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Pine Valley Trip


Jmikecpa

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Yesterday I was fortunate enough to play Pine Valley for the second time in my life.  The first time I played it I really did not have much of an appreciation for where I was playing nor the significance of it.  I chalk that up to being a lot younger then and assumed that I would be playing tracks like this all the time.  In fairness to me I played Pine Valley, Merion, Winged Foot and Baltusrol all in the same month.

 

Pine Valley as some will know is tucked away in its own municipality near Clementon NJ.  The course is tucked away behind an old amusement park on a very nondescript road.  You drive back through some modest homes, cross the railroad tracks (very fitting) and you are at the gates of Pine Valley.  A quick check of the list and they let you in....as long as your name is on the list.  The first buildings that you see when you come in are the police station and town hall.  They have a police force of two or three that keeps things on the up and up for the 20 or so residents of Pine Valley.  The houses on the course are a mix of large mansions and more modest cottage type homes.  Heck I would live in a tent in the woods if they let me be a member at Pine Valley.

 

The clubhouse at the club is very understated and just ripe with history.  Portraits of all the past presidents hang in the lounge room as well as a lot of items from Mr. Crump; the man the built Pine Valley.  The members dining room is very understated and has some simple dishes on the lunch menu.  I opted for a turkey club, fruit and a tea.  Had to decline the house specialty of snapper soup, just not a big fan of turtle soup.

 

Heading up to the range and it is a state of the art facility with brand new ProV1s just lying out for use.  Had a real Tin Cup moment on the range and if they were logoed one or two may have found their way into my bag. After a decent warm up it was time to hit the putting green and then head out.  When we got to the putting green we met our caddies and my guy Matt was early 30's and in his 10th year at Pine Valley.  I will give a real thumbs up to the caddies if they were anything like the three that we had in our group, really professional and know the course.  If you ever get to play the course please just listen to their advice.  The putting green was not as fast as I had expected but the putts rolled true with some nice rollout.  After a few minutes it was onto the course.

 

Just want to give some highlights of how the course plays.  It is true that the course is fair but tough.  Drive it well and you can score, but drive it crooked and you will be playing sideways.  Two interesting points about the course.  First, there is not one part of the course that is OB and if you can find it then you can play it.  May not be the best shot, but it is a shot.  Second, there is not one rake in a bunker on the entire course.  You hit your shot and smooth it over with your feet and club to get the sand back in place.  Surprisingly there were not a ton of footprints or bad lies in the bunkers.

 

Hole #1 is a dogleg right par 4 with a lot of bunkers all over the place.  I played the back tees and it was not even close to a driver hole for me so I promptly blocked a hybrid right into a fairway bunker that I had little to no shot of getting onto the green from.  My caddie hands me a 9 iron and says good luck.  I got the ball out clean and unfortunately the little slide cut that I tried to hit turned into a pull dead left of the green, behind a tree with a 40 foot slope up to the green.  All I could do was blade a 6 iron into the hill and hope it made it up which it did to 10 feet for par.  Lipped out the putt but figured I had 17 more to get it back. 

 

Hole #2 is a  straight our par 4 with an elevated second shot to a green that slopes severely from back to front and about 30 bunkers on the upslope that look like church pews.  Funny enough the bunkers are a fairly new addition by their member and chairman of the greens committee Tom Fazio (yes that same guy is the greens chairman).  Fazio has been working on a lot of restoration work of taking out trees and restoring bunkers to the original design.  Of course I pipe my tee ball dead left into the forest and like a good caddy my guy Matt had my ball.  Surprisingly enough we had a window in the trees and with wedge in hand why not give it a go.  Hit a pretty wedge just as we had drawn it up that hit a foot right of the flag, but unfortunately it caught a slope and left me close to 90 feet for birdie.  Two putts and moving on.

 

The hole that I was dreading all day was #5.  Uphill par 3 playing just a shade over 240 with no bailout short, right, left or long.  Either hit the green or make a big number.  My partner hit it in the left trap and made a great 5.  I was pin high left off the tee just onto the putting surface with a downhill slider that a barely touched and had to make a six footer coming back for par.

#7 is a beast of a par 5 and also has Hell's Half Acre in the middle of it.  The two par 5's on the course are really three shot par 5's no matter how long you hit the ball.  I hit driver about 10 yards short of hell and had 255 uphill into the green and layup was still the right play.  Even with three good shots to get there I three jacked the hole and limped away with a six.

 

#8 is a fun short par 4 that we got a break on since with a good tee ball it was drivable or so I was told.  I hit a great tee ball that was 10 yards short and struggled to make 4.  This is also one of the smallest greens on the course and one of the two holes that has a secondary alternate green.

