Newport C.C. or Pinehills G.C.

[EaglesGolf99]

Title says it all ....

 

Which is the general consensus to play?

 

Pros? Cons?

[AllstateMaine]

I'm assuming you're referring to Newport National? Newport CC is super private.

 

The Nicklaus Course at Pinehills is unbelievable. It's a great course, great challenge, facility is beautiful. Newport National offers some stunning views, challenge with wind and is a little more accessible. My suggestion would be Pinehills - Nicklaus if you only have time for 18. I think the other course is Fazio? Enjoyable for sure.

 

In addition...Pinehills continually holds qualifiers for US Open, US Am and many regional/state qualifiers. That should offer some insight

[EaglesGolf99]

I'm assuming you're referring to Newport National? Newport CC is super private.

 

The Nicklaus Course at Pinehills is unbelievable. It's a great course, great challenge, facility is beautiful. Newport National offers some stunning views, challenge with wind and is a little more accessible. My suggestion would be Pinehills - Nicklaus if you only have time for 18. I think the other course is Fazio? Enjoyable for sure.

 

In addition...Pinehills continually holds qualifiers for US Open, US Am and many regional/state qualifiers. That should offer some insight

 

No, referring to Newport C.C. .... Not Newport National.

 

Any insight?

 

What are some differences between the sides at Pinehills?

 

Thank you!

[AllstateMaine]

Newport CC is one of the most private and exclusive clubs in the country. I lived in Newport for 7 years and never got on.

 

Nicklaus is more challenging and more through the hills and cliffs. Overall, just more fun.

[EaglesGolf99]

Awesome. Thank you for the info.

[BrianL99]

Title says it all ....

 

Which is the general consensus to play?

 

Pros? Cons?

 

On a Scale of 1-10 for a golfing experience, Pinehills is a "6". Newport CC is an 8 or 9.

 

Newport was the site of the very first U.S. Amateur and the first U.S. Open.

[Sean2]

Have you checked out the Boston Golf Club in Hingham? Quite exclusive but an unbelievable Gil Hanse design. I think it is much better than Pinehills.

[cbbaron]

Have you checked out the Boston Golf Club in Hingham? Quite exclusive but an unbelievable Gil Hanse design. I think it is much better than Pinehills.

+1

[AllstateMaine]

I'll chime in again. I'm sure Newport CC is an unbelievable experience but what are the chances of even getting on there? Pinehills is easily accessible. Newport CC was one of the original 4 clubs of the USGA (along with The Country Club, Chicago GC, Shinnecock) and its rich in golf history.

[medicoreMAgolfer]

The second pinehills course is Rees Jones. I am one of the few people who like that course more than the Nicklaus one. That's not a knock on the Nicklaus course, I just believe Rees had the better topography to work with. There are a glut of good public courses in that area (as well as private ones). Waverly Oaks across the street from Pinehills is fantastic. The conditions and experience aren't as good as Pinehills (which feels private), but the course is every bit as good and is typically less expensive.

 

Boston Golf (Gil Hanse), Old Sandwich (C&C), and Black Rock (silva) are three tremendous private courses in the south shore area. If you can get on any of those, go for it!

[Sean2]

Don't forget Crosswinds.

[cbbaron]

The second pinehills course is Rees Jones. I am one of the few people who like that course more than the Nicklaus one. That's not a knock on the Nicklaus course, I just believe Rees had the better topography to work with. There are a glut of good public courses in that area (as well as private ones). Waverly Oaks across the street from Pinehills is fantastic. The conditions and experience aren't as good as Pinehills (which feels private), but the course is every bit as good and is typically less expensive.

 

Boston Golf (Gil Hanse), Old Sandwich (C&C), and Black Rock (silva) are three tremendous private courses in the south shore area. If you can get on any of those, go for it!

I like the Jones course better myself

[EaglesGolf99]

I ask because there is a qualifier at Newport C.C.. And Pinehills.

[johnnydamz]

If you are talking about the open qualifier you have to go to Newport. With the practice round and the qualifying round you'll get 2 rounds on a super exclusive course you'd otherwise never get on. Only downside will be the weather. Being from RI I can tell you that Newport CC only gives up their course for events to the RIGA or the occasional US qualifier when it's early in the year and the weather is typically brutal. You can almost guarantee rain and and a ridiculous amount of wind, but it's Newport so you deal. Plus I've heard that they have pumped a bunch of money into the course in hopes of getting a US Senior Open...not sure if the senior open part is true or not but I do know of a couple new tees that should make the course even more awesome than it already is. It's unlike any other place, if you have a chance to play it you should definitely play there.

