Jackson Reid
The term redan in golf refers to a hole design inspired by military fortifications. The name comes from the French word for projection or salient, describing a V-shaped angle in a fortress wall that faces an expected attack. In golf, redan holes are well-defended, with a sloping green that is often obscured from view and surrounded by deep bunkers. The original redan hole is said to be the 15th hole at North Berwick in Scotland, designed by Ben Sayers, though no single architect has been credited. The hole has been replicated by various architects worldwide, with notable examples including the 4th hole at Riviera and the 7th hole at Shinnecock Hills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Etymology | The term "Redan" comes from the French word for "projection" or "salient", referring to a V-shaped embankment in military fortifications. |
| Origin | The name was first applied to the 15th hole at North Berwick Golf Club in Scotland, which a veteran of the Crimean War likened to a fortress in Sebastopol. |
| Design | A Redan green typically slopes from front to back and is angled from the front right to back left, with a deep bunker on the left side. It often features a pronounced kicker slope, a high incline that redirects balls toward the back hole. |
| Strategy | Knowing a hole is a Redan can be advantageous for golfers. Rather than aiming directly at the pin, playing to the front quarter or short of the green and allowing the contours to direct the ball is a more effective strategy. |
| Notable Examples | The original Redan at North Berwick; the 4th hole at National Golf Links of America; the 7th hole at Shinnecock Hills; the 2nd hole at Fishers Island. |
What You'll Learn
- The name 'Redan' comes from the French word for ''projection' or 'salient'
- The original Redan hole is the 15th hole at North Berwick Golf Club in Scotland
- Redan holes are well-defended, like the military fortification for which they're named
- Redan holes typically feature a 45-degree angle green, with bunkers and a sloping shoulder
- The Redan design has been replicated at many golf courses around the world
The name 'Redan' comes from the French word for ''projection' or 'salient'
The name Redan in golf comes from the French word for "projection" or "salient", which refers to a feature of fortifications. In the context of military fortifications, a redan is an arrow or V-shaped embankment that faces the expected point of attack. This design was commonly used in Malta during the 17th and 18th centuries and was later adopted by the Russians in their defence against Napoleon and the French.
The term Redan in golf specifically refers to a well-defended hole, similar to the military fortification it is named after. The original Redan hole is said to be the 15th hole at North Berwick in Scotland, which was designed by Ben Sayers. This hole is known for its brilliant design, offering a range of options for golfers of all skill levels. The hole is characterised by a 45-degree right-to-left oriented green, protected by a deep bunker on the left side.
The name Redan was first applied to this hole by a veteran of the Crimean War, John White-Melville, who noticed its resemblance to a formidable Russian-held fortress in Sebastopol. The word 'Redan' entered the English language after the British captured this fort during the Crimean War. The definition provided by the Oxford Dictionary describes it as "a work having two faces forming a salient towards the enemy".
The Redan hole has since been replicated by various architects around the world, including C.B. Macdonald, who built the first manufactured variation of the original at the National Golf Links of America. Macdonald and his associates, Seth Raynor and Charles "Steamshovel" Banks, incorporated the Redan design into almost every course they constructed.
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The original Redan hole is the 15th hole at North Berwick Golf Club in Scotland
The Redan hole is a famous feature of golf course design. The name 'Redan' comes from the French word for an arrow or V-shaped embankment, which was a common feature of 17th and 18th-century fortifications. The term was also used to refer to a Russian-held fort captured by the British during the Crimean War.
The Redan hole at North Berwick has been copied dozens of times and is considered one of golf's great "template" holes. The hole's unique design and green strategy have been replicated by many golf course architects, including C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor, who built Redan holes at nearly every course they constructed. The most famous variation of the original Redan is the 4th hole at the National Golf Links of America (NGLA), which was built by Macdonald in 1911. This hole introduced the concept of green visibility from the tee, which is not a feature of the original Redan at North Berwick.
