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Jim Hoak

  • Karma: +1/-0
Friar's Head
« on: June 09, 2011, 12:32:29 PM »
I just got back from a golf trip to Eastern Long Island, where I played Atlantic, Shinnecock, National and Maidstone.  I enjoyed all of them, especially Shinnecock, which I have played a few times before and consider one of the five best courses I have played in this country.  It was glorious despite the unusually high wind.
While I was there, I heard from three or four separate people that they had just played Friar's Head, and all of them raved about it.  Some said it was better than any other course on Long Island.  I have obviously heard about it before, and many people I know say it is Crenshaw/Coore's best.  But I have never played nor seen it.  I  know it has been discussed on this site many times before.
My questions are--Is it really that good?  Really better than Shinnecock? (Hard to believe.)  Is it worth a trip back across the country just to play it?  How hard is access to get on it?  Impossible without a member?  Any other thoughts?
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Keith OHalloran

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2011, 12:48:09 PM »
Jim,
I would hesitate before saying anything is better than Shinnecock, however Friar's Head is a spectacular golf course. It feels like you have left Long Island for a few hours. It has been reviewed here before, so I won't do that, But I would recommend you play it if given the chance. I can't offer any advice on how to get that shot.
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michael damico

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2011, 01:06:04 PM »
Jim,

I went out and played Friar's Head a day after playing Yale; a week before walking NGLA and Piping Rock. I have walked Sand Hills and Colorado National both before playing Friar's Head. I was sort of up in the air about it, but think it's a great course. I just should have seen that before Sand Hills, in retrospect.

I would say to take a trip, but enjoy other courses on the island, not just take a cross country trip for Friar's alone when in the company of other spectacular courses.
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"without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible"
                                                                -fz

Matt OBrien

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2011, 01:13:37 PM »
I have played friars head I would have have to say that it is right up there with the other courses out there. I love the concept of no tee markers and no yardage. I would love to play there when the wind is not blowing so hard but I am just glad that I got to see it once.
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michael damico

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2011, 01:17:17 PM »
Matt,

the no yardage markers - only the hand drawn yardage book drawn by Bill Coore, no tees and not one rake is an awesome concept. Make the game as raw as it can get. Definitely an experience on a nice piece of property (once out of the old potato farm land) with a great workforce that was more than accommodating.
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"without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible"
                                                                -fz

John Kirk

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #5 on: June 09, 2011, 01:45:01 PM »
Michael,

Are you sure Bill Coore drew the yardage book.  I thought the well-known GCA contributor Tommy Naccarato was responsible for that book.

Friar's Head is very nice, the whole being better than the sum of its parts.  Great walk through the property.
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michael damico

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #6 on: June 09, 2011, 02:24:34 PM »
I'm sorry about promoting 'facts' I was told by one of the caddy shop boys; I'm sure I was mis-informed and again am sorry about not giving Mr. Naccarato credit, he well deserves.
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"without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible"
                                                                -fz

K. Krahenbuhl

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2011, 02:40:18 PM »
In my opinion Friar's Head is definitely worth the trip alone and it can stand up to its nearby company.  To date I think that it is my favorite modern course that I have played.
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Bill_McBride

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #8 on: June 09, 2011, 03:43:41 PM »
Quote from: John Kirk on June 09, 2011, 01:45:01 PM
Michael,

Are you sure Bill Coore drew the yardage book.  I thought the well-known GCA contributor Tommy Naccarato was responsible for that book.

Friar's Head is very nice, the whole being better than the sum of its parts.  Great walk through the property.

Tommy was working on a yardage book but I don't know if it ever was completed.   When I played my one round in 2007, there was no book, no markers, the caddy gave yardages based on hieroglyphics on sprinkler heads.   He was pretty good.

It's really a terrific course but I would rank it behind Pacific Dunes, Old Mac and Ballyneal of the modern courses I've played.   I do think it's the best C&C course I've played, with Bandon Trails right behind (haven't been to Sand Hills.)
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Patrick_Mucci

Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #9 on: June 09, 2011, 04:06:40 PM »
Don't forget that Tommy Nacarrato also designed the logo.

Friar's Head is a wonderful golf course, and just as important, Ken Bakst is attempting to change the culture of golf at Friar's Head.
A change for the better.

If  you're on the East End, North or South Fork, you should try to play Friar's Head, Laurel Links and other nearby courses.

The East End is quite unique when it comes to golf.
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Adam Clayman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #10 on: June 09, 2011, 04:14:48 PM »
Its my Cypress Point on the East coast. Sadly, Sebonack is the only other course I have played on LI.
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"It's unbelievable how much you don't know about the game you've been playing your whole life." - Mickey Mantle

Garland Bayley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #11 on: June 09, 2011, 05:15:04 PM »
Quote from: Adam Clayman on June 09, 2011, 04:14:48 PM
Its my Cypress Point on the East coast. Sadly, Sebonack is the only other course I have played on LI.

Adam,

You're breaking my freaking heart!
 :'(
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"I enjoy a course where the challenges are contained WITHIN it, and recovery is part of the game  not a course where the challenge is to stay ON it." Jeff Warne

Pete Lavallee

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #12 on: June 09, 2011, 05:16:23 PM »
Quote from: Bill_McBride on June 09, 2011, 03:43:41 PM
(haven't been to Sand Hills.)

