Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Mark Saltzman on January 19, 2012, 10:12:45 PM
-
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Entrance.jpg)
A Majestic Old Clubhouse
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Clubhouse.jpg)
I had the privilege of playing Plainfield CC this past fall on a brief trip to NY/NJ. I was very impressed. I do not believe there has been a full photo tour, so here goes...
The Routing
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Routing.jpg)
--Routing (and several pictures) courtesy of Prof. Bausch
I was very impressed by the routing at Plainfield CC -- it gave a tremendous sense of intimacy. The front-nine coils around itself, constantly changing direction and working its way across the large ridge that slopes down, away from the clubhouse. Based on this single ridge, the front-nine has holes that play uphill, downhill, left-sloping and right-sloping.
Also of note is the 'previewing the shot' aspect, discussed a couple of times earlier on GCA:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,29282.0.html
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,43475.0.html
On the 2nd tee, you get a very good look at the entirety of the devilish 11th hole. Some of the green slopes that are not easily noticeable from the 11th tee, can be taken in by the perceptive player from the 2nd tee.
Similarly, the 7th hole has bunkering that ends well short of the green and a feeder slope that can be used, but these cannot possibly be seen from the 7th fairway. Walking past the 7th, on the 4th hole, these features are easily recognizable and a clever player (or a good caddie) will make note of this.
Lastly, the course has a great 'hub', another feature I first noticed at Old Town (how darned good is that Old Town routing!!). The 1st green, 2nd tee, 8th green, 9th tee, 11th green and 12th are all very close to each other, contributing to the sense of intimacy.
Hole 1: Par 4, 432 Yards
I will include the text from Plainfield's website detailing the recent Gil Hanse restoration work on each hole.
Webiste commentary: What a terrific opening hole and a great introduction to the course! Ross wanted the ball to move along the ground but this is a good example of a fairway that had become too narrow, so we widened it on the left side, which is the best side for approach to the green. We also expanded the collar to the right of the green. Before we did that, if you missed the green to the right you were dead. We also put in chipping areas, which give you the options of putting, chipping, pitching or hitting a high flop shot as opposed to just gouging the ball out of the rough. We also removed the trees behind the green, which is something we did on several of the holes. They were not part of the original Ross design and they provided depth perception that ran counter to Ross's philosophy.
A sign found at the first tee:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/aSign.jpg)
The tee shot on the first is a straightforward one, though it will test one's nerves. Like Merion (minus the people eating lunch), the clubhouse is hittable down the left, and golfers teeing off on the 6th to the right of the fairway will have to keep an eye-out for wayward tee balls.
Tee View:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130958.jpg)
After leaving the flat area on which the first tee and clubhouse are located, the golfer is presented with the first of many rolling fairways that make a day at Plainfield so great.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130959.jpg)
Many tee shots will find a bowl in the fairway that is about 240 yards from the tee (leaves 160ish into the green). From here the approach is partially blind and it is very difficult to get a good feel for the contouring on and short of the green.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130960.jpg)
Bombers who can carry the bowl (a carry of about 260 yards) and successfully avoid the left-hand fairway bunker are left with this approach:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130961.jpg)
A wonderful and natural greensite. The land short of the green slopes from right-to-left and towards the tee, and guess what, so does the green! Also note the depth of the greenside bunkering (something I have noticed Ross varies wonderfully). While the bunker on the left is considerably deeper than the bunker on the right, it is by far the better place to miss.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Plainfield-1approach.jpg)
The green has as much tilt as any green I've seen. Being above the hole or missing the green to the right is dead.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130964.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Plainfield-1greenright.jpg)
So much for a gimme opener. Oh yeah, missing long is worst of all:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130965.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/01behind.jpg)
-
Good on you Mark. This course needed more pub. It's the best small site routed golf course I've ever seen. It has as good a par 5's as it's "top 2 in the state" cousin in Clementon. The par 3's are inventive. I think the off-camber 6th green in genius. With you permission I'll post pics of my own when the holes come up.
-
With your permission I'll post pics of my own when the holes come up.
Ben, post away!
-
Mark,
The photos are very nice, but, they don't do the hole, and especially the green, justice.
I guess the two dimensional nature of photos eliminates depth and/or contours.
That first green is difficult, as is the drive and approach.
It's a terrific golf course.
-
Mark,
looking forward to your tour and thanks for sharing the pics.
This is a superb golf course and one I could play every weekend, weather permitting.
-
Thanks for getting this going Mark, this is a course that gets mentioned a lot on this site but I don't think I've ever seen photos.
-
Mark,
Thanks for starting this thread. The first hole reminds me of the first hole at Skokie GC here in Chicagoland, another renovated Ross, which features a brawny starter as well. The first thing that jumps out at me in these photos is the maintenance of the bluegrass around the bunkers. It looks pretty darned short. Is it kept this way or were you there right after they cut it short? With the slope of the grass face and the shortness of the grass, it doesn't look like many balls would get hung up there.
-
Thanks for the tour! I can't wait to see more. I really need to get out there and see it in person though too. 2012 list!
Mark
-
After leaving the flat area on which the first tee and clubhouse are located, the golfer is presented with the first of many rolling fairways that make a day at Plainfield so great.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130959.jpg)
Mark - First off, thanks for the tour. Plainfield was the big surprise from my NYC area golf trip last fall. I wasn't really sure what to expect but I was blown away. The course is incredibly good. After the round I kept saying that if Ross had enough rollie pollie land for three more holes (removing holes 13, 14, & 15 on the flatest portion of the course), Plainfield could be one of the best courses in the country. The ground that the other 15 holes are routed on is phenomenal and Ross used it perfectly.
Pat M. is right, the pictures do #1 no justice unfortunately. If someone knows how to use photoshop, it would be great if they could draw a line across the three distinct slopes present in the pic above. Then people might get a sense for the rolling nature of #1 (and the rest of the course).