 

#10 has one of the most famous bunkers in the world affectionately known as The Devil's A$$hole or for the more polite the Devil's Aperture.  The hole is a downhill short par three that measures 154 yards and plays more like 125 yards.  The green is tricky and the pin is normally middle with a slope that with a tad too much spin you are in the bunker that should not be named.  The bunker itself is close to 8 feet deep and kind of like hitting a sand shot out of a manhole.  Apparently the play is to choke down a hybrid and hit the heck out of it and run it up the face.  Fortunately for me I hit a low spin PW right at it and left myself 20 feet back up the hill.

 

#14 was a disaster for me.  195 yard downhill par 3 with the only place to not miss it was long and left.  So of course I missed it long and left with too much club in my hand.  Matt talked me out of 7 and convinced me to hit 6 so his tip was duly affected.  I got into a bunker that was less than 3 yards wide and my only play was to hit it sideways into a larger part of the bunker that let me have a swing.  Also one of the few times that I have decided that putter was the best play to move the ball in a trap.  Add in a three putt and walked away with a triple.

 

#18 is a great finishing hole with a tighter landing area up to a very well bunkered elevated green.  Only trouble was on the left which of course I found.  Had to hit a 35 yard hook with an 8 iron that both my caddy and I were sure I had in the bag.  Shot came out as planned but nipped the leaves enough to take some hook spin off the ball leaving me pin high right with a 20 yard shot off an uphill lie at my waist.  Caddy said 2 out of 100 I could hit the green from there.  Well I did better and hit the stick leaving a tap in for par that made me feel like I got one over on Pine Valley.

 

Overall I shot 82 from the back tees with a B- overall game and can say that this was absolutely one of the most demanding tracks I have played.  That being said it was also for the most part a fair track as well.  Good shots are rewarded and average to below average shots are penalized.  My goal was to break 80 and I came close to doing that so it was a good day.  It seems to be the type of course that you really have to play several times to score well mostly due to the green complexes.

 

So the big question…..is it really #1????  I have not played Augusta yet but the courses in the current top 11 I have played are: Pine Valley, Shinnecock, Oakmont, Merion, Pebble Beach, National Golf Links, Winged Foot and Fishers Island.  Pine Valley is definitely the best that I have played out the eight of the top eleven that I have played. That is not to say that the others are not great tracks and heck I would play any of them on a moment's notice.  There is something about Pine Valley that makes it just special.  There are no pools or tennis courts; this place is really just a true golf club.  There is nothing pretentious about the club or its members and once you get through the gates it is all about golf and playing one of the best tracks in the world.

WITB 2024

   Qi10 LS 9* HZRDUS RDX Smoke Blue 60g 6.5

   M5 15* Evenflow Black 75g 6.5

   Sim Ti 22* HZRDUS Red 75g 6.5

   Sim2 Rescue 22* Diamana Thump 100x

   X Forged CB 5 - PW MMT 105 TX 

   Jaws Raw 50*, 54* & 58* TTDG "OG" Spinner

   Toulon Madison BGT Fire 34.75"

   Z Star Diamond

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Pine Valley seems to live up to its reputation.  I live about 40 minutes from it, and though I've never been fortunate enough to play it, I do know a lot of people that have played and every one went in with sky high expectations and walked away their expectations exceeded 

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Nice write up. I was fortunate to play PV earlier this year and wrote it up here.

 

I'm one who felt it exceeded expectations as well. By a lot.

 

 

 

 

http://bestphillygolf.blogspot.com/2017/04/pine-valley-golf-club.html?m=1

WIT  :titelist-small: Sta Dry Bag:

 

Driver:       :taylormade-small: '17 M2

 

Woods:     :taylormade-small: M2 3W and 5W

 

Hybrids:   :callaway-logo-1: Apex 3h and 5h  

Irons:          :mizuno-small:   MP 18 MMC

 

Wedges:   :callaway-logo-1: MD PM Grind, 56* and 60*

Putter:      :scotty-cameron-1: California Sonoma

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Nice write up. I was fortunate to play PV earlier this year and wrote it up here.

 

I'm one who felt it exceeded expectations as well. By a lot.

 

 

 

 

http://bestphillygolf.blogspot.com/2017/04/pine-valley-golf-club.html?m=1

 

Always love reading your course write-ups PGG.  Your knowledge of the different course designers adds a whole other level

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Nice recap, thanks for the inside look. 

