot." Richard Pennell

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Swinley Forest in winter - some thoughts and pics
« Reply #27 on: February 19, 2010, 04:53:50 AM »
Swinley without rhodos would be like a blonde without breasts.


MMM...Rhodo's are more like implants. They catch the eye but are not the real deal. Imported by Victorians they are environmentally unsound and in heathland they are officially a weed.  I would side with Sean if they were everywhere but... I can live with them on these courses.

Anyone else think the small bunker at the front right of the seventh green is to stop balls running into that bank of Rhodo’s?

I wonder if this new accessibility will actually hurt Swinley and it may fall back in the rankings.  I went to “Swinley Special” to see old photo’s there were very few poor quality.  I consulted Darwin’s Guide to courses of GB&I and it’s not mentioned.  Check out the Old golfing mags via the LA Foundation website and there’s not a single mention of the course.   I suspect that part of the allure of the place was how little was known about it and how difficult it was to get on. Rye has a similar aura.  Now it’s easier to get on will people start to question its place at the top table.

For my ability and the kind of golf I love its right up there, but if better golfers than me aren’t challenged will they stop rating the place so highly?

i.e.  Are there a few too many blah drives?  5,6,7, 14,15,16?

With James (?) saying he kept his Driver in the bag in wet conditions, doesn’t that mark the place down a bit?



Two more questions

Should the fourth really be thought of as “redanish” – the tilt of the green being all wrong? Perhaps a discussion for another thread.

Did the look from the tee on 18th sit uneasily with what had gone before? Too fussy with the (New?) bunkers to the left and stream to the right.


Having said all that. “I’d go back there tomorrow, but for the work..."


Tony

We will have to agree to disagree about the rhodos.   

I recall many people liking the stretch of 6-8 at least for its long avenue effect.  The 6th along with the 5th may be the weakest two holes on the course, but it is a pity to say this because the 5th has a good green.  In any case, I don't really like that long view up the hill for #s 6,7 & 8.  It seems like something should be showcased - dare I say there should be a vista?  The view just fizzles out, but what does become more noticeable is the road noise. 

Scott

I want to spend a few minutes walking around the 8th and hitting shots to it.  I have ended up in the same place, down right, everytime I played the hole. 

It is wonderful that the trees don't really have any influence on the strategy of the holes - with the exception of the 12th.  I didn't remember trees in really in play here before, but they are.  Imagine back in the day when the corridors were even wider.  Well, I don't think they were much wider, but now there are rhodos, bushes and the odd tree here and there.  Below is evidence of their invasive nature.





I think the 9th was much wider left originally - essentially the width of the rhodos. 


I am surprised nobody mentioned the 18th.  I really like this hole and while the new bunkers could have been done better (one cans see how they really stand out from the green), at least the centre-line one is well positioned.  My only real beef is I think they should have created fairway all down the left as a sort of red herring. 

Does anybody think the 16th may play better as a par 5 with the tee shot needing to be shaped to have any chance of reaching the green in two?  I also think the second might be more challenging.  I was also thinking I wouldn't mind the 5th as a par 4 from tees below the back tees.  It would bring the stupid pond in play off the tee.

Ciao




 
New plays planned for 2024: Nothing

James Boon

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Swinley Forest in winter - some thoughts and pics
« Reply #28 on: February 19, 2010, 08:50:57 AM »
Sean,

Regarding the 2nd playing tougher? After hitting a decent drive and a wedge to a couple of feet and walking off with a 3  ;D  I was suprised that I had a shot and 4 points. Tom pointed out that when wet you can just throw a wedge at the green, but in summer the drive can bound on leaving a tricky pitch to a green sloping away from you, with a ditch to catch anything to short and a bunker over the back, making it a lot tougher in the summer.

I probably agree with you regarding the 5th as a long par 4, but not sure about 16 as a par 5?

Cheers,

James

ps We were on the 17th green while you were on the first and shouted across, but you probably didn't hear us for the noise of the rain on your brolly  ::)
2023 Highlights: Hollinwell, Brora, Parkstone, Cavendish, Hallamshire, Sandmoor, Moortown, Elie, Crail, St Andrews (Himalayas & Eden), Chantilly, M, Hardelot Les Pins

"It celebrates the unadulterated pleasure of being in a dialogue with nature while knocking a ball round on foot." Richard Pennell

Will Lozier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Swinley Forest in winter - some thoughts and pics
« Reply #29 on: November 14, 2011, 09:51:29 AM »
Scott,

In my one visit to Swinley, I played 36 in just under 6 hours.  It was firm & fast (May?) and was one of the finest golf experiences I've ever had. I was treated exceptionally well - was expecting a little pretentiousness based on privacy rumours but got the opposite...VERY laid back.  I simply made a phone call (I was living 20 minutes down the road), pulled in - could easily have missed it - through the gate, walked into the clubhouse to check in and I was on the first tee within 5 minutes.  they unexpectedly comped me when I gave a little of my background in the industry and I don't think I saw another soul all day!  Truly special.  I hope you are able to play it again under dryer conditions.

