[Steve Lang]

   So for all the intrepid traveling golfers, how much if any did you study the routing before playing either or did you go out cold?? 


I spent ~ 4-5 hours before Ballyneal looking at pics and aerials and felt pretty good about the first taste exploring it for real, even in some gusting winds.  I remember putting away my field notes fairly quickly..  I'm wondering about SS's courses?


If you know you may not come back soon do you rather go blind for full sensory impact or prefer to study up a bit?


Just wonderin'

[Jerry Kluger]

I have told the story before that we first played Ballyneal just after it had opened.  We arrived late in the afternoon and wanted to go out and play a few holes and didn't know if we could play a full nine before dark.  The pro pointed us to the 10th tee and told us to go out and if it was getting dark just climb over one of the dunes and we will be able to make our way back - very true and very cool.  Ballyneal also doesn't have any tee markers and that is part of the fun. 

[Michael George]

I think both courses are very similar.  In fact, of all of the Doak courses that I have played, I found SS Blue and Ballyneal to be the most similar.

The obvious similarity is the greens.  Both are wild, undulating greens that are the real challenge of both courses.

However, they have several similar holes:

SS Blue 6 and Ballyneal 7 (both very drivable par 4s that are usually worth the risk)
SS Blue 13 and Ballyneal 12 (both very drivable par 4s that are very penal if you miss)
SS Blue 17 and Ballnyeal 16 (both have really challenging/entertaining 2nd shots over/through a hazard
SS Blue 5 and Ballyneal 3 - both very short par 3's

If I had to rate both, I would give the edge to Ballyneal (more use of the ground and a more intimate routing), but both are really good.

[Bill_McBride]

I think both courses are very similar.  In fact, of all of the Doak courses that I have played, I found SS Blue and Ballyneal to be the most similar.

The obvious similarity is the greens.  Both are wild, undulating greens that are the real challenge of both courses.

However, they have several similar holes:

SS Blue 6 and Ballyneal 7 (both very drivable par 4s that are usually worth the risk)
SS Blue 13 and Ballyneal 12 (both very drivable par 4s that are very penal if you miss)
SS Blue 17 and Ballnyeal 16 (both have really challenging/entertaining 2nd shots over/through a hazard
SS Blue 5 and Ballyneal 3 - both very short par 3's

If I had to rate both, I would give the edge to Ballyneal (more use of the ground and a more intimate routing), but both are really good.

If you consider Ballyneal 12 drivable you are either  bomber or playing the wrong tees!   Great hole.

[Sven Nilsen]

Bill:

That's the thing about Ballyneal, there are no wrong tees.

Sven

[Kalen Braley]

Bill:

That's the thing about Ballyneal, there are no wrong tees.

Sven

Sure there are but in the opposite direction as this scenario.

If I tried to play the tips there it would be fun for no one....

[Mike Hendren]

The difference (perhaps two "points" on any scale imho) is largely attributable to the canvas the architect had to work with.  One is the serendipitous creation of industry while the other is the handiwork of God. 
 
Mike

[Sven Nilsen]

Bill:

That's the thing about Ballyneal, there are no wrong tees.

Sven

Sure there are but in the opposite direction as this scenario.

If I tried to play the tips there it would be fun for no one....

Kalen:

How can you have the wrong tees when there are no tee markers?

Sven

[Kalen Braley]

Bill:

That's the thing about Ballyneal, there are no wrong tees.

Sven

Sure there are but in the opposite direction as this scenario.

If I tried to play the tips there it would be fun for no one....

Kalen:

How can you have the wrong tees when there are no tee markers?

Sven

if I played from the tips, aka, the last mowed tee box, on a few holes I doubt I could make the carry to the fairway depending on the wind.

It would be the "wrong tee box" for me even if there are no actual tees.

[Sven Nilsen]

Have you played there?

[Kalen Braley]

Have you played there?

Yes Sven, that was why I made the comment!    (I was thinking 10, 13, and even maybe 15 off the top of my head)

Streamsong however is still on my wish list the next time I get to Florida.

[Sven Nilsen]

The reason I asked is because you're showing a surprising lack of understanding of the ethos of the place.

[Bill_McBride]

The reason I asked is because you're showing a surprising lack of understanding of the ethos of the place.

I'm not sure how ethos and self knowledge of how far you can carry a tee shot naturally correlate.


When I was there the one time I generally played more forward tees than the flat bellies I went with and it worked out very well. 


Ballyneal is so much fun it's hard to go wrong from any tees one chooses. 

[Jason Thurman]

I don't think there's anything about Kalen's preferring tees from which he is physically capable of carrying the ball to the fairway that runs contrary to the ethos of the place. There are some VERY long carries to fairways on a few holes if you know where to look to find the way back tees.


That said, there are no wrong tees at Ballyneal. Only wrong golfers.

[Kalen Braley]

Sven,

I loved Ballyneal, I don't think its a case of lack of ethos. Its as Bill said, its about understanding your limitations and making the round enjoyable for you and the group.

No one wants to spend the day looking for balls among the yucca...just have fun!!

[Sven Nilsen]

Sven,

I loved Ballyneal, I don't think its a case of lack of ethos. Its as Bill said, its about understanding your limitations and making the round enjoyable for you and the group.

No one wants to spend the day looking for balls among the yucca...just have fun!!

Kalen:

If there's one club out there where I couldn't imagine someone being forced to play a distance that they weren't comfortable with, its Ballyneal.  That's what I meant.

Sven

[Kalen Braley]

Sven,

I loved Ballyneal, I don't think its a case of lack of ethos. Its as Bill said, its about understanding your limitations and making the round enjoyable for you and the group.

No one wants to spend the day looking for balls among the yucca...just have fun!!

Kalen:

If there's one club out there where I couldn't imagine someone being forced to play a distance that they weren't comfortable with, its Ballyneal.  That's what I meant.

Sven

Fair enough Sven, that makes sense in that context.

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