Rye (Old)

Courtesy
3 Photos

Rye (Old)

  • Course Type

    Semi-Private
  • GOLF Top 100 World Rank (2023-24)

    72
  • Year

    1907
  • Architects

    H.S. Colt, 1895 / Tom Simpson / Herbert Tippet / Guy Campbell, 1907
  • Par

    68
  • Yardage

    6503

Course Overview

The opener is the easiest hole (and the course’s only three-shotter) and then … hold on! What follows are a dozen par-4s, 10 of which measure more than 420 yards, and an infamously diabolical group of five par-3s that have this 6,503-yard course weighing in yard for yard as one of the most difficult on our list. The fact that you can walk Rye in two and half hours makes you question the merit of courses that are so much longer. (Photo: Courtesy)

3 things to know

  • Hole everyone talks about

    No. 1, par-5, 482 yards. Rye’s opener is the lone par-5 on the course, but even with a sub-500 yardage on the scorecard, it typically takes three shots to get home. Get your scoring out of the way early, because the course gets no easier from there.
  • Best non-golf amenity

    Stop into the bar before or after your round for a quick pint. But be advised: if you’re planning on sticking around after 11 a.m., men are expected to wear a jacket and tie.
  • Insider tip

    At par 68 and with just one par-5 on the scorecard, the course can be walked in under three hours. Pace of play won’t be an issue at Rye.