Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Jon Cavalier on September 28, 2014, 12:30:48 AM
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I recently had the great privilege and pleasure of playing at the Fishers Island Club. As those of you who've been there can attest, it is an amazing place for a round of golf.
One thing that stuck out to me was the incredible visual appeal of the par 3 holes. While beauty isn't everything, I think we can all agree that the setting and the scenery of a hole certainly add to its overall appeal.
I am admittedly a huge fan of MacDonald/Raynor/Banks, and I love playing a new set of templates. I've seen a lot of them, but not all. And the more I digested my round at Fishers, the more I have become convinced that the four par 3s at Fishers Island -- a Redan, a Biarritz, an Eden and a Short - are collectively the most visually appealing set of par 3s that I have ever played.
Note - I am not confusing "most beautiful" with "best" - in fact, I would argue that the Redan, Biarritz and Short at Piping Rock, for example, are "better" versions of these holes than those at Fishers. But Piping Rock's par 3s, in their parkland setting, simply can't compare with the incredible visuals of those presented at Fishers.
So it is with that in mind that I ask, is there a course in the US with a more beautiful set of par 3 holes than Fishers Island?
The evidence:
Hole 2 - Redan - 172yds - Fronted by a pond, backed by a seemingly endless stretch of Block Island Sound:
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2943/15188812839_5278566148_c.jpg)
Hole 5 - Biarritz - 209yds - An uphill Biarritz with outstanding internal contour (the green could easily pass for a hogs back), this hole remains as good as it is gorgeous, even if it could stand to be lengthened a bit. The view from the green (2nd photo) is one of the best on the course, and perhaps in golf:
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2947/15375258972_8b7226f3fe_c.jpg)
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3864/15375605435_54f02e3a7a_c.jpg)
Hole 11 - Eden - 164yrds - Cited as Raynor's best Eden hole (I wouldn't argue), the hole is set on a promontory from which the golfer can see several other holes and the clubhouse far in the distance across the inlet:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3871/15189023678_8d040d5321_c.jpg)
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2950/15375687575_cef6ee7d10_c.jpg)
Hole 16 - Short - 146yds - The photo speaks for itself (for me, it vies with the 16th at Sleepy Hollow for the best looking MacRaynor Short):(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3926/15372538031_1aba346f34_c.jpg)
So what do you guys think?
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Jon,
Fishers Island is one of those very special golf courses that combine great holes with great vistas of those holes.
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Jon,
Fishers Island is one of those very special golf courses that combine great holes with great vistas of those holes.
Well said, Pat.
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Thanks so much Jon. Wonderful images.
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Jon, thanks for sharing. Another thread of yours that elicits wonderful memories. 4 holes that look as good "live" as they do in photo! The entire course is unique and special.
However, your question...most beautiful par 3's in the US? Mmmmm, I am not going to think too hard about this but , right off the top of my head, consecutive rippers from CPC jump straight to mind.
Ah, just re-read the post (not just the title) and see you ask if the 4 COLLECTIVELY are the most beautiful...I think you might have a case!
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Can't argue the premise. What a great day for photography and much credit to you for finding some terrific angles from which to shoot the holes.
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Amazing pictures that bring back fantastic memories. Thank you.
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You guys who have played Fishers and Pebble: which do you like more? Which do you think is the better course?
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Belt notcher quiz- who else has played BOTH Fisher Islands?
Jim- I prefer FI primarily because I'm a sucker for templates and as a hack it suits my mediocre abilities better, but I can't help feeling both courses are SLIGHTLY overrated due to their overwhelming beauty.
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Belt notcher quiz- who else has played BOTH Fisher Islands?
Jim- I prefer FI primarily because I'm a sucker for templates and as a hack it suits my mediocre abilities better, but I can't help feeling both courses are SLIGHTLY overrated due to their overwhelming beauty.
Jud,
I have played both. Fishers Island but once and Pebble dozens of times. As a homer I would pick Pebble by a fraction but for the sheer ambiance of the Club and lack of fuss, Fishers takes the biscuit.
Bob
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I'm guessing you don't face too many 5 1/2 hour rounds at Fishers.
btw, great photos.
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I've always admired the par 3's at Harbour Town, but these are really very exciting looking holes. May I have your permission to use your photos as reference materials for some paintings I might do of the par 3s at Fishers Island? You can contact me via email at warcinc@nc.rr.com. Thanks in advance for your consideration.
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Frank - check your email.
