Located in Newburgh, NY, the Powelton Club is one of the ten oldest golf courses in the United States. While this may seem evident on a few holes, it has definitely stood the test of time. Consisting of narrow holes, sloping fairways and small greens, the Powelton club is a traditional test of golf. From the minute you step from the clubhouse to the first tee, the history and tradition make for an enjoyable experience.
The course is extremely short, registering at 6,063 yards from the back tees with a course rating of 70 and slope of 129. This all makes for an enjoyable round of golf, but the distance is a bit deceiving. Most would think that a course of this length would be a pitch and putt, but sudden elevation changes, narrow holes and tricky greens protect the course. The front nine is very traditional, with short tight holes and tricky shots which require all types of shot shaping to score well. A standout hole is the seventh hole, a 170 yard par 3 with a green that is tucked on a hill behind two trees and bunkers. This greens is tricky to hold and a shot for the middle of the green is probably the best bet. The second hole is also a great design. Measuring at 250 yards, this par 4 can make or break a round. It looks welcoming, but missing the fairway will almost always result in a bogey. Depending on the pin position, driving the green won't always result in a par either, a four putt is possible here. The back nine is filled with a variety of holes and views. Every hole on the back is an adventure, and careful thinking should be put into club choice for the tee shots and blind shots that you will encounter. At the Powelton Club, hitting fairways and greens will lead to an easy round, but missing them could run up the score.
The clubhouse facilities are decent, but it is very traditional. The entire time that you are there, time seems to have stopped in the early 1900's. There is not range on premises though, and the putting green is only moderate in size. There is a range down the road that can be used if needed.
The Powelton Club is worth playing if given the chance. With its tradition and design, every golfer will enjoy playing a course with its history. Playing a course listed in The National Register of Historic Places is definitely worth a round. This course is easy to walk, and will provide some great memories from either golf or the great views of the surrounding mountains.
Value: Private
Difficulty: 4
Pricing: Private
Variability: 7
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Course at Yale (New Haven, CT)
The Course at Yale is a great example of early American golf course design, and is a great New England style course. Yale is a great course to stop at for eighteen holes and some practice if you are in the area. Although Connecticut can get uncomfortably hot in the summer months, it is usually playable. During the spring and fall, walking the course is a great option to get away from the hustle of daily life. Yale is not a hard walk and is very enjoyable, especially when the leaves begin to change.
What stands out about Yale is the ridiculous greens. Made to protect the rest of the course, the greens can easily ruin a good ball striking round. They are small, hard to hit, usually elevated and feature quick direction changes, elevation changes and can make your ball run in all different directions then the one intended. Usually they run at a normal speed, but can be fast or slow depending on the season and weather.
The Bunkers are also a defining point about the course. They can be as deep as 30 feet, and will leave you little chance of getting up and down. These bunkers add some character and difficulty to the course.
Despite the greens and bunkers, the course plays fairly easy. It is short at 6749 from the back tees and features a 72.9 rating with a 132 slope. The par 70 course will give its fair share of birdies with short, drivable par 4's. Aside from those, playing for pars will result in a good score. The greens are small, so aiming for the middle of the greens will not punish you. Beware, many holes have major problems for a missed green and wayward drives can easily end up in woods, water or out of bounds. The course is filled with blind shots, but there is usually time to check out the area before hitting. A simple game is best at Yale, drive to the fairway, middle of the green and two putt. The par 70 course will add confidence.
A standout hole is the par 3 ninth. This 235 yard hole plays much less then the given distance, and is a monster to those playing the course for their first time. The tee ground is on a hill above a lake, which is a mandatory carry all the way to the green. Wrong club choices and mishit shots will end up in the hazard and wind blows off the lake making the club selection more difficult. This hole does not feature the easy choice of clubbing up and going for the middle. A five to nine foot depression runs the width of the green in the middle, separating the front from the back. This depression essentially creates two greens. Each green is flat and will result in a fair share of long putts made. A ball that ends up in the depression though will almost always be three putt, and some players even elect to putt out with a driver. When a ball comes to rest on the wrong green, some players chose to pitch across the depression. The ninth at Yale is one of the greatest golf holes in the world, and has been featured in many books and articles.
Aside from the course, the clubhouse and facilities are at best decent. They are old like the course, and do add to the timeless atmosphere. The staff ranges depending on their moods. The practice facility is great for the short game with two putting greens which can hold a fair amount of people. Some creativity can occupy you in trying to make an impossible putt on huge swales on the large green. The chipping and pitching area offers a well maintained green and grass to practice off of. A practice trap allows for some creative practicing. The range is decent and is either off of mats or grass.
Yale is a great day trip to play a timeless course. Don't expect too much expect from a fun, wacky round of golf and you will be fine. The price can be reasonable for some, but extreme at other times. Call ahead to make sure you get a good deal.