-
I'm posting the following photo in a rather large format (use the blue slider bar please!) as I think it shows the slopes of the fw reasonably well:
(http://xchem.villanova.edu/~bausch/images/plainfield/1widea.jpg)
-
And here is view looking back at those slopes:
(http://xchem.villanova.edu/~bausch/images/plainfield/1wideb.jpg)
-
Here are the two above pics at 800 pixels wide, so no blue slider bar needed:
(http://xchem.villanova.edu/~bausch/images/plainfield/1widea.jpg)
(http://xchem.villanova.edu/~bausch/images/plainfield/1wideb.jpg)
-
Plainfield is in my top 5 "didn't know much about it before GCA but now really really want to see it" courses. And these pics just add to that.
-
Thanks Joe. The fairway mowing pattern helps pull out where the rolls in the fairway are (i.e. the lines don't match up so you know where a hill is hiding additional fairway).
That first hole is awesome. Certain spots in the fairway have clean views of a lot of the green, others if I remember correctly are almost completely blind.
Add in the ability to use the right to left slope of the green to feed balls back and left and you have one fantastic opener.
-
As mentioned in the first post, the routing gives you great sneak previews of shots to come. Standing on the second tee, you can watch golfers playing the short 11th. I watched as an entire foursome teed off on the 12th.
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,29282.0.html
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,43475.0.html
Here's the view of the 11th green from the 2nd tee -- note how many of the players in the foursome found the green!
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130966.jpg)
Hole 2: Par 4, 443 Yards
This is a hole where we restored the original Ross complex of bunkers, which were much more intricate and thoughtful than the evolved configuration that we inherited. There's a chipping area to the left of the putting surface that will see a lot of play. This is another hole where we removed the trees behind the green, taking away the artificial backdrop and opening up views to the beautiful third hole.
A downhill tee shot to a fairway that slopes significantly right-to-left. A single bunker 240 yards off the tee guards the ideal line down the right. Bunkers 290 yards from the tee will catch tee shots that run too far with the slope.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130968.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130969.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130974a.jpg)
Many well-struck tee shots played not quite far enough to the right will run into the left rough, leaving this approach:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130970.jpg)
Approach from the centre of the fairway:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Plainfield-2approach.jpg)
Approaches can use the contouring short-right of the green to run the ball onto the green, but this is best accomplished from the hard-to-find right side of the fairway.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130973.jpg)
Looking back down the fairway:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130974.jpg)
Another fantastic green at the 2nd. This green is turtle-backed with a false-front. There is a chipping area to the left of the green that leaves a very difficult recovery.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130974d.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130975.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130975copy.jpg)
-
**Referring to the picture of #11 green from #2 tee
I believe the estimable Ken Bakst once told me he aced #11 during the 1997 Met Open which was a tuneup to his win of the USGA Mid-Amateur.. It is a hell of a short par 3 to ace under the pressure of competition.. #11 is one of the most unheralded par 3s on the planet.
#6 is not the easiest wee par 3 in the world either at Plainfield especially with the new tee where you can hit a mid iron to a tiny tiny green. John Lovito who sometimes posts here and is a member also was fortunate enough to ace that hole.. It has an amazing green.
-
Noel ,
While # 11 is a wonderful par 3, it's a relatively easy hole to ace. ;D
Plainfield has a good collection of par 3's
-
Hole 3: Par 3, 196 Yards
The hole is all about the green. Shots that land short or right of the green will roll back into the water because the grass is closely mown, while any shot that is long will leave a player with a difficult recovery or a nasty putt because the green slopes from back to front. It is crucial that your tee shot finds the right location on the putting surface
This is a really difficult hole where the traditional righty misses (short-right and long-left) are both dead. Shots that miss short or right will kick into the water. The green slopes significantly from left-to-right so shots that bail left into the bunker leave a very difficult recovery.
The green is fantastic, with containment contouring that will keep balls that are a little left/long on the green. Of course, this contouring makes recoveries from left/long much more difficult.
The edges of the green and drop-off long are much more squared-off than I am used to seeing out of Ross and gives this green a very MacRaynor feel.
Tee View:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130977.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130978.jpg)
Short of Green:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130979.jpg)
From Back-Left of Green:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130981.jpg)
Severe Drop-off over green:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130982.jpg)
MacRaynor-esque straight line and drop-off into water as seen from long-right of green:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Plainfield-3from4.jpg)
-
Mark,
A terrific early hole that can't make your round, but it sure can ruin it.
The green is underrated by some.
Certain hole locations can make you feel really uncomfortable on the tee
-
Patrick,
Do you know if the 200 yard back tee was a recent addition? The hole is very penal if you miss the green left/right/long - it did not feel like it was designed for 200 yard shots.
I think I had the easiest pin position on the green -- I was still uncomfortable!
-
Mark,
Yes, the back tee was recently added for the Barclay's and is not used for day-to-day members play. Depending on pin/tee placement the hole will normally play between 150-175 yards.
-
Hole 4: Par 4, 360 Yards
This is really a great hole but it was the first hole we made some big changes on, and if they had been viewed as a failure, it may have been the end of our project. We removed trees down the left side of the hole and restored some pot bunkers in the top of the ridge that had been removed due to the introduction of the trees. The green is most accessible from the left side of the landing area, so the aggressive line down the left that flirts with the out of bounds, opens up the best angle. We added a back tee to make the hole more interesting given the modern technology of today's players.
Goal #1 is getting one's tee ball to the upper portion of the fairway. From the blue tees, this requires a tee shot of about 210 yards, straight uphill, down the centre of the fairway.
Tee shots farther to the right require less carry to reach the upper fairway, but leave a more difficult approach angle to the green.
