Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Jon Cavalier on October 17, 2014, 01:23:37 PM
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I recently had the pleasure of playing an early morning round at the one-of-a-kind Myopia Hunt Club outside Boston. To put it mildly, it was well worth the drive up from Philly (smooth sailing when you leave at 1am). While the search function does reveal some prior posts about Myopia and some scattered photos, I thought a full tour might be appreciated.
Suffice it to say that I loved Myopia. There is a vibe emanating from certain of these old clubs that I find quite appealing, and Myopia, like Garden City, has it in spades. The building that houses the bar and dining areas was built in 1772. The course is virtually unchanged from 19th century origins, save for a bit of added length. It's an incredible place. I hope that you get a sense of that in these photos. Enjoy.
The Entrance
You know when you arrive at Myopia that you are in for a special day. As you make your way down the long entrance drive, you pass polo fields and horse barns and other areas that reveal that, unlike many other clubs of its ilk, Myopia still maintains strong ties to its equestrian roots. And then there's that outstanding logo.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3931/15345572070_bc7cf149cd_c.jpg)
Like Yeamans Hall, Myopia's entrance road lets you know right away what kind of experience you're in for. Horse barns are to your left as you drive in. No parking, please.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3937/15545424186_1d69948a79_c.jpg)
Horses are not the only creatures roaming the grounds at Myopia.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5597/15545418746_b979d04d98_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5609/15382977418_67b6332bbb_c.jpg)
That said, there are plenty of horses. The 18th fairway is in the background, bordering the grounds.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3956/14948948553_1cd7909c9b_c.jpg)
The Scorecard
In fitting with the overall theme of the club, even the scorecard looks old.
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The Clubhouse
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3935/15507514626_8e5fe4b053_c.jpg)
This view from behind the 18th green shows the wraparound clubhouse/locker room building, along with the putting green.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3931/15569130755_2b9ec095f3_c.jpg)
No bartender - serve yourself.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5610/14931545493_0cb66db12e_c.jpg)
Signage
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3949/14918995763_a243e8afab_c.jpg)
I can honestly say this is the first advertisement for a sled dog race I've seen at a golf course.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3931/15566445481_65cbbbaa57_c.jpg)
Weathervane
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5598/15345062018_ae26bc85e5_c.jpg)
Locker Room & Showers
For me, Myopia's locker room facilities rank right up there with Garden City, Merion and National Golf Links (I've never played the course, but I've been in the locker rooms - that was sheer torture). Myopia's facilities have a more modern feel, but they're still very unique.
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Hole 1 - "First" - 276 yards - Par 4
Myopia opens softly, with a short, uphill par 4 with a blind but wide fairway. The small green is easily reachable for some, but it can be treacherous, with its severe right to left slope.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3951/15344583269_055b843af7_c.jpg)
The angle that most wedge approach shots will see into the first green reveals the necessity of avoiding the miss right.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5607/15345578520_2e7253a859_c.jpg)
The view from the first green - wow.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3937/15345585260_ccf0dbd756_c.jpg)
Hole 2 - "Lookout" - 488 yards - Par 5
A very unique half par hole, the elevated tee allows a full view of the all the interesting obstacles presented by the hole. The first in a three hole stretch of great golf.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3927/14918997283_4084149f80_c.jpg)
The second shot is blind to the green, as is the crossbunker between the two mounds. The flag in the background is on the 7th green. The 2nd green is sunken below.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3932/15532067292_c786735222_c.jpg)
The green and bunker are revealed. This hole reminded me a bit of Emmet's 4th at St. George's on Long Island.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5600/15532068512_a142f5a622_c.jpg)
The 2nd from behind shows the recessed nature of the green.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3948/15344597479_c7e7b89c75_c.jpg)
Hole 3 - "Brae" - 252 yards - Par 3
A monster par 3 reminiscent of the 8th at Oakmont, only short doesn't work well here. In truth, the third of three half-par holes to open the round. Anything long is dead.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5615/15345216737_88ed7b0b54_c.jpg)
A small green for such a long par 3.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/15507535536_cb54ec648d_c.jpg)
Hole 4 - "Miles River" - 385 yards - Par 4
A fantastic and beautiful par 4, and one of the most widely recognized holes at Myopia.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3953/14911061683_efe12c09eb_c.jpg)
Beautiful bunkering. The photo does not reveal just how much the green slopes from back right to front left. I was told that this green has less pinnable area than even the tiny green on 9.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5605/15345087518_b77e56d400_c.jpg)
From behind the green.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5597/15345599910_13beb4d1ab_c.jpg)
Hole 5 - "Lone Tree" - 417 yards - Par 4
Tough par 4 divided by a stream.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5601/15507545886_86353c6ed3_c.jpg)
Approach on 5.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3952/15345095458_e380e95435_c.jpg)
Reverse view on 5.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5605/14910499284_25d277d156_c.jpg)
Hole 6 - "Brook" - 255 yards - Par 4
Another brilliant short par 4. By this point, the player knows he's playing a course meant for match play. This hole is driveable, with the caveat that the green slopes from front to back.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5602/14911552963_78d9dd8972_c.jpg)
Reverse view.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3950/15345579278_3266e7a4a7_c.jpg)
Hole 7 - "Myopia" - 401 yards - Par 4
The course's namesake provides a capsule view of what you'll find at quirky Myopia. Good luck finding a level lie in this fairway.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3934/14911556183_36743dc017_c.jpg)
Approach view on 7 from the top of the hill.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3931/15532571282_449739d83f_c.jpg)
Reverse view showing elevation change and sideslope.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5598/14910985834_31873aa682_c.jpg)
This panoramic view of the 7th hole, taken from the 4th fairway, gives a good idea of the challenge of the slope in the approach on 7, and shows the many background elements that add to the experience at Myopia.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3948/15566459811_12496c3b00_c.jpg)
Hole 8 - "Prairie" - 473 yards - Par 5
The hole begins with a drive over a small rise to a blind landing area.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5604/14910988384_18233c407c_c.jpg)
The second shot is obscured by an Alps-like rise in the fairway that obscures the green. The very top of the flag is visible here.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3956/15345721697_813efb9d10_c.jpg)
Like the 4th, the bunkerless 8th green is built with severe slope from high right to low left. Anything to the right of this pin can easily be putted all the way off the green.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5607/15345107089_fe6e211398_c.jpg)
Hole 9 - "Pond" - 136 yards - Par 3
One of the best short par 3s in golf.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3935/14910991784_075501110b_c.jpg)
The green is a mere 9 paces wide at the middle, and the creative bunkering results some interesting recovery shots on misses.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3939/14910992664_588aa92d3b_c.jpg)
Hole 10 - "Alps" - 404 yards - Par 4
The "alps" here are carried off the tee. The blind tee shot makes for an uncomfortable drive, since anything missed right ...
