I’ve played two rounds on the East this year, months apart on a Thursday, and each time the pins were in identical positions on all 18 holes. By identical I mean just that, no slight discrepancy. Nothing wrong with the choice of pins, fair and challenging in equal proportion, yet it does eliminate an element of surprise for members who play regularly, and also disappoint occasional visitors who would like to play a different setup than one they have played before. It’s clearly a pre-arranged setup which some clubs employ, and as such does deter the possibility of mischievous pin placements. Yet it does suggest a formulated and dull approach to the task. At the East the pins are front-back-middle in that order every 3 holes. No deviation. The course itself is in splendid health, a pleasure to play, testing throughout as there is little run on the fairways even in late May.