Tee View:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130984.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/04tee.jpg)
From Top of Hill Back to Tee:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130987.jpg)
Approaches from the centre must carry a deep fronting bunker...
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130988.jpg)
While approaches from the left have a clearer view of the green:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/04approach.jpg)
The heavily contoured 4th green is guarded by a very deep bunker short-right and a not-so-severe bunker to the left. Like the 1st and 3rd greens, long is very bad.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130990.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130991.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130991copy.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130992.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130995.jpg)
-
Hole 5: Par 5, 527 Yards
The tee shot is mostly blind and plays slightly uphill and then continues the climb uphill through some interesting terrain, to the green for approach. The fairway slopes from left to right but a line of cross bunkers about 50 yards from the green will force long hitters to think twice before electing to try and reach the putting surface in two. If you decide to lay up with your second shot, the best angle for your third shot is from the left, close to the out of bounds. The green slopes from back to right and there is a closely mown pitching area to the right of the green. We took out some trees on the left to bring the out of bounds into play, and open up the best angle of approach. The original Ross green was a punchbowl design but because of drainage problems, the club brought in Geoffrey Cornish to rebuild the green and today's players will play to that green. The other change we made to this hole was to lower the tees and move them back to add 8-10 yards to the hole.
Tee View: Fairway slopes hard to the right. To find the fairway, the golfer must play his tee shot up the tree-line.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130993.jpg)
Fairway: Note cant of the fairway... tough to avoid the well-placed fairway bunkering
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130996.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130997.jpg)
2nd Shot: Ideal line is over the massively deep bunker on the left. If the golfer cannot carry the bunker on the left, he can play up the fairway to the right, leaving a blind approach.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130997a.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130997b.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130997c.jpg)
Playing to the right leaves a blind approach over the cross-bunkers 50 yards short of the green.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130998.jpg)
Playing the left leaves a more appealing visual of the green.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130998a.jpg)
Lots of room to run the ball onto the green over the bunkers:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1130999.jpg)
Not a lot of contouring on the 5th green, just a back-left to front-right tilt:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140001.jpg)
-
Mark,
On #4, any idea why there's that bunker not far from the tee, on the right-hand side, just past the water hazard? Seems odd/out of place.
-
Mark,
Do you have a better photo of the cross bunker on # 5 ?
It's a great feature that Ross repeated on #16 (old # 14)
-
Mark,
Thanks for the tour great pics, I think Ross is the master at placing great courses on small pieces of property. Plainfield will be host the 2012 Met Open on Aug 21-23 so if you can come on out and watch.
-
As I have said before, there is nothing "plain" about these "fields".
-
Hole 6: Par 3, 164 Yards
As a shortish par 3, this is a neat hole and it was another litmus test for our renovation. There had been two little bunkers that weren't really in play and had been removed. But Ross had put them to serve as a visual trick to add a little doubt and confusion for the players. That the club let us restore them said a lot about their commitment to what we were trying to do, so they deserve a lot of credit.
One of my favorite holes on the course. The short 6th has two visually deceptive bunkers 50+ yards short of the green that make depth perception very difficult. The green is very small and punchbowl-ish in nature.
6 Tee: Cross-bunkers block view of greenside bunkers
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Plainfield-6tee.jpg)
Closer look at cross-bunkers:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140005.jpg)
Cross-bunkers are well short of the green:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140005b.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Plainfield-6shortofgreen.jpg)
Another GREAT green at Plainfield. Everything slopes toward the centre on this punchbowl green.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Plainfield-6frombehind.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140009.jpg)
-
As I have said before, there is nothing "plain" about these "fields".
Mike - I couldn't agree more.
As for the 6th: awesome hole. I would call it a little "ambiguous " from the tee but that green is incredible and one of the best on the course. All sorts of crazy up and downs if you miss it.
-
Hole 7: Par 4, 471 Yards
We lengthened this hole by 5-to-10 yards and restored a cross bunker located just short of the fairway. The fairway bunkers along the ridge on the left side of the hole had devolved into a series of not very appealing bunkers in among a set of oak trees. We restored them into the wonderful complex of 7-8 bunkers, which Donald Ross had originally built on the course. We expanded a chipping area to the right side of the green which should see a lot of play.
Cross-bunkers short of the fairway block the entire view of the fairway. All that can be seen from the tee is the series of bunkers guarding the left side of the fairway. Golfers must rely on their caddies on this tee shot.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140011.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140014.jpg)
Once past the cross-bunkers, the golfer is treated to his first view of the fairway. From the back tees it is a 265-yard carry to reach the top of the hill. Shorter hitters unable to reach the top of the hill or the bunkers have the benefit of extra width in the fairway, but they will have a long and completely blind approach.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140015.jpg)
Approach from left:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Plainfield-7approach.jpg)
Approach from right:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140016b.jpg)
This is an awesome green complex. The series of bunkers on the right is well short of the green and there is a feeder slope just over them. Approaches from the left will more easily play to the opening on the left side of the green.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140018.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140018b.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140018c.jpg)
Sitting in a bowl, the green slopes noticeably from front-left to back-right
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140018d.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140020.jpg)
When playing the 4th, attentive golfers will take note of the feeder slope short of the 7th green that cannot be seen from the 7th fairway.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140020b.jpg)
-
The 7th is a great golf hole. For me, the many slopes and contours around the green site make it the most fun approach shot on the golf course.
Also, beginning in 2012 season, the 7th will now be rated the #1 handicap hole on the course (previously #3).