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5599/15353107437_22739cf78a_c.jpg)
... ends up in a really bad spot. Note that the landing area is wider that it would seem from the tee, but the price for missing is quite high.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3951/15515429766_a577e70275_c.jpg)
The 10th also has some great contour and bunkering around the green. One of my favorite holes on the course.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3948/15353110217_b9c72ca166_c.jpg)
Reverse view, showing the wonderful green complex.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3930/15353495520_8f7165eb83_c.jpg)
Hole 11 - "Road" - 349 yards - Par 4
An uphill par 4 with trouble down both sides. The tee is to the left of this photo, which shows the gorgeous red fescue that abounds at Myopia. Any left to right tee shot here is in danger of running off the canted fairway.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3948/14918383084_4d96407ae4_c.jpg)
Green view. Another great use of a cross bunker. Like 11, there's room between the bunker and the green to bounce one on, but you also won't get away with a skulled runner here. Along with 4 and 8, 11 is one of the most sloped greens on the course.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5604/15539139375_749f0cfb5a_c.jpg)
Hole 12 - "Valley" - 451 yards - Par 4
A picturesque tee shot back down into the valley, the 12th runs parallel to the 8th and 7th holes. The red fescue frames the hole beautifully. Another half-par hole.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5607/14918962473_8abf927ea7_c.jpg)
The view of the green on 12 shows the danger of missing right.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5615/14918963203_97724bee39_c.jpg)
This view back toward the 12th tee reveals the rugged nature of the terrain at Myopia.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3955/15353116957_761c3362ff_c.jpg)
Hole 13 - "Hill" - 358 yards - Par 4
Playing back through the valley of the 2nd hole, the 13th requires proper placement of the tee shot to have a reasonably playable angle into the elevated green.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5603/15536448281_19c4079306_c.jpg)
The approach on 13. Straight up the ridgeline.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3953/15539145655_d5eef29561_c.jpg)
Green view. Anything short will roll back off the front of the green, ending up as far as 30 feet from the putting surface. But you really don't want to be long here. Hit it or else.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5611/15352982798_eb40729c77_c.jpg)
Hole 14 - "Ridge" - 393 yards - Par 4
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Green view.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3953/15536454591_fd3ba6595a_c.jpg)
Hole 15 - "Long" - 529 yards - Par 5
The slight rise in the fairway hides the fairway bunkers up the right side.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3932/15536457361_d06c75b355_c.jpg)
Likewise, the bunkers fronting the green are hidden from view on the second shot.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3952/15539980862_10fd3e0ac0_c.jpg)
Green view.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5601/15536459091_4c922c95e1_c.jpg)
Hole 16 - "Paddock" - 192 yards - Par 3
A gorgeous par 3 with the clubhouse as a backdrop. Once again, many of the greenside bunkers are hidden from view. The 18th green is seen behind.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5614/15353131987_da7bc01ca1_c.jpg)
The view from behind the 16th green, with the first fairway in the background.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5600/14918980013_81448fee4e_c.jpg)
This view from a different angle behind the 16th green better shows the great bunkering on this hole. The pro shop is just out of view to the right.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3946/15382486559_925e474730_c.jpg)
Hole 17 - "West" - 394 yards - Par 4
The green is not in view from the tee, nor is the bunkering on the right of the fairway.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5609/15352997478_5c4777064b_c.jpg)
Green view.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5600/15352998358_0e506e68f0_c.jpg)
Hole 18 - "Home" - 400 yards - Par 4
Great courses have great closers, and Myopia is no exception. The 18th here reminded me a little of the finishing hole at Oakmont. A ridge runs the entire length of the right side of the hole. Horses run the left.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5616/15353144617_3cbde014c8_c.jpg)
Double bunkering fronts the green on the right.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3940/15353007998_eebdf4e968_c.jpg)
Bunker guards the greenside and runs from front left to back right.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5615/15554644841_48c53ce180_c.jpg)
The view back down the 18th - beautiful.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3935/14918416984_7baca8f16d_c.jpg)
Hope you enjoyed the tour.
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Myopia looks like an exceptional place with old world charm and an amazing course. Thanks for sharing.
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Looks like the Swinley Forest of America. Exceptional tour, Jon, and a great resource to have on the site. Much appreciated...
Myopia over Swinley, by a mile.
and I rather enjoyed Swinley.
Why?
variety and quirk at Myopia far exceed that of Swinley
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Jon,
great photo tour. It is a shame that such courses are not as well known in the golfing world as other more photographed courses because it might help to open peoples imaginations up to what courses can also look like.
Jon
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Good God, what a cool place! I love everything about this post. The scorecard is the coolest. Does anyone know what the percentages mean? I would assume handicaps?
Great lesson in golf course architecture. Even though my chances of ever visiting are probably minimal, it's great to see these photos and imagine.
That 9th green!! Holy Smokes. Anyone else on the Treehouse played there who can chime in on that hole or the course in general.
Thanks, Rob
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Certainly one of the world's best.
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Fantastic! Thank you for the tour, Jon.
The red fescue frames the holes beautifully. The mounding, the bunkering, the blind shots...wow. Speechless.
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That 9th green!! Holy Smokes. Anyone else on the Treehouse played there who can chime in on that hole or the course in general.
Tee ball is always a little more difficult considering the lemonade/ginger snap sugar rush that accompanies the shot.
Places like this remain low key because of their desires to do so. Threads like this never last long.
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Jon C. -
A wonderful tour. Thank you.
With due respect to Sean Arble, I don't think I have ever seen a photo tour here that makes me want to play a course more than this one.
The colors of the fall foliage and fescue are remarkable. Did you enhance/saturate the colors of your pics at all or is that how the course really looked?
DT
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What a fantastic place. You can just tell by looking at the clubhouse. There is nothing like a yellow house with white trim.
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I will add many more words when I have more time this evening, as I spent 2004 working at the Club, and have played ~75 rounds at MHC.
One thing to notice is that over the last several years, the club has done a FANTASTIC job of bringing back the edges of their wonderful golf course. Where bunkers once languished several yards into the rough, they now jut into fairways. Where trees pinched corridors, they are now meadows opening the course to views not seen since the 20s.
I would say that when playing firm and fast, which is the majority of the year these days, there is no better display of quirk and bouncing-golf ball fun among US Parkland courses. And it was maybe the first great one we had back in the 1890s.
When playing at full firmness, it is not uncommon to watch a ball bounce and roll for 30 seconds after it seemingly comes to a stop!
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Myopia is a special place. Had the opportunity to play there a couple of years ago. The experience in like none other.
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Jon C. -
A wonderful tour. Thank you.
With due respect to Sean Arble, I don't think I have ever seen a photo tour here that makes me want to play a course more than this one.
The colors of the fall foliage and fescue are remarkable. Did you enhance/saturate the colors of your pics at all or is that how the course really looked?