Cheers
« Last Edit: November 14, 2011, 11:13:12 AM by Will Lozier »

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Swinley Forest in winter - some thoughts and pics
« Reply #30 on: November 14, 2011, 10:49:06 AM »
SWAG

Below is the aerial of 1 & 18.  While I agree the bunkering is messed up, the concept of the centreline bunker over the stream in combo with the bunkers short right of the green is very good.   All the club needs to do is

1. Remove the first fairway bunker.
2. Create fairway to the left of the second bunker.
3. Remove left greenside bunker.


Ciao
New plays planned for 2024: Nothing

Mark Chaplin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Swinley Forest in winter - some thoughts and pics
« Reply #31 on: November 14, 2011, 12:07:17 PM »
I wonder if 18 is pushed right due to problems with properties down the left? I'll try and find out.
Cave Nil Vino

BCrosby

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Swinley Forest in winter - some thoughts and pics
« Reply #32 on: November 14, 2011, 12:53:39 PM »
I would like to hear what it is about the 18th that people dislike. I think it is a terrific hole. And beautiful to boot.

When I played it several years ago, I surprised myself when, looking up the fw and the creek running diagonally through it, it brought to mind the 9th at Chastain Park in Atlanta (a/k/a North Fulton), a muni course designed by Chandler Egan as a WPA project in the 1930's.

Both are wonderful holes, both for the same reasons.

Bob
« Last Edit: November 14, 2011, 01:00:32 PM by BCrosby »

Will Lozier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Swinley Forest in winter - some thoughts and pics
« Reply #33 on: November 14, 2011, 04:26:25 PM »
I would like to hear what it is about the 18th that people dislike. I think it is a terrific hole. And beautiful to boot.

When I played it several years ago, I surprised myself when, looking up the fw and the creek running diagonally through it, it brought to mind the 9th at Chastain Park in Atlanta (a/k/a North Fulton), a muni course designed by Chandler Egan as a WPA project in the 1930's.

Both are wonderful holes, both for the same reasons.

Bob

Bob,

I agree that 18 is fine as is - I don't see how it doesn't fit with the other 17 holes.  While I think Sean's proposal is interesting, I really don't see any need to even have that discussion given the overall charm and greatness of the club as a whole.  I live in Atlanta and have only driven by Chastain - I work in Vinings at The Lovett School - but will have to sometime now!  If you ever want to get out, PM me!

Cheers
« Last Edit: November 14, 2011, 09:55:48 PM by Will Lozier »

John Mayhugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Swinley Forest in winter - some thoughts and pics
« Reply #34 on: November 14, 2011, 09:23:42 PM »
I would like to hear what it is about the 18th that people dislike. I think it is a terrific hole. And beautiful to boot.

I liked the 18th too.  It's the desktop on my computer at the moment.  Maybe not the best hole there architecturally, but I love the looks of it.



BCrosby

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Swinley Forest in winter - some thoughts and pics
« Reply #35 on: November 15, 2011, 08:42:26 AM »
Will -

You gotta play Chastain. It now plays very short, it's not maintained very well, but several wonderful holes still shine through. I've thought for a long time that the 9th is one of the best par 4's in the city. It has a couple of par 3's that also deserve more recognition.

Bob

Daryl "Turboe" Boe

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Swinley Forest in winter - some thoughts and pics
« Reply #36 on: November 21, 2011, 11:53:00 PM »
What a wonderful place...  I have a bunch of great photos from here (and elsewhere from the massive UK summer trip) but just haven't had time to post many of them on here.  I will have to get to it one of these days.  But I at least needed to put a couple of the 2nd as I too thought the cops to the right and the grass bunker area front left green side were quite unique and memorable.  Just one of the many great holes out there...



close up of grass bunker feature front left of green.  Winds along kind of looks like a dry creek bed basically lined with grass.


Wonderful setting of the par 3 4th
« Last Edit: November 23, 2011, 05:48:24 PM by Daryl "Turboe" Boe »
Instagram: @thequestfor3000

"Time spent playing golf is not deducted from ones lifespan."

"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm."

Daryl "Turboe" Boe

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Swinley Forest in winter - some thoughts and pics
« Reply #37 on: November 24, 2011, 10:34:59 PM »
Wow, I never read this thread back when it was posted.  But after my trip this summer and the chance to play Swinley I just finished reading it with much interest.  Great details, and pictures, I have a ton of pics myself, but probably not a lot to add to John's.  I may post some more on here eventually, but I just wanted to echo others comments on here when I said thank you for the time and effort putting this together.

It brought back a lot of great memories from our day there.
Instagram: @thequestfor3000

"Time spent playing golf is not deducted from ones lifespan."

"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm."

Scott Warren

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Swinley Forest in winter - some thoughts and pics
« Reply #38 on: November 24, 2011, 10:41:42 PM »
No worries. Thanks for the kind words, Daryl.

Daryl "Turboe" Boe

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Swinley Forest in winter - some thoughts and pics
« Reply #39 on: November 25, 2011, 10:48:46 AM »
Scott,

The I read both this thread and John's original one with great interest the last few days.  You both helped me while away some leisure time on Thanksgiving Day (alas that is something I don't seem to get much of is just a couple hours to lounge around and read posts from GCA anymore)  As I said it meant much more to me now having seen Swinley a few months ago.  I actually meant to post the comment I put above on Johns original thread to bump it up since it is buried much deeper in the archives.  Thankfully your thread had already recently been brought to the forefront last month so that it came to my attention.  I think I will repost the previous comments on Johns thread to bump it back up as well as I think they both have such good information on such a special place.

Thanks again for your and Johns great postings.  Maybe when it gets colder here over the winter I will post more of my Swinley Forest (and other places) pics on here. 

Instagram: @thequestfor3000

"Time spent playing golf is not deducted from ones lifespan."

"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm."