Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Jon Cavalier on October 27, 2014, 07:16:14 PM
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I've recently been on a bit of a Tillinghast Tour, and last week, I was fortunate to be able to play Somerset Hills, Quaker Ridge and Fenway Golf Club. Previously, I'd played the East Course at Baltimore Country Club / Five Farms, Ridgewood Country Club, Bethpage Black and Red, and the Wissahickon Course at Philadelphia Cricket Club, as well as some lesser lights. I mention this because, while I very much enjoyed each of these courses (more than a few of which are undeniably great), I feel like this gives me a good base from which to opine that Somerset Hills is the best that I've seen of Tillinghast's work.
Tilly's Redan
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5604/15458059780_6d86ba95c4_c.jpg)
I've always been aware of Somerset Hills and its status as a fine, if low-key, private facility, as it sits some 60 miles as the crow flies from Philadelphia, but its reputation, at least down this way, is often overshadowed by Tillinghast's tournament venues - Baltusrol, Winged Foot and Bethpage (disclaimer -- I have yet to play Baltusrol or Winged Foot). I've heard that is the club's intent. But from the moment I hit the entrance to the property, Somerset Hills exceeded my expectations in every regard. It's beautiful, strategic, interesting, unique and fun, and the condition of the course was fantastic and conducive to good golf. I can't speak highly enough about it.
Sunshower over Nairn
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/15457019149_ab664a7952_c.jpg)
On the day we played, we had varied weather conditions - bright sun, full cloud cover, some light fog/mist, a little rain and even a sunshower. Add in the bright fall colors that adorned the area, and you have a golf course that was practically crying out to be photographed. So I obliged. (For Ran's excellent profile of Somerset Hills, click here - http://golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/somerset-hills-country-clu/ ).
Fall at Somerset Hills
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3932/15022904064_f187bfc8a7_c.jpg)
I hope you enjoy the tour.
The Entrance
Somerset Hills is in Bernardsville, NJ. The drive to the club winds through some gorgeous areas replete with horse farms and open spaces.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5608/15619910656_d5f65b0ab2_c.jpg)
The Clubhouse
The understated clubhouse fits in well with the rest of the club.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3945/15457494348_f7387db70f_c.jpg)
The Scorecard
Each of the holes at Somerset Hills is given a name (a practice that I, for some reason, support and enjoy very much). The course plays to 6,756 from the championship tees and 6384 from the regular tees to a par of 71. (https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/15621049256_efdd847761_c.jpg)
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3955/15645594762_fe7146280e_c.jpg)
Hole 1 - "Orchard" - 448yds - Par 4
Somerset Hills opens with a long, tough par 4 -- no gentlemen's handshake here. The first is a dogleg right with a slight rise obscuring the landing area from the tee.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3953/15457497728_0f9618b548_c.jpg)
An apple orchard sits inside the dogleg -- both green and red apples are grown at Somerset.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/15457498938_d566ce6397_c.jpg)
The first hole gives the player an introduction to the beautiful terrain at Somerset, which was put to good use by Tillinghast. The green is tilted from left to right, while the "safe" miss to the right is guarded by several bunkers.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3936/15023472263_1bb12f65cd_c.jpg)
The view from behind the first green, illustrating the wonderful contours within the putting surface.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/15619918676_dc15d09c43_c.jpg)
Hole 2 - "Redan" - 205yds - Par 3
Tilly's Redan. Somerset Hills starts off tough. I've played around three dozen versions of the redan, and this is easily one of the best I've played.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5604/15458059780_6d86ba95c4_c.jpg)
From the back tee, the player is fully aware that a direct approach to the left pin is not advisable.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5612/15619925636_dde6eac81d_c.jpg)
This view, from just short of the 8th green, shows the beautiful way in which Tillinghast draped this hole over the existing terrain.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3948/15458060860_e586238eec_c.jpg)
Tilly's Redan green has some of the most extreme internal movement of any green at Somerset, and of any Redan, for that matter. Some say this hole is diminished because so few pin positions exist. I would not complain if this green was pinned in exactly this spot every day. This hole plays exactly as a Redan should play.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3949/15022894844_766b2f2e60_c.jpg)
Hole 3 - "Bunker Hill - 376yds - Par 4
An apt name for a wonderful hole, the third plays to a wide fairway. The angle left for the approach is critical here. On this day, a passing storm provided an added challenge.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5613/15619933546_b1236aab28_c.jpg)
The ideal approach on 3. Through the raindrops.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3942/15457001879_9330b1d963_c.jpg)
Full view of the 3rd green, as seen from the 6th tee.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5601/15022931114_1dd4e45e3e_c.jpg)
The reward for our soldering on through five minutes of light rain was this rainbow over the 3rd green.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3932/15022904064_f187bfc8a7_c.jpg)
Hole 4 - "Dolomites" - 457yds - Par 4
A wonderful par 4, the player's eye is drawn to the striking "dolomites" mounding that Tillinghast put in to separate the parallel 4th and 6th holes. Notice how the green is simply an extension of the fairway. A bunker guards the ideal spot from which to approach this green.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5597/15023520553_9eeb38633f_c.jpg)
The approach to 4. While artificial, the dolomites add to, rather than detract from, this beautiful par 4. The way Tillinghast used these mounds to frame the hole reminded me of the 2nd at Myopia.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3951/15023521953_dbc206b58a_c.jpg)
Not position "A".