DT
David:
I did not enhance the photos. I do set the camera up to give a slight bump in contrast when I'm shooting golf courses, but the pics are an accurate view of how the course and the trees looked that day.
Here's a side view of the 9th - these were the brightest trees I saw that day, and some of the most vibrant colors I've ever seen on a golf course.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5601/15244541487_fb9e955971_c.jpg)
It's really an incredible place in every respect.
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Jon C. -
Thanks for your reply. Those colors are just remarkable.
DT
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Exceptional. Truly exceptional. Until now I had never heard of Myopia. What a treat. And the set up, as Brad has alluded to, looks spot on. Such a shame that lesser places just don't take note. I guess it takes a certain level of self assuredness to open a course up to play properly.
Thanks for an outstanding tour.
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Amazing pictures and a great time to take them as the leaves have started to change colors here in New England.
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Exceptional. Truly exceptional. Until now I had never heard of Myopia. What a treat. And the set up, as Brad has alluded to, looks spot on. Such a shame that lesser places just don't take note. I guess it takes a certain level of self assuredness to open a course up to play properly.
Thanks for an outstanding tour.
Thank you for your comment. That you had never heard of this course makes me very happy that I put this post up.
I'm glad that you are all enjoying the tour.
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WOW!
I knew from the records that a Club/course called Myopia Hunt had held the US Open a few times in the 1890's-early 1900's, and I'm assuming it's the same course, but what a place.
A quite exceptional photo-tour. By posting it Jon, I'm sure you will have brought a smile to the face of many a GCA-poster (plus lurkers). A big 'well done'.
atb
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Jon:
Wonderful stuff; on the very short list of courses that -- given just one round to play, and the ability to go anywhere -- I'd consider. (Can't wait to hear what Brad has to say).
I've seen other photo threads of Myopia (including the NLE GCA profile...), and did not realize how much subtle blindness there is out there -- the 1st is famous, of course, but your photos depict a lot of blind-outcome tee shots and hidden greens -- a tremendous piece of routing by Leeds.
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It doesn't look like much tinkering has been done at Myopia Hunt throughout the years--is this in fact the case?
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Jon, thank you so much for posting such wonderful photos and commentary of a golf course that has intrigued me for some time. I've seen some photos posted of this course, but nothing like what you've done here. Does anyone know if the terrain of Myopia is similar to a course like Garden City?
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It doesn't look like much tinkering has been done at Myopia Hunt throughout the years--is this in fact the case?
In talking with the head pro, he told me that they've added a few hundred yards over the past 115 years, but otherwise, almost no changes have been made.
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Jon, thank you so much for posting such wonderful photos and commentary of a golf course that has intrigued me for some time. I've seen some photos posted of this course, but nothing like what you've done here. Does anyone know if the terrain of Myopia is similar to a course like Garden City?
Funny you should ask - http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,59549.0.html
Overall, the terrain is dissimilar - Myopia has a good deal of elevation change, Garden City is pancake flat. But the general feel of the courses is, in my opinion, very much the same.
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Very cool tour, Jon. Thanks for the effort.
I noticed a maintenance item that I will start another thread on as not to sidetrack this fine one. No worries, it's a positive observation!
Joe
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FYI A photo tour of this course was posted just over two years ago - under a pseudonym.
My recollection is that there had been some photos of the course posted on GCA earlier or even a full review and the club requested that they be removed.
Hopefully they have changed their perception of the Treehouse and do not object. You want to get invited back, and no repurcussions to your host!
Wm Flynnfan
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Thanks Jon, looks fantastic. Myopia is one of those on my short list. It appears to be ideal golfing ground.
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FYI A photo tour of this course was posted just over two years ago - under a pseudonym.
My recollection is that there had been some photos of the course posted on GCA earlier or even a full review and the club requested that they be removed.
Hopefully they have changed their perception of the Treehouse and do not object. You want to get invited back, and no repurcussions to your host!
Wm Flynnfan
Interesting. That said, I was not hosted by a member at Myopia, so there would be no blowback to anyone (were that a possibility, I would have checked and received permission first). However, if the club takes issue with the photos, I would take the post down (though I would think that would be a disservice to all interested in old world golf course architechture).
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Thanks for posting, Jon.
If I could only look at two courses for the rest of my life, I might pick Myopia and Garden City.
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I usually stay away from photo tours of courses that I have not played since I like to experience a new course with as little preconceived notions as possible, but I was very happy to see this tour as I have absolute zero chance of visiting this great course. Fantastic tour. Loved it.
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Leeds has an impressive resume given his short list of courses designed.
Palmetto, Myopia, Kebo Valley
great stuff
Great pictures-thanks for posting
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Exceptional images.
What camera was used?
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Don't forget Bass Rocks in Gloucester, MA is in the Leeds portfolio!
As for Myopia tinkering, there has been little since the second 9 was added circa 1900.
The original 9 was comprised in a general sense....1-2-8-9-c10 tee over Alps feature to c11 green-c12 tee to c14green-two holes on the c15th-16. I may have a couple of these off, not quite sure....but that is a common "club 9" played by members late in the day (playing both 10 and 11, as the old direct line between them is woods now).
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It definitely appeared to be very much the original from the early 1900s.
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This is just another reminder that Sept/Oct should be considered the US golf course photo tour months on GCA. The colors are amazing this time of year.
Jon, thanks for taking the time to put this together.
Shane
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Thanks Jon
I've played Myopia several times, most recently in 2012. I would never call it a "great"course (GCA wise), but it is within my top 20 golfing experiences of all time. Swinley (e.g) is a "better" course, but Myopia is by far a better experience. IMHO.
Rich
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Terrific photo tour. You have a real knack for photographing golf courses. Thank you for sharing.
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Jon - Best picture of bar ever posted on GCA ;), what fantastic pictures. I share your admiration of Myopia, one-of-a-kind indeed. I get to visit once a year and it is usually one of my highlights. Great finishing hole and the place still has bite despite not being lengthened. John
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Great experience - will never forget the Beef Consomme with Sherry that was served up there to warm chilly golfers in October. Fantastic photos.
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Thanks Jon
I've played Myopia several times, most recently in 2012. I would never call it a "great"course (GCA wise), but it is within my top 20 golfing experiences of all time. Swinley (e.g) is a "better" course, but Myopia is by far a better experience. IMHO.
Rich
Rich,
I found Myopia fascinating, unique, quirky, fun, strategic, variable and a blast to play.
What part of that is not great?
I guess I just was slightly underwhelmed at Swinley(no doubt a victim of expectations) , though it's certainly an outstanding course as well.
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Thank you Jon, well done!!!!
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My wife and I played MHC on July 4th many years ago. I tried to find the most patriotic thing I could do since I was in the land of Lexington and Concord. Playing MHC seemed to fit the bill. Played it twice. It is one of those really special places that is from a different era. It didn't seem to be difficult, until I added up my score. Thanks for the pictures.
