After 27 holes at Ballyneal I feel pretty confident in saying that I have barely experienced the greens at all. . . There is so much movement, so many rolls, bumps, hills, slopes, etc. that I'd imagine you'd have to play 50 rounds out there before you had a good feel for what those greens are about.
I thought the greens were amazing.
The most fun, the best playing, most interesting, imaginative greens I've ever seen. And to be honest, it isn't even close.
-Ted
Ted, putting you on the spot: how do you like Ballyneal overall compared to Shinnecock Hills?
Funny you should ask . . .
I just met my buddy who belongs to Shinnecock for a few drinks on Friday.
And I told him that while Shinnecock had always been mentioned as my "clear cut #1", I'd now had a change of heart.
I'll try to answer as straight forward as I can.
Shinnecock is no longer my clear cut #1.
Ballyneal is, without a question in my mind, worthy of being mentioned at the same level.
And it is the only course that I've played that I'll say that about.
One more round of golf to play in my life, Shinnecock or Ballyneal?
Ballyneal
10 rounds to split between the two?
5-5
One course to play for the rest of my life, travel location not included?
Ballyneal
One course to play for the rest of my life, everything included?
Shinnecock
Best par 3 between both courses?
Shinnecock 11 v Ballyneal 15 - wow thats tough . . .
Best par 4 between them?
Shinnecock any of them v Ballyneal #6 - Ballyneal, maybe my personal favorite par 4 ever - from the way back tee.
Best par 5 between them
Shinnecock #16 v Ballyneal any of them - Shinnecock.
I love both courses and I hope I answered the question.
-Ted