...courtesy of the Good Doctor Geoffrey Childs and Mike Sweeney.

Though Eastward Ho! gave it a run for its money a few years ago, Fishers Island still ranks as the single biggest pleasant surprise/shock of my golfing life.

Next October will mark my 20th anniversary at having first played FI. We had come over to the island from playing Shinnecock the day prior and after the first 18, I turned to brother John and Dad and said, "Are you sure Shinnecock's better?" We both agreed that the Fishers couldn't be THAT good so off we went for a second 18. At the conclusion of that round, John said, "Is it me or is it only getting better"?! so off we went for as many more holes as we could get in before dark (we managed to get to the 8th green before stumbling back in total darkness).  

In some ways, places like this web site are a blight on mankind as they (potentially) rob someone of being blown away by a hidden gem so be warned before you look at the new photos (in part because there is a photo of Mike Cirba in shorts , a grave injustice to all that we hold dear in this great game). If you have never played here, you will swear it looks as inspiring a course to play as any in the world. And thanks to the ground speed that Don Beck and his crew achieve on these roly-poly fairways, you might just be right!!

One architect suggested to me that he could have done better given the wonderful opportunity but I seriously question that. Would he have come up with the same magnificent routing (which seems impossible to improve upon) as Raynor? Also, Raynor's style seems especially well suited to this property (as it did at the rocky Yale as well) with, for instance, his built-up green pad at the 3rd specifically heightening the course's drama.

What do you think - is Fishers Raynor's finest design? or Yale in its former glory days?

Cheers,

Fishers Island is so beautiful and inspiring that Pamela Lee Anderson could be running around in shorts and not get noticed. Mike Cirba?  Was he in our group?

Fishers Island entrances any and all that are lucky enough to trod the fairways. I have played both Fishers and Yale many times and for pure majesty Fishers is untouchable. Yale has some exceptional holes, yet is not what it was at the beginning. At one point the third green of Yale extended to nearly the edge of the water. Fishers on the other hand is nearly all original. There have been a few additions (the bunker on nine in front of the green) but for the most part unchanged.

Fishers may be the best property on which a golf course is built in the world. The ingenuity that Raynor employed in building the holes is remarkable. The vista are near perfect and the flow is unmatched.

The current administration is calling for lowering the par at Fishers to 70 by simply making both # 8 and # 18 par four holes. At par of 70 Fishers has the teeth of a lion without the commenserate length that one would normally find on a Championship course.

Yale, on the other hand, has a couple of questionable holes. Both par five holes are hard to reckon as great holes. # 16 is just too short and # 18 is too blind, even for one who has played the course often.

My vote is Fishers in a cakewalk.

Geoff,

I like golf and golf architecture as much as anyone, but, I'm afraid you've gone over the edge.

Take two large tylenols and call me in the morning.

Somehow, I can't seem erase that vision from my mind.

You've ruined my ability to focus, for the day.

Pat

You are obviously correct as usual   . My response was an attempt at "shock and awe" but it worked about as well as the original. Pamala Lee on the beach at FI would be a pretty picture.  

Mike S -

Where is Hay Harbor? You wouldn't be disappointed with Highland Links - I'll try to post photos over the holiday weekend.

Fishers Island is and has been for years THE ONLY course in the world I'd give up a membership in Sand Hills or Cypress Point for.

Well ................ now that “we’ve” decided how great this course is .... certainly is one of my favorites

I think you might enjoy this..........

Mr. Raynor considered the second course he was to built there to be even better than the present course - there were to be 3 courses.

He died before the present course was completed and Banks finished what little was left to do.

Donnie Beck is one lucky dude.

gb

Ran,

Once again, a great review!! Do not fret however, these reviews have not spoiled the chance to be blown away by these great courses because I've already conceded that I will not see many of these gems in person.  

TK

It's nice to see that I do have something resembling a follow-through although that clubface looks either shut down tight or blocked wide open...I can't tell.  

With all of the scenic beauty on this thread, however, it seems we've suddenly hit a low point by contrast.      

Mike;

You're just envious of that full weight shift to the front foot on the downswing.