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3944/15022935804_ce91f84c71_c.jpg)
The view back down the 4th fairway. Elevation plays a role at Somerset, even on the much more subdued front nine.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5614/15457035999_6882e5de3c_c.jpg)
Hole 5 - "Nairn" - 343yds - Par 4
The first short par 4 at Somerset Hills, this little beauty provides the player with his first good chance at birdie, as most players will carry the bunker guarding the inside of the slight dogleg...
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5613/15022938364_c78daee09d_c.jpg)
...and have nothing more than a wedge into the green. However...
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5602/15458108810_2d04278e01_c.jpg)
...this is no ordinary green!
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3948/15457040599_499d5fccb4_c.jpg)
These mounds guard the right rear quadrant of the 5th green and will provide quite the interesting putt if enmeshed in them (sadly, the club does not pin this green in between the mounds).
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3942/15643696275_204c1133bd_c.jpg)
Hole 6 - "Plateau" - 501yds - Par 5
The second "easy" hole in a row, the 6th is a dogleg right that can be cut off the tee by the longer player.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3933/15641005731_3b7d122da3_c.jpg)
The 6th also brings the player back into the dolomites, and cuts across the old race track which Tillinghast incorporated into his design.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3935/15023533803_22eb021ef4_c.jpg)
The view from behind the 6th green shows both the substantial back to front slope of the putting surface and the open and expansive feel of the front nine at Somerset Hills.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3944/15643701945_48ff2cebe6_c.jpg)
Hole 7 - "Racetrack" - 484yds - Par 4
Perhaps the best par 4 on the front nine, the 7th begins with a tee shot over a rise in the fairway, which obscures the green and the landing area.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5608/15457050919_30c238b154_c.jpg)
The downhill approach from the left side of the fairway on 7.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3956/15643706565_35e2c9eaf9_c.jpg)
Again, the fairway blends seamlessly into the green. Running approach shots are permitted and encouraged here.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5604/15457053109_d867233153_c.jpg)
The view back up the gorgeous 7th.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3933/15644533812_fd20d62ddc_c.jpg)
Hole 8 - "Dip" - 230yds - Par 3
Suffice it to say that the two one-shotters on the front nine at Somerset Hills are not the easiest par that you'll find. Given its length, Tillinghast built this long par 3 with a large, deep green.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3943/15641018381_093bcb4af9_c.jpg)
This wide view from behind the 8th green reveals the intricate and challenging character of the putting surface.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5607/15457058379_3399f00f68_c.jpg)
Hole 9 - "Westward Ho" - 529yds - Par 5
An uphill, dogleg left par 5, the 9th plays around the apple orchard and back up to the clubhouse.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3939/15023551803_1ab57fe2da_c.jpg)
The fairway, which divides like the tounge of a snake, dead-ends at a complex of mounding and bunkers. The orchard is visible to the left of the fairway.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3942/15023552603_1b5ca7d9b8_c.jpg)
This view from the 9th green shows the substantial cant of the fairway and the benefits of a low draw into this green.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3948/15619999656_8206cc8b1b_c.jpg)
The substantial drop left of the 9th green, and the fantastic fall colors at Somerset Hills.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5614/15022968864_40f6fbca8a_c.jpg)
Hole 10 - "Sunningdale" - 496yds - Par 5
The second of back-to-back par 5s bookending the turn, the 10th plays downhill and around a dogleg right...