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Jon-Thanks for the great pictures. I think it is a standout collection of template par 3 holes with the exception of # 2 "Redan". Although not a bad hole by any stretch I don't think there is enough right to left cant for it to function nearly as well as some of it's more famous counterparts. That being said the golf course and surrounds is as good as it gets. :)
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You guys who have played Fishers and Pebble: which do you like more?
Both are world class golf course serving different masters..
Which do you think is the better course?
"Better" in which way ?
Harder ?
More fun ?
More scenic ?
Quicker to play ?
Windier ?
You can't go wrong playing either one.
PBGC probably accommodates a broader spectrum of golfers in terms of the challenge it can present.
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Fantastic photos, Jon. Thanks for posting.
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How do they maintain those grass banks?
Too steep to mow, so am curious why they don't use sand or revett them?
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Can't wait to get back out there in two weeks time. Love Fishers Island.
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Question...does #5 need lengthening?
During my one visit to Fisher's, it was 210 playing uphill into a gale, so my choice was between driver and 3w. I'm not sure this hole needs to be (or even can be) lengthened! I think it's great as is.
Probably the closest I've seen to one of those fantasy-calendar golf holes...stepped to the tee thinking "how on earth am I going to hit a golf ball up there?"
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Collectively the most scenic set of par 3's in the US. #5 is a beast with any wind . The false front also repels many a short shot. My position is they have it as it should be -birdies are rare on #5.
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Jon,
Have you played Maidstone? Its the only course I can think of which gives Fishers Island a run for its money.
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Belt notcher quiz- who else has played BOTH Fisher Islands?
Jud -
I did not get a chance to play it, but I did see a second course on our way out to the end of the island. From what I could see from the road, the course looked really neat. No chance we were going to take away from playing 36 at Fishers Island to play it, which I'm sure is the case for most...
I assume you played it? What is its name? How was it? Pictures?
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Jon - Thanks for posting, pictures are incredible. I think Cypress Point would beat Fishers in the most beautiful (and better) category regarding par 3 holes. Not only are fifteen and sixteen two of the most picturesque holes in golf, but the third and seventh holes not located on the water are equally as beautiful with their large white sand and the environment they are set in.
Maidstone and Augusta (on the strength of the 12th hole) would also be in the running.
John
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Belt notcher quiz- who else has played BOTH Fisher Islands?
Jud -
I did not get a chance to play it, but I did see a second course on our way out to the end of the island. From what I could see from the road, the course looked really neat. No chance we were going to take away from playing 36 at Fishers Island to play it, which I'm sure is the case for most...
I assume you played it? What is its name? How was it? Pictures?
George, My assumption is that Jud is alluding to the other Fisher Island off the coast of Miami- a nice escape in January but not in the same league as the real deal that Raynor and God created in the Long Island sound.
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Eastward Ho! has a pretty good set, although based on pictures, not the equal of Fishers or Cypress.
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Jon,
Have you played Maidstone? Its the only course I can think of which gives Fishers Island a run for its money.
I actually played Maidstone earlier this year, and it was one of those courses that I considered as a possible rival for Fishers for this question. Let's take a look:
4th hole - very pretty hole over water from an island tee, with the dunes in the background:
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2950/15394488442_e802f2a2cc_c.jpg)
8th hole - gorgeous par 3 set flush into the dunes:
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2950/15208035170_cb8c52f2af_c.jpg)
14th hole - one of the prettiest holes in golf (and one of my favorites), just beautiful:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3862/15394708595_30316529ce_c.jpg)
So far, Maidstone is at least holding it's own with Fishers. Arguably neck and neck...
and then we see the 12th hole:
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2946/15394489812_072b104c2b_c.jpg)
Not a bad hole by any stretch, but not especially pretty. And in this beauty pageant, that plain Jane relegates Maidstone (which I adore) to a distant runner up next to Fishers' four one-shot stunners.
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Great images and fantastic light.
It's tough to argue on this one for Fishers in terms the beauty factor. Maybe NGLA is right up there with it too in terms of the beauty.
I'll even suggest Enniscrone or Lahinch out of Ireland. Lost Farm out of Tazmania had some really beautifully located 3s.
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...Augusta (on the strength of the 12th hole) would also be in the running.
John
I don't find 12 at Augusta that attractive. Walls of trees behind do squiddly dot for me when it comes to aesthetics.
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Jon
You could have a second career as a photographer. Very well done!!
And, yes, having played Fisher's a few times and over a 1000 others , I agree 100% that there is no other track on the planet that has a quartet
of 3 pars that are more beautiful . Stunning pics . The members are very fortunate.
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Jon,
Sorry, many sets of par threes surpass Fisher's Island. I might even argue for the Creek. I do like those photos though.
