Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Scott_Burroughs on July 29, 2005, 10:34:10 AM
-
Back in February, I posted a bunch of pics of Gil Hanse's
Boston GC, taken last year by Mark Fine while construction
and grow-in were still going on.
This was that thread:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forums2/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=16641
A couple weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to get a chance
to play Boston GC, and I took some pics. From the previous
thread, Mark didn't know many of the hole numbers, but now
I know them and will sprinkle a few of his pics in with mine to
fill in a gap or two and show the difference between
construction and finished product.
The course is divided into two sections, with the front nine of
the west side of Cushing Ave, and the back nine on the east
side. The property is on the severe side, with several
wetlands areas that had to be dealt with, but Gil did a great
job incorporating this into the design. Because of this
severity and some of the resulting fairway contours, a
number of the fairways and greens surrounds reminded me of
some of Mike Strantz' stuff in NC and VA.
The course is a par 71 at 7015 yards.
#1 par 5, 521 yards. Tee shot blind to landing area:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b01a.jpg)
With a big drive, do you go for it (death all around) or lay up
down below over the bunker?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b01b.jpg)
The approach to the green (don't go in those front bunkers), with the previously-discussed mounds around the green:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b01c.jpg)
#1 green with buried elephant:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b01d.jpg)
#2, par 4 418. Uphill with rock outcroppings. Reminds me of Strantz' Tot Hill Farm.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b02a.jpg)
Approach from left side. You can't see it from here, but
missing the green left is not good, where a deep swale lies.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b02b.jpg)
A pretty wild green (swale behind me):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b02c.jpg)
#3, par 4 430. Ideal drive is over the right side of the bunker on the left....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b03a.jpg)
Because from the middle or right, you must fly it to the green that falls away from you:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b03b.jpg)
From the left, this is the bounce-on ramp that feeds onto the fallaway green.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b03c.jpg)
#4 par 4 438. From Mark's pics, I think this is of #4 fairway bunker, but I didn't get any pics otherwise.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/bgc11.jpg)
#5 par 4, 311. The driveable par 4 with the "controversial"
green. The tiny sliver of a green is about on line with the tall-
yet-sparse tree on the right.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b05a.jpg)
A short drive on the right leaves an awkward pitch:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b05b.jpg)
From farther left (Mark pic), the pitch is more open, but
distance control is premium, as the green is only 9 paces deep:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/bgc02.jpg)
The tiny green, where long (right) is not good:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b05c.jpg)
The picturesque short #6, 165 yards:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b06.jpg)
#7, par 4 460:
last year:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/bgc03.jpg)
now:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b07a.jpg)
Approach, bunker on right is 80+ yards short of green...:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b07b.jpg)
And between that bunker and the green is a swale and another bunker:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b07c.jpg)
#8, par 3 232:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b08.jpg)
(Mark pic) pretty wide open approach, though blind from tee:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/bgc05.jpg)
#9, par 4, 458:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b09a.jpg)
another wild green (nasty pin placement, though hard to see):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b09b.jpg)
(Mark pic) looking back from green:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/bgc06.jpg)
gotta run some errands, will be back this afternoon to do back nine....
-
Scott- thanks for the pictures. Those are great. You can see a little Pine Valley, a little Brookline, a little Strantz and a lot of Boston Golf Club.
Thanks again for the pics.
-
This course looks amazing! Any course you would compare it to?
-
Course looks super. I need to go up make a special trip up there to play. Who do I call.
-
Thanks for the pictures, Scott.
It really looks like some fabulous things are going on out there, and I LOVE that tiny green.
However, I have to scratch my head at the blind 232 par three...is it really hidden behind mounds and tall fescues as much as the picture indicates?
-
The green looks big enough to handle it. Maybe the architect could have had the hole play from a raised tee such as Mr. Trump/Fazio employs? Actually reminds me of one of my favorite par threes very blind #10 at Friar's Head.
-
And now for the back nine on the east side of the road....
