Pine Valley Golf Club

Dear Reader,

High end clubs, who’s traditions transcend time, are a cornerstone for us.

The incorporation of art in nature, where only a select few may roam, creates the pinnacle of environments.

If nothing else, we wants our contribution to you, aimed at actualizing high standards. Creating a lens for you to understand how to become a better version of yourself.

Having a deep appreciation for these beautiful places, who they are for, what they stand for, and how they contribute to the world, is paramount.

Without further ado, the first club of conveyance —

Pine Valley Golf Club

Pine Valley GC is located in Camden County, South New Jersey

It is often regarded as the most difficult and creatively designed course in the world.

Early in it’s existence, the welcoming words of Dante's Inferno hung above the club's rear entrance:

"Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here."

Tom Doak claimed “Pine Valley doesn’t even pretend to try, and that’s why it’s been rated the No. 1 Course in the world by GOLF since 1985. And the vote isn’t particularly close.”

Pine Valley was established by George Crump in 1912 and completed in 1922.

For the course he used 3 tactics for design:

1. No 2 consecutive holes play in the same direction

2. No hole can be visible from another (this has been contradicted in later adaptations to increase difficulty)

3. No hole parallel to another

At Pine Valley, there are few bunkers, in the traditional sense. Rather, the entire landscape is a winding region of dunes and waste area with small etchings in between for fairways, greens, and tee boxes.

Every single hole forces players to carry the ball over a waste area or hazard at least once. No exceptions.

Unlike other courses, praised for either their history or quality upkeep, Pine Valley flexes both traits on top of shear difficulty. This has created great allure among serious advocates of the sport.

FD Signature Hole

Adored by many, but cursed by all, is our favorite hole here at Fairway Destiny, the par 3 10th.

Measuring at only 161 yards from the back tee, this hole is the 18th ranked hole by handicap, but shows its teeth right from the box.

Just before the front right section of the green is a deep coned shaped bunker, a foundational landmark at Pine Valley. Coined “The Devil’s Asshole,” if found inside, the only escape is backward.

Membership

Exclusivity is at the core of Pine Valley. The list and quantity of members unknown. Membership is by invitation only and issued by the Board of Directors.

Those who are knighted into membership, however, are highly encouraged to bring guests. Guest’s who must be coached on the requirements of the privilege.

Strictly enforced and contrary to the cultural norm, it is unacceptable to urinate behind a tree at Pine Valley (lol).

You also must finish your round in under 4 hours.

These, among other strict standards, are requirement’s if you ever want to be invited back.

Sentiment

Pine Valley exhibit’s one of the world’s most profound memberships, designs, and customs for a golf club. If you happen to meet someone in your lifetime who has played there, the experience is usually one they bring up regularly.

At Fairway Destiny, our goal is to capture this intrigue. To dispense feelings towards pieces of the game like this. And to create an appreciation for the better things in life.

With Respect and Devotion,

The Fairway Destiny Team

This piece originally appeared in Fairway Destiny newsletter. If you loved what you read Subscribe For Free and receive our insight every Monday when the Country Clubs are closed!