The Leica again? Not sure that the colors look natural. The below were shot with a second Nikon Coolpix S6000 that I bought for my daughter and she left behind when she went back to the UK. The first bit the dust a month ago.
Photos are from This Tuesday, September 30th.
What about this set of par threes vs Fishers????
3rd tee/ Par 3/ 198 yds
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3927/15430330931_aea616373d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pvwtNt)DSCN0381 (https://flic.kr/p/pvwtNt) by macmalc21 (https://www.flickr.com/people/117604799@N03/), on Flickr
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5599/15246829470_368d342a8f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/peiZdb)DSCN0382 (https://flic.kr/p/peiZdb) by macmalc21 (https://www.flickr.com/people/117604799@N03/), on Flickr
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5599/15246988967_5c7fdf6b6a_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pejNC8)DSCN0385 (https://flic.kr/p/pejNC8) by macmalc21 (https://www.flickr.com/people/117604799@N03/), on Flickr
5th tee/ par 3/238 yds
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3936/15246828020_cb3f8433c2_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/peiYMb)DSCN0396 (https://flic.kr/p/peiYMb) by macmalc21 (https://www.flickr.com/people/117604799@N03/), on Flickr
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5601/15430341371_ba9ff6fc9f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pvwwUt)DSCN0397 (https://flic.kr/p/pvwwUt) by macmalc21 (https://www.flickr.com/people/117604799@N03/), on Flickr
10th tee/ par 3/ 161 yds
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2941/15433528595_e4a6fa9860_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pvNSmB)DSCN0438 (https://flic.kr/p/pvNSmB) by macmalc21 (https://www.flickr.com/people/117604799@N03/), on Flickr
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3928/15433183762_54ef02aecd_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pvM6Rd)DSCN0440 (https://flic.kr/p/pvM6Rd) by macmalc21 (https://www.flickr.com/people/117604799@N03/), on Flickr
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3929/15246823650_ea81dcc4df_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/peiXtQ)DSCN0441 (https://flic.kr/p/peiXtQ) by macmalc21 (https://www.flickr.com/people/117604799@N03/), on Flickr
My ball on the island...
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3933/15433536375_8d5419a3bd_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pvNUEK)DSCN0442 (https://flic.kr/p/pvNUEK) by macmalc21 (https://www.flickr.com/people/117604799@N03/), on Flickr
hmmm...
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5601/15246823370_55fb2d0a73_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/peiXp1)DSCN0443 (https://flic.kr/p/peiXp1) by macmalc21 (https://www.flickr.com/people/117604799@N03/), on Flickr
14th tee/ par 3/ 220 yds
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3934/15410465316_45edd6147e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/ptLErS)DSCN0470 (https://flic.kr/p/ptLErS) by macmalc21 (https://www.flickr.com/people/117604799@N03/), on Flickr
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5601/15246820740_0bb65e3c0f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/peiWBE)DSCN0471 (https://flic.kr/p/peiWBE) by macmalc21 (https://www.flickr.com/people/117604799@N03/), on Flickr
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2948/15433533595_5501cb0729_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pvNTQP)DSCN0472 (https://flic.kr/p/pvNTQP) by macmalc21 (https://www.flickr.com/people/117604799@N03/), on Flickr
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5601/15246932328_142329b34f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pejvMA)DSCN0473 (https://flic.kr/p/pejvMA) by macmalc21 (https://www.flickr.com/people/117604799@N03/), on Flickr
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3932/15246820330_a780bc9e85_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/peiWuA)DSCN0475 (https://flic.kr/p/peiWuA) by macmalc21 (https://www.flickr.com/people/117604799@N03/), on Flickr
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Malcolm:
If you take another look at my post, you'll see that we're in agreement. Many sets of par 3s do surpass those at Fishers Island. I'm not sure I would agree with you on The Creek, but you'll see I used Piping Rock as an example of a course with "better" par 3 holes. Certainly, you could make the argument that the par 3s at Pine Valley "surpass" those at Fishers. Are they better looking? I don't think they are. (Great photos, by the way).
I'm talking about beauty. Sheer visual appeal, if you will. And more than that, I'm talking about beauty as a set. So while the 16th at Cypress is a more beautiful hole than any of the par 3s at Fishers, it's at least debatable as to whether all of the par 3s at Cypress match up with all of the par 3s at Fishers as a group. What I'm wondering is if anyone can think of a more beautiful set.
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Jon,
You are morphing into a true "Philadelphia Lawyer". We can argue about "most beautiful" with "best" until infinity.
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How do the par 3s at Old Head and Pinnacle Point stack up as beauty pageant contestants?