#10 par 4, 412. Approach (after blind tee shot...no more
than a 3-wood is needed here). Green falls from front left to back right:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b10a.jpg)
#11 par 3, 188 Crossing the wetlands area to a green with a big ridge in it:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b11a.jpg)
and the ridge...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b11b.jpg)
#12 par 4, 430. Just as on #11 at Hanse's French Creek,
another rock wall is in use. Tee shot should aim through the
center of the opening:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b12a.jpg)
to a wicked saddle green where short or long is a tough up-and-down:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b12b.jpg)
another tough green and a 'yikes' pin position:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b12c.jpg)
#13 par 4 487. From farther back, that bunker beyond the
tee doesn't look like much:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b13a.jpg)
But a little closer and it's gets much bigger. They decided
that the fairway at the bottom was not in play, so they used
it for sod elsewhere.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b13b.jpg)
Approach to a boomerang green that bends around that hump on the left some:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b13c.jpg)
#14 par 4 443 Dogleg right. This was the last hole to be finished, and here are Mark's pics shown during construction last year:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/bgc85.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/bgc86.jpg)
and now: (these last set of pics were taken as the sun was
setting, but there was much more light than it appears. I
haven't researched the dark settings as yet):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b14a.jpg)
Approach to fallaway green. Want to land just at or past top of ridge on right:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b14b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/bgc89.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/bgc93.jpg)
#15, par 5 560.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b15a.jpg)
under construction:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/bgc79.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/bgc80.jpg)
now:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b15b.jpg)
approach then:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/bgc82.jpg)
now (little different angle):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b15d.jpg)
the fun greens don't stop:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b15e.jpg)
#16 par 4 341. Too dark:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b16.jpg)
this is what #16 looked like last year:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/bgc84.jpg)
#17 par 5 520. Definitely reachable, here's the waste area about 200 yards in:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b17.jpg)
during daylight last year:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/bgc78.jpg)
#18 par 3 195 (yes, a par 3 finisher):
last year:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/bgc76.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/bgc77.jpg)
redanman,
As for the date stamps, I guess you're not going to like the
other ~25 courses worth of pics I have waiting to post.
Mike C,
You can see the flagstick on #8 the long par 3 from the tee,
you just can't see the very wide fairway and open green front.
-
Hamilton,
Who said anything about an elevated tee?
What elevated tees has Donald Trump designed??
Who said I didn't like the hole??? You assumed that, and you know what happens when you ass-ume!
It isn't the same as #10 Friar's Head, or even #6 Sand Hills or #8 at Maidstone. In each of those cases a fairly significant portion of the green is clearly visible from the tee.
If that picture depicts the hole accurately, all one can see over the mounds and fescue is the top of the flagstick. Is that what you see, as well??
Frankly, I love the way Gil Hanse always pushes the envelope in course architecture. Sometimes it works great, other times not so great, but there is a a real sense of spirit of adventure and fun on his courses. His courses require thought and discovery and a sense of playfulness and creativity to negotiate.
So, I'm trying to understand from someone who has been there if the hole is actually as blind as it appears, especially on a hole requiring such a lengthy shot.
Your Trump/Fazio hard-on really doesn't become you. ;)
-
holy cow - these are simply amazing. WOW!
I'd like to see Gil get Bandon #4 ;)
-
I forgot to post the proposed routing, which is pretty close to
the real thing. The bunkering is different in a lot of places.
The lighter green areas are the wetlands.
Front nine at left (west).
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/foodstat/Boston%20GC/mypics/b_routing.jpg)
I'd like to see Gil get Bandon #4 ;)
Yeah, me too.
-
I grew up in Hingham (my parents still live there) and am pretty familar with the property on which Boston GC was built. It is amazing to me that someone could actually have walked that raw, undeveloped land (and the neighboring property where Black Rock now sits) and think to themselves "This site could make for a great course." I can't even begin to fathom the kind of imagination and vision it would take to make that leap of faith. Developing a course in the open plains of Nebraska or along the coast of Oregon is one thing, but creating what Hanse has accomplished at Boston GC is really incredible.
-
These pictures remind me lot of Mike Strantz. I"ve never played one of Gil's courses... I can't wait for the opportunity!
-
Course looks super. I need to go up make a special trip up there to play. Who do I call.
Hamilton,
Pm me off line. BTW, if you're interested, seeing a few nice courses on LI next week.
-
Thanks Scott for the pictures. Great stuff. I like the idea of trying to hit a 213 yard shot when all I can see is the flagstick. Now playing as a member weekly there, I am not so sure it would be that much fun.
It is great to see how a Hanse course is properly maintained. Makes me want to throw rocks at the maintenance people at Rustic Canyon. And there are plenty of rocks to pick up for throwing.
What is the slope and rating? Looks hard. Why the par 3 finish? Bet the members are already discussing reversing nines if they come back to the clubhouse.
-
Boston GC looks fantastic!
My hat's off to Gil and Jim, and all involved, including Gil's old associate Rodney Hine who's now the superintendent at Boston GC. I'm sure the course archtiecture will be enhanced and extremely well-preserved with Rodney's daily involvement at Boston.
Good stuff.
-
What is the slope and rating? Looks hard. Why the par 3
finish? Bet the members are already discussing reversing
nines if they come back to the clubhouse.
Don't know the slope and rating, it's not on the card if it in
fact has been rated yet, but I'd bet it's up there. Wouldn't
surprise me if it's in the 74.0 140 range.
