[Kevin Pallier]

We all have our 'favourite courses' that we have played that we enjoyed the experience moreso for what it did for us in an architectural sense than anything else.

They don't have to be the 'most renowned' courses one's played [so no 'tick boxers' please] just one's where we truly learn't something about golf course architecture.


My 'favourite' courses that I have played and the things I took from them are:

- St. Andrews (Old)
golf in it's purist form from the 1st tee to the 18th green - you learn so much. From the burn at # 1 with a front pin placement (ala 'suckers' pin), through to the sloping green on the P3 11th (I now know why they say not to be long on #11). The strategic options on the P5 #14 and of course the lines of play on the Road hole and pitching or putting through the Valley of Sin. Did I mention how to play golf in shifting winds ?

- North Berwick (West)
I have never had so much fun playing golf and learn't so much along the way. The risk v reward on the 'Cape' hole at #2, the obstacles on #3, the folly of underclubbing at P3
#6 'Quarry', the demands of OOB and the burn at #7, the shorter lines of play with demands of OOB left and bunkers on #9, clubbing on a down-hill P3 at #10, the obstacle on #13 Pit, what Redan mean't at #15, Birattz at #16 and a tempting greensite at #18. This course has it all !

- Royal Dornoch
It's tests are so subtle you may miss them. Don't be long (too aggressive) on #1 and #2 otherwise you need a good short game (the theme for the round). Hitting of side-hill lies #3-#5. Accurate iron play on #6 - any weak shot will be punished. Funnelled green at #9. Bunkerless Foxy - a hole doesn't need bunkers to be tough. The changes in terrain on the closing holes were outstanding.


I would like to hear from fellow members as to their experiences and try and learn what they found from their favourite courses.

[Glenn Spencer]

North Berwick- everything that was said applies to me as well.

Canterbury- I love this place. Downhill, Uphill, Severely Uphill, Some strategic water, sidehill lies on a few holes and downhill lie wedge shot to par 5 16. The approach shot at 13. The short and sweet 10th. The most demanding opening tee shot in golf. One of the most intimidating par 3's in all of golf sans water, it has it all.

Pasatiempo- I could play 1,2,3,11,16 and 18 for the rest of my life and be content.

Garden City- magic, pure magic. Par 73, great greens, I love the way it opens up after number 3 and you just can't believe where you are at. I like the bunkering a lot. The funny thing is that all the holes were so good, it was hard to pick out a favorite. I know I liked 4 though.

[Phil Benedict]

Yale - Severe topography.  Plenty of room to play.  Huge greens with incredible character.  Played there last year with a left hander who hit a big pull on his approach to the first hole.  Way right.  He was on the green and four-putted!  Must have been 100 feet away.

[Kevin Pallier]

Glenn Spencer:
Re: Canterbury

The most demanding opening tee shot in golf

Can you please elaborate for me ? as I don't know much about it.

Also, re: Pasatiempo's 18th is a P3 ? Can you please tell me more about it as I can't think of another Mackenzie course where he finishes with a P3...


Phil Benedict:

Re: Yale - those students must be the most spoilt in all of the US as I hear the course is something speacial....can you please tell us more about it ? Do you see any similarity between it and some of Macdonalds other works eg: NGL ?

 

[Phil Benedict]

Phil Benedict:

Re: Yale - those students must be the most spoilt in all of the US as I hear the course is something speacial....can you please tell us more about it ? Do you see any similarity between it and some of Macdonalds other works eg: NGL ?

 

There is an extensive profile of Yale on this site that captures the thrill of the course but is out-of-date as far as conditioning is concerned.  Since this profile was done Scott Ramsey has done a fabulous job of bringing the course back to the shape it deserves to be in.  Ran and other GCA'ers' credit Seth Raynor as the architect rather than MacDonald, although I am not sure whether Yale itself has taken this position yet.  As to comparisons to other MacDonald/Raynor courses I've played recently, which unfortunately does not include NGLA, its pretty unique because of the nature of the very hilly site it's set on.  It's hands down better than the Old White at the Greenbrier which has the standard set of MacDonald/Raynor holes but none of the drama of Yale.  I played Fox Chapel (Raynor) last summer which I thought was fantastic.

[Kevin Pallier]

Ran and other GCA'ers' credit Seth Raynor as the architect rather than MacDonald, although I am not sure whether Yale itself has taken this position yet.

Phil:
My apologies for not highlighting Seth Raynor's influence at Yale

KP

[Tim Gavrich]

I echo all things said about Yale.  I'm playing it on Saturday in a match, and am extremely excited to kick some winged-beaver teeth (Avon Old Farms mascot), as well as Hopkins.  I'm a big fan of visual intimidation on a golf course, and yale has it in spades.  It is also really excellent in the fact that one can hit 14-16 greens and still shoot 74-78.  Incomparable atmosphere too.

I love Newport CC as well, because it is the purest golf course I've ever played in terms of letting Mother Nature dictate play.  The ultimate match play golf course I've played.  Without any really influential trees, it has some extremely intriguing tee shots, and the bunkers are splendid.

Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, because it's so well routed (#9 doesn't bother me at all; I love the walk to the tee and to the 10th tee), and because one 'discovers' many holes; the scenery between greens and tees is very pleasant.  Again, excellent visual intimidation, but it's not brutally difficult by any means.

[Phil Benedict]

I echo all things said about Yale.  I'm playing it on Saturday in a match

You lucky devil!  Need a fourth?  Good weather forecast too.

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