Value: 7
Difficulty: 5
Pricing: 7
Variability: 9
What stands out about Yale is the ridiculous greens. Made to protect the rest of the course, the greens can easily ruin a good ball striking round. They are small, hard to hit, usually elevated and feature quick direction changes, elevation changes and can make your ball run in all different directions then the one intended. Usually they run at a normal speed, but can be fast or slow depending on the season and weather.
The Bunkers are also a defining point about the course. They can be as deep as 30 feet, and will leave you little chance of getting up and down. These bunkers add some character and difficulty to the course.
Despite the greens and bunkers, the course plays fairly easy. It is short at 6749 from the back tees and features a 72.9 rating with a 132 slope. The par 70 course will give its fair share of birdies with short, drivable par 4's. Aside from those, playing for pars will result in a good score. The greens are small, so aiming for the middle of the greens will not punish you. Beware, many holes have major problems for a missed green and wayward drives can easily end up in woods, water or out of bounds. The course is filled with blind shots, but there is usually time to check out the area before hitting. A simple game is best at Yale, drive to the fairway, middle of the green and two putt. The par 70 course will add confidence.
A standout hole is the par 3 ninth. This 235 yard hole plays much less then the given distance, and is a monster to those playing the course for their first time. The tee ground is on a hill above a lake, which is a mandatory carry all the way to the green. Wrong club choices and mishit shots will end up in the hazard and wind blows off the lake making the club selection more difficult. This hole does not feature the easy choice of clubbing up and going for the middle. A five to nine foot depression runs the width of the green in the middle, separating the front from the back. This depression essentially creates two greens. Each green is flat and will result in a fair share of long putts made. A ball that ends up in the depression though will almost always be three putt, and some players even elect to putt out with a driver. When a ball comes to rest on the wrong green, some players chose to pitch across the depression. The ninth at Yale is one of the greatest golf holes in the world, and has been featured in many books and articles.
Aside from the course, the clubhouse and facilities are at best decent. They are old like the course, and do add to the timeless atmosphere. The staff ranges depending on their moods. The practice facility is great for the short game with two putting greens which can hold a fair amount of people. Some creativity can occupy you in trying to make an impossible putt on huge swales on the large green. The chipping and pitching area offers a well maintained green and grass to practice off of. A practice trap allows for some creative practicing. The range is decent and is either off of mats or grass.
Yale is a great day trip to play a timeless course. Don't expect too much expect from a fun, wacky round of golf and you will be fine. The price can be reasonable for some, but extreme at other times. Call ahead to make sure you get a good deal.
Value: 7
Difficulty: 5
Pricing: 7
Variability: 9
Monday, June 29, 2009
Orange County National (Orlando, Fl)
The entire golfing experience at Orange County National is well worth it. As the sight of Q-School for a variety of years, both courses at Orange County National can provide a challenge for any golfer, depending on which tees are chosen. The shorter tees will result is a nice, enjoyable round while a longer set can cause havoc. The caddies are very attentive to help when you pull up as is the staff in the pro shop. The restaurant is a great place to pick up a burger before or after the round.
The practice facility is one of the nicest in the world. A fully circular range is always off of grass, and was the sight of the famous Tiger Woods ball bouncing commercial. Flags allow for easy targets to hone your accuracy. A huge practice green in playing condition allows for individual practice, even with a bit of a crowd. There are many chipping, pitching and sand areas while the Tooth Short Course allows for you to try out your game before or after playing on one of the two championship courses. Many golf schools run out of Orange County National, but I recommended Paradise Golf Academy. Ray Thorp and his crew will improve any swing, and it will reflect on your scors at either Panther Lake or Crooked Cat.
Crooked Cat plays as the easier of the two, despite a harder course rating. Set up as a links course, there are less hazards and much more room for error. At 7,493 yards, Crooked Cat is a fairly long track. The back nine is longer than the front, not allowing for a lapse in concentration. A 544 yard, par 5 is a nice start to the round. The par 4 ninth hole sets up as the most memorable on the course, at 400 yards, this hole appears to be drivable, and is depending on the golfer. Due to its set up, a pitch is all that is required into the green. Panther Lake is a fair test at 76.6 rating and 139 slope and is worth a round.
Panther Lake is the harder, more memorable course of the two. Water comes into play on many holes with the par 4 ninth being the most memorable. At 428 yards and with water all along the right, this is a beautiful hole into an elevated green. A 570 yard, par 5 eighteenth allows for matches to swing on the final hole. With all of the natural beauty, Panther Lake is an challenge at 76 and 139 slope. Don't be deceived by the easier rating, and short 7, 350 yard length.
The Lodge decent. Everything needed for a short stay is there and it is clean. There is nothing to complain about and the putting green is located right outside. The rooms are doubles with two twin beds and an option for an inflatable cot.