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Redan holes are well-defended, like the military fortification for which they're named
The name 'Redan' in golf comes from the Crimean War, when the British captured a Russian-held fort. A serving officer, John White-Melville, is said to have described the hole as resembling the formidable fortress, or redan, he had encountered at Sebastopol. The word 'Redan' is now part of the English language, defined by the Oxford Dictionary as 'Fort—A work having two faces forming a salient towards the enemy'.
Redan golf holes are well defended, just like the military fortification for which they are named. The predominant feature of a Redan is an angular abutment protruding from a high wall, giving defenders a wide range of coverage to the left and right. In golf, the front corner of the green represents the lunette or protrusion, with the rest of the putting surface obscured from view as it extends back.
The original Redan hole is the 15th hole at North Berwick Golf Club in Scotland, designed by Ben Sayers. It is a par-3 hole, ranging from 180-230 yards, and features a 45-degree right-to-left-oriented green protected by a deep bunker along the left side. The green has a large shoulder on the right side, which funnels balls towards the middle and back of the green.
Redan holes are typically flanked by deep bunkers, with a raised portion of ground, often called a kick mound or kick plate, that can be used by skilled golfers to propel the ball onto the green and nearer the hole. The best Redans share common traits, such as the 45-degree angle of the green, the front-to-back cant of the green, and the carry bunkers. However, some Redans feature a high kicker slope on the edge of the green, which redirects balls towards back hole locations.
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Redan holes typically feature a 45-degree angle green, with bunkers and a sloping shoulder
The name 'Redan' in golf comes from the French word for "projection" or "salient", which refers to a type of military fortification. In the context of golf, a Redan is a well-defended hole, just like the military fortification it is named after.
The classic Redan hole is flanked by deep bunkers, with one on the left side and another behind the sloping shoulder, penalising wayward shots. The bunker on the left side can be skilfully used by more advanced golfers to propel the ball onto the green and nearer the hole. The presence of bunkers and the sloping shoulder make Redan holes particularly challenging, as missing the green can result in a nearly impossible up-and-down recovery.
The original Redan hole is said to be the 15th hole at North Berwick Golf Club in Scotland, designed by Ben Sayers. This hole is considered a brilliant design as it offers options for golfers of all skill levels. The Redan hole has since been replicated by various architects at golf courses around the world, including C.B. Macdonald, who built a version at the National Golf Links of America.
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The Redan design has been replicated at many golf courses around the world
The Redan design typically features a 45-degree angle green, with a right-to-left slope, and a deep bunker on the left. The green slopes from front to back, with the entrance kept open to allow shots to roll onto the surface. The left side of the green typically has bunkering, and there may also be a high kicker slope on the edge of the green, which redirects balls towards the back.
The Redan design has been replicated at numerous courses, including the 4th hole at Riviera, the 7th hole at Shinnecock Hills, the 4th hole at National Golf Links of America, the 6th hole at Yeamans Hall, the 6th hole at Fox Chapel, and the 7th hole at Chicago Golf Club. The Redan design has also been used at Fishers Island, Sleepy Hollow, Saint Louis Country Club, Hackensack Golf Club, and Camargo. In England, the design can be found at the 4th hole at Swinley Forest, and the 14th hole at Alwoodley.
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Frequently asked questions
A redan is a type of golf hole, named after a French word for a military fortification.
A redan hole slopes from the front-right to the back-left, with a deep bunker on the front side. The green is obscured from view on approach.
It is best to aim short of the green or at the front quarter, either with a high shot or a low chasing runner. If you miss the green, it is better to miss long and left.
The original redan hole is the 15th hole at North Berwick Golf Club in Scotland. The 4th hole at Riviera, the 7th hole at Shinnecock Hills, and the 4th hole at National Golf Links in New York are also well-known redan holes.
While no single architect has been credited for designing the original redan hole, C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor are known for popularising the redan template in their golf course designs.