[EaglesGolf99]

If you are talking about the open qualifier you have to go to Newport. With the practice round and the qualifying round you'll get 2 rounds on a super exclusive course you'd otherwise never get on. Only downside will be the weather. Being from RI I can tell you that Newport CC only gives up their course for events to the RIGA or the occasional US qualifier when it's early in the year and the weather is typically brutal. You can almost guarantee rain and and a ridiculous amount of wind, but it's Newport so you deal. Plus I've heard that they have pumped a bunch of money into the course in hopes of getting a US Senior Open...not sure if the senior open part is true or not but I do know of a couple new tees that should make the course even more awesome than it already is. It's unlike any other place, if you have a chance to play it you should definitely play there.

 

Believe it or not, they are actually the second date this year.

[BrianL99]

I ask because there is a qualifier at Newport C.C.. And Pinehills.

 

You need to work on your handicap if you want to play in the Qualifier.

 

You'll probably have to shoot 66 to get through the local at Newport.

[EaglesGolf99]

I ask because there is a qualifier at Newport C.C.. And Pinehills.

 

You need to work on your handicap if you want to play in the Qualifier.

 

You'll probably have to shoot 66 to get through the local at Newport.

 

I played last year. Didn't get through.

 

My handicap fluctuates between 1 and 5. I played on the plus side a few years back when I was in better shape and a bit more mentally stable. My WRX handicap needs updating, played pretty well to close out the 2016 season after surgery in August.

[johnnydamz]

No way you need a 66 at Newport CC! Last year in RI one guy went bananas low, other than a couple even par rounds everyone else was over par, and that was on a much much much easier course than Newport. Shoot 66 and you can definitely book a trip to sectionals.

[AllstateMaine]

68 will get you through Locals at Newport CC. Someone will go low and then you'll have the cluster of folks that battle it out. If the wind blows...sub-70 will do it. Course plays sub-7000 with a rating of 74.1/132

 

It's a typical Tillinghast redesign with ridiculous greens.

 

I hadn't looked at the USGA qualifier list yet...but this might be my next go at the Open. Tried a few years back with so-so results.

[EaglesGolf99]

No we are talking... Tell me more about the differences between Pinehills and Newport CC.

 

Layout, fairway width, depth of rough, bunkers, hazards, green size, green speed, etc. ...

[AllstateMaine]

Do you remember in school when we were taught how Europe and North America were once together? Newport CC proves that theory. It looks exactly like a course in Ireland or Scotland. Exactly. Has the feel of a Ross, greens of a Tillinghast and "fairways" of a links track. Pinehills is cut out of the South Shore cliffs and woods. Very sandy terrain, bent grass and elevation change. It's a tough walk, too. World class, private club feel minus the stuffiness. Massive practice facility. If you want to qualify, go to Newport because someone will shoot a retarded number at Pinehills that will be impossible to catch. Plus, you'll get to play Newport either in-season or decent time of shoulder season

[EaglesGolf99]

Do you remember in school when we were taught how Europe and North America were once together? Newport CC proves that theory. It looks exactly like a course in Ireland or Scotland. Exactly. Has the feel of a Ross, greens of a Tillinghast and "fairways" of a links track. Pinehills is cut out of the South Shore cliffs and woods. Very sandy terrain, bent grass and elevation change. It's a tough walk, too. World class, private club feel minus the stuffiness. Massive practice facility. If you want to qualify, go to Newport because someone will shoot a retarded number at Pinehills that will be impossible to catch. Plus, you'll get to play Newport either in-season or decent time of shoulder season

 

You may have hit a nerve. I'm a links guy.

[EaglesGolf99]

I'm not too familiar with Tillinghast greens. Care to expand?

[BrianL99]

No we are talking... Tell me more about the differences between Pinehills and Newport CC.

 

Layout, fairway width, depth of rough, bunkers, hazards, green size, green speed, etc. ...

 

Apples & Oranges.

 

I'll disagree with most everyone else. They'll be 12-15 scores under Par at Newport, in my opinion. I suspect it will take a minimum of 4-5 under to Qualify, unless the wind really kicks up. It's not a tough golf course. Old school feel. I suppose it's a "links course" by definition, but certainly not like links courses in Ireland. Greens are a little funky. Fairways are fairly wide, rough is usually playable. If you can putt and hit in the air, you'll score fine at Newport. No irrigation in the fairways, so rain (or lack of), will have a lot to do with the conditions on the day of play.

 

I've only played the Nicklaus course and it wouldn't make my list of the 50 best in Massachusetts. Typical Nicklaus course. Typical 90's course. Nothing special, some funky holes. Large greens. Average condition. I've never played the Jones course ... playing the Nicklaus was enough to make me never want to go back.

 

Newport feels like a private club, because that's what it is. It's the real McCoy. Pinehills feels like what it is, but worse. A muni type course, pretending it's in the major leagues because NIcklaus supposedly designed it.

[AllstateMaine]

That's the harshest review I've ever heard of Pinehills..

