Poulter On Kingston Heath: "Someone please tell modern day architects we don't need 8000 yard tracks..."

The defending Australian Masters champion Ian Poulter got his first look at Kingston Heath Tuesday (he won last year at the equally fantastic Victoria).

Not surprisingly, Poulter liked what he found at the Heath and Tweeted accordingly:

 And this about the famous 15th.

Golf Channel hosts live coverage in the United States beginning at 5:30 Pacific Wednesday. Not only a chance to see great players dealing with one of the world's most idyllic courses, but Australian coverage is nearly always excellent.

Comments

[MatthewM]

The course is in fantastic shape, and the weather forecast looks good. Hope it is a great week!

[Ivan Morris]

I hope I get to see it on TV and am planning a visit to KH in 2014.

[Ivan Morris]

You're right, Australian TV golf coverage is superb and US coverage is crap.

[digsouth]

''Australian TV golf coverage is superb''

VERY debatable.

[carnaptious and camsteerie]

Who'd a thunk it, eh? The voice of reason from Poults!

I was at Lytham this year and was highly entertained watching the pros try to navigate their way around this course. Some of them were made to look very silly when they got out of position. It 'don't' have to be long; fast fairways and well-positioned bunkers will reduce the strongest of men to tears!

[phil the author]

Someone tell Ian & all other touring pros and those who want to become one that we also don't need clubs and golf balls made so that an 8,000 yard course is needed to challenge the best players...

Tell them to take a stand with the R&A & USGA and ask for equipment rollbacks... Then again, these are the same ones who are currently rbelling against the diea of these same governing bodies banning the belly putter.

Ian, the word is hypocrisy...

[Kelly Blake Moran]

How many 8,000 yard courses are there? Has there been a rash of them lately?

[jjshaka]

So true ,Geoff- watched the last tournament there won by VanPelt and loved it so much.
The sounds and announcing where like a trip back to a better time.
Thank God for Australia

[Charlie]

i hear the new rocketbladez irons are much longer, along with the new taylormade ball. 8,000 yards won't be so bad.

[Charlie]

http://www.frenchlick.com/golf/petedye

fairly new course, 8,100 from the tips.

[Smacking the Featherie]

During last year's Australian tv coverage it was tough to take all the Tiger slurping from Ian Baker Finch.

More Jack Newton and less Baker Finch please.

[walkie talkie banks]

not surprised with his comments cos its a great course and it isn't over-long.
Not surprised he enjoys it either as its easier than it should be with today's juiced-up equipment.
Now if we had more classic courses for tournaments and a sensible reduction in equipment then we would all have a lot of fun-players and spectators alike!
Can't see it happening though!

[Steve]

Based on what we have seen with the potential belly-putter ban...a proposed rollback in the golfball would likely result in many tour pros whining that it will take away their chance to make money (and maybe lawsuits). We often hear players complain if they can't reach a par 5 in two shots and that it is a bad hole if they are forced to hit 3 shots to reach the green (becomes a wedge contest). Lots of inconsistencies from many of the players.

[PHK]

Thank goodness there is no USGA U.S. Open down under and may there be anything like it... Otherwise, your KHs and RMWs of the world would go under the knife for that 8,000 yard course or 245 yard crap...

MM,

I'm stoked for you guys!

[fyg]

@Smacking.

Agree, more Jack Newton and much less IBF.

[IanB]

Nice to see the Melbourne sand-belt courses once again get the praise they deserve. It's a shame that they are not ranked accordingly. Someone on Poulter's twitter questioned 15 at Kingston Heath vs. 16 at Cypress. I've been fortunate to play both courses and I think KH is the better golf course. Cypress may have better views, but that's about it...

[metro18]

@ IanB. Go play NSW for the best of both.

[George B]

Does anyone know why they changed the routing? BOgle just claimed it was to "liven up the finish". Proving himself the moron that he is once again. The finish is unchanged. Anyone out there in Shack land with the inside scoop? And any thoughts on the changes and how they will affect how the course will play based on the different winds? Mike C?

[IanB]

@Metro18 I play at the Australian GC. Have played NSW dozens of times over the years - pennants, NSW Cup, etc. Absolutely love the golf course. My only issue with NSW is that it borders on unplayable sometimes due to the wind, particularly with a strong southerly. That said - you've raised a good question - what's the better members course? NSW or Kingston Heath. I wouldn't mind throwing in Metro to the mix. As for the AGC - let's see how playable the new course is for the members....

[Rob]

@George - so that both nines start and finish alongside the clubhouse. Helps to simplify tee time logistics.

[Rob]

@IanB - what is the completion date for the work that is being done on The Australian? Are they changing the routing? Will some holes be finished before the entire project? Will there be a different look to the course? (The Lakes really changed in appearance after Mike Clayton re-did it).

I was visiting Sydney a few months ago and played at Royal Sydney - the members there said that there was some temporary short course set up at the Australian - how short?

[IanB]

@Rob - here's a summary;
Nicklaus is architect. Work started June 1. Temporary course in play although it's only just a course - mostly 100m par threes threaded in between the mess... Opening date is 8th March - breakfast with Nicklaus then he plays the course for the first time (with a mic, etc to talk about the changes). Members play 9th March. All holes will be complete on opening.

Changes are significant. Every green, every tee and every bunker - destroyed. 7th, 9th ,10th, 14th and 18th fairways re-routed/re-shaped but the routing is essentially the same. All fairways shredded. Many new bunkers. All dams rebuilt except for 17. Theme of course is that the bunkers will all be visible, more slope on greens (but nothing like the Lakes...) much more protection (bunkers/water/slopes) in front of the greens. Many new tee locations. Course will be around 6800m from the back - and remember there's little if any run :-)

It's going to be an incredible championship course - no question about it. I'll be interested to see if the rating from the back tees keeps under 80 (it was 76 before). I suspect though that unless they put a set of 'short' tees in (which they eventually will) that it be far too difficult for the average golfer. I've played over 300 courses - not sure I've ever seen anything as hard as this will be.

[Rob]

@IanB

Thanks for all those details!

Wow, I am going to have to check it out the next time I'm in Oz and see how those changes compare to the 1977-2012 version of the course.

[metro18]

@IanB But that's what makes NSW such a fun place - the wind. Played there in an Aussie Am once. First day into the fifth, it was driver - 5 iron. The second day - driver, 3 wood, 3 wood. And you're right - Metro rocks!!

[Sandy]

IMO Kingston Heath is easily the #1 course in Oz. Royal Melbourne's fantastic design does not make up for their new scrappy legends couch fairways and concrete greens (east course is laughable right now). Loving the Masters coverage, all set for a great final day Poults Vs Scott.