With the courses in immaculate condition and design, Orange County National is a great course to spend a few days at. Be warned if you stay in the lodge, there is nothing but golf. There is not even a hot tub or pool, and OCN is in the middle of nowhere. Don't be alarmed, the golf makes up for it. At $39- $85 for non- residents at Panther Lake, and $39- $79 at Crooked Cat, Orange County National is a great deal.
Value: 10
Difficulty: 9
Pricing: 10
Variability: 8
The practice facility is one of the nicest in the world. A fully circular range is always off of grass, and was the sight of the famous Tiger Woods ball bouncing commercial. Flags allow for easy targets to hone your accuracy. A huge practice green in playing condition allows for individual practice, even with a bit of a crowd. There are many chipping, pitching and sand areas while the Tooth Short Course allows for you to try out your game before or after playing on one of the two championship courses. Many golf schools run out of Orange County National, but I recommended Paradise Golf Academy. Ray Thorp and his crew will improve any swing, and it will reflect on your scors at either Panther Lake or Crooked Cat.
Crooked Cat plays as the easier of the two, despite a harder course rating. Set up as a links course, there are less hazards and much more room for error. At 7,493 yards, Crooked Cat is a fairly long track. The back nine is longer than the front, not allowing for a lapse in concentration. A 544 yard, par 5 is a nice start to the round. The par 4 ninth hole sets up as the most memorable on the course, at 400 yards, this hole appears to be drivable, and is depending on the golfer. Due to its set up, a pitch is all that is required into the green. Panther Lake is a fair test at 76.6 rating and 139 slope and is worth a round.
Panther Lake is the harder, more memorable course of the two. Water comes into play on many holes with the par 4 ninth being the most memorable. At 428 yards and with water all along the right, this is a beautiful hole into an elevated green. A 570 yard, par 5 eighteenth allows for matches to swing on the final hole. With all of the natural beauty, Panther Lake is an challenge at 76 and 139 slope. Don't be deceived by the easier rating, and short 7, 350 yard length.
The Lodge decent. Everything needed for a short stay is there and it is clean. There is nothing to complain about and the putting green is located right outside. The rooms are doubles with two twin beds and an option for an inflatable cot.
With the courses in immaculate condition and design, Orange County National is a great course to spend a few days at. Be warned if you stay in the lodge, there is nothing but golf. There is not even a hot tub or pool, and OCN is in the middle of nowhere. Don't be alarmed, the golf makes up for it. At $39- $85 for non- residents at Panther Lake, and $39- $79 at Crooked Cat, Orange County National is a great deal.
Value: 10
Difficulty: 9
Pricing: 10
Variability: 8
Great River Golf Club (Milford, CT)
Located in Milford, CT, Great River is nestled along Housatonic River. A Tommy Fazio design, twelve holes bring water into play as well as six located right on the Housatonic. In the fall, the foliage provides for a great experience both on the course as well as exquisite New England views. With a 75.2 course rating, a 150 slope, and at 7,191 yards the course provides a challenge for even the best golfers. The clubhouse is very nice with clean facilities, a fully stocked proshop and a nice staff. At Great River, you are treated well the minute you step out of your car.
A highlight of Great River is the practice facility. With multiple bunkers, a full pitching and chipping course and a very large, diffiuclt putting green, your short game will be honed in real playing conditions. Along with the short game area is a decent driving range, that gets the job done but is not up to the likes of the short game area.
For a straight hitter, or one who has the ability to hit a draw, Great River sets up well. On the front nine, Out of Bounds and hazards including the Housatonic will eat up fades and slices. The first hole gets a match started right away with a 206 yard, par 3 with a heavily guarded, elevated green. The standout hole is 441 yard, par 4 sixteenth with a required 210+ yard carry over water, or a bailout to the left with no shot at the green. This is one of the hardest driving holes in New England. The 428 yard, par 4 thirteenth is the most memorable hole. Water runs up the right with a green with water on two sides. This hole provides a pictureseque setting to the course alread with great views.
Great River is a great course to play if in the area. Many people choose to spend a day in the Connecitcut countryside, and getting a round of golf in at a course using the natual landscape is not a bad choice to spend your time. With great facilities and staff, Great River is worth a look. with tee times ranging from $50- $130, it is not a bad value either.
Value: 10
Difficulty: 8
Pricing: 9
Variability: 8
A highlight of Great River is the practice facility. With multiple bunkers, a full pitching and chipping course and a very large, diffiuclt putting green, your short game will be honed in real playing conditions. Along with the short game area is a decent driving range, that gets the job done but is not up to the likes of the short game area.
