Long Cove Club

« **on:** December 06, 2003, 02:00:13 AM »

Has anyone played at Long Cove Club in Hilton Head? I would like to hear what people have to say about it.

Thanks in advance.

« **Reply #1 on:** December 06, 2003, 09:49:46 AM »

Evan--

Long Cove is not what you would expect considering the designer (Pete Dye) and the period in which it was built (early '80s.) It's doesn't look much like the TPC at Sawgrass at all with very few railroad ties. The course is pretty tight from tree line to tree line (or marsh line in some cases.) The thing that stood out most to me at Long Cove were the greens. They are pretty severe not only back to front tilt but also in internal contouring. The greens make up the real difficulty at Long Cove for the better player as they will most likely not be hitting drivers off many tees. The greens at 2, 3, 8, 14 and 18 are particularly good, although some may think 8 is too severe.

As far as individual holes, the 3rd hole is a mid length par 5 that swings around a water hazard that runs the length of the left side of the hole that dares you to be brave (crazy.) I also liked the short par 4 5th hole even though I know there are some that despise it because of the mound at the front right of the green. I also like the 14th hole that swings around the marsh to an excellent green complex that seems always leave difficult chip shots. This hole may appeal to me more because Pete seemed to always use this particular type of hole as the finisher and used it here when the land gave him a perfect opportunity. The 18th is a really good finisher if only for the great green.

The other issue at Long Cove that I've encountered is that the greens are notoriously firm and the player needs to get accustomed to it. Definitely expect a good shot to take one nice hop at least, similar to what was happening at NGLA this past fall as an example.

I think Tom Doak worked on the crew at Long Cove and may be able to give some further insight into what some of the thought processes were in the design. Long Cove is an excellent course that is worth playing.

« **Reply #2 on:** December 06, 2003, 09:53:56 AM »

Fully concur. I like it much more than Harbour Town.

« **Reply #3 on:** December 06, 2003, 11:17:07 AM »

Trice concur with Lou and Adam.

Tom did work there full-time with Bobby Weed and a few other guys who worked for Pete. Pete was on-site alot, a la Kiawah. I played there in 1985 with Tom in the winter.

I think the first is one very superb starting hole, esp when we are talking issues of wide fairway width and your next approach into the well designed green.

RT

« **Reply #4 on:** December 06, 2003, 12:01:03 PM »

I would agree with those who claim this course is better than Harbour Town. There is actually some elevation change and fairway movement (I assume man-made). Not nearly as claustraphobic too.

I concure witht the 3rd and 14th being excellent holes. Par-4 #7 is probably my favorite. There is nice variety in the par-3's too (unlike Harbour Town). In fact the enitre course shows good variety with the early holes paralleling a water course, then moving into some rolling area, out to the open marsh, etc.

« **Reply #5 on:** December 06, 2003, 12:24:29 PM »

I think it went for $510 ($410?) in the Villanova auction

« **Reply #6 on:** December 06, 2003, 05:02:12 PM »

I'll be here in 2 weeks...I'll report then

« **Reply #7 on:** December 07, 2003, 01:24:49 AM »

Anthony,

Can you get the various grass species that are at Long Cove?

Would be curious if Bahiagrass is still in the roughs.

Thanks

RT

« **Reply #8 on:** December 07, 2003, 07:15:42 AM »

RT....No problem at all.

« **Reply #9 on:** December 07, 2003, 07:40:08 AM »

From what I understand, Long Cove is as different from TPC as The Golf Club is from Crooked Stick....any thoughts?

« **Reply #10 on:** December 07, 2003, 08:32:55 AM »

Anthony,

If you squint your eyes in places Long Cove resembles in various places TPC Sawgrass Players' Course. Very interesting greens complexes with shadily evident contours moving.

The Golf Club in a world of its own, just like Teeth of the Dog Cajuilles Course. Depends on the site-person/shaper Pete had on-site to build it with him.

RT

« **Reply #11 on:** December 07, 2003, 03:50:33 PM »

Thanks everyone for your input- Anthony- I look forward to hearing your report in a few weeks with great anticipation

« **Reply #12 on:** December 07, 2003, 05:06:09 PM »

Redanman,
Not having seen either The Golf Club or Long Cove I can't make a direct comparison, I'm going on what I know. I do know that Long Cove is not a typical Pete Dye course....was he trying to get a low country feel? Trying to make it feel as though it was there a while when it opened? Generally speaking, any information that you have about LC would be great.