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Thanks Jon
I've played Myopia several times, most recently in 2012. I would never call it a "great"course (GCA wise), but it is within my top 20 golfing experiences of all time. Swinley (e.g) is a "better" course, but Myopia is by far a better experience. IMHO.
Rich
What a bizarre statement. What holds it back from being great (GCA wise).
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Jon,
In your photo tour you have 12 listed as a 5. it is in fact a par 4.
great photos.
i believe an open held there is the one with the highest winning score by a champion. ;)
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Jon, I add my thanks for taking the time to post this. Boston is a long way from Melbourne but your words (AND PICTURES!!!!) make me determined to get there one way or another. All the best.
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Now that I have a few minutes I can add some hole comments. As I have said before, there is no course I have played on this side on the pond that requires as much course knowledge, and provides as much pleasure when you pull these shots off. Courses like NGLA and Shinnecock are similar, with insanely scenic settings. I know I'm adding many caveats about Myopia's greatness, but if you get the chance to experience MHC, you will see what I mean!
Hole #1: A quintessential first hole for Myopia, a half par of 275 yards. Despite being a hugely wide fairway for a hole of its length, an amazing # of players end up in the left fescue near the OB. The widest part of the fairway is to the right giving you an odd angle against the R->L slope of the hole, but I think people go left because much of the fairway is invisible from the tee. Unique because to reach a flat lie for the second, one must get within 80 yards of the hole, creating an awkward second to a green that is bigger than it looks. In the early 2000s, the club shaved the bank left of the green, so if you miss on the left fringe, you will end up 10 feet and 20 yards below and left of the green. There are some fun stories of bombers driving the green, putting off of it to the left, and making 6+!
Hole #2: Sometimes an easier 4 than #1. When firmed out, a good drive here can leave only a mid-iron, but the slope of the fairway tends to push tee balls into the left rough. The original strategy dictated a shot to the green to barely carry the bunker 50 yards short of the green, and bounce down the hill to the green. Once this may have been for the third shot, and today is for the second. The tough part comes with choosing a line over the blind crest of the hill, and hitting a shot that will roll onto the green as opposed to run through. The safe play for a second (or even a third) is long, as this leaves an uphill chip or pitch.
Hole #3: A true long par three requiring a fairway wood or driver from the tee that barely carries the huge front bunker about 40-50 yards short of the green. Players of all abilities are not used to hitting full 3W or Driver to such a tiny target, so the spray pattern here is enormous. Even some great shots will end up in deep rough just left of the green. The green features do not help matters, as it is small and two-tiered, and built out from the flat in front of the green so there is some elevation from the surrounding grade on three sides. 3 half-par holes to start make for outstanding match play decisions. Listen for the 50 or so hounds that live in the kennel left of #3...they are maintained for use in the several ceremonial hunts each year.
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Hole #4: The oft-referenced "best hole of its length in the free world," is one of Myopia's great par fours, despite that statement being more referential to the lack of great 390 yard holes. The Miles River down the left may be skirted to gain distance, or the player can use the right half of the fairway to avoid the hazard. Those that challenge the hazard have an angle that looks directly at the green's slope without having to deal with the R->L slope of the green as much. Not surprisingly, many players end up in the right rough behind the 7th green with little spin to control the second shot. When firm, this is one of the most difficult approach shots on the course. Because there is such a small pinnable area, the aiming point for the second shot, even with a wedge, is at the very far right edge of the green. An uphill putt is what we are after, but there is really a 25-foot semicircle short of the pin where an approach will stay and be playable. The left 2/3 of the green is too steep for a pin at current speeds. Legend has it that a US Open competitor putted off this green into the River left of the green, but the River had to be mighty high back then (or the green closer to it), as they are separated by about 20 yards today.
Hole #5: Probably the most benign hole on the course, #5 is the second-longest par four on the course at 415 yards. The fairway narrows after the 240 mark from the tee, and approach shots seem to end up short and right of the green, which is also the direction the green slopes. A huge grass bunker short of the fairway once was more in play, but requires only a 180 yard carry today. This is an underrated green.
Hole #6: At only 260 yards off the tee, this probably IS the best par four of its length in America, as so few are built this short today. The key to the 6th hole is the stream crossing the fairway about 30 yards short of the green, which also winds closer to the green on the left side. Even though this hole is less than a driver for some, it still requires a very solid shot to reach the green. Unfortunately the layup choice is becoming increasingly irrelevant, but for shorter players a layup and a difficult wedge is still a great challenge. The green is a masterpiece for this length, as it is very severe sloping hard to the left. The pin can only be located on the right side, with about 20 feet of leeway forward or backward. Most players that "go for the green" end up on the slope short of the green requiring a very touchy pitch using the fronting slope to slow the ball. This hole is about as close as on can get to a "2 or 20" par four hole. It can be an easy birdie, or make you wonder how on earth it took you 6 shots to cover 260 yards!
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And now we have the second reason I'm happy to have posted this thread.
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Hole #7: The start of a GREAT stretch of roller-coaster holes from 7-13. One stands on the lower right tee and wonders, where do we go from here? The tee shot is not blind but is effectively so, as the target is on the other side of the hill. Most tee shots will not travel far enough to see the green about 50 feet below the fairway, and the flatter (preferable) right side does not allow viewing the green without a Sergio-like run after contact. There are players that will challenge the left side where one can see the green, but the fairway slopes severely R->L, and you are more likely to run into a bunker or deep rough requiring a pitch-out. The second is another ground-level green at the end of the wide sloping fairway. Much like the approach to #2, the real yardage means little, and the challenge is to find a club that will stop the ball on the green. This is one of Myopia's best holes, and it gets almost no recognition.
Hole #8: Another great half-par hole, the 5th in 8 holes!! The 8th appears as a 480-yd par five links hole, with a subtle half-pipe effect off the tee, and a crest that makes the tee shot partially blind. This part of the property plays very firm, and it is not uncommon for an enormous amount of roll with a solid tee ball. The player must hit his tee ball solid, as a layup is almost a certain 6. My recommendation for players is to purposefully play short of this green and pitch up the hill. The green is large but so severely sloped to the left that an attempt at the pin from any great distance is not a smart play. Missing as much as 3 feet above the hole will create wild putting adventures, as I have seen 4 and 5 putts from above the hole. Sometimes even short putts will break hugely, and I have seen players putt with their back to the hole.
