Played Eastward Ho in Chatham, Ma today.

[Shemp]

Beautiful sunny day, a bit of wind maybe topping out at 20 mph. Eastward Ho is a seaside gem of a course. Not a links, not terribly long, but severely sloping fairways, lots of elevation changes, heavy fescue and deep rough. Greens that are very challenging, with lots of contour and were running fast today.

 

We were playing a best two of foursome tournament. Our team came in at 9 under and we were middle of the pack.

 

The course is very private, but if you can hook up with a member I strongly recommend giving it a try. It's far more beautiful than Kittansett, with views of the Atlantic or Pleasant Bay from every hole. Kittansett plays a bit longer with much flatter lies.

[CPSOX]

Spectacular golf course....as is Kittansett.

[Shemp]

[quote name='CPSOX' timestamp='1339815063' post='5104830']
Spectacular golf course....as is Kittansett.
[/quote]

I've played them both a couple of times and I go back and forth as to which I prefer. Both are in the top 5 of my favorite New England Courses.

[teejaywhy]

Eastward Ho!

(don't forget the exclamation point)

[Shemp]

[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1339858541' post='5107100']
Eastward Ho!

(don't forget the exclamation point)
[/quote]

My bad!

[Bandy1080]

You are entitled to your opinion. But there is no way that eastward ho! Is in the same ballpark as kittansett. Kittansett has tougher holes, better course conditions and a much better clubhouse. The only point that I will concede is that the water views around eastward ho! Are slightly better but the course views at kittansett more than make up for that.

[Shemp]

[quote name='Bandy1080' timestamp='1340242859' post='5139132']
You are entitled to your opinion. But there is no way that eastward ho! Is in the same ballpark as kittansett. Kittansett has tougher holes, better course conditions and a much better clubhouse. The only point that I will concede is that the water views around eastward ho! Are slightly better but the course views at kittansett more than make up for that.
[/quote]

Hey, I'm not selling Eastward Ho! I like them both. I disagree about conditions though. Every Time I've played EH! the conditions were superb. I know people who hate EH! because of the severe fairway undulations and elevation changes. I know others who feel Kittansett has a set of very boring holes running through the inland portion of the course. I think saying Eastward Ho! isn't in the same ballpark is harsh. You may prefer one over the other, but imho they're both great tracks. (I'm also a bit older than you, so that may influence opinions).

[HardHatsRequired]

[quote name='Shemp' timestamp='1340481999' post='5154988']
[quote name='Bandy1080' timestamp='1340242859' post='5139132']
You are entitled to your opinion. But there is no way that eastward ho! Is in the same ballpark as kittansett. Kittansett has tougher holes, better course conditions and a much better clubhouse. The only point that I will concede is that the water views around eastward ho! Are slightly better but the course views at kittansett more than make up for that.
[/quote]

Hey, I'm not selling Eastward Ho! I like them both. I disagree about conditions though. Every Time I've played EH! the conditions were superb. I know people who hate EH! because of the severe fairway undulations and elevation changes. I know others who feel Kittansett has a set of very boring holes running through the inland portion of the course. I think saying Eastward Ho! isn't in the same ballpark is harsh. You may prefer one over the other, but imho they're both great tracks. (I'm also a bit older than you, so that may influence opinions).
[/quote]

My two cents: conditions at both are generally immaculate. I give the slight nod to EH! for their greens, which are always electric. Kitty can ramp it up, but they've had issues the past few years. Kitty has a huge advantage in the challenge of the course. The inland holes don't afford the ocean views, but the thinning of trees is finally letting the wind wreak some real havoc on those holes, and the lengthening of the course (thinking #15 tee, in particular, but others, too) makes Kitty more capable of standing up to the modern game. More importantly, Kitty isn't laid out like a links course; instead, no two holes seemingly play in the same direction, let alone two (or more) in a row, making the wind a more formidable challenge there than EH!. Not sure I'd give either the nod on the clubhouse...I think substantial parts of both memberships would be thrilled if their clubhouses were leveled by a Category 5 hurricane....