-
Hole 8: Par 5, 519 Yards
The tee shot is uphill over the ridge, which gives an edge to longer hitters, particularly as a par 4. Bunkers guard both sides of the landing area but an interesting aspect of the hole is a pin oak on the right side past the landing area which will force players coming into the green from that side of the fairway to fashion a shot around it. The fairway kicks to the right into a "half-pipe" green-a green with a small ridge that runs from front to back. It is like a snowboarding "half-pipe" and it will kick balls back into the center of the green. However, it is another of the wonderful varied green sites that Ross utilized on this property. The green nestles in a valley and we added some chipping and pitching areas to the sides and rear of the green to help accentuate this movement of shots.
A fantastic par-5 over rolling terrain with one of the most unique greens I have ever seen.
The tee shot is played to a fairway that slopes significantly from left-to-right. To find the fairway, the golfer will have to play his tee shot up the left, near the fairway bunker -- but, shots that find the left rough will have to deal with a large, single tree.
Tee View:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140023.jpg)
Slope of Fairway:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140022b.jpg)
Second shots for all but the bombers are blind, played over the crest of a hill.
View from centre of fairway:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140023a.jpg)
View from left rough:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140024.jpg)
Upon cresting the hill, the golfer is confronted with a series of three bunkers guarding a very unique green.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140025.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140026.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140026b.jpg)
As described by Gil Hanse above, the green is shaped like a half-pipe (though the more noteable slope is on the left side of the green).
Short of green:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140026c.jpg)
Right of green:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140027b.jpg)
Green from front:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140027.jpg)
Green from behind:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140028.jpg)
8th from Behind:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140030.jpg)
-
This is another example of the massive flattening effect pictures have on golf holes. As Mark stated, the 8th green is very unique and very interesting, but if I looked at these pictures without having seen the hole in person, I wouldn't think it looked like all that much.
It's too bad, as this green is really special. I guess in a perfect world all pictures would be taken at dawn or dusk to capture depth and movement in the land.
Thanks again for the tour, Mark!
-
Hole 9: Par 4, 368 Yards
A great looking hole with the clubhouse as a backdrop. The tee shot must avoid a single bunker on the left side of the fairway, which protects the ideal line into the green. Much of the fairway is hidden from the tee.
Tee View:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140033.jpg)
A better look from just short of the fairway:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Plainfield-9shortoffairway.jpg)
The approach is blind over a trio of cross-bunkers.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Plainfield-9approach.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140037.jpg)
Run-up approach shots are a possibility. The green is open in front and the fairway slopes downward over the cross-bunkers.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140038.jpg)
The green has a huge ridge running through the green 2/3 the way back, making a back pin very difficult. My approach landed into the ridge and came back all the way off the front of the green.
From short of green:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140039.jpg)
From behind green: Note the chipping area which was restored over the green.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140040b.jpg)
-
In looking at the pictures of 9 I thought that golf cart was on the green! Lots of visual deception here and it works well!
Mark
-
Hole 10: Par 4, 411 Yards - Picture taken from 350 yard white tee
We lengthened the tee alongside the clubhouse so it is very much like the first tee at Merion, where you walk out of the clubhouse and you're on the tee. As they used to say about Merion, the biggest difficulty on the first hole was overcoming the roar of silverware clinking on the china. Most players will hit a 3-wood or hybrid for this blind tee shot over the hill. The best play from the tee is down the left side, as it opens up the best angle into this small angled green. The biggest change we made here was to restore a creek on the right side of the landing area about 310 yards from the tee. It had been made into a pond in the 1960's-70's but blind ponds are totally alien to a Ross design so we restored it to its original form. We also expanded the fairway on the right side towards the creek.
Tee View - Blind tee shot over a hill. Shortest line to the green is down the right, but the ideal angle of approach is from left.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140041.jpg)
Another wonderfully undulating fairway at the 10th:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140043.jpg)
The approach from the right side of the fairway is uphill and almost completely blind - only the top half of the flag is in view:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140044.jpg)
Another great green. On most courses this would be the best green on the golf course, but at Plainfield it is just more of the same:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140045.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/10green.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Plainfield-10green.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140047.jpg)
Awesome transition from the 10th green to the 11th tee. You've been thinking about (read fearing) hitting this shot ever since you saw this green from the 2nd tee. Take a deep breath, it's just a nine-iron after all... no reason to miss the green!
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140049.jpg)
Hole 11: Par 3, 148 Yards
We expanded the tee slightly and placed it so it melded into the collar on No. 10, which is an old-style design feature that I really like but which you rarely see today.
Tee View:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/11tee.jpg)
Three deep bunkers and a huge false-front are the 11th's main protections:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Plainfield-11from9tee.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Plainfield-11shortofgreen.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/11Bunkers.jpg)
The green slopes severely from back-to-front and the edges of the green slope toward its centre:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/11greenright.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140052.jpg)
Missing long is very bad:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140054.jpg)
-
#11 at Plainfield is the best inland par-3 I have ever played. It is amazing how much fear this little hole can instill in you at the tee.
My first shot hit the front middle of the green and spun back into the bunker. My second shot was just a bit short and it rolled back as well. When I got my third shot about 5 feet of the pin, I had the biggest smile on my face of the entire day. The shot out of the front bunker is so much fun, I could have spent an hour there.
-
I'm scared of 11 just looking at the pictures....
Mark
-
I've never been to Plainfield, but by looking at this tour I can't get over the similarities between it and Canton Brookside. Same architect, similar bunkering, similar land (from what I can tell), and similar bold and treacherous greens. Thanks for the photos.
-
Jonathan:
I was thinking the exact same thing. The greens look really similar and the topography is very similar.
-
Jonathan:
I was thinking the exact same thing. The greens look really similar and the topography is very similar.
For the most part all great courses are unique to themselves, but Plainfield and Brookside seem like brothers.
-
Canton Brookside must be a hell of a course b/c Plainfield is the real deal! (Jonathan - I know you have been praising Brookside for some time; I need to get to Cleveland).
