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The 2011 Course

Designed by Donald J Ross in 1916 and completed in 1921, Plainfield Country Club’s majestic, top-ranked course (dubbed the 'Green Monster') presents a test of both skill and character. What's more, families and golf lovers alike have long revered Plainfield’s welcoming environment, beautiful setting and exceptional facilities.

Since its founding in 1890 as the Hillside Tennis Club, Plainfield has experienced tremendous growth, going on to host two US National Championships. The past 10 years have seen the Club undergo an extensive renovation program involving the removal of over 1,200 trees, the rediscovery of a number of lost bunkers, the expansion of 16 greens, and the lengthening of 12 tees to reflect modern equipment and skills.

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A rolling fairway that slopes significantly to the left in the landing area. The green is sloped from back to front and is also raised in the front right.

A downhill tee shot to a wide fairway that slopes to the left. Fairway bunkers are in play on the left side approximately 270-295 yards from the tee. The green is one of PCC’s most severe with a false front and left side. The closely mown area to the left of the green sees a lot of action.

A tee shot over water to a fairly subtle green. The bunker left of the green is not visible from the tee. Tee shots landing on the bank right of the green will run into the water.

Difficult driving hole for a short hole. An uphill carry of approximately 260 yards is required to reach the upper fairway which slopes to the right. Three fairway bunkers placed diagonally along the left side will catch some aggressive shots on that line. The green has mild ridge in the middle and slopes slightly from back to front.

This hole plays slightly downhill off the tee and uphill to the green. The fairway slopes from left to right and the green can be reached in two by the longer hitters. Cross-bunkers approximately 50 yards short of the green force players to make a strategic decision. The green slopes from back left to front right and has a closely mown area to the right.

A severe slope from the front right of the green towards the center makes getting the ball close to forward or right-side hole locations difficult. The well-bunkered green complex makes par saves difficult as well.

A tee shot that carries at least 265 yards rewards players with extra roll and a view of the green. Tee shots that find the bunkers left of the fairway make reaching the green very difficult. Only well struck iron shots from the fairway will hold on the green which slopes towards the back left of the green.

Only the biggest hitters will be able to carry their tee shots onto the upper fairway plateau, which makes reaching the green in two very possible. Long tee shots that are left and shorter tee shots that are right may find one of four fairway bunkers. The green sight is very deep and most severe towards the front portion.

Most solid tee shots will leave a blind shot with a short iron or wedge to a two-tier green. Take note of the hole location as it is very difficult to save par if you end up on the wrong tier.

A blind tee shot to an undulating fairway will usually result in a short iron or wedge shot to the green. Tee shots down the left side improve the angle of play to the green and eliminate the possibility of reaching a small creek on the right side approximately 310 yards from the back tees. Bunkers guard the green in front and on both sides. Upslope towards the back of the green often acts as a backstop for well-struck iron shots.

The false front on this green will cause shots that land short to feed into a large bunker. Tee shots that carry over or left of the green will force an extremely difficult recovery shot. The green slopes significantly from back to front.

Fingal

This par 5 presents several strategic decisions on the second and third shots. Well-struck tee shots can leave players 230-300 yards from the green because of the down slope in the landing area. A creek that runs diagonally across the fairway makes players choose to lay up, either left or right of the creek, or completely carry the creek to the green. A spine separates the back left and back right portions of the green. The creek continues next to the green on the left side.

A ridge that runs diagonally across the fairway affects where tee shots end up on this slight dogleg to the right. The flattest green on the course is guarded by two bunkers and chipping areas in the back right and left.

Long irons, hybrids or fairway woods will be needed to carry the pond that is short right of the severely undulating green. Mounds to the left and a chipping area behind the green provide additional interest to the green complex.

A carry of about 240 yards is required to clear the cross-bunker complex in the right side of the fairway. The green slopes significantly from back to front and is guarded by bunkers in front and a chipping area to the right.

Tee shots that find the fairway will allow players to carry the large cross-bunker complex on their second shots. Tee shots in the rough will have to choose whether to lay up, play left or try to carry the bunkers. The green site is severely sloped from back to front and has an upper and lower tier.

A challenging tee shot to this dogleg right fairway that is guarded with cross-bunkers and trees on the right side. The approach shot is to an elevated green that is subtle.

Most players will not need a driver here unless they choose to carry the trees on the inside of this dogleg left. An approach shot to the most severe green on the course is the finish to your round. The green is guarded by a false front and bunkers left and short right.