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5616/15022999444_0cf44b705b_c.jpg)
...then back up a slight rise to a well-defended green set back in a wooded knoll. This is the only non-original Tillinghast green on the course, which was lost when this hole was lengthened many years ago -- the site of the original green is still visible, marked by subtle lines in the right side of the fairway and right rough, in the photo below.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3943/15644581462_7274c8bbe4_c.jpg)
The view from behind the 10th flag.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3943/15457620568_79bac3a81b_c.jpg)
Hole 11 - "Perfection" - 412yds - Par 4
Holes 11-18 at Somerset Hills have a distinctly difficult flavor than Holes 1-10. The latter plays across mostly open plain with some modest elevation change, while the former plays through and around much more dramatic terrain. The 11th plays downhill to a landing area that looks much smaller than it is, then doglegs 90 degrees right and back up to the green. The par 3 12th green is visible in the background of the photo below. This is a beautiful golf hole.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5605/15644587392_4be9a77623_c.jpg)
The challenging approach shot on 11, back up a slight rise to an undulating green.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3956/15620042896_530ac1e5a5_c.jpg)
This panoramic shot shows the setting of the 12th and 11th greens.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5615/15643764925_053c6be6f1_c.jpg)
The excellent green complex at 11.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3936/15644592182_64e91cea65_c.jpg)
Hole 12 - "Despair" - 151yds - Par 3
Aptly named, as many players surely find it here. The first short par 3 at Somerset Hills is by no means easy, as the green slopes so severely from back right to front left that the hole plays somewhat like a reverse redan. A beautiful hole in a gorgeous setting.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3950/15644602122_59c4ed129d_c.jpg)
The view from behind and above the 12th green, with the 11th hole in full view.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5616/15457642338_ed7c2f41fe_c.jpg)
Hole 13 - "Corner" - 409yds - Par 4
Once again, the landing area is blind to the tee on this par 4. Bunkers on the right guard the desired side of this fairway.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5613/15641088141_c5d74a469d_c.jpg)
The approach from the left side into the 13th green, over the center bunkers, to a green...
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3950/15620062136_3061119a7a_c.jpg)
...bisected by a Biarritz-like swale. Great pin position, very fun hole.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5600/15457131239_a9590d6dd0_c.jpg)
Hole 14 - "Ridge" - 416yds - Par 4
A wide fairway with a slight incline makes for a slightly uncomfortable tee shot. Once again, the angle left from the tee shot is of high importance on this hole.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5606/15643832325_ac3e25fb96_c.jpg)
The approach into 14, with a massive infinity green.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3956/15023665243_4d0c746691_c.jpg)
The 14th is one of the largest and most undulating greens on the course. The variety of great pin positions available on this hole is astounding.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5609/15023080014_a385da84d4_c.jpg)
Hole 15 - "Happy Valley" - 407yds - Par 4
The club considers the 15th their "signature hole," and I wouldn't argue that designation. The favored ball here is a cut over the bunker and down the hill.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5605/15457699828_e830d076e7_c.jpg)
The beautiful setting of the 15th green, guarded front and left by a meandering stream.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3934/15023670633_38ae1b7f12_c.jpg)
Gorgeous.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3956/15458254170_0afe26597b_c.jpg)
Hole 16 - "Deception" - 170yds - Par 3
The 16th is akin to a shorter reverse redan, as the green slopes significantly from right to left. Putting down from the high left side to the pictured pin position often results in a chip for one's third shot.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5608/15641149231_d9db596900_c.jpg)
The 16th green from behind, with the 17th green in the background. What a wonderful setting for golf!
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3953/15457708908_6f9a5c4956_c.jpg)
Hole 17 - "Quarry" - 387yds - Par 4
The first of two shorter par 4s that complete the round at Somerset Hills, the 17th plays up over an abrupt rise, then...