Chalk up two more really good and really unique holes at PCC. #10 has a very fun blind tee shot down the hill, followed by an uphill approach to yet ANOTHER fantastic green site. The back of the green acts as a mini bowl and can be used to to move a ball to the back corner of the green.
#11 is incredible. What a hole. You obviously know you can't be short, but going long is equally as disastrous. What a place to put a green. An exacting and beautiful hole...
Really cool how the greens on #10 and #11 work right into the tees for the proceeding hole.
-
Hole 12: Par 5, 588 Yards
This is widely considered to be one of Ross's finest holes and it has changed dramatically over the years. It was originally a long par 4 and a par 3 before the two holes were combined into the par 5 it is today. The hole is a textbook example of the strategic challenges Ross presents players. There is a downslope in the landing area and if players catch it, they can add a fair amount of distance to their drives. A seasonal creek runs through the fairway and forces players to decide whether to lay up either left or right of the creek or to try and carry the hazard. The creek adds so much to the thinking that goes into the second shot, in part because the amount of water in the creek will play a large part in a player's decision. If it is dry, they can afford to take a risk but if it is wet, they must avoid it. But how do they know from day to day? It's that unpredictability that makes the hole so interesting and challenging. Any time there's doubt in a player's mind, a shot becomes much more difficult. Just pray it doesn't rain and fill up the creek during The Barclays as the choice for the second shot will be much less interesting. A spine separates the back left and back right portions of the green, which again puts an emphasis on a well conceived and executed approach.
Tee View: Some players can crest the hill. Ideal line is up the right, made all the more difficult because of the slope of the fairway.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/12tee.jpg)
From the top of the hill the player has the option of playing left or right. Note the mound of rough in the fairway -- longer hitters can run through the fairway into it.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/12topofhill.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/12topofhill2.jpg)
On the second the shot, the player has the choice of challenging the winding creek or laying back. From short of the hazard:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/12approachright.jpg)
From the left side of the fairway:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140059.jpg)
From short of the green:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/12shortofgreen.jpg)
Green from Left:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/12greenleft.jpg)
From back portion of green:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140060.jpg)
12 from behind:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/12behind.jpg)
-
Mark,
Thank you for a great thread. I grew up not too far from PCC, and have yet to make it to the course, but it is on my "top 5 to see in NJ" (and, I live here, so go figure).
In reply #42, photos 3-6; and this question is posed to all; the photos of the green show the profile of the back of the green; maybe Brad Klein is reading this, but I recall a few years ago, in a discussion of Walter Hatch, one of Ross' foremen, he referenced a "crown" to the back of greens as one of Hatch's trademarks. Is this in fact an example? I think we've seen this at Mountain Ridge as well, but I don't recall this at, for example, Pine Needles or Mid Pines.
Thank you-
-
Schuylkill has some great examples of this feature. Holes that come to mind quickly are 6, 10, 14, and 17.
Mark
-
Hole 13: Par 4, 482 Yards - Pictures from 411 Yard White Tees
This begins a three-hole stretch known as the "Tunnel."
This tee shot is all about the ridge that runs diagonally across the feature -- a perfect, subtle feature on flat land. Carry the ridge and your tee shot will bound forward, but fail to carry it and your tee shot will kick toward the left rough and leave a long, semi-blind approach over water. The shortest carry over the ridge is on the right, but this side of the fairway is guarded by out-of-bounds.
Tee View:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140062.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/13tee.jpg)
The ridge appears subtle in this picture, but it is fairly large in actuality:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/13ridge.jpg)
The approach is played over water to one of the flattest greens on the golf course. There is plenty of room to miss long in a large chipping area.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140063.jpg)
The green and chipping area:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/13green.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140066.jpg)
Hole 14: Par 3, 228 Yards
There is nothing subtle about the green on this long par 3 that requires a full carry over a pond that guards the front-right of the putting surface. The large humps in the green are out of character for a Ross design but they make this hole particularly challenging, especially since players will be hitting long irons, hybrids or even fairway woods from the tee.
Tee View:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/14teezoomed.jpg)
A very difficult and undulating green for such a long par-3:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/14green.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/14behind.jpg)
The most notable feature of the 14th is the mounding to the left of the green. I have never seen mounding like this on a Ross course before. Has anyone seen it elsewhere?
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/14mounds.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140070a.jpg)
Hole 15: Par 4, 372 Yards
This hole brings you out of the "Tunnel" and there has been a lot of discussion about making it a drivable par 4. On the left side of the landing area which, to some, this might look artificial but it is very effective and was an original part of these re-configured holes.
From the tee, the golfer has the option of playing to the narrow portion of fairway up the left (fairway slopes to the left, too) or trying to carry the bunkers (about 230) and playing to the entire width of the fairway.
Tee View:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140073.jpg)
One of the most straightforward looking approaches on the golf course. The green is quite flat, sloping from back-to-front and guarded only by a run-off right of the green.
Approach View:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140076.jpg)
BUT, things are not what they seem. A series of green side bunkers that are completely hidden from the fairway. Awesome!
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140077.jpg)
The green and run-off:
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140079.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/15greenright.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/15runoff.jpg)
-
Hole 16: Par 5, 582 Yards
This is one of the favorite holes but it is also a hole where we made some of our most significant changes. We restored a cross bunkering complex that players must cope with on their second shots, particularly if they drive into the rough and must decide whether or not to lay up short of the bunkers, play out to the left, or risk a carry. Also, the second shot is blind which adds just the necessarily element of doubt.