Hole #9: A short par three of only 130 yards, this is probably the most unique hole at Myopia. One might even call this a half-par (three-quarter?) hole because so many birdies are made among those hitting the green. Set in an idyllic grove in the woods with pond between tee and green, #9 is all-or-nothing. The green is only about 25 feet wide, but almost 50 yards from front to back. The green slopes towards its middle, but 7 or 8 bunkers surround the green on three sides. These bunkers are free form pot bunkers, many with stairs to assist players entering and exiting. Hitting the green will usually leave a makeable putt, but missing the green creates short game shots not found anywhere else. Where else does one have a 15-foot bunker shot that must rise vertically from the sand, with your backswing truncated by the other side of the bunker? Where else can one be in a bunker 20 yards from his target with a view of nothing but sky...with other bunkers to carry? Myopia excels in displaying quirk from days gone by, and one finishes a hole like #9 and wonders, why do modern holes (and even some classic, as most of them came after Myopia) deviate so far from what Myopia got so right 115+ years ago!!
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Leeds has an impressive resume given his short list of courses designed.
Palmetto, Myopia, Kebo Valley
Did Leeds design Myopia, or did one of the other GCA greats?
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Golly gosh. I take back all the rude things I have ever said about American golf, and that is quite a few
What a nice place to play golf.
However I do not think that the 9th green and those coffin bunkers, mixed with a self-serve bar is a sensible commercial proposition. If ever a hole needed a stiff drink or 6 it is that one. Talk about inviting disaster
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Thanks for the terrific photos, Jon.
I always expected the "chocolate drops" to look more uniform and pronounced, like the Dragon's Teeth on the Redan at the Greenbrier, so it's neat to see how natural and varied they look. Do they come into play much?
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Thank you!
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There are some beautiful courses in the Boston area. Whitinsville, The Country Club and this gem.
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Leeds has an impressive resume given his short list of courses designed.
Palmetto, Myopia, Kebo Valley
Did Leeds design Myopia, or did one of the other GCA greats?
The very early origins have been up for debate for years on here, on which members turned the first spade of dirt, to who visited early-on, etc. Without any desire to get into all of that (as I have no research to prove yay or nay), I think it is safe(ish) to say that Leeds was the main member-in-charge of the layout over the first few decades, with some influence/advice from some of the local pros working/designing in the area in the 1890s. Leeds is also associated with Bass Rocks about 10 miles north of Myopia, Kebo Valley in Bar Harbor, Maine...the northernmost bastion of "summering elites" in the late 19th/early 20th century, and the original Palmetto in SC, which was about as far as Bostonians ventured in the winter in those early days of vacationing. It's not surprising that all of his courses were associated with Boston ties, or at least the areas his colleagues visited in each season.
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Great photo tour; the course looks amazing.
Here's a previous photo tour of the course by Malcom Mckinnon:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,53577.0.html
To ensure your photo tour remains under the radar, maybe you should also change the subject to something a bit more obscure. I believe Ran had a feature essay on the course that had to be removed.
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Terrific photo tour of a course I know little about, but have held in reverence. One of the great golf thrills for me was finding a Myopia Hunt Club ball marker off the cart path on the 13th hole at Ekwanok CC many years ago. That ball marker occupies a prized position in my collection. Great to finally see some wonderful images of the course.
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Photos moved to main tour.
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Showers at Justin Rose's adopted USA club are the best I've ever used.
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Back 9!
Hole #10...After the thrilling ninth, we walk to the right to an old-school completely blind tee shot. A 20-foot hill rises just in front of the tee obscuring another very underrated hole. The fairway is relatively narrow, but funnels toward the middle if you can keep it between the edges. For those missing slightly in either direction, deep fescue and natural-looking bunkers await. This fairway plays firm, and the hole plays less than its yardage. Bobby Jones found some calamity in the deep rough bowl right of the fairway during his rounds at Myopia, and the deep bunker about 50 yards short of the green is the "Taft bunker," as the portly president had to be extricated from it with ropes during his rounds there in 1915 (his thank you note can be found in the pro shop)! Luckily for those with a round middle, there are now stairs to/from the bunker. This green has a gentle bowl shape, and at-grade ground around the putting surface allows for recoveries.
Hole #11...A short par four with an interesting tee shot. The fairway here has widened in recent years, bringing the right fescue into play as much as ever. While the only idea off the tee is to find some fairway, the line is left of where the eye and mowing lines dictate, and often the first bounce for an ideal tee ball (everything goes hard L->R) is in the left rough. The second shot is a wedge from a hard L->R sloping fairway that always plays a bit longer, to a green with as much slope as any at Myopia. The green is built into a hill leading to the 12th tee, and goes hard back to front and left to right. Current speeds only allow a few pin locations, and any ball ending above the hole may break upwards of 10 feet! A good play is to land short and putt or chip up the flat slope.
Hole #12...Another half-par hole (the 6th!) at 455 yards par four. This is the best view on the property in my opinion, with parts of holes 2/3/4/6/7/8/10/11/12/13/14 all in view! Tee shots down the right will contend with a rock-covered hillock, and the ball tends to run out on that side leaving a good view of the green. The left side is wider but tee shots tend to stop quickly and leave a semi-blind uphill second. The green is tiny and domed, with a small lower front right section, and a higher rear section. The trick on this hole is to get a long-iron or fairway wood to bound a few times in front of the green while eventually stopping somewhere close to leave a putt or simple chip. This is the easiest bogey at Myopia, but probably not the highest scoring average to par, as most players can find their way to playing the hole in 5 shots. Just a wonderful hole.
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Hole #13...Easily the most intimidating 349 yards you will play, without a drop of water in sight! The tee shot is a simple one...play no more than 250 yards straightaway to an inviting wide fairway...most people can find the fairway without issue. The second shot is often played with a short iron, but this might be Myopia's hardest hole to par. What is the catch? The second shot rises about 40 feet over a hillside covered with fescue and broken ground to a very shallow green. While the green is wide, your margin for error is about 5-8 paces of green. More than that, you will be chipping downhill from the rough, less than that, your ball will find the false front, and be shunted down the fairway to the rough (or a bunker) about 30 yards short and 15 feet below the green, leaving you with the same approach shot in miniature for your third. There is a small bailout to the right half of the green where the surface is a bit flatter, but the approach shot requirements are similar, and even the bailout leaves a 40-foot putt if done successfully. To be honest, I'm not sure how high-handicappers play this hole...I'm not sure what advice to give. You must be a good short-iron player or have a good short game to succeed here...the green complex is a fair one, if just so.
Hole #14...The most improved hole over the last decade, as a new back tee has been added, trees have been cleared, and the green complex expanded to bring bunkers back into play. Another underrated hole, the 14th looks benign but offers considerable challenge for a 390-yard hole. The tee shot is straightaway, but the fairway slopes R->L on the left half, throwing decent-looking tee shots into the left rough. The right side is flat, but heading that way skirts several deep fairway bunkers in the right rough. Simple strategy is at play here, as the left tee shots will contend with a greenside bunker blocking the left half of the green, and those down the right have an open avenue to the right side of the green. These issues would be no big deal on a modern course, as the player would approach from the air and stop the ball with spin. Not at Myopia's #14! The approach must land on the front of the firm green, or the player risks a deep bunker beyond, or the steady R-L slope. It only takes one play to realize that a wedge from the left rough is not enough loft to stop an approach here.