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5608/15023680923_120c5f2f3d_c.jpg)
...falls steeply downhill to the green. This hole plays shorter than the yardage indicates, but hitting the green is critical, as it slopes steeply off on all sides.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5611/15644673142_cd9cb6f698_c.jpg)
This view from behind the 17th green shows the drastic elevation change.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3941/15457863417_d27a076189_c.jpg)
As does this panoramic view of the 17th green and 18th tee.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5606/15643853855_634e698bc4_c.jpg)
Hole 18 - "Thirsty Summit" - 335yds - Par 4
The short 18th opens with a tee shot back up the rise toward the clubhouse.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3946/15023101554_de8e7b66cb_c.jpg)
As its name would indicate, the 18th finishes mere steps from the clubhouse, and its well appointed bar.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3939/15023690993_386e50bae6_c.jpg)
As the player climbs the 18th fairway, he is afforded this view of the 10th and 17th greens behind and below him.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5609/15457205009_bcb7b6d778_c.jpg)
The gorgeous view across the 18th green, with the 12th green visible in the valley beyond.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5605/15457722778_ab0b1c8901_c.jpg)
Somerset Hills is a must play for any fan of Tillinghast in particular or of golden age golf architechture in general. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I hope you enjoyed the tour.
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Enjoyed it very much.
A grand slam on your part!
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Wonderful photos, Jon! I was fortunate enough to play Somerset Hills in 2008 on a Monday with a couple of club caddies. This was before Tom Doak started work on the course (I believe) and even then it was an amazing course...definitely among my favorites.
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You take absolutely smashing photographs, Jon.
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Jon,
A beautiful photo tour of one of my all-time favorites. Your descriptions are spot on, save for one. The club's "overshadowing" by Winged Foot and Baltusrol is far from intentional. The membership knows exactly what they have: a gem, framed by it's playability and pleasure instead of excess difficulty and demand. Regardless that all were AWT creations, comparing SHCC to Balty, Winged Foot or Bethpage is purely apples-to-oranges.
You were fortunate to see the course recently. Their talented and relatively new super, Ryan Tuxhorn came from Merion, and he combined with a refreshed and newly energetic club leadership to remove trees, open up areas and implement some of the long-standing recommendations from Renaissance GD. Sometimes referred to by a few around these parts as golf's ideal "shabby chic," it wasn't looking as great as it does now. It's now glorious and you picked the best time of year to see it. Congrats!!
PS.. I'd otherwise be jealous, but I've got a day over there tomorrow ;D ;D
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Such an awesome place. Great photos, great camera, and thanks for sharing.
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Jon,
Wonderful tour and FANTASTIC photos. Can I ask how you such great color saturation yet still highlight the undulations of the course? Are you using any software to get these results?
The course looks wonderful. LOVE the Redan.
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Jon,
Thanks for the photo tour.
This has to be the greatest set of pictures ever presented here. What a beautiful golf course.
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Phenomenal tour. Truly astounding job by the course - they just keep getting better and better!
My friend got an ace at #2. She duffed a 9-wood that burned worms all the way before going pin-seeking by mistake. Strange game, isn't it? ;D ;D ;D
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Another fantastic tour. Rough month for you Jon.
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Jon,
Thanks so much for posting these photos. I am also playing tomorrow and you have whet my appetite. I can't wait.
(Yes, I know I will have to carry you all day Steve, I am used to it😝😝)
Best regards,
George
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Jon,
Thanks so much for posting these photos. I am also playing tomorrow and you have whet my appetite. I can't wait.
(Yes, I know I will have to carry you all day Steve, I am used to it😝😝)
Best regards,
George
Steve and George:
Have a great day tomorrow. The course is in perfect shape, and you should have gorgeous weather. Enjoy.
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Rough month for you Jon.
That's fair.
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Jon,
Do you want to take George's place? Having been there just last week and knowing how good a shape it's in, it's a waste on George ::) and his long-lost Sandbelt game. Just let me know. I can make that happen, really!
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Very nice tour indeed.
I'm curious if anyone knows if the course is pretty much original and intact or if it's been modified over the years.
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Very nice tour indeed.
I'm curious if anyone knows if the course is pretty much original and intact or if it's been modified over the years.
There are people here who can speak to this better than I can, but my understanding is that Somerset Hills is almost entirely original with the exception of the 10th green.
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Very nice tour indeed.
I'm curious if anyone knows if the course is pretty much original and intact or if it's been modified over the years.
PATRICK,
# 10 has been altered.
The green was moved back 40 - 60 or so yards
Rumor has it that more changes might be in store for # 10.