OB and a single, deep fairway bunker guard the line of the ideal tee shot. Plenty of room to play left, but this leaves a longer carry over the cross-bunkers for the second shot.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140081.jpg)
A series of restored cross-bunkers must be played over. The second shot it completely blind. Tee shots that are in the rough / are poorly struck / if the hole is playing into-the-wind will leave many golfers with a real decision as to whether to challenge the cross-bunkers.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140082.jpg)
The shortest carry is over the left-side cross-bunkers. Shots on this line will have to deal with a severely canted fairway and anything just clearing the bunkers will carom into the rough.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/16leftovercrossbunkers.jpg)
Playing over the more difficult to carry right-hand cross-bunkers is rewarded with a speed-slot down to a flat spot in the fairway well under 100 yards into the green.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Plainfield-16approach.jpg)
The green is one of the most severe on the golf course. The entire green slopes back-to-front, and there is a small (but definitely pinnable) back-shelf. Like at the 10th, the fringe long of the green melds into the 17th tee.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140087.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/16backleft.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140088.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/16behind.jpg)
-
Hole 17: Par 4, 427 Yards
Along with No. 18, this hole probably suffered the most from advances in technology over the years. The hole is a dogleg right that plays blindly uphill, and in Ross's day the cluster of bunkers and trees on the right side of the hole provided a great challenge for the tee shot. However, in today's game the players will not think about these hazards, instead their attention will be focused on the out of bounds down the right side of the hole, and the rough on the left. The second shot is challenging because you can't see the entire putting surface of this elevated green. It is one of the most beautiful settings because it is set along a ridge and is beautifully bunkered. The green will offer plenty of challenges as it possesses many of the trademark Ross slopes and rolls.
A series of deep bunkers and tall trees guard the inside of the dogleg and the ideal line into the green on this difficult and uphill par-4. The bunkers are a carry of about 240 yards from the tee -- a challenge for many, but not an issue for the long-hitters. Nevertheless, OB to the right and the possibility of running through the fairway on the left will keep bombers honest.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140091.jpg)
The bunkers guarding the dogleg.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140093.jpg)
Looking back towards the tee from the fairway it is obvious how uphill this tee shot it.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/17lookingbacktotee.jpg)
Tee shots that successfully challenge the bunkers are rewarded with a speed-slot in the fairway down toward the 175-yard mark -- though it is still no easy approach from there.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Plainfield-17approach.jpg)
The approach is uphill to a green surface that is completely blind from the fairway. Yet another false-front guards this green. Bunkering some 20 yards short of the green is very much in play, and is a very bad spot to be.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/17approach.jpg)
The bunker guarding the right side of the green is (I believe) the deepest on the golf course.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/17shortofgreen.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/17greenleft.jpg)
-
Hole 18: Par 4, 407 Yards
This was originally the 16th hole and the recently restored hole is one that allows a player to be as passive or aggressive as they choose to be, so in that sense it is a model of strategic design. The tee shot now provides a multitude of options, since the trees have been cleared out of the corner of the dogleg. Players can take an aggressive line over the hillside bunkering, or play more safely our to the right and face a longer approach shot. Until recently, this hole was viewed as an awkward finishing hole to a great course. However, one thing was never disputed and that was the quality of the green and it has always been accepted as a great finishing green. The beautifully contoured green is guarded by a false front and there are bunkers left and short right. It is one of the best greens on the course and very interesting and thought-provoking. By restoring the original design concept of the Ross hole, Plainfield now has a great finishing hole that is a fitting conclusion to this thought-provoking masterpiece.
The tee shot on the 18th is a very strategic one. Playing uphill over a diagonal ridge protected by bunkers, this tee shot asks the timeless question, "how much can you cut-off." The more the players cuts-off, the shorter the approach into the green. Cut-off too little and the player risks his tee shot running through the fairway into the rough on the other side (also the more difficult approach angle).
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140099.jpg)
A look at the 18th tee pre-restoration. Different, no?
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/18teeprereno.jpg)
A closer look at the diagonal ridge.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Plainfield-18fairway.jpg)
The approach.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/Plainfield-18approach.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140104.jpg)
The approach pre-restoration.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/18approachprereno.jpg)
One of the best greens on the course, with yet-another false-front.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140107.jpg)
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/18green.jpg)
Shots that miss long are in big trouble as the green slopes severely away from here.
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc430/SaltyLaw/Plainfield%20CC/P1140108.jpg)
-
Thanks for the pics Mark, the course looks great. I was trying to find a hole that didn't look very interesting, but I wasn't coming up with much.
One question though...seems like you mentioned OB quite a few times. Is it something that comes into play much? As a wild hitter, maybe I'm just overly sensitive to mentions of OB.
-
Thanks, JLahrman. The holes most often cited as weak at Plainfield are the 'tunnel holes,' the stretch from 13-15. The restoration of the diagonal ridge at 13 and the restoration of the great bunkering at 15 makes these holes interesting. Since they are on flatter land (13-14) and use ponds as the central hazard (13-14), these holes do stick-out as different from the rest, though I would not call them bad.
I think Ross used the boundaries very well at PCC. OB is potentially in play on several holes (5, 13, 15-17), but it certainly is not just-off the fairway. In each case, the OB guards the ideal line from the tee, but it is a fairly long way from the ideal line of play. It is at just the right distance from the fairway that you know it's there, but it really shouldn't be an issue. But, somehow just seeing it and knowing it's there... can produce some pretty nervy swings... which in my case results in weak shots away from the OB and towards the area from which the green is more difficult to approach.
-
#11 at Plainfield is the best inland par-3 I have ever played. It is amazing how much fear this little hole can instill in you at the tee.
My first shot hit the front middle of the green and spun back into the bunker. My second shot was just a bit short and it rolled back as well. When I got my third shot about 5 feet of the pin, I had the biggest smile on my face of the entire day. The shot out of the front bunker is so much fun, I could have spent an hour there.