Hole #15....After two shots down a wide fairway, #15 is all about the approach. Bombers can get in range of the green from the tee on this mid-length par five, but two 6-foot deep bunkers guard the front of the green, negating the ground approach for only the third time all day. Second shots that lay-up usually end up down the left side. The greensite is an interesting one, with 10 paces from the bunkers to the front of the green, and a small at-grade green with the rear half pushed up a few feet. Strangely for an accessible green, it is difficult to stop a wedge close at #15. This is really the last good scoring opportunity, even as the longest par five out of Myopia's three.
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Showers at Justin Rose's adopted USA club are the best I've ever used.
Couldn't agree more.
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Thanks Jon for the photo tour! And thanks Brad for the extra comments, looking forward to the last three holes. What an amazing place!
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No problem...always happy to talk Myopia! Now on to three diverse and interesting finishing holes. Two out of three of them (16/18) are quite controversial in this day and age. With maintenance standards very high these days at top tier clubs, some of the older features aren't able to come into play as they once did. Is this for better or for worse? I call 16 and 18 fair, but only barely so like 13. They are not card-and-pencil holes, but they do fare very well in match play.
Hole #16: If you have seen one picture of Myopia, it is probably of the gorgeous 16th hole, a downhill par three of about 190 yards with the Revolutionary War-era clubhouse behind, and the golf shop to the left. Now take a good look at the green...how do you intend to stop a ball on there? As on many holes at MHC, the real yardage means little. 190 yards can some days be covered with a 7 or 8 iron even by mere mortals. The green runs away from the tee 50 feet above, with the steep left section unpinnable. The only shots to have a chance to hold the green are those that carry a bunker 30 yards short, bounce through the tiny fairway section, and hopefully come to a stop before the back fringe. For years, the fronting fairway played too wet to allow this to happen. Lately it has firmed up and the fairway functions as planned, but most shots will end up long anyway. The green is surrounded by hazards on all sides, and the only recovery area is the back bunker, as you will have an uphill shot. For me, there is a bit too little recovery area for greatness, but it is thrilling to hit a shot and wait to see if it will run out and stop correctly. No doubt it is a great match play hole, where a 4 is never a bad score.
Hole #17: A mid-length par four recently improved with tree removal between 17 and 18, which makes the player even more uneasy off the tee with less definition available. This is the only hole with OB in play, as a stone wall separates #17 from the driving range to the left. Classic strategy is at play, as the fairway slopes hard L->R, requiring a tee shot in the general direction of the OB wall. The green is at the very end of the slope that dominates the hole, with a steep shaved dropoff to the right. With a left to right stance, the shaved bank is ever more in play. For those able to use the flat run-up on the left side of the green, a short birdie putt awaits, as this is one of Myopia smaller greens. Another underrated hole.
Hole #18: On a course full of "most difficult for its length" holes, the 18th is no exception. The dominating feature off the tee is a slope about 260 yards out that shoots long tee shots into the left rough to a difficult stance. If the player can stay short of the slope, it must be between deep pot bunkers on both sides of the fairway. The approach is a mid- to short-iron, but extremely demanding. The green slopes gently towards the rear, and 8-foot deep bunkers guard the entire front and right edges. The green is not small, but it is so flat that very little of it can be seen from the fairway. Fear of the front bunker makes each player pucker even with a 9-iron in hand! One can miss left, but not far, as a slope will kick it further left, or long, where there is short rough because the majority of third/fourth shot play is from there. The last full shot on the course has one of the neatest "only at Myopia" views, with the yellow clubhouse just behind, and grassy courtyard, putting green, and tennis beyond. This is another very difficult stroke play hole, but most definitely fun for match play if it gets this far!
Questions, comments, heckles? Now-and-again GCA poster and PGA pro Jeff Fraim worked at Myopia the same year I did, so a hearty hello to him if he sees this!
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Brad:
Thanks for your comments. An awesome addition to this tour.
Jon
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Showers at Justin Rose's adopted USA club are the best I've ever used.
:)
i played with a group some years ago at Essex (MA). as one of the other gentlemen got out of the shower there he exclaimed for all to hear "that is the best shower i've had since merion!"
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While I would hate to have my tour defiled by yet another shower discussion, I thought we had already established that Manufacturers GC has the greatest showers in the golfing universe. Merion's are great. Mannies' are a drowning hazard.
(I can't comment on Myopia's, because I skipped the shower and jumped right back in my car is to head back to Philly - no way I could have managed that one-day round trip after a nice, soothing shower - I needed my own rankness and the promise of a shower at home to keep me awake).
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Stunning photos, the place looks amazing.
I can't quite put my finger on why but the photos remind me abit of Walton Heath at times, perhaps the mounding and bunkering combined with the open space and expanses of rough?
There appear to be alot of blind bunkers and even when a hazard is visible the sand lines often aren't. How does this play? It is something I am often against as a good flashed face and visible sand line helps offer that "thrill" Dr Mac refers to when you clear a hazard, but somehow when combined with the native rough, landscape and overall setting it seems to visually work at Myopia. How do the blind bunkers play in practice? With it being I assume mainly member play (?) does it make much difference that they are blind?
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Showers at Justin Rose's adopted USA club are the best I've ever used.
:)
i played with a group some years ago at Essex (MA). as one of the other gentlemen got out of the shower there he exclaimed for all to hear "that is the best shower i've had since merion!"
muirfield has the best showers in golf. perhaps this is worthy of a separate thread.
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While I would hate to have my tour defiled by yet another shower discussion, I thought we had already established that Manufacturers GC has the greatest showers in the golfing universe. Merion's are great. Mannies' are a drowning hazard.
(I can't comment on Myopia's, because I skipped the shower and jumped right back in my car is to head back to Philly - no way I could have managed that one-day round trip after a nice, soothing shower - I needed my own rankness and the promise of a shower at home to keep me awake).
The showers at Myopia are very solid Speakman heads with good water flow, though each stall is MASSIVE in size. Overall they are nothing extraordinary, far short of Mannies.
Mark
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Sorry guys, the shower conversation begins and ends at Blackwolf Run ;D
Jon, thank you for this tour. I love seeing pictures of Myopia. I think it may be one of the most unique courses in the US.
Is there anywhere else that the bunkers are basically holes in the ground? Do they drain well?
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Josh, the first time I played Myopia was in a monsoon, and the bunkers stayed surprisingly dry. I have no idea how but I swear I was seeing standing water on the greens before I saw it in the bunkers...
MM
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Sorry guys, the shower conversation begins and ends at Blackwolf Run ;D
Jon, thank you for this tour. I love seeing pictures of Myopia. I think it may be one of the most unique courses in the US.
Is there anywhere else that the bunkers are basically holes in the ground? Do they drain well?
Garden City comes to mind on the bunker issue. And yes - they also seem to stay dry.