And, the natural spring that golfers could drink from as they walked from the 12th tee to the 12th green is no longer functional.
Somerset Hills is VASTLY improved over the last five (5) years and a real treat to play.
It's challenging yet fun to play
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Jon,
That photo tour was so good it was almost painful to go through.
Amazing job. I think I concur with Mr. Kirk in saying it's the best I've seen on our site.
Brian
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Absolutely spectacular Jon. Thanks again for another fantastic thread!
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Jon,
That photo tour was so good it was almost painful to go through.
Amazing job. I think I concur with Mr. Kirk in saying it's the best I've seen on our site.
Brian
Having spent the day at Somerset Hills with Jon, and having seen his outstanding photography previously, I strongly encouraged him to do a photo tour. We had an ideal day, but I am still amazed at the outcome. He has a gift for finding great angles and lighting, and you barely notice him snapping photos over the course of the round. We got around in just under 3 hours and somehow he managed to get these incredible photos (and many more).
Between many rounds this year (including partnering at the 5th major) with burgeoning artist Josh Bills, and then five rounds with Jon from June-October, I've been exposed to some real artistic talent among gca members. I'm thinking it would be pretty cool to commission Josh to paint one of Jon's photos and hang them side by side in my new home. Not sure I can afford them, though. :)
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Thanks, Brian, for your comments and for a wonderful day of golf at Somerset. I'm glad that my picture-taking didn't distract you from putting up an excellent number.
Now that Brian has chimed in, it gives me the opportunity to post this photo of him putting (for fun, not score) from the mounds on 5. Our caddy (who was excellent) is indicating the line some 20 feet right of the hole). Somehow, Brian hit this putt to about a foot. Amazing.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7529/15461420327_711207389f_c.jpg)
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Jon love the photos, course looks amazing. Brian that Redan looks amazing, I'm sure we can work something out, problem for both of you this year is you have too many options to pick from. Thank you both for sharing such a great course, look forward to many more.
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Great pictures as always Jon, Somerset Hills looks special. I can appreciate the mounds on 5 better with the picture of Brian for scale.
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Terrific. Well posted Jon. Some epic photos. Many lovely green complexes with the 2nd and 5th being pretty eye-catching.
A tree observation - fabulous trees and colours, but apart perhaps from a couple of holes on the back-9 no apparent tree-lined avenue style holes (or any sense of tree-overcrowding). Would it be fair to say that this course is an example of where trees enhance rather than diminish an inland course?
atb
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Jon, thanks again for another great tour.
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A tree observation - fabulous trees and colours, but apart perhaps from a couple of holes on the back-9 no apparent tree-lined avenue style holes (or any sense of tree-overcrowding). Would it be fair to say that this course is an example of where trees enhance rather than diminish an inland course?
atb
Thomas,
It wasn't always this way. Up until about 3-4yrs ago, a few of the holes and their innate lines of charm were encroached by trees (where none of it had ever been..according to the historic photos). It looks and plays significantly wider than ever before and the variety of trees are unique, even for this part of NJ. They are certainly considered enhancing rather than not, especially at this time of the year.
Jon & Brian,
Was your caddy's name Mike Sheridan? If so, he's a terrific young man and knows every inch of the place.
Lastly, Hurricane Sandy may have done even more work than RGD and the club's energetic and thoughtful president. Along with a good number of smaller ones, the majestic tree on the right of the 17th downslope came down, no longer giving the tee shot a set of field-goal posts. Rigorous thought and placement now dictate the tee ball.
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Jon
Very fine. It seems like Somerset has a little bit of everything. Is the variety in 3D as it looks in 2D?
Ciao
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Jon,
Thank you for the stunning photos of one of the world's most charming courses. There is so much variety on offer at SHCC and it is presented so beautifully. I was lucky enough to attend high school in the area and I miss it this time of year.
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Wow, great pictures!
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Jon & Brian,
Was your caddy's name Mike Sheridan? If so, he's a terrific young man and knows every inch of the place.
We had another great young guy, Henry Borda. He knew the course extremely well and was pretty knowledgeable and enthusiastic about golf course architecture. I'm hoping to help him see some of the other classics in his neighborhood next year.
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Love the fairway width of the green approaches!!!!!!
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Thanks for the questions, guys. I'll try to answer them as best I can.