[cbbaron]

No we are talking... Tell me more about the differences between Pinehills and Newport CC.

 

Layout, fairway width, depth of rough, bunkers, hazards, green size, green speed, etc. ...

 

Apples & Oranges.

 

I'll disagree with most everyone else. They'll be 12-15 scores under Par at Newport, in my opinion. I suspect it will take a minimum of 4-5 under to Qualify, unless the wind really kicks up. It's not a tough golf course. Old school feel. I suppose it's a "links course" by definition, but certainly not like links courses in Ireland. Greens are a little funky. Fairways are fairly wide, rough is usually playable. If you can putt and hit in the air, you'll score fine at Newport. No irrigation in the fairways, so rain (or lack of), will have a lot to do with the conditions on the day of play.

 

I've only played the Nicklaus course and it wouldn't make my list of the 50 best in Massachusetts. Typical Nicklaus course. Typical 90's course. Nothing special, some funky holes. Large greens. Average condition. I've never played the Jones course ... playing the Nicklaus was enough to make me never want to go back.

 

Newport feels like a private club, because that's what it is. It's the real McCoy. Pinehills feels like what it is, but worse. A muni type course, pretending it's in the major leagues because NIcklaus supposedly designed it.

Jones course far superior to Nicklaus.

[Sean2]

No we are talking... Tell me more about the differences between Pinehills and Newport CC.

 

Layout, fairway width, depth of rough, bunkers, hazards, green size, green speed, etc. ...

 

Apples & Oranges.

 

I'll disagree with most everyone else. They'll be 12-15 scores under Par at Newport, in my opinion. I suspect it will take a minimum of 4-5 under to Qualify, unless the wind really kicks up. It's not a tough golf course. Old school feel. I suppose it's a "links course" by definition, but certainly not like links courses in Ireland. Greens are a little funky. Fairways are fairly wide, rough is usually playable. If you can putt and hit in the air, you'll score fine at Newport. No irrigation in the fairways, so rain (or lack of), will have a lot to do with the conditions on the day of play.

 

I've only played the Nicklaus course and it wouldn't make my list of the 50 best in Massachusetts. Typical Nicklaus course. Typical 90's course. Nothing special, some funky holes. Large greens. Average condition. I've never played the Jones course ... playing the Nicklaus was enough to make me never want to go back.

 

Newport feels like a private club, because that's what it is. It's the real McCoy. Pinehills feels like what it is, but worse. A muni type course, pretending it's in the major leagues because NIcklaus supposedly designed it.

 

I always felt Pinehills was overrated, especially given the cost. For half the price you can play Crosswinds, which is every bit as good. However, the practice facilities at PH are much better than CW.

[Imp]

I've played Newport CC quite a few times. Will be playing again in May. I've also played Pinehills quite a few times.

 

These two courses are polar opposites and will depend on your game and what you prefer.

 

NCC: I've played it in the rain, sun, wind, dry and combinations thereof. NCC is a links course, open to the ocean/elements (wind is typically North East off the water and the ocean breeze typically starts around 2-3pm) and if the wind is blowing, you *will* hate life. Add in rain, and it becomes almost sadistic as the course just laughs at you. Hardpack fairways (it's a course built on shale/rocks) favors a sweeping shot over a divot. If they grow the rough, and they are known to you're screwed. They have brought in carts for some tourneys for a typically walking course (easy to walk) and they ask to keep the cart OUT of the rough and in the fairway only. Bunkers are granular beach sand and assorted granular debris. The course punishes a shot not in the fairway or green. Its lack of length is more than made up from the wind and smaller greens. After all that, I still love the course. It's challenging if you've never played it before. Everything is open in front of you, nothing really hidden. It's begs to you like someone that just jumped into a pond that's 40* when they say "come on in! the waters fine!" (SURPRISE!) But once you're in, you just try and do your best.

 

Pinehills? It's your standard resort type course. Soft fairways, decent sized greens, receptive greens. Treelined. Nothing overtly challenging.

 

And that's what it comes down to. Do you want to qualify, or do you want a challenge while doing it?

 

--kC

[jdl]

The second pinehills course is Rees Jones. I am one of the few people who like that course more than the Nicklaus one. That's not a knock on the Nicklaus course, I just believe Rees had the better topography to work with. There are a glut of good public courses in that area (as well as private ones). Waverly Oaks across the street from Pinehills is fantastic. The conditions and experience aren't as good as Pinehills (which feels private), but the course is every bit as good and is typically less expensive.

 

Boston Golf (Gil Hanse), Old Sandwich (C&C), and Black Rock (silva) are three tremendous private courses in the south shore area. If you can get on any of those, go for it!

 

I prefer Jones also, more holes on that side that are memorable (at least to me). Nicklaus course just isn't very remarkable.

[dr3]

Newport CC hands down. Lots of history.