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While I would hate to have my tour defiled by yet another shower discussion, I thought we had already established that Manufacturers GC has the greatest showers in the golfing universe. Merion's are great. Mannies' are a drowning hazard.
(I can't comment on Myopia's, because I skipped the shower and jumped right back in my car is to head back to Philly - no way I could have managed that one-day round trip after a nice, soothing shower - I needed my own rankness and the promise of a shower at home to keep me awake).
THe showers at Deepdale are the best.
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Mark and John,
That's pretty amazing really. I love the look and the seem like they would have a pretty significant gathering effect.
And John, mentally going through pictures Garden City was the only place that came to mind. They are certainly less flashy in pictures, but I think they look awesome.
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While I would hate to have my tour defiled by yet another shower discussion, I thought we had already established that Manufacturers GC has the greatest showers in the golfing universe. Merion's are great. Mannies' are a drowning hazard.
(I can't comment on Myopia's, because I skipped the shower and jumped right back in my car is to head back to Philly - no way I could have managed that one-day round trip after a nice, soothing shower - I needed my own rankness and the promise of a shower at home to keep me awake).
THe showers at Deepdale are the best.
This is a fantastic photo tour, thank you for putting it together Jon. I hope it stays up, despite the club's urge for intense privacy, as Myopia is very much worthy of study.
I might be bragging, but the showers at my home club are nothing short of elephant hoses. It's not the size of the shower head that's important, but the amount of water pressure! :)
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Jon,
Wow! Spectacular. Wonderful photos and at the best time of year I have to think. Thanks for posting and sharing.
Brad,
Great commentary to go with the pics. Thanks for chiming in bud.
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As Augusta is to most golfers in the country, so too is Myopia to folks who live in New England (if they have any appreciation for golf history and architecture). It's the white whale. An enigma. So few have seen it, even fewer have played it.
PS - Pebble Beach has preposterously good showers.
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Thanks Jon
I've played Myopia several times, most recently in 2012. I would never call it a "great"course (GCA wise), but it is within my top 20 golfing experiences of all time. Swinley (e.g) is a "better" course, but Myopia is by far a better experience. IMHO.
Rich
Rich,
I found Myopia fascinating, unique, quirky, fun, strategic, variable and a blast to play.
What part of that is not great?
I guess I just was slightly underwhelmed at Swinley(no doubt a victim of expectations) , though it's certainly an outstanding course as well.
Jeff
To me a great experience (which MHC certainly is) is different from a great golf course. Shinnecock from the tips is a great course, but I would not want to play it every day (i.e. a slightly flawed experience for me) due to its severe difficulty). Painswick is a great golfing experience, but not a particularly good golf course,Sandwich is a great golf course but I would take the experience of Rye or Littlestone over it any day, etc. etc. As per Bogey's great thread on Cypress vs. Troy, there is an impossible to overcome bias of history, eye candy,other people's "ratings" and snob appeal in people's assessments of golf courses. I'm sure if you picked up Myopia is one solid piece and and plunked it down next to the clubhouse of the George Wright Muni in nearby Boston, nobody would ever wax so lyrical about its (rightful) charms. But, there is a difference between substance and context, in beauty and fit for purpose, in GCA and all other things we hold dear in life. IMHO.
Rich
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Thanks Jon
I've played Myopia several times, most recently in 2012. I would never call it a "great"course (GCA wise), but it is within my top 20 golfing experiences of all time. Swinley (e.g) is a "better" course, but Myopia is by far a better experience. IMHO.
Rich
Rich,
I found Myopia fascinating, unique, quirky, fun, strategic, variable and a blast to play.
What part of that is not great?
I guess I just was slightly underwhelmed at Swinley(no doubt a victim of expectations) , though it's certainly an outstanding course as well.
Jeff
To me a great experience (which MHC certainly is) is different from a great golf course. Shinnecock from the tips is a great course, but I would not want to play it every day (i.e. a slightly flawed experience for me) due to its severe difficulty). Painswick is a great golfing experience, but not a particularly good golf course,Sandwich is a great golf course but I would take the experience of Rye or Littlestone over it any day, etc. etc. As per Bogey's great thread on Cypress vs. Troy, there is an impossible to overcome bias of history, eye candy,other people's "ratings" and snob appeal in people's assessments of golf courses. I'm sure if you picked up Myopia is one solid piece and and plunked it down next to the clubhouse of the George Wright Muni in nearby Boston, nobody would ever wax so lyrical about its (rightful) charms. But, there is a difference between substance and context, in beauty and fit for purpose, in GCA and all other things we hold dear in life. IMHO.
Rich
Rich, while I agree with your thoughts on bias, if you put this course in the place of George Wright, it would still get a lot of attention. It is IMO one of the best designed courses in the world. Public or private.
MM
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Thanks Jon
I've played Myopia several times, most recently in 2012. I would never call it a "great"course (GCA wise), but it is within my top 20 golfing experiences of all time. Swinley (e.g) is a "better" course, but Myopia is by far a better experience. IMHO.
Rich
Mark
You may be right and may be wrong, but we will never know.
Rich
Rich,
I found Myopia fascinating, unique, quirky, fun, strategic, variable and a blast to play.
What part of that is not great?
I guess I just was slightly underwhelmed at Swinley(no doubt a victim of expectations) , though it's certainly an outstanding course as well.
Jeff
To me a great experience (which MHC certainly is) is different from a great golf course. Shinnecock from the tips is a great course, but I would not want to play it every day (i.e. a slightly flawed experience for me) due to its severe difficulty). Painswick is a great golfing experience, but not a particularly good golf course,Sandwich is a great golf course but I would take the experience of Rye or Littlestone over it any day, etc. etc. As per Bogey's great thread on Cypress vs. Troy, there is an impossible to overcome bias of history, eye candy,other people's "ratings" and snob appeal in people's assessments of golf courses. I'm sure if you picked up Myopia is one solid piece and and plunked it down next to the clubhouse of the George Wright Muni in nearby Boston, nobody would ever wax so lyrical about its (rightful) charms. But, there is a difference between substance and context, in beauty and fit for purpose, in GCA and all other things we hold dear in life. IMHO.
Rich
Rich, while I agree with your thoughts on bias, if you put this course in the place of George Wright, it would still get a lot of attention. It is IMO one of the best designed courses in the world. Public or private.
MM
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I put Myopia Hunt in the same league as Shinny and NGLA !!!
Times have changed from the ole Rat and Plunger thread.
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Myopia is truly a special place and the course has charm that really overwhelms the senses in a very old school manner. The pictures really tell a compelling story ...an invite you should think twice to turn down. Another point about Myopia ... the pro Bill Safrin has been there over 30 years and makes a point to share the wonderful history of the club and the course with guests before their round. A gentleman in every sense. The people also make Myopia special.