Thomas:
The trees at Somerset absolutely enhance, rather than detract from, the experience. The course is not clostrophobic at all, even on the back side. When the trees do come into play, they do so sparingly - I was out of position left on 13 and needed to hit a draw around the trees (and failed miserably). So they can have an effect, but to be in them, you really need to be pretty far offline. And as Steve points out, the combined efforts of the club and Hurricane Sandy to remove trees has really made a positive difference. I was told that the trees behind the 14th green were removed by Sandy, and in my opinion, this greatly improved both the approach into the green and the views from the green down to the area of the 11th and 12th holes.
Brian S:
Thanks for your comment and questions. I use Flickr to host the photos that I share, and I use the code for 800 pixel width, as I find that this looks best on these pages and prevents having to scroll right to left. I also typically crop photos to whatever size is most appropriate, which is why some of the photos above are "shorter" than the others.
Sean A:
The variety and appeal is very much present in 3D at Somerset. I think the photos above are an accurate and realistic representation of the golf course on the day we played. It's really quite a fun spot to play golf.
D_Malley:
I couldn't agree with you more - the fairway width of the green approaches was one of my favorite things about Somerset. As best I can recall, holes 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 12 were more or less wide open in front.
Glad you are enjoying the tour. I appreciate all the comments.
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Jon -- Very Nice! It looks outstanding.Thanks for sharing your great photos
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In what looks like a well-deserved love-fest, let me ask a wrinkling question about the course. Looks like the following holes have pretty similar drives, i.e. tee shots that hit over a rise or ridge in front of the tee, to blind landing spots:
7, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, and maybe 1. Is that true, and if so do around half of the drives lack variety?
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Jon,
Fantastic photos! Thanks for sharing.
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In what looks like a well-deserved love-fest, let me ask a wrinkling question about the course. Looks like the following holes have pretty similar drives, i.e. tee shots that hit over a rise or ridge in front of the tee, to blind landing spots:
7, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, and maybe 1. Is that true, and if so do around half of the drives lack variety?
Jim,
There are plenty of semi-blind LZs for drives, however the preferred routes and ultimate results would argue for a wide variety of driving skill. Distinct draws and fades are continually demanded in order to work with the terrain features found over the horizon of all those fairways you cite.
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SHCC - just charming in every way.
Our pro at Springdale G C - Princeton ( 45 mins away ) - found notes from the 1920s indicating our members were doing home and away matches at Somerset and P V !!
During my last round there a year ago I looked at the Redan from behind the green, and it seems to me the safe shot is slightly long, with the ability to chip back up the severly sloping green to the pin. Long right is MORTE - death! Trying to get back over the buckboard slope and near the pin is impossible.
Also - the front slope on #13 in front of the Biarritz style green is really steep, with the intimidating Biarritz style green behind it. Could be a round wrecker.
I have played about six Tillinghast courses and don't recall template hole features in his designs elsewhere. Is SHCC unique in this respect ?
Wm Flynnfan
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In what looks like a well-deserved love-fest, let me ask a wrinkling question about the course.
Looks like the following holes have pretty similar drives, i.e. tee shots that hit over a rise or ridge in front of the tee, to blind landing spots:
7, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, and maybe 1. Is that true,
NO
and if so do around half of the drives lack variety?
NO
The course plays different than it looks in selective photos
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In what looks like a well-deserved love-fest, let me ask a wrinkling question about the course.
Looks like the following holes have pretty similar drives, i.e. tee shots that hit over a rise or ridge in front of the tee, to blind landing spots:
7, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, and maybe 1. Is that true,
NO
and if so do around half of the drives lack variety?
NO
The course plays different than it looks in selective photos
It's interesting - I went back and looked at the photos and was surprised at how many tee shots have at least part of the landing area obscured. I didn't remember feeling like I was hitting a bunch of blind tee shots, and Pat's right - it doesn't play that way. There are few tee shots where the landing area is truly blind: 17, over the ridge and down the hill, is certainly one. 15, with a reachable downslope, is another (although the preferred shots on 15 and 17 are entirely different - 15 asks for a cut, 17 a draw to avoid running off the fairway. The rest are not your typical blind tee shots - often, the rise is small enough that you can see most of the landing area but may not actually be able to see your ball: 1, 7, and for long hitters, 13 are examples of this.