I love Plainfield - many, many great holes (I love 7, 9, 12 and 16 in particular) - not a fan of 17 or the old 18 (haven't played new), but the overall package is hard to beat - i do think 11 is very cool and one of more dramatic inland par 3s I've seen but no way I'd have it on my 'best' lists - for me it is just too penal - a great match play hole but way too easy to take triple - very tough to get up and down from the either the front bunker or from over the back - again, i really like the hole but think it's impact on the scorecard can be too great for it to be a 'best' - there are numerous short par 3s within the MGA that I prefer
-
Thanks for the tour Mark! Looks like an awesome place.
Mark
-
I had the pleasure of playing at Plainfield yesterday and thought this photo thread was worthy of a bump. Personally, I did not think there was a single weak hole on the course. The greens are among the best I have played. Those that noticed similarities to Brookside Canton are spot on. Not only are bunkers and greens done in a very similar manner, but also the property itself and the many internal vistas across the course frequently reminded me of Brookside. another ideal case study in the aesthetic benefits of tree removal. The shaved down chipping areas connecting many greens to subsequent tees were great in terms of the playing options afforded and the flow/feel of the course. I've tried to narrow my list of favorite holes at Plainfield and seem to repeatedly end up with over half the course. Choosing one favorite of each par, i would go with 11 (par 3), 7 (par 4), and 12 (par 5). To say I was impressed would be an understatement.
-
Plainfield looks like a complete blast on TV. I'm loving how it's puzzling some of the pros. Seems like a really fun track.
-
What's the "vibe" or "culture" of the club? The course looks like it's world-class, so the members have a real gem.
-
It really looks quite interesting to me too. Seems like there are a few shorter par 4s that are creating some issues for the pros.
-
15 and 18 were driving the pros crazy. They didn't know what to do. Most of them just blindly bombed driver down there somewhere and had all sorts of insane shots to deal with. It was fantastic.
Even Kostis said at one point on the broadcast something to the effect of the pros were struggling with the concept that they couldn't overpower a golf course.
-
I'll add my voice to those admiring the presentation of this Ross gem. It looks fab on television. Just great.
-
I had forgotten just how good Mark's photo tours are; thanks, Mark.
I think it was Mr. Vostinak (I hope I have the spelling right) who first made me aware of Plainfield. From photos only, it remains the Ross course that I think most lovely; nothing is forced, not even the simplicity.
Peter
-
I had forgotten just how good Mark's photo tours are; thanks, Mark.
I think it was Mr. Vostinak (I hope I have the spelling right) who first made me aware of Plainfield. From photos only, it remains the Ross course that I think most lovely; nothing is forced, not even the simplicity.
Peter
I had not bothered to look where they were playing the Barclays, and I could tell when I turned it on that it was a Ross course.
-
Courses in the Midatlantic region are benefiting from unusually low humidity in the last few weeks. This enables Plainfield to shine even more than usual
-
I had forgotten just how good Mark's photo tours are; thanks, Mark.
I think it was Mr. Vostinak (I hope I have the spelling right) who first made me aware of Plainfield. From photos only, it remains the Ross course that I think most lovely; nothing is forced, not even the simplicity.
Peter
I had not bothered to look where they were playing the Barclays, and I could tell when I turned it on that it was a Ross course.
Funny you say that. I haven't played that many Ross courses growing up in the west and living on the Gulf Coast but I have to say, when I saw this course on TV, I thought it was vintage Raynor!
-
Plainfield is a terrific golf course.
Holes # 13, 14 and 15 were added subsequent to Ross, when the original 17th and 18th holes were eliminated.
# 12 is another non-Ross hole that is the result of combining a par 4 and a par 3
For 50 years Plainfield has always presented a significant challenge to local competitors, then it gained more notoriety as USGA and PGA events were hosted.
Gil Hanse's work improved the course significantly.
-
And it is interesting that, other than Jason Day, they didn't really tear up the course as there were only five guys in double digits under par - despite the fact that the course played as short as 6750 yards. But the difficulty of the greens made up for it.
-
I walked Plainfield, outside the ropes, during the final round of the Barclays on Sunday and I was blown away. I'd glanced at Mark's photos in this thread and watched about an hour of TV coverage of the event, but was unprepared for the dramatic slopes and contours of the property. Photos and video simply cannot do justice to elevation. As mentioned, 15 of the holes play across a slope that tumbles down from the clubhouse, but the roly-poly nature of the landscape means that a player might face an uphill or downhill or fade or hook lie on any of these holes--as far as I could tell from my vantage. Besides this, a long hitter might face 11 or 12 holes with blind shots, and some of the green contours are as severe as I've seen.
As a spectator, my introduction to the course was as follows: (1) the blind tenth tee shot, with no distinguishing feature or aiming point except for a grandstand; (2) watching four twosomes play the ninth hole, hitting wedges or perhaps 9-irons in but facing a blind approach, and only one player making a birdie despite a bunch of good opportunities on what appeared to be the flattest portion of the green. It was pretty clear to me from these few acres of the property that the course had something different to offer.
We then walked the course, and the following design elements stood out to me as particular highlights:
- The first green, with its severe slope to the front left;
- The two lines of bunkering angled into the second green from the right, with the right side of the green just tucked behind a corner of one;
- The front edge of the sixth green, like a pie crust against the front bunkers, sure to propel balls all the way to the back;
- The angle at which the eighth green is laid into the hillside (now covered with fescue), suggesting a draw from what's likely to be a fade lie;
- False fronts deep into the greens at nine and 11 and probably other holes;
- The bunkered hillside over which the second shot on 16 must be played blindly, and the green on that hole sloped so severely that Jason Day attempted to play a bunker shot about 90 degrees away from the hole.
Bunker placements and the artistry of them (with quite varied styles) are superb, and the course really does make excellent use of the whole property. One minor negative note about the routing would be that three of the four par fives play the same direction, parallel. I'm not even sure that the "tunnel" holes detract too much--they probably allow players a nice breather (of sorts) before the final stretch uphill toward the clubhouse again.
