The Templates: Golden Age Redans

The design of the 15th hole at North Berwick was monumental enough to provide inspiration for both C.B. Macdonald and many of his contemporaries. The MacRaynorBanks template was widely used on their courses, but they were far from the only architects who employed it.

A long par-3 adds variety to a course configuration and examines the game of the best players. The genius of the Redan is that it also affords an opportunity for success to the shorter hitter who is able to deftly utilize the ground. It’s a stout test that is playable for all. No wonder that other Golden Age greats such as Donald Ross, A.W. Tillinghast, C.H. Alison, George Thomas, and William Langford also incorporated their interpretations of the Redan into their courses.

Los Angeles Country Club (North Course) – 11th hole – 244 yards

This George Thomas masterpiece features an incredibly difficult Reverse Redan. Stretching to 244 yards from the back tee box, the 11th plays slightly downhill, but the long shot, deep bunkering, and sloping green make par a tough score to come by.

Somerset Hills C.C. – Second hole – 205 yards

Some think that the second at Somerset Hills is the hardest Redan hole in the world and even more feel that it is simply the best. Designed by the great A.W. Tillinghast, this Redan stretches to 205 yards and has a tremendous slope to it. As described by a friend of Fried Egg Golf, “Bogey is a decent score, par is great, and birdie unheard of…”

Cedar Rapids C.C. – Fifth hole – 160 yards

The Redan that Donald Ross built in Cedar Rapids plays downhill to a shorter yardage, removing the need to hit a long iron. However, the large green with its slope and contour puts a premium on accurately judging distance on the tee shot. Recent restoration work by Ron Prichard and Tyler Rae has this Ross rendition shining.

Milwaukee C.C. – 17th hole – 196 yards

C.H. Alison often incorporated the Redan template into his designs and he built a beauty at Milwaukee Country Club. The penultimate hole is a Reverse Redan that can stretch out to 230+ yards from the back tee. It requires a well struck and shaped shot for a player to avoid a card-wrecker coming down the final stretch.

Longue Vue Club – Third hole– 202 yards

A neighbor of Fox Chapel, Longue Vue Club was not to be outdone with its Redan hole. Designed by Scottish golf professional, Robert White, this Redan is carved out of the natural terrain. All of the land flows right to left and downward, which gives this Redan a beautiful, natural feel.

Philadelphia Cricket Club – 15th hole – 240 yards

When Keith Foster was hired to restore Philly Cricket, he removed trees from the 15th and added yardage to make Tillinghast’s Redan 15th play like it was intended. Stretching to 240 yards, the 15th requires players to hit a long-iron, hybrid or fairway wood to reach the green. A good shot likely needs to land the ball short and run it up.

Knollwood Club – 17th hole– 211 yards

C.H. Alison liked to throw challenges at players down the stretch, and Knollwood’s Redan 17th is a perfect example. The green is dramatically elevated and can quickly turn a wayward tee shot into a big number.

Essex County Club – Fourth hole – 233 yards

Donald Ross built a doozy of a Redan at his masterwork in Manchester-by-the-Sea. The fourth plays slightly downhill to an angled green with bunkers on all sides. One of 18 brilliant holes at Essex.

Riviera Country Club – Fourth hole – 236 yards

The historic George Thomas design features a beefy Redan hole that requires players to hit a precise long iron shot into the severely sloped green. To make matters worse, this hole usually plays into a sea breeze. Due to its length, the 4th at Riviera fulfills the original intention, forcing players to land it short and run the ball up to the green.

Bob O’Link Golf Club – 12th hole – 184 yards

In restoring C.H. Alison’s work at Bob O’ Link, Jim Urbina created this rendition of the Redan in the style of Harry Colt and Alison. While the hole lacks an intimidating yardage, difficulty is found in the elevated and sloped green complex.

Lawsonia Links – Nos. 4 and 12 – 203 yards and 183 yards

The design duo of Langford & Moreau built two one-shotters at Lawsonia with Redan qualities. The fourth is a more traditional Redan, playing long and uphill with the typical high front-right to low back-left tilt. The 12th is a more creative Reverse version with a canted and contoured green that is truly special. Both holes deliver the tough test that is the spirit of the template.

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Orchard Lake C.C. – Seventh hole – 218 yards

The Redan seventh at Orchard Lake is another Alison rendition in the true tradition of the original at North Berwick. The hole, which stretches to 246 yards, features a deep bunker short of the green. Low tee shots that clear that bunker will feed in but miss left and disaster awaits.

Quogue Field Club – Fourth hole – 193 yards

Quogue is a wonderful nine-hole design on Long Island and its Redan fourth hole is special. The green has the typical high front-right shoulder, but farther back, players discover a Biarritz-esque swale cutting across the surface. Old school quirk at its finest.

Exmoor C.C. – Eighth hole – 211 yards

The Donald Ross-designed Exmoor CC might fly under the radar, but its Redan is right in your face. The hole plays uphill to a green that has the traditional deep bunker front left, and the putting surface is severe enough to make degreening misjudged putts a real possibility.