« **Reply #13 on:** December 07, 2003, 06:01:10 PM »

Anthony,

One of the things you will see on holes 7 and 8, (maybe 6 too?? if I can recall) is a massive, and I mean massive, rising slope to the left of these holes that creates the largest berm to hide the adjoing road. It effectively blocks out the noise too from the cars on the road of reaching the golf course.

From the road you can plainly see the abrupt slope, whereas on the golf course side the slope does rise and if you are not looking for it you'll just carry on playing without much reflection why this enormous "structure" is there, in those lowlands!

RT

« **Reply #14 on:** December 08, 2003, 08:54:41 AM »

The risk reward par 4 does not have the low country feel. It has several buried elephants creating a semi blind shot to the green if you drive the ball long and straight...similar to the mound in front of a hole at Old Marsh. I liked that hole and it reminded me of a mound at #17 Cruden Bay. I cant remember any of the hole #'s off hand but I will look them up tonight. I also have plenty of pics if needed.

Great cape hole after a wondefully scenic and hard hole if the wind is up, par 3. The trees adding strategy around the greens for approaches is noticeble at LC and HT. NIce par 5's too.

I too liked this course better that HT. The #2 par three is similar to HT. Altohugh I thought at HT that their were two par threes there that are similar except for being flipped/kinda mirrored.

« **Reply #15 on:** December 08, 2003, 10:32:07 AM »

Any possibilities that you can post some pics?

« **Reply #16 on:** December 08, 2003, 11:11:49 AM »

I can do so but I need to email them to get posted...I dont have a way to host them.

« **Reply #17 on:** December 08, 2003, 11:13:17 AM »

I can also post the holes I spoke of for comparison...Old Marsh...HT and LC. I can also post other courses of interest.

« **Reply #18 on:** December 08, 2003, 04:40:48 PM »

Long Cove is the best golf course on Hilton Head Island. Matt highlighted some of the best aspects and holes of the course. I always enjoyed the variety of holes found on the course. No one mentioned how Dye left some big oak trees near some of the greens (#4, 11, 12, and 15) that force players to position shots so the tree(s) are not such a problem. These holes remind me of a few of the Harbour Town holes. My favorite hole at LC was always the par 5, 6th. A terrific risk/reward dogleg w/hazard to a long narrow elevated green.

My only criticism of the course would be that a few greens (#3 and #8) were far too severe. The 8th hole was almost unfair because a good shot was often rejected and the back shelf of the green was way too small.

In general Long Cove is an unconventional "Low Country" course that requires some repeat play to learn the green complexes well enough to get below the hole and score well.

Is Long Cove still #1 in SC according to the GD ratings? If you can play LC, don't miss it. BTW, try to play Colletton River Plantation if possible. An underrated Nicklaus design.

« **Reply #19 on:** December 08, 2003, 06:17:52 PM »

Russell,

I echo your thoughts on Long Cove..

I played the course last August and enjoyed the course particularly the first hole.. The strategy at 5... hmmmm and the 13th stand out aswell. I noticed you were wondering about the Bahiagrass. I know Steven Wright the head super, fairly well.. I'll private message you his email and you can ask direct..

Anthony.. I have many pics.. send me your email and I'll send a couple through.

James

« **Reply #20 on:** December 08, 2003, 06:50:29 PM »

Long Cove's website is www.longcoveclubhhi.com if anyone is interested

« **Reply #21 on:** December 08, 2003, 08:08:31 PM »

From their website that picture of #2 looks like a super intimidating par 3.

I would love to see more pictures of this course. The only pictures I have ever seen have been of the blind par 4 hole (which seems like a very interesting hole).

« **Reply #22 on:** December 08, 2003, 08:29:26 PM »

Yes, #2 is very intimidating in person too! The green is set diagonally with a narrow green shoehorned between the mounds and sand behind it. If you play safe to the right, it is a tough two-putt across and down the green that slopes a lot to the left.

The par 3, 13th is one of the better short 3's I've played. It is almost an island green (actually a skinny little peninsula) by the coastal waterway.

The par 3 17th is a photogenic Low Country hole over water to a green set amidst tall pines.

Long Cove must be one of Dye's better courses.

« **Reply #23 on:** December 08, 2003, 09:12:48 PM »

IMHO, a very nice Pete Dye course, but definately a shade below the TPC, Harbour Town, Pete Dye Club, and Whistling Straits. Maybe in the next tier of his efforts.

« **Reply #24 on:** December 09, 2003, 04:41:29 AM »

Paul,

Why do you think Harbour Town is in a higher category to Long Cove?

I've been to both and I'm not convinced it is.. I'm genuinely interested in your thoughts and comments for and against.

I thought the strategic merit of LC, outweighed HT..

James Edwards

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