The course's setting on a hillside, parkland style but with a lot of recent tree clearing, reminded me of Olympic Club. When I walked Olympic during the US Open in 2012, it seemed to me that the pros struggled to get their shots close to the hole because the USGA had maintained the ground to be so firm that balls needed to land right at the front edge of a green to settle down on the green, with little margin of error. In contrast, Plainfield seemed just about right in terms of firmness, but the best players still struggled to keep their shots close because of the design of the greens. Of course, the winning score at Olympic was quite a bit higher than it was this week...
On a slightly different note, the last time I walked a course during a tournament was at TPC "Boston" outside Providence last year. This was a wholly better spectator experience despite that Ross presumably gave no thought to spectators. At TPC Boston, accessing the first eight holes requires a traverse of several hundred yards through a swamp, and we didn't even try. Most of the rest of the course is laid out through the woods in a way that doesn't allow cutting across fairways to a different hole or any viewing play on other holes. The final few greens at the Deutsche Bank were all but inaccessible to commoners, hemmed in by corporate tents. As mentioned in this thread, Plainfield by contrast lends itself to watching play unfold on multiple holes at once, and we had direct, open views of every green. Congratulations to the PGA Tour for bringing the Barclays to Plainfield this year.
JB
-
JBovay,
I was there on Sunday and was going to write something but I'm a little tired this morning and would simply thank you for that great observational writeup and heartily concur.
I'd only add that my wife, a budding architectural critic with a better eye than me was also duly impressed.
-
Agree totally with the comments about TPC Boston. Have been to many, many pros tournaments and this is the worst spectator venue of them all.On the front the swamp causes thousands of spectators to cross one bridge. It is a slow process but also dangerous.
The observation on the back is totally accurate. One is forced to merely walk the course without cutting across any fairways. Toward the end corporate chalets block views. The only way to spectate is the pick a spot sit for an hour, hour and a half, pick another spot and so on. I thought the initial idea of TPC courses was to provide a quality spectator experience. I don't think TPC could be worse if they tried.
-
Just played Plainfield today and certainly was impressed to say the least. The Donald Ross gem has a wonderful set of greens. They are back to front slope with numerous false fronts as is typical. The course has some undulations for sure, but with tee boxes very close to greens it is very walkable. They had the rough maybe 3 inches, but the fescue (which I found 2x’s) was pretty thick as my almost broken left wrist can attest. The false fronts were so prevalent that my caddie said I’m giving you 2 yardages for each hole, one to the flag the other to carry the false front.))))
We had a wonderful host who donated this round to a charity auction and our caddies were pretty good at reading the putts. 1 was a college kid the other a pro caddie apparently who does it for a living and comes to Florida for the winter.
The clubhouse is a pretty cool with a grill room, bar, top flight locker room, and patio overlooking 18 and 9 with white rocking chairs.
They could still use some additional tree removal IMO, although I didn’t see the course pre Hanse renovation. I’m sure it must have been pretty cramped.
-
The clubhouse is a pretty cool with a grill room, bar, top flight locker room, and patio overlooking 18 and 9 with white rocking chairs.
The Patio is fantastic unless you are coming up the 9th hole and in the front greenside bunker and the pin is in the back. Pretty nerve racking with a big group of people right in the potential line of fire!
-
One of my favorite Donald Ross courses. If you play P C C and Somerset Hills ( 25 minutes away ) in one weekend you have had super golf experiences, and it doesn't even feel like you are in NJ.
Some great holes, fascinating greens and it hugs the land so well.
Play either if you get the chance.
And the Pro is a Bucknell U alum !
-
I had forgotten how good this old photo tour thread is! Great job, Mark.
It catalyzed me to re-process my Plainfield photo album from an August 2010 visit (when I really didn't know what I was doing; but recomposing and touching up some really helps!).
This re-done album is nice because it includes Ross hole diagrams as well as Google Earth hole screengrabs. Here is the link:
http://www80.homepage.villanova.edu/joseph.bausch/images/albums/Plainfield/
-
A somewhat fun fact/story.
The building and fields that you see in picture #4 bordering the 15th and 16th holes is actually where I attended Middle School and High School (Wardlaw-Hartridge).
The school golf team was allowed to, twice a year, play PCC. Our golf coach would always schedule us for Mondays when we did NOT have matches so that we could play all 18 holes. It was a real treat.
The rumor then was that it was discovered a number of years ago that part of the golf course was actually on land owned by the school. The school and the club made a deal that in some capacity included an agreement that the golf team was allowed to play twice a year.
I believed it as a 16 year old but in hindsight don't believe that was the case. There is a fairly cordial relationship between the club and the school owing to the fact that a number of influential families at the school are also longtime members of PCC. The school has also helped with parking whenever the Barclays has come to PCC.
But ya. Pretty great getting to play there twice a school year :)
-
I didn't see this first time round which was a miss on my part. The course looks great despite some saying the photos don't do the course justice which seems a bit harsh on Mark but then it might be that good. A few folk mentioned that it was a great design for such a small property. Can anyone say how big the site is ?
Niall
-
Played here again in July and one of my 2 favorite Ross courses (Essex being the other). I love 10 and 11. 10 is a bit underrated IMO. Dogleg right, fairway runs right to left until the turn and an imaginative green. Not long, but you have to place your tee shot correctly or you are blind on your approach.
11 needs no endorsement from me, but certainly in my top 5 short par 3's I have played. If you miss left you can use the punchbowl to about half the pins. The slope in this green is why you can't cut the greens extremely short and fast there. It was pretty wet when I played as it rained the day before and with the rain NJ has had this spring/summer the rough was more lush.
Thanks for the very well done photo tour Mark. Also Joe for another edition of his Bausch archives.