:ping-small: G430 Max 10K 

:titelist-small: TSiR1 15.0 Aldlia Ascent 60g

:titelist-small: TSR2 18.0 PX Aldila Ascent 6og

:titelist-small: TSi1 20 Aldila Ascent Shafts R

:titelist-small: T350 5-GW SteelFiber I80 

:titelist-small: SM10 48F/54M and58K

:ping-small: S159 48S/52S/56W/60B

:scotty-cameron-1: Select 5.5 Flowback 35" 

:titelist-small: ProV1  Play number 12

 

 

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Nice write up. I was fortunate to play PV earlier this year and wrote it up here.

 

I'm one who felt it exceeded expectations as well. By a lot.

 

 

 

 

http://bestphillygolf.blogspot.com/2017/04/pine-valley-golf-club.html?m=1

That was a phenomenal review PGG!!  I now have a new found fear of sand...LOL..   I've played Pinehurst No. 2 many times, and the waste areas there look like childs play compared to those at PV!

 

Also thanks for the pic of DevilsA$$   That is honestly the first picture I've ever seen of it, and I have always wondered what could be so tough.   Well now I know....Holy Crap!!!!

 

Thanks again and very well done. 

:ping-small: G430 Max 10K 

:titelist-small: TSiR1 15.0 Aldlia Ascent 60g

:titelist-small: TSR2 18.0 PX Aldila Ascent 6og

:titelist-small: TSi1 20 Aldila Ascent Shafts R

:titelist-small: T350 5-GW SteelFiber I80 

:titelist-small: SM10 48F/54M and58K

:ping-small: S159 48S/52S/56W/60B

:scotty-cameron-1: Select 5.5 Flowback 35" 

:titelist-small: ProV1  Play number 12

 

 

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That was a phenomenal review PGG!! I now have a new found fear of sand...LOL.. I've played Pinehurst No. 2 many times, and the waste areas there look like childs play compared to those at PV!

 

Also thanks for the pic of DevilsA$$ That is honestly the first picture I've ever seen of it, and I have always wondered what could be so tough. Well now I know....Holy Crap!!!!

 

Thanks again and very well done.

That bunker is no joke. I stood in it and at just shy of six feet tall I was barely visible. The caddies said the play is a hybrid or fairway wood and hit the hell out of it. Our member host hit his tee ball in there and promptly told us he would see us on the next tee.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

WITB 2024

   Qi10 LS 9* HZRDUS RDX Smoke Blue 60g 6.5

   M5 15* Evenflow Black 75g 6.5

   Sim Ti 22* HZRDUS Red 75g 6.5

   Sim2 Rescue 22* Diamana Thump 100x

   X Forged CB 5 - PW MMT 105 TX 

   Jaws Raw 50*, 54* & 58* TTDG "OG" Spinner

   Toulon Madison BGT Fire 34.75"

   Z Star Diamond

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Thanks for the review! I'm pretty sure this is as close as I'll get to Pine Valley.

 

MDGolfHacker

TSssWhat's In This Lefty's Bag?

Driver: :titleist-small: TSR2 11° Project X HZRDUS Black 4G 60g 5.5 Flex

Fairway Woods: :cobra-small: F8 3W Project X Even Flow Blue 75g shaft

Fairway Woods: 

Hybrid: :titelist-small: TSR2  18° Graphite Design Tour AD DI-85 Shaft

Irons: :titelist-small: 2021 T200's 4-GW AMT RED shafts Regular Flex

Wedge: :cleveland-small: Tour Satin RTX 4 Wedges in 52° and 56° 2 Dot

Putter: :nevercompromise-small: Gray Matter TDP 2.2 32.75"

Bag: :1590477705_SunMountain: Three 5

Ball:  :titelist-small:  PRO V1 / :srixon-small: Z*Star

RangeFinder:918457628_PrecisionPro: In search of new range finder

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That bunker is no joke. I stood in it and at just shy of six feet tall I was barely visible. The caddies said the play is a hybrid or fairway wood and hit the hell out of it. Our member host hit his tee ball in there and promptly told us he would see us on the next tee.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Well your member is probably a pretty smart guy anyway since he's in position to be a member, he was just showing how SMART he was by moving on...LOL

:ping-small: G430 Max 10K 

:titelist-small: TSiR1 15.0 Aldlia Ascent 60g

:titelist-small: TSR2 18.0 PX Aldila Ascent 6og

:titelist-small: TSi1 20 Aldila Ascent Shafts R

:titelist-small: T350 5-GW SteelFiber I80 

:titelist-small: SM10 48F/54M and58K

:ping-small: S159 48S/52S/56W/60B

:scotty-cameron-1: Select 5.5 Flowback 35" 

:titelist-small: ProV1  Play number 12

 

 

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Thanks for the review! I'm pretty sure this is as close as I'll get to Pine Valley.

