The greens at the West course of Merion

[mike_malone]

  Small greens are so much more demanding particularly when the surrounds are challenging as well. The internal variety was a treat as well. Since the idea that putts were hard to read got into my head the need to get close became paramount. This just put more pressure on the short game, which in my case was not up to it. Bunker shots had to be precise or you went across to the other side and likely down a hill.

   There are quite a few greens that don't allow a runup as well.

[JNC Lyon]

Mayday,

Cool thread, especially since I'm getting the opportunity to play Merion West in the near future.

Small greens are a blast if they are done well.  I also think they are a double-edged sword in that if a golfer is hitting the ball solidly, he will be rewarded big time with short birdie putts all day.

If the greens are small, the key seems to be VARIETY--variety in the contours, variety in the hazards, variety in the greensite placement.

[Joe Bausch]

This photo album is from about 2 years ago, this time of the early spring:

http://www.myphillygolf.com/uploads/bausch/MerionWest/index.html

[mike_malone]

 Thanks, Joe. Your album shows it all.

    I'm thinking this may be the second best course in Delaware County.

[Dan Herrmann]

After?

[Dan Boerger]

As always, I'll leave the rankings to others, but this is an interesting topic IMO. First off, a small green can be a wonderful and challenging thing. And MW greens do both quite often. The 5th hole on that course may be the best of both courses!

Inherent with a small green are limited pin positions and potential traffic issues. That's one of the reasons, however, I generally prefer larger green complexes for a course I play very frequently.

[Mark McKeever]

That stretch of holes 6-8 is a perfect represenation of tiny greens and their challenge. 

The drop shot par 3 looks painfully simple on a scorecard or even from photos, but the green is much more complex when you get to the bottom and see the subtle movement that's going on.  If you happen to miss this green, good luck!

Mark

[mike_malone]

 Dan,


  The third best is Merion East.

[Matt Dupre]

My son's high school team plays its home matches (and practices some) at West, and aside from providing some significant home course advantage I give it significant credit for improving their collective short games.  If you're going to score, you'd better be able to handle 75 yards and in (and I'll include number 6 within that distance).

Good high school players are generally good around the greens, but in walking around during a match last week, I saw flop shots from a yard off a green, running chips from 50 yards, a punch shot from behind a bunker and other creative shots that had me grinning.  While some didn't come off, the creativity that was displayed (and required) was fantastic.  I don't think you get that many different looks around the greens at any other course in Philadelphia.

[Joe Bausch]

Dan,


  The third best is Merion East.

Mike,

     Inniscrone is located in Chester County.  Looks like you need to re-do your list.