But most importantly, you most definitely do not feel any sense of repetition or boredom from the tee (or elsewhere) at Somerset. In fact, the difference in shots and the level of interest the course generates off the tee is actually quite striking and very noticeable
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Jon,
Great tour, I'll have to put SH on the must play list next time I'm out east. The little bluesteam gives some awesome fall color to the natives.
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Found a couple other decent shots that didn't make the tour:
Rainbow over the 3rd Green:
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5608/15714349255_3a516728f7_c.jpg)
11th and 12 Greens as viewed from the 18th fairway:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7558/15712460381_373d9a04fd_c.jpg)
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Nice photo tour.
What model Leica and lens are you using for these photos?
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Jon
A truly magnificent tour !!
Photos are just beautiful and your hole descriptions tell me that you missed your calling.
Well done, one of the best Tours I,ve seen on GCA.
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I keep coming back to this thread... can't help but walk through the tour.
The course and ambience feels like a proper club... and the width around the greens and the greens themselves are very inviting in terms of how playable and fun it would be. Thanks to the OP and this website for sharing these pics.
I would be curious to hear the forum's opinion on the mounds however... I can't dquare in my own mind whether I think they should be there at all... as in, would a series of bunkers or other hazard given the same level of challenge without it looking so man made?!
All the same, what a great course and tour... thanks again!
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Jon,
Wow! Beautiful set of pictures. Thanks for the tour.
Somerset Hills is a gap in my study of golf architecture. Your thread is a reminder I need to change that.
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I keep coming back to this thread... can't help but walk through the tour.
The course and ambience feels like a proper club... and the width around the greens and the greens themselves are very inviting in terms of how playable and fun it would be. Thanks to the OP and this website for sharing these pics.
I would be curious to hear the forum's opinion on the mounds however... I can't dquare in my own mind whether I think they should be there at all... as in, would a series of bunkers or other hazard given the same level of challenge without it looking so man made?!
All the same, what a great course and tour... thanks again!
The mounding you wonder about are the infamous "chocolate drops/Dolomite mounds" that AWT deliberately built to provide another hazard with a different recovery shot. Tilly put them in the most interesting place....on a semi-arc, running from down the left side of #4 running back to behind 4's green and alongside the right of #6's approach...both areas found easily on slightly wayward long irons (or woods) shots.
Had he used bunkers, the aesthetic would have been vastly different and the recovery shot possibility entirely different. Deadly and awkward, lies found in these fescue-trimmed mounds allow for either brilliant or pathetic recoveries. Given Tilly's liberal borrowing of classic Scottish features found uniquely at SHCC, this feature is almost elegant in presentation and playability. To the eye, they really don't feel any more man-made than the drainage ditches scattered around Oakmont or the heather hilly patches at Myopia. They are better appreciated and absorbed in person than by photo. Hope that helps!
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I agree with everything Steve said above. In truth, the Dolomites were one of my favorite features at Somerset Hills. They're visually striking, frame the 4th hole beautifully, they're a relatively unique feature, and perhaps most importantly, they fit in well. They certainly wouldn't work at every course, and if overused, could be gimmicky. But I thought Tillinghast used them in a great spot and in a perfect amount. I'm a fan.
And they do present interesting recovery opportunities. I was in them after an overly aggressive (and very poor) second shot on 6. I thought it was a fun challenge to have to attempt a recovery shot from a hairy lie to a tough green with the ball at knee level.
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^ thanks...!
Looking at the pics again the greens look awesome. The course as a whole like The Addington and Tobacco Road - must sees I fancy.
Curious to see how it ranks in the American Conf Guide when it comes out!
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I had the great pleasure to play SH about a week after Jon. I missed some of the colors but the course is magnificant. It is one of those places that I wish every restoration committee could see before they hire an architect and start making changes to their course. The fairway width on many of the holes is striking, yet those holes provide the real challenge at the greensite. This course is just FUN. Talk about passing the 18th green test, I wanted to RUN to the first tee.
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Bill,
I agree on both points, SH is exhibit "A" in restoration work and it is fun, passing my back to the first tee test with flying colors.
Who would have thought that AWT would copy some of the templates ? ;D
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I remember the first time I played SHCC. My host was my employer, who was a long-time member (who unfortunately passed on about 2 years ago). Our caddy told me where to hit the ball on the Redan; I did and was rewarded. I did get on the incorrect side of the mounds on #5 green.....we all laughed where my 1st putt finished!!
