A little goes a long way but sometimes like at pine valley a lot goes a long way. That’s what makes golf courses so great, that they can all be so different. I for one love variety in golf. I don’t want courses to follow trends. I want them to have their style and be unique. If that means a big penal challenge on every hole, great. If it’s no challenges great also. If it’s a mix of everything, why not? All can be great, just like any of Ron’s breakdowns. I want more of these ! The most wholesome addictive thing ever these videos.
I have been blessed to be able to travel the world, and all the states collecting the finest golf courses including 70% of the TPC golf courses I ventured on this track 2×19,87 and 2017. It’s the hardest Golf Course in the world.
As a hack golfer, my favorite part of the game is the course. I've had the privilege of playing some amazing tracks, and there's nothing like the visual appeal, and intimidating aspects of knowing that the next shot must be nailed. Ron Whitten makes it so understandable that a good course is designed to be accessible, if good shots are executed. Great, great video
I never saw pine valley until I watched an old episode of Shell. The one with Nelson vs Littler. This showed me how tough it was. The old fox Nelson won that match. Poor Gene had a hard time on one of the par threes. Maybe just maybe I’ll get a chance! Enjoy these golf architecture buds. Thanks!
I saw that episode, too. What impressed me was that Nelson in his 50s was hitting his drives a good bit further than Littler. Nelson really didn't get recorded as a big hitter, but he must have been one of the longest drivers in his heyday.
I went by myself in 2019 and it exceeded my already high expectations. Walking down the 13th fairway with nobody else on the hole is something I'll always remember.
Courses have become to wide, especially for top tour players. Greens are just way to big also. Make courses tighter and tuffer, not longer. Golf is a game of accuracy not distance. Also make bunkers more hazardous, stop raking them and placing beautiful level sand in them. Rake them with your foot as you leave and leave it as that. Make greens slower, not faster, this allows for more awkward pin placements on angles.
Disappointing to me that there are not more "likes" and comments on this great content. Look no further than a large golf forum to see that there is little interest in golf course design. Apparently that sort of conversation no longer "wrx" with the average golfer.
The best golf course I’ve ever played, by some distance. Not sure how 7 is the index 1 hole though. I would argue that 5, 9, 13, 15, 16 & 18 all play harder.
A course I used to play a lot had a few of these hazards partially filled in (on three holes or so). I think the reason was to speed up play. I completely understand, however, it’s taken away some of the original aesthetics of these holes.
Incredible hole, fantastic course, make no mistake about it. But learning the design details of a course I’ll never play or watch on TV doesn’t appeal to me. The course is too exclusive and doesn’t host tournaments, as far as I know. The only golf I’ve seen played there was one episode of Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf (which was great, by the way).
I think if it was feasible they would've done it by now. Some courses just aren't build for grandstands and 40,000 fans. But Pine Valley would be sick for an Open or PGA. It hasn't hosted a competition since 1985 (amateur) and won't again until the 2034 Curtis Cup. This course is beyond exclusive.
Bunkers and sand traps are just dumb... Unless it's a natural occurrence where the course is built, you know like at the ocean. Hey why not tar pits or lava or snake pits? Why a hole with sand in it? Total waste of time, energy, and money to build and keep them up. Oh and I'm a good bunker player. They're still dumb.
Reviewing courses like this kinda seems pointless to me as 99.99 percent of golfers can't even get through the front gates. No? At least at Augusta you can see it on TV or attend in person.
I disagree, I have always been in awe of Pine Valley. Although I will probably never even see this course but it is romantic to be able to merely dream about it.
This is the best content that golf digest produces
I would love Ron Whitten to publish a list of all the must reads on golf course architecture.
I’ll second that
I’ve got a pretty good list going would love to know more
I could listen Ron Whitten for hours.
Me, too
A little goes a long way but sometimes like at pine valley a lot goes a long way. That’s what makes golf courses so great, that they can all be so different.
I for one love variety in golf.
I don’t want courses to follow trends. I want them to have their style and be unique. If that means a big penal challenge on every hole, great. If it’s no challenges great also. If it’s a mix of everything, why not?
All can be great, just like any of Ron’s breakdowns.
I want more of these !
The most wholesome addictive thing ever these videos.
I have been blessed to be able to travel the world, and all the states collecting the finest golf courses including 70% of the TPC golf courses I ventured on this track 2×19,87 and 2017. It’s the hardest Golf Course in the world.
Love this video and am excited about this series. Ron Whitten is perfect to discuss an in-depth review of a hole.
This vlog was a real treat. Thank you.
