What can I say that hasn't already been said? I got to meet a few great guys; Wayne Morrison & Dan Herman. Its a tribute to my playing partners and the course that my terrible play didn't detract from the day - I enjoyed it immensely! The one thing I am sure of is that I haven't seen a better course than Merion. I played several Doak 10s and until now, none matched
Ballybunion Old Sandwich. In the case of both these great courses, missing a single hole is a mistake. It isn't often that great courses live up to the hype and Merion is certainly as good as folks say. Secondly, I was very impressed with how the 100+ odd beaches were incorporated into the design. Many were not noticeable, which of course begs the question if they are necessary or not. Surely some can come out, but I didn't get the impression that the course was wildly over-bunkered. Third, the drainage of Merion is outstanding. There was something like 2 inches of rain the day before, but there was no evidence of it on the course. Fourth, I was very impressed with how the greens "hid" the slopes. The greens flow wonderfully into their surrounds. The bottom line is that one needs to play the course many times to learn the greens because a ton o' putts can't be read. Finally, after hearing so much about how tight the property is, I was amazed at how expansive the course seemed. Not once did I get the feeling of being hemmed in or thinking that the course could use more space.
This pic of #2 is indicative of my only real beef with the course. I would rather see the bunkering be more in play with fairways extending out to them. The heavy rough stops balls from making these bunkers more efficient. BTW, the bunkers were beautiful - firm and not much sand.
Approach to #2. See how there is a ridge running up the left? This made me think that the putt ran downhill to this hole location. This was the first time I heard about THE GRAIN!
#3, one of those much talked about holes. It is most certainly not a Redan, but a good hole regardless.
The third shot at #4 - I am not sure what the front bunkers add to the hole. The rough looks benign, but it is similar to a race track in its toughness, depth and lushness.
I really liked the 5th. Its old school with a grade level sloped green. The creek is used well here as the best approach is from the left - near the water. You also get a rare glimpse of what the bunkering would look like with fairways leading into them. Also, take notice of the 3rd in the background. There is something to be said for interior views.
The 6th is a bit of a reverse dogleg and plays longer than one may think. The player can bounce one up here, but going long (as is the case on many holes) isn't a great idea. Below is the approach form the right side of the fairway.
#8 is an odd hole. The line is out off the right bunker even though the hole turns left. The fairway cuts in significantly on the left beyond the blind left fairway bunker. Below is the approach. I thought the angle in was cool as the 9th pin can be seen and the 10th fairway is in the background. Its incredible how the interior views offer a feeling of space when we know the property is fairly tight.
#9 - all the stuff happening around the green detracts one's attention away from how great this green really is. The big left bunker seems miles from the green, but it is spot on in play.
#10, a very cool short par 4 legging hard left with the green angled away from the fairway. The 11th tee is accented with this plaque.
The 11th was a delightful surprise for me. I have no recollection of ever seeing pix of it before. Its a lovely short par 4 over the brow of a hill. Though, I think the hole would flow better if the fairway went past the creek. Below is the approach.
A look at the hole from further back.
The 12th whips round to the right. Anything in the rough makes it difficult to reach this hole as it plays uphill. The green is a killer and I am not sure there are many pin placements if the greens are running quick. The 13th is a cracker of a short par 3. I was caught out on the birdie putt. For all its worth the green looks like it flows left to right downhill toward the water, but all who should know said the exact opposite was the case.
The only awkward green to tee walk cutting across #1 takes us to the 14th. The hole slides left and curiously has bunkering to the outside of the dogleg. There is a freaky little mound just left of the green. I asked Wayne if a ball could kick off that and head for oob. The answer was not definitive, but when Tom P's name is mentioned, answers rarely are definitive! A closer look at the green and its surrounds. From this angle one can see how the rough makes some sense because it flows quite well into the hairy surrounds of the bunkers.
There aren't enough words to describe all the cool holes on Merion. #15 is another good un' which moves to the right over a few bunkers guarding the direct line to the green. This is one of the most severe greens on the course. Though, I thought the 16th was the best. The landing zone is blind and the approach is obscured. One may get a glimpse of the flag if they are on the far left side of the fairway. I followed Wayne's advice and got an obscured approach! Additionally, the fairway is a mere extension of the 15th tee - another very cool detail.
A look at the green from the landing zone.
Anything short lands in the old quarry. The use of the terrain as a natural hazard is is proper old school golf.
17 takes you back across the quarry to a nasty two tier green - a severe, but fun par 3.
More history.
Its a shame it all had to end on 18, but thats life. The use of the land, variety of holes and green complexes are outstanding. However, despite how good Merion is, with the rough kept at a strangling height and often marooning the bunkers to a secondary role, I have to give it 2*. I expect the club has a real dilemma in terms of preserving some championship elements of this fairly short 6400 course while still remaining enjoyable for the membership. Even with the issue of the rough, Merion is the best inland course I have seen and I can't name one links which I think is superior. I only hope I can return some day.
SCORECARD (daily tees)
East Course
Par 70
6103 Yards
1. 333
2. 518
3. 168 !
4. 560
5. 405 !!
6. 410
7. 343
8. 342
9. 160/169 !
10. 349 !
11. 349 !
12. 334
13. 121
14. 387
15. 353 !
16. 407 !
17. 208 !
18. 411
Ciao