Thanks for the photos; what a great place to play.
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Bill,
I agree on both points, SH is exhibit "A" in restoration work and it is fun, passing my back to the first tee test with flying colors.
Who would have thought that AWT would copy some of the templates ? ;D
I was surprised at AWT's use of the templates. His Redan is SO good here, I wish he had built more.
I had planned on posting a few photos taken on my iphone, but no way am I going to compete with Jon!
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee169/wcb323/Somerset%20Hills/SomersetHillfall2014.jpg) (http://s228.photobucket.com/user/wcb323/media/Somerset%20Hills/SomersetHillfall2014.jpg.html)
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Cool course.
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Apologies for bumping an old thread, but I was going through some old photos last night and found a few shots of Somerset Hills that did not make it in to the original course tour. Since the response to this thread was overwhelmingly positive, and since Somerset Hills remains one of my favorite places, I thought it would be worthwhile to post them.
Hope you enjoy.
Sunshower
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/466/19679216870_4df4324906_c.jpg)
Dawn:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/494/19872180811_def333db89_c.jpg)
Driving Range:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/372/19679216980_8850d7b494_c.jpg)
Redan Reflection:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/505/19859839662_3ebdd1ea06_c.jpg)
After the Storm:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/429/19867233285_d517d31acd_c.jpg)
Hole 1 - Orchard - From the Fairway
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/259/19679216918_a48a7ddaf6_c.jpg)
Hole 1 - Orchard - Greenside Bunkering
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/456/19859808342_dae95a4fc2_c.jpg)
Hole 1 - Orchard - Right Side View
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/504/19246329473_fc42e4cf13_c.jpg)
Hole 1 - Orchard - Reverse
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/392/19246347433_7a612d9254_c.jpg)
Hole 2 - Redan Green
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/310/19680619159_fba32772b8_c.jpg)
Hole 2 - Redan Reverse
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/458/19679239178_8c144d4215_c.jpg)
Hole 3 - Bunker Hill - Rainshower
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/519/19679238180_0b254a34c3_c.jpg)
Hole 3 - Bunker Hill - Stormy
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/531/19680634359_32dcba5112_c.jpg)
Hole 4 - Dolomites Drizzle
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/351/19867253925_64305526a7_c.jpg)
Hole 5 - Nairn Green
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/466/19680636619_37cd23cccf_c.jpg)
Hole 5 - Nairn Mounds
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/370/19679242810_8646e2dfa7_c.jpg)
Hole 7 - Fairway Bunkering
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/487/19679239468_7e7cbd8447_c.jpg)
Hole 8 - Greenside Bunkering
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/373/19246354673_3912591521_c.jpg)
Hole 11 - Green
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/443/19872222881_99ec0e39de_c.jpg)
Hole 12 - Green Front
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/319/19679277350_961977d209_c.jpg)
Hole 12 - Green
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/280/19859846632_b1bc7bf110_c.jpg)
Hole 13 - Greenside Right
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/476/19244615894_6cd8c0e65e_c.jpg)
Hole 13 - Reverse
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/304/19679262610_0bed169eb7_c.jpg)
Hole 14 - Approaching Storm
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/483/19680678449_005b0d944c_c.jpg)
Hole 14 - Green
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/528/19244620374_50ab288072_c.jpg)
Hole 15 - Reverse
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/455/19859968382_a6a2b73ede_c.jpg)
Hole 16 - Green & Creek
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/452/19841176246_c1fdbde446_c.jpg)
Hole 16 - Flagstick
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/445/19867396995_5756ed4002_c.jpg)
Somerset Hills CC:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/478/19679371968_92b1aaf513_c.jpg)
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Those photos are the gold standard for Somerset Hills.
Now if you want some other elemental version of SH, go here (grin):
http://xchem.villanova.edu/~bausch/images/albums/SomersetHills/
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LOVE Somerset Hills, and those are fabulous photos - I'm curious about the shocking number of young trees in the 'Dawn' photo and the 'Orchard' photo - are those for border screens or some other purpose?
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Keith:
Those are apple trees. They are the "orchard" between the first and ninth holes. There are a few more to the right of the first fairway. Pretty cool feature.
If you head up to the original tour, you can see some better shots showing the apples.
Jon