Pete and Perry don't disappoint with Pound Ridge Golf Club in New York -- it's to Dye for

POUND RIDGE, N.Y. -- Just when you think you've seen it all, there's Pound Ridge Golf Club.

The first thing that strikes you is the beauty of this course. Lakes, streams, rock outcroppings, elevated tees, mounds, a variety of bunkering and perfect bentgrass greens are blended together into a true work of art.

Each hole is entirely different than the other as you make your way through this 7,165-yard par 72.

The next thing you notice is how hard it is -- or at least how intimidating it is. But that should come as no surprise, considering the architect.

"If you can create in the mind of the golfer that he can remember some of the holes, that's extraordinary," said Pete Dye, who designed the course with his son Perry Dye. "And if you can make it look very demanding, yet still keep it playable, and then you've hit a home run."

By all accounts, the Dyes, as well as owner Ken Wang, appear to have rounded the bases on this one.

Golf Magazine called it the most U.S. Open worthy public course in the country. It's ranked among the top five in the state by several publications, the best course in the New York City area and ranked among the best new courses in the country after it opened in 2008.

One thing is for sure: once you play it, you won't forget it.

Dye makes 'tough' Pound Ridge site beautiful

Located less than an hour north of New York City and less than 15 minutes from Stamford, Conn., and Greenwich, Conn., the Pound Ridge Golf Club was crafted by the Dyes as well as longtime construction manager/lead shaper Michael Langkau.

It was a difficult site to build on, with plenty of rocks and boulders, uneven land and hardwood forests. In fact, many of boulders were left as is, creating one of the most visually stunning settings for golf in the U.S.

The property also features some of the highest points in Westchester County, with a number of tee boxes offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

"It's a tough site," Pete Dye said during construction. "But things that make it hard to build make it more beautiful."

Case in point would be two boulders.

The par-5 13th is home to "Pete's Rock," a giant boulder that rests in the middle of the fairway. The obvious problem is that you either need to pick a club that takes it out of play off the tee or make sure you're so accurate that you don't hit it, because bouncing off of it could be disastrous considering what surrounds the fairways at Pound Ridge.

As to why Dye left it there, he said, "I think the man upstairs when he put there, put there not to be moved."

The rock formation on the par-3 15th -- dubbed "Headstone" -- is even more dramatic. It flanks a 9,000-square-foot green that definitely comes into play. Fortunes can be either good or bad if you hit it; it all depends on the bounce.

Those are hardly the only highlights on the course, though. There are a few blind shots, sharp doglegs, some wetlands and plenty of uneven lies and frightening bunkers. The key to success is knowing where your golf ball is going to go and planning the right shots. It's as simple as that. Golfers need to at least bring their "B" game, no matter what tees they play.

Stay and play at Pound Ridge Golf Club

For out-of-towners, a stay-and-play package is the way to go, and Pound Ridge has partnered with a few hotels.

Perhaps the most notable is the Stamford (Conn.) Marriott Hotel & Spa, which is located just 15 minutes from Pound Ridge.

"The Stamford Marriott is a perfect match for Pound Ridge, providing convenient access to the course, elegant accommodations, fine dining and a spa, where golfers can relax post-round," Wang said.

Stay-and-play guests can take advantage of tee time booking via concierge or hotel staff, transportation options (shuttles, rental cars, limousines) and complimentary rental clubs and golf shoes from Pound Ridge ($100 value).

Hotel guests can also enjoy the flexibility of Pound Ridge's weekday nine-hole rates before 8:30 a.m. and after 4 p.m., which are substantially less than the advanced tee time rack rates, which run from $115 to $195 during peak season.

Pound Ridge Golf Club: The verdict

Pete Dye doesn't build easy golf courses, so if you know and expect that going in, you'll be fine with the challenges, which never really let up on any hole.

If you're a fan of Dye's work, you'll love Pound Ridge G.C. It's visually stunning, you hardly ever get a flat lie and if you're going to challenge his design, be prepared to pay the consequences if you fail (i.e., lost ball and high score).

It's sort of reminiscent of the Dye Course at French Lick Resort in Indiana -- incredibly beautiful, but you can never really relax. Disaster is around every corner if you start spraying it just a little, especially with the tall fescue mounds threatening to gobble up any wayward shot.

Practice facilities are good at Pound Ridge, especially the short-game area. The driving range, which is bordered by netting, is the weakest part of the equation. The club also doesn't have a permanent clubhouse yet, but the temporary facilities are more than adequate. After all, it's the golf course that's the star here anyway.

Mike Bailey is a former Golf Advisor senior staff writer based in Houston. Focusing primarily on golf in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America with an occasional trip to Europe and beyond, he contributes course reviews, travel stories and features as well as the occasional equipment review. An award-winning writer and past president of Texas Golf Writers Association, he has more than 25 years in the golf industry. He has also been on staff at PGA Magazine, The Golfweek Group and AvidGolfer Magazine. Follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeBaileyGA and Instagram at @MikeStefanBailey.
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Pete and Perry don't disappoint with Pound Ridge Golf Club in New York -- it's to Dye for