That's refreshing to hear  Bill, as I though I was the only one on this board not to have played there yet!
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"...one inoculated with the virus must swing a golf-club or perish."  Robert Hunter

Jim Eder

Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #13 on: June 09, 2011, 05:25:54 PM »
It saddens me that photography (for personal use) on the premises is forbidden. I honestly do not understand the differences between the great courses of the US and the UK on policies like this. The piece in Golf Digest this month I believe has it spot on with regard to sharing treasures.  It is sad that treasures can't be shared with others who cherish them whether via access (if you aren't fortunate enough to know a member) or via pictures.  I totally support no cellphones etc but I just can't understand the picture rule.  I know it is not the only club that does this but personally it doesn't make sense.  Muirfield has some very important members and they allow ordinary Americans on their great links. Yet here in the states the elitism/protectionism is extraordinary.  I was wondering if anyone was going to post about the Golf Digest/access to the greats piece. I guess most of us are able to get access so it isn't really a big deal for many people on here.  But for the golfer who loves golf, loves architecture, loves tradition but isn't lucky enough to be "connected" they will not be able to even get a glimpse of a photo of some great courses yet alone actually be able to play the course and enjoy the genius of the great courses.

I wish I had photos of my one playing of this incredible course but sadly I don't and now after this post I will probably be banned from playing Friar's Head ever again.............................................  :(
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mike_malone

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #14 on: June 09, 2011, 05:54:27 PM »
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,42027.0.html

   I thought this was a lively discussion.
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AKA Mayday

Joel_Stewart

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #15 on: June 09, 2011, 06:11:25 PM »
Here is Rans write up.

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/friars-head/

I've played all of the courses out there except for Sebonic and FH doesn't take a back seat to any of them.  I actually prefer it over Shinnecock because I just think Shinny is just too damn hard.

FH has a great selection of holes, some in the sand, others in the trees.  It's a great routing with some terrific par 3's.  #10 is all world.


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JMEvensky

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #16 on: June 09, 2011, 06:25:54 PM »
Quote from: mike_malone on June 09, 2011, 05:54:27 PM
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,42027.0.html

   I thought this was a lively discussion.

I've never played FH but I think you gave as good as you got in the discussion.Interesting to read--thanks for finding it.
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Patrick_Mucci

Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #17 on: June 09, 2011, 06:49:10 PM »
Joel,

From the proper tees, Shinnecock is not hard, it's enjoyable to play.

From the wrong tees, it's hard. ;D
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michael damico

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #18 on: June 09, 2011, 07:16:44 PM »
Quote from: Adam Clayman on June 09, 2011, 04:14:48 PM
Its my Cypress Point on the East coast. Sadly, Sebonack is the only other course I have played on LI.

And if you are comparing Sebonack to Friar's Head, yes, Friar's is Cypress East
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"without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible"
                                                                -fz

Bill_McBride

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #19 on: June 09, 2011, 07:20:43 PM »
Quote from: Pete Lavallee on June 09, 2011, 05:16:23 PM
Quote from: Bill_McBride on June 09, 2011, 03:43:41 PM
(haven't been to Sand Hills.)

That's refreshing to hear  Bill, as I though I was the only one on this board not to have played there yet!

My advice is to never turn down an invite to Sand Hills!
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Jon Spaulding

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #20 on: June 09, 2011, 07:24:01 PM »
Excellent golf course.

My least favorite part of the day was finding out they didn't have any white imperial visors.
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You'd make a fine little helper. What's your name?

Michael Moore

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #21 on: June 09, 2011, 07:59:31 PM »
Quote from: michael damico on June 09, 2011, 02:24:34 PM
I'm sorry about promoting 'facts' I was told by one of the caddy shop boys; I'm sure I was mis-informed and again am sorry about not giving Mr. Naccarato credit, he well deserves.

Michael -

You have nothing to apologize for.

The fact that the project in question is now entering its sixth or perhaps even seventh year has been a running punchline in some circles, but as a boutique producer of yardage books I am not amused.
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Metaphor is social and shares the table with the objects it intertwines and the attitudes it reconciles. Opinion, like the Michelin inspector, dines alone. - Adam Gopnik, The Table Comes First

Kevin Pallier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #22 on: June 10, 2011, 03:05:00 AM »
Quote from: Patrick_Mucci on June 09, 2011, 06:49:10 PM
Joel,

From the proper tees, Shinnecock is not hard, it's enjoyable to play.

I agree with you Patrick. As for Friars Head - I thought it was a very good course but not in the class of Sand Hills as the best C&C course I've seen.

I think also overall Shinnecock is the premier course one could hope to play on Long Island and I'd have FH behind it and NGLA.


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Ron Csigo

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #23 on: June 10, 2011, 01:46:42 PM »
Quote from: Brian Sheehy on June 10, 2011, 03:16:18 AM
I have a slot available around the 20th of October this year which I'd like to offer up to anyone who hasn't played the course and really wants to. PM me if interested.

Cheers Brian!  The spirit of GCA! 

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Playing and Admiring the Great Golf Courses of the World.

Jim Eder

Re: Friar's Head
« Reply #24 on: June 10, 2011, 02:11:56 PM »
Agreed, a wonderful gesture by Brian.  The golf course is a gem and should not be missed. Thanks Brian for giving someone a chance to learn and enjoy a fantastic golf course!!
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