Slight overall nod to Kitty for me, but I never turn down a chance to play EH!, either.

[Shemp]

[quote name='HardHatsRequired' timestamp='1340505328' post='5156470']
[quote name='Shemp' timestamp='1340481999' post='5154988']
[quote name='Bandy1080' timestamp='1340242859' post='5139132']
You are entitled to your opinion. But there is no way that eastward ho! Is in the same ballpark as kittansett. Kittansett has tougher holes, better course conditions and a much better clubhouse. The only point that I will concede is that the water views around eastward ho! Are slightly better but the course views at kittansett more than make up for that.
[/quote]

Hey, I'm not selling Eastward Ho! I like them both. I disagree about conditions though. Every Time I've played EH! the conditions were superb. I know people who hate EH! because of the severe fairway undulations and elevation changes. I know others who feel Kittansett has a set of very boring holes running through the inland portion of the course. I think saying Eastward Ho! isn't in the same ballpark is harsh. You may prefer one over the other, but imho they're both great tracks. (I'm also a bit older than you, so that may influence opinions).
[/quote]

My two cents: conditions at both are generally immaculate. I give the slight nod to EH! for their greens, which are always electric. Kitty can ramp it up, but they've had issues the past few years. Kitty has a huge advantage in the challenge of the course. The inland holes don't afford the ocean views, but the thinning of trees is finally letting the wind wreak some real havoc on those holes, and the lengthening of the course (thinking #15 tee, in particular, but others, too) makes Kitty more capable of standing up to the modern game. More importantly, Kitty isn't laid out like a links course; instead, no two holes seemingly play in the same direction, let alone two (or more) in a row, making the wind a more formidable challenge there than EH!. Not sure I'd give either the nod on the clubhouse...I think substantial parts of both memberships would be thrilled if their clubhouses were leveled by a Category 5 hurricane....

Slight overall nod to Kitty for me, but I never turn down a chance to play EH!, either.
[/quote]

Good analysis. I agree.

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='HardHatsRequired' timestamp='1340505328' post='5156470']
More importantly, Kitty isn't laid out like a links course; instead, no two holes seemingly play in the same direction, let alone two (or more) in a row, making the wind a more formidable challenge there than EH!.
[/quote]

I think it is a mistaken belief that the out and back routing (like St. Andrews) is an element of what defines a links course.

I would be delighted to play either of these classics. The old courses have a vibe and soul that is missing from modern golf.

[HardHatsRequired]

[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1341280260' post='5207598']
[quote name='HardHatsRequired' timestamp='1340505328' post='5156470']
More importantly, Kitty isn't laid out like a links course; instead, no two holes seemingly play in the same direction, let alone two (or more) in a row, making the wind a more formidable challenge there than EH!.
[/quote]

I think it is a mistaken belief that the out and back routing (like St. Andrews) is an element of what defines a links course.

I would be delighted to play either of these classics. The old courses have a vibe and soul that is missing from modern golf.
[/quote]

Apologies...you are absolutely correct -- I misused the term. It is quite heavily treed from the second shot on #4 through the drive on #16, which isn't links-like. And it's not really sandy soil, despite its location, another non-links feature. The routing isnt relevant, though, as you correctly noted, even if it is a feature of many links courses.

I share your fondness for these types of tracks. It might not be long enough to hold any big competitions these days, but it's a heck of a lot of fun to play.

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='HardHatsRequired' timestamp='1341281322' post='5207716']

I share your fondness for these types of tracks. It might not be long enough to hold any big competitions these days, but it's a heck of a lot of fun to play.
[/quote]

And for me, fun to play is what golf is all about! Save the great old courses for the majority of us recreational golfers, let the pro's play 7800 yard TPC courses and all that ilk.