National Golf Links of America (NGLA) was an “unbelievable” experience. Whilst I did not play it - I had the opportunity to study it by walking the routing and garner an appreciation of the architecture on offer in greater detail.
None of CB Macdonald’s template holes felt forced or out of place – the land and routing is exquisite and if there was one course that I wish I could go back too most this may well be it. How could one ever tire or get bored from playing it ?
It begins with a wicked greensite, and is followed up by a Sahara, an Alps, a Redan, a Hogs back, a Short, a “Road Hole” etc. I felt the F9 was much better than the B9 which for mine primarily got strong from around the Cape hole 14th inwards.
Holes I noted:
1st = “Valley” a short P4 of around 320yds with a green that was aptly put to me by Ed Getka as a “squashed elephant” with a rise and ridges off to all corners. If this hole doesn’t get your juices flowing I don’t know what will.
4th = “Redan” This 195yd P3 might even be better than the original. I could play this hole all day long given its angles.
6th = this “Short” downhill P3 of 140yds is a lovely exposed hole and I’m surprised there aren’t more of these “great” holes built.
7th = I never thought the St. Andrews “Road Hole” could be replicated but this 480yd effort gives a good account of itself. There is the drive across a hazard, and a greensite protected by one lone front bunker. Whilst the difficulties over the back aren’t as impressive as the original at TOC - the hole at NGLA is pretty good all the same.
8th = “Bottle” is a fantastic P4 of around 420yds with a split fairway by centreline bunkers and wonderful perched greensite.
13th = I couldn’t see many similar characteristics with the “Eden” at TOC other than length 170yds ? Probably the only standout “weaker hole” at NGLA for mine if I was being overtly critical.
14th = “Cape” I love this hole as I love the 2nd at North Berwick with the NGLA one being distinctly shorter and I believe the hazard distinctly reduced overtime ?
16th = this uphill “Punchbowl” of 404yds was interesting. I don’t know what was with the “hairy” grass mound in the middle of the bunker short of the green ? It looked a bit overdone for mine. The collection within the green was superb though.
17th = “Peconic” a classic risk v reward hole at 375yds downhill. Take the easier right hand drive for a longer and more difficult approach over a mound to a green that receives a ball better from the shorter but more difficult left hand side. A superb hole.
Having seen a lot of the original “template” holes throughout GB&I it was great to see Macdonald’s versions. What a study in architecture – the course and clubhouse are absolute National Treasures.
I think Ran sums up NGLA's impact as well as one can – “Is there any disappointing aspect to The National Links? Yes, that subsequent architects evidently failed to appreciate many of its design merits. “