For a straight hitter, or one who has the ability to hit a draw, Great River sets up well. On the front nine, Out of Bounds and hazards including the Housatonic will eat up fades and slices. The first hole gets a match started right away with a 206 yard, par 3 with a heavily guarded, elevated green. The standout hole is 441 yard, par 4 sixteenth with a required 210+ yard carry over water, or a bailout to the left with no shot at the green. This is one of the hardest driving holes in New England. The 428 yard, par 4 thirteenth is the most memorable hole. Water runs up the right with a green with water on two sides. This hole provides a pictureseque setting to the course alread with great views.
Great River is a great course to play if in the area. Many people choose to spend a day in the Connecitcut countryside, and getting a round of golf in at a course using the natual landscape is not a bad choice to spend your time. With great facilities and staff, Great River is worth a look. with tee times ranging from $50- $130, it is not a bad value either.
Value: 10
Difficulty: 8
Pricing: 9
Variability: 8
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Hammock Bay Golf and Country Club (Naples, Fl)
Hammock Bay Golf and Country Club is in the same league as The Rookery at Naples. In fact, they are located right down the road from each other. Hammock Bay seems like an extension of the Rookery. Very similar course, but easier. At 6912 yards from the tips,
the course seems moderate in length. Don't be tricked, the wind blows constantly and Hammock Bay plays much longer. The rating dials in at 73.4, along with a 134 slope. The course is in immaculate condition, even in the off season. The clubhouse and facilities are extremely nice, as well as the personable staff.
The bulk of the difficulty of the course comes from the wind. Club selection is crucial as the course twists and turns. The greens are medium in size, and moderately tricky. There a much variability in the hole designs ranging from short par 4's over water, long par 5's with wide open fairways and heavily bunkered par 3's. At 352 yards, the par 4 thirteenth seems like a walk in the park. Unfortunately, this short par 4 features a sloped fairway, hazards in play on the drive on both the left and right, bunkers and an elevated, sloping green. Four good shots are required for par on this memorable hole. At 170 yards, the eleventh hole par 3 is the most memborable on the course. With a view of Marco island, this hole is an easy par as long as you hit the green. If not, expect to test your short game if your tee shot is short. A miss long allows for a putt down a slope for an easy par.
Hammock Bay is an excellent course, and tee times should be investigated when in the area. With a friendly staff, great design, and moderate difficulty, Hammock Bay is worth a try.
Value: 8.5
Difficulty: 7
Pricing: 8 (varies)
Variability: 10
Pictures taken by Paul Damascus
The Rookery at Marco (Naples, Fl)
Located in Naples, Fl, the Rookery is an exciting, test of golf. Measuring 7, 180 yards from the tips, the course has a rating of 75.1, 143 slope. Not the hardest course, but can play as difficult and long as anyplace. Even in the off season, the course was in perfect condition. The greens rolled fast and true, beautifully landscaped and very nice staff. All facilities were clean, and modern. The Rookery has everything that a golfer wants.
The Rookery features some extremely unique holes. Most holes bring water into play, and wind blows in all different directions. Memorable holes are the 578 yard par 5 ninth. This hole features water coming into play on the first and second shots. Shot making capabilities and distance come into play on this hole which offers a variety of different approaches. The 441 yard par 4 eighteenth is one of the best closing holes in Southwest Florida. A 220 yard drive is required to a heavily bunkered, peninsula fairway. Depending on the wind and landing area, a long iron is then required to be hit to a small green, tricky green over more water. A bailout area is to the right of the green, but be warned, a perfect pitch will be required to make par. Matches can be won or lost in a sudden twist on this majestic hole.
All and all, The Rookery at Marco is a must play course. Tee times ranging from $90- $150 make the course a great value for the money. From the moment you arrive at the course to the moment you leave, the friendly staff is there to help. Top notch course, mid range prices. Every club will be used, expect a true test.
Value: 9
Difficulty: 8.5
Pricing: 8
Variability: 10
The Rookery features some extremely unique holes. Most holes bring water into play, and wind blows in all different directions. Memorable holes are the 578 yard par 5 ninth. This hole features water coming into play on the first and second shots. Shot making capabilities and distance come into play on this hole which offers a variety of different approaches. The 441 yard par 4 eighteenth is one of the best closing holes in Southwest Florida. A 220 yard drive is required to a heavily bunkered, peninsula fairway. Depending on the wind and landing area, a long iron is then required to be hit to a small green, tricky green over more water. A bailout area is to the right of the green, but be warned, a perfect pitch will be required to make par. Matches can be won or lost in a sudden twist on this majestic hole.
All and all, The Rookery at Marco is a must play course. Tee times ranging from $90- $150 make the course a great value for the money. From the moment you arrive at the course to the moment you leave, the friendly staff is there to help. Top notch course, mid range prices. Every club will be used, expect a true test.
Value: 9
Difficulty: 8.5
Pricing: 8
Variability: 10
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