The par 3 18th will be right under the future clubhouse, which
will be back right of 18th green. 9th green is on the other
side of the road, perhaps 150-200 yards away or more.
Jeff,
I met Rodney and he's a very nice guy.
-
From the Massachusetts Golf Association web site:
BACK 138/137/138 73.2/36.6/36.6
CHAMPIONSHIP 141/140/142 75.0/37.4/37.6
MEMBER 133/132/134 71.4/35.5/35.9
-
75.0 and 141 from tips...I knew it would be pretty high, and that's a 75.0 at par 71....
-
nice pictures and the course looks great too!
-
Scott,
Did you get over to take a look at Black Rock?
Best Regards,
Anthony Pioppi
-
Scott,
Did you get over to take a look at Black Rock?
Best Regards,
Anthony Pioppi
No, didn't make it next door.
-
Lynn , why would members worry about a par-3 finish? It was the only way to get back to the clubhouse, and no. 9 ends across the road. Besides, it works for Pasatiempo, Garden City, Homestead, East Lake, Desert Mountain-Geronimo, Binghamton CC, Pittsburgh Field Club and Myopia Hunt. (I'd add Congressional-Blue, but they do have a problem with it). Besides, anyone who joins Boston GC and is a friend of John Mineck is not the kind of person to worry about stuff like that.
-
Brad,
Myopia Hunt ends with a par four ;) but I agree wholeheartedly with your point - no problem ending with a par three.
Mark
-
I'm impressed :)
-
The green contours look fantastic. How fast are the greens? I can't imagine what some of the putts would be if they had it over 10.
-
However, I have to scratch my head at the blind 232 par three...is it really hidden behind mounds and tall fescues as much as the picture indicates?
Mike:
The tee shot on 8 was one of my favorite on the course . . . it's a serious gut check to hit a long iron or hybrid to a blind green when you're just looking at the top of the pin. Even though the scene is picturesque it really makes you focus and commit to the shot.
The hole also has great balance as it's very generous up by the green, unless you hit it so far right that you're off the side of 9 tee.
Jason
-
The hole also has great balance as it's very generous up by the green, unless you hit it so far right that you're off the side of 9 tee.
Jason,
If you recall when we played Boston together, just over the 9th tee is exactly where I ended up! ;) ;D
It's a very cool hole on a great course.
-
Scott:
Did you get any photos of 13 green, especially it's back left horeshoe? Either this visit or last year?
BGC has quite a unique set of 18 greens, one of the most diverse and potentially maddening I've played (in other words they're near perfect).
Was the front right portion of 3 green holding anything? From you photo it looks like it was middle left, as I recall we played it to a front right pin and everything released down and off the right side of that green.
Jason
-
Very cool - you will never get bored playing it - but I could see one tough day at the course if you're not at the top of your game.
-
BTW, I don't think there's a more ideal place to play an Autumnal round of golf than BGC. For such a young course it feels like it's been there for decades.
As everyone can see from the photos BGC is a visual feast, however, what takes it over the top for me is how it winds and twists across the property. There's tons of roll and ground game options around the green but also lots of heroic carry options.
For example, the 17th "American Chestnut" is 520 yards with a blind uphill tee shot that doglegs left. Severe woods guard the inside left side of the hole but if you challange that side with a strong drive you catch a slope and roll well down into go for it in 2 range.
I hit it so far off the tee by using that speed slot, in fact, I nearly hit it into the right side fairway bunker and as I remember only had 6 or 7 iron into the green. I think I still made par as my approach to the back right portion of the green came up short and rolled back down a slope.
For those that prefer a course to set up "out in front of you" BGC will drive you nuts ;D ;D, which really makes me chuckle because the only players that ever say that are scratch to plus golfers!!! Who, interestingly, are the ones who need to see where they're going the least.
-
I got a chance to play Boston Golf Club a few weeks ago and I must stand in line behind the others singing the praises of the golf course. It is both fun and hard as nails. But- it is hard without dictating to you how to play. There are choices to be made and room to play. Your short game needs to be as sharp as your ball striking. I would love the opportunity to play BGC as my home course as my game would get much sharper (or alternatively I would quit and take up up the tuba :) ).
There are a couple of spots that might need modification such as the approach to #13 I think the green does not accept shots very well but overall this place is a home run!
-
The hole also has great balance as it's very generous up by the green, unless you hit it so far right that you're off the side of 9 tee.
Jason,
If you recall when we played Boston together, just over the 9th tee is exactly where I ended up! ;) ;D
It's a very cool hole on a great course.
Ahh, I knew there was a reason I knew long right was trouble!