As a hack golfer, my favorite part of the game is the course. I've had the privilege of playing some amazing tracks, and there's nothing like the visual appeal, and intimidating aspects of knowing that the next shot must be nailed. Ron Whitten makes it so understandable that a good course is designed to be accessible, if good shots are executed. Great, great video
I never saw pine valley until I watched an old episode of Shell. The one with Nelson vs Littler. This showed me how tough it was. The old fox Nelson won that match. Poor Gene had a hard time on one of the par threes. Maybe just maybe I’ll get a chance! Enjoy these golf architecture buds. Thanks!
I saw that episode, too. What impressed me was that Nelson in his 50s was hitting his drives a good bit further than Littler. Nelson really didn't get recorded as a big hitter, but he must have been one of the longest drivers in his heyday.
My favorite content on youtube! Thanks for the great insights.
Love these videos. Just wish there were more.
Love, love, love your videos. Keep 'em coming. Thanks.
Love these Ron Whitten videos 🚨💯
Love this series
Beautiful. Literal perfection, this video
Love this series.
Beautifully explained, as always.
What a hole, what a course. Pine Valley is the best of the best. I hope to attend the Crump Cup someday so I can see this masterpiece in person.
I went by myself in 2019 and it exceeded my already high expectations. Walking down the 13th fairway with nobody else on the hole is something I'll always remember.
That sounds like fun. I want to play that course
Courses have become to wide, especially for top tour players.
Greens are just way to big also. Make courses tighter and tuffer, not longer. Golf is a game of accuracy not distance.
Also make bunkers more hazardous, stop raking them and placing beautiful level sand in them. Rake them with your foot as you leave and leave it as that.
Make greens slower, not faster, this allows for more awkward pin placements on angles.
He's the best
Dudes rock
Getting a bogey on this hole would be a good thing.
Peter Thomson always promoted sand traps should not be raked and the surrounds left to overgrow
I too sit in a slight depression
The monster course in New York state in Sullivan county measure 7037 yards. It’s probably one of the longest courses around he safe.
Disappointing to me that there are not more "likes" and comments on this great content. Look no further than a large golf forum to see that there is little interest in golf course design. Apparently that sort of conversation no longer "wrx" with the average golfer.
The best golf course I’ve ever played, by some distance. Not sure how 7 is the index 1 hole though. I would argue that 5, 9, 13, 15, 16 & 18 all play harder.
Penal architecture and the obsession with electric golf buggies are often at odds.
Those early days of American golf course architecture were so barbaric but I'd love to play
Nice to show us a course that is impossible to get on!
That’s the point. You’re not gonna get this anywhere else. And you’re never gonna see it with your own eyes.
A course I used to play a lot had a few of these hazards partially filled in (on three holes or so).
I think the reason was to speed up play.
I completely understand, however, it’s taken away some of the original aesthetics of these holes.
This looks like Washington National GC in Auburn, WA
The pencil diagrams at 3:33 look a lil sus.
Incredible hole, fantastic course, make no mistake about it. But learning the design details of a course I’ll never play or watch on TV doesn’t appeal to me. The course is too exclusive and doesn’t host tournaments, as far as I know. The only golf I’ve seen played there was one episode of Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf (which was great, by the way).
I wish someday that the PGA will go there, in some form. I want to see the best play this thing.
I caddied here for many years. Regardless of how you tried to coach them how to play the hole, egos prevailed followed by a snowman
i think they just wanted to save on grass seed........i reckon........
Harry Colt was a genius
Interesting hole but it isn’t going to put this course on my ‘must play’ list. Exactly the opposite.
pine valley and cypress point need to host us opens
I think if it was feasible they would've done it by now. Some courses just aren't build for grandstands and 40,000 fans. But Pine Valley would be sick for an Open or PGA. It hasn't hosted a competition since 1985 (amateur) and won't again until the 2034 Curtis Cup. This course is beyond exclusive.
Bunkers and sand traps are just dumb... Unless it's a natural occurrence where the course is built, you know like at the ocean.
Hey why not tar pits or lava or snake pits? Why a hole with sand in it? Total waste of time, energy, and money to build and keep them up.
Oh and I'm a good bunker player. They're still dumb.
Reviewing courses like this kinda seems pointless to me as 99.99 percent of golfers can't even get through the front gates. No? At least at Augusta you can see it on TV or attend in person.
I disagree, I have always been in awe of Pine Valley. Although I will probably never even see this course but it is romantic to be able to merely dream about it.
No Carts!!!! Pine Valley officially moved even further up in my list of best Golf Courses.
It’s a cool video not because I’ll ever play it but that you can definitely see how similar ideas have continued in newer designs