 

MDGolfHacker

Hey, you and I can always go play Pine Ridge.    When asked where did we play, we can just say we played the Pine today.

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Hey, you and I can always go play Pine Ridge. When asked where did we play, we can just say we played the Pine today.

😂😂

TSssWhat's In This Lefty's Bag?

Driver: :titleist-small: TSR2 11° Project X HZRDUS Black 4G 60g 5.5 Flex

Fairway Woods: :cobra-small: F8 3W Project X Even Flow Blue 75g shaft

Fairway Woods: 

Hybrid: :titelist-small: TSR2  18° Graphite Design Tour AD DI-85 Shaft

Irons: :titelist-small: 2021 T200's 4-GW AMT RED shafts Regular Flex

Wedge: :cleveland-small: Tour Satin RTX 4 Wedges in 52° and 56° 2 Dot

Putter: :nevercompromise-small: Gray Matter TDP 2.2 32.75"

Bag: :1590477705_SunMountain: Three 5

Ball:  :titelist-small:  PRO V1 / :srixon-small: Z*Star

RangeFinder:918457628_PrecisionPro: In search of new range finder

Social Media:

Facebook:   MD Golfhacker
Twitter:        @mdgolfhacker
Instagram:   mdgolfhacker

 

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Yeah... really good and interesting to read about your experience. 82. Sounds good to me as I'd still be out there I'm sure.

By the way... of those other great courses you've played which one did you score the best on?

My Sun Mountain bag currently includes:   TWGTLogo2.png.06c802075f4d211691d88895b3f34b75.png 771CSI 5i - PW and TWGTLogo2.png.06c802075f4d211691d88895b3f34b75.png PFC Micro Tour-c 52°, 56°, 60 wedges

                                                                               :755178188_TourEdge: EXS 10.5*, TWGTLogo2.png.06c802075f4d211691d88895b3f34b75.png 929-HS FW4 16.5* 

                                                                                :edel-golf-1: Willimette w/GolfPride Contour

 

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Yeah... really good and interesting to read about your experience. 82. Sounds good to me as I'd still be out there I'm sure.

By the way... of those other great courses you've played which one did you score the best on?

I can remember my low round at all of them

 

Pebble - 75 from the tips

Fishers - 75 from the blue tees

Shinnecock - 71 on two occasions from the back tees

Merion - 69 from the members tees

National - 74 the second time I played it

Oakmont - 86 which was not bad for 13 years old. Was just not long enough to score well

Winged Foot - 74 on the west and 72 on the east

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

WITB 2024

   Qi10 LS 9* HZRDUS RDX Smoke Blue 60g 6.5

   M5 15* Evenflow Black 75g 6.5

   Sim Ti 22* HZRDUS Red 75g 6.5

   Sim2 Rescue 22* Diamana Thump 100x

   X Forged CB 5 - PW MMT 105 TX 

   Jaws Raw 50*, 54* & 58* TTDG "OG" Spinner

   Toulon Madison BGT Fire 34.75"

   Z Star Diamond

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Wow! You're a good player for sure and make the weekend cut in my book.

Keep us posted the next time you get on one of these great courses.

My Sun Mountain bag currently includes:   TWGTLogo2.png.06c802075f4d211691d88895b3f34b75.png 771CSI 5i - PW and TWGTLogo2.png.06c802075f4d211691d88895b3f34b75.png PFC Micro Tour-c 52°, 56°, 60 wedges

                                                                               :755178188_TourEdge: EXS 10.5*, TWGTLogo2.png.06c802075f4d211691d88895b3f34b75.png 929-HS FW4 16.5* 

                                                                                :edel-golf-1: Willimette w/GolfPride Contour

 

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Wow! You're a good player for sure and make the weekend cut in my book.

Keep us posted the next time you get on one of these great courses.

I used to be.  Not I hack and gouge my way around and can score if the putter is on.

WITB 2024

   Qi10 LS 9* HZRDUS RDX Smoke Blue 60g 6.5

   M5 15* Evenflow Black 75g 6.5

   Sim Ti 22* HZRDUS Red 75g 6.5

   Sim2 Rescue 22* Diamana Thump 100x

   X Forged CB 5 - PW MMT 105 TX 

   Jaws Raw 50*, 54* & 58* TTDG "OG" Spinner

   Toulon Madison BGT Fire 34.75"

   Z Star Diamond

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