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Rihc
Out of curiosity, what are some courses you think are great, but not a suitable challenge for flat bellies?
Ciao
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I'm with Rich re Myopia. Having played it many times in college and several times over the last couple of years, it is a historically important course and a delight to play. The second hole is one of the rare remaining holes with cops, giving away its Victorian origins. The third is a classic full drive par 3. Note the pictures of the ninth above. There are other good holes.
But what is special about Myopia is its setting, beginning with the drive down the entrance road, the stables, the clubhouse, the veranda around the practise green, the wicker chairs, the bar, the locker room. You don't want to leave.
Bob
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If this article is true - and for those who have played the course - have you ever detected any Ross touches at MHC?
(I half-thought of posting this to the 75 page "Willie Campbell and Myopia" thread, but there are only a few months left for winter reading. ;)
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40810.0.html
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8581/15577493394_cabf9a8c8e_o.jpg)
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Interesting find Jim! It reads that Ross was called on, but I wonder if any of his proposed changes were done.
Personally I didn't see or think Ross when I was there.
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The article makes it sound as if the club was serious about making changes, and Ross was right there in the 'hood.
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I agree with Mark - I didn't see anything that jumped out at me as Ross, nor did I think Ross while I've been there. If anything, the green complexes are in some ways anti-Ross (or at least what I think of when I think Ross), as there are many that are fairway height and without typical Ross contouring. Numbers 4, 7, 8 and 10 spring to mind as examples.
Jim - thanks for posting that article. Interesting read.
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Agreed Jon regarding the greens. So many remind me of taking a mower to a patch of grass.
Mark
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Perhaps he was there to add some yardage, relocate or freshen a few bunkers, change mowing patterns etc., which would probably be considered a "material' change at a place like MHC.
The time frame for those type of changes would fit, as the first two decades of the 20th century saw a tremendous gain in yardage due to the new ball.
Embiggen = 2 clicks
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8561/16014589170_df044a569e_o.jpg) (https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8561/16014589170_df044a569e_o.jpg)
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Great tour, thanks for sharing. What camera did you use?
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On number 10, where do the forecaddies stand? Just over the hill so they can duck? Or on the left side? being on the right side must be like being in the batting box against Mitch Williams.
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10 the caddie stands on the top of the hill to the left. But they have to be alert. Knowing what's down the right side makes a left miss popular.
Mark
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10 the caddie stands on the top of the hill to the left. But they have to be alert. Knowing what's down the right side makes a left miss popular.
Mark
Despite the forecaddies' best efforts, we never saw or heard from this poor guy ever again. He may still be in there.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8673/16488644150_a6a0ac6284_c.jpg)
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Re-bumping this for my own benefit (and that of anyone else who hasn't seen it) It's one of the better course tours on the site that Jon has put together with wonderful photos.
I have been extremely fortunate to have had my first ever go at Myopia last week. I think the club has continued with tree removal since 2015 which suits it extremely well. I caught it (and Essex) on extremely warm days with very firm and fast conditioning. Oh, what a joy! A wonderful course that probably goes straight to the top of my most underrated course list.
A shoe in for my personal Top 100. A few people have said that it reminds them of Garden City, from the perspective that it's an old course and from some of the slightly hidden bunkering I'd say yes, though the feel of the club reminds me more of the likes of Palmetto and I personally think the course is much better than Garden City even though I'm a big fan of Garden City.
Seems to me to be a lot more variation and it's wonderfully routed through the hilly sections.
Thanks for the tour Jon!
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Hey David,
Great that you got to experience the Essex/Myopia swing.
Where do you stand on one v. the other?
I've played both of them roughly 40 times each, and I fall slightly on the Essex side. Myopia is definitely a treat, but the quirk might drive me nuts on a day-to-day basis. Once you finally master one of the quirky bounces, another rears its head. I also think some of the bounces at Myopia are very firm-condition dependent. They do a great job with firmness, but if the course is wet it's less interesting.
Total splitting of hairs here too, as I have Essex as #1 in MA, TCC at #2, and Myopia at #3.
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Brad...good take.
My #1 (more than Cypress or Pine Valley) course to see is Myopia. Can't explain nor justify. Just need to see it-play it-shoot it.
rm
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Yeah Ron you should definitely give it a shot...when I was an employee there were 6-8 outings a year in the Spring and Fall so there are opportunities to play w/o a member. I'm not sure which charities are still doing them but some searching around should yield results...a group of GCA guys used to go to one with a different lineup every year!
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Hey David,
Great that you got to experience the Essex/Myopia swing.
Where do you stand on one v. the other?
I've played both of them roughly 40 times each, and I fall slightly on the Essex side. Myopia is definitely a treat, but the quirk might drive me nuts on a day-to-day basis. Once you finally master one of the quirky bounces, another rears its head. I also think some of the bounces at Myopia are very firm-condition dependent. They do a great job with firmness, but if the course is wet it's less interesting.
Total splitting of hairs here too, as I have Essex as #1 in MA, TCC at #2, and Myopia at #3.
Brad,
Good question. So basically I've only played one round at each course and while I think both are excellent upon careful thought and re-examining all the photos I took I am leaning at having Myopia in my personal World Top 100. Essex would not be even though I think it's a great course. The front 9 is very subtle and naturally routed through the flatter sections on the course while the back 9 gets wild climbing up into the hills there. I loved some of the holes in the hills like 11, 12, 17 and 18. Though I just feel like the flow of the routing at Myopia, the great variation it offered with half par holes, the stellar par 3's and the quirky touches throughout give it the upper hand and help to make it truly special not just in the US but anywhere if we picked it up and placed it for example in the UK.
It was playing perfectly firm and fast which I love as well. But Essex was also playing that way. One thing is for sure, it's a lot of great golf only a few minutes away from each other.
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Thanks for the opinion, I'd assume the responses would be 50-50!
My favorite hole at Essex is #16, now made very difficult by the new tee up on the rock that makes it 450. It has great angles and hazards, and the green has three very small ridges parallel with the line of play.
Favorite hole at Myopia is #7...the two tee angles give it plenty of variety, and the second shot is very links-like.
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Brad -
Not that you asked my opinion, but I go Essex, TCC, Myopia as well. All three in my top 30.
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Your opinion is always welcome Jim! We are spoiled in Mass, at least if you have a few connections.
Our public golf is not that strong, and it seems dependent on whose marketing machine you believe...Pinehills, The Ranch, Red Tail. My votes lean more towards Taconic (public-ish), George Wright, Wachusett, etc.
I have played 135 of our 360ish courses in Mass, but I still have about 10 more to play before getting a full picture of the state's high-end offerings...I have never been to Nantucket for golf, nor have I played Belmont, Hyannisport, Blue Hill, Cohasset, or GreatHorse. I count Wianno, Woods Hole, Hatherly, Framingham, and a couple others as wish-list places too, but they are probably outside the top 20 in the state.