Your Home Course

[RickK]

On ‎12‎/‎2‎/‎2004‎ ‎11‎:‎12‎:‎21‎, gas_can said:

My home course is Greatwood , a really fun layout, short but challenging with a lot of water carries and pretty tight fairways.

Houston also has some decent municipals especially the new Memorial Park since it was renovated, although it can get a bit crowded.

There are also some really nice new courses like the new Jacobsen designed Black Horse which is super challenging and hosted a second round regional for PGA Q school and Red Stone which is going to host the Shell Houston open this year. Both are super tough courses with pretty fair green fees.

I know this post was made 11 years ago but since there was a recent post to it, I was re-reading it.  Greatwood caught my attention.  "Challenging"...well it definitely is.  The slope rating from the Black (back) tees is 152.  From the Blues...149 and from the White...145.  So, yep, it is definitely challenging.  And, for us old guys...it is not all that short. 

[dak4n6]

Seaview CC, Galloway NJ. One links course by Ross, home of the LPGA ShopRite Classic, short, but windy with tons of fescue and small undulating/inverted greens with run off areas. Most LPGA tournaments win in in the single to low double digit scores over 3 days. The other course is a Toomey/Flynn park lands course where Sam Snead won his first major.

TBO, their maintenance has slipped in recent years, probably due to the fall of the casino industry in AC, but still their twilight family membership @ $2600, everything included (range, carts, pool, gym, tennis courts, and 20% proshop and restaurant discount) is pretty hard to beat.

[JonMA1]

Caberfae Peaks, Northern Michigan.

 3335 yard, 73/138, nine hole course that just got a rating last year. Bent grass fairways lined with old growth hardwoods and LOTS of water hazards in the forms of creeks and marshes. The greens are pretty simple to read. The tee boxes, fairways, rough, bunkers and greens are all well maintained.

The downsides... there are a few fairways that hold water in certain spots, and if you miss the rough, you're in trouble. Very little of the course is marked as out-of-bounds or water hazard. There won't be a big tournament held at this course any time soon.

But one hundred dollars gets you unlimited golf for a year. The staff are like friends and it's the most challenging course I've played. It's great for a walker, and if you enjoy nature, the view is awesome.

There are a couple of other nice courses in the area, but this one's my favorite.

[Marty2019]

It's not my current "home course" but it is the one I have played the most by far- Hyde Park in Jacksonville.   On #6, a 151 yd par 3, there is this little sign commemorating the fact that in 1947, while leading the Jacksonville Open, Ben Hogan made an 11. 

Here's a review

The thing I like most about this course is that it was not designed as a housing development, but as a stand-alone golf course with holes running next to each other and not spread out all over the map.  And, it's cheap.   Last time I played there I used Golfnow.com and snagged a greens fee of $14!  

 

 

[JBailey]

I didn't have a home course this year because I just started playing again after many years.  I've played a lot of different courses this summer.  The course I like to play most is a very short and easy course that I wouldn't have even thought of joining.  However, the folks that run it and the clientele  have all been so fun, it's on my short list for next summer.  The best part about this course is it stays open as long as the snow stays away.  It's been the only course open for about a month up here in Northern Michigan.  They say they'll be the first to open in the spring also.  The downside is it's only 5,400 yds. for 18 holes -- not a real good test of golf.

The course I'll probably join next summer is one of those mom-and-pop-turned-the-farm-into-a-golf course kind of place.  It's very friendly and cheap (senior walking membership is $360 and includes range membership) and has a bar and restaurant with the required Friday fish fry.  At 2,974 yds. it's a short and easy course, but it's only 12 min. away.  It's also got a few interesting holes.  They also have two senior leagues and a senior scramble every week so I'll get to know a lot of guys my age.

Later,

John

Edited December 25, 2015 by JBailey

[PJCdude]

My home course is Pelham/Split Rock in the Bronx, NY. It's two different courses and I usually play Pelham (the easier of the 2) Par 71, about 6200 yds, 69.6 rating  and 117 slope from the middle. It's wide open but lots of bunkers and some tricky greens. I'm still relatively new to golf but I've played this course enough to really appreciate the details in the course design.

 

[RFKFREAK]

35 minutes ago, PJCdude said:

My home course is Pelham/Split Rock in the Bronx, NY. It's two different courses and I usually play Pelham (the easier of the 2) Par 71, about 6200 yds, 69.6 rating  and 117 slope from the middle. It's wide open but lots of bunkers and some tricky greens. I'm still relatively new to golf but I've played this course enough to really appreciate the details in the course design.

 

Both are pretty awesome courses.  

I didn't get a chance to play either one this past year but I'm certainly going to make an effort to go down next year.

[Dave325]

On November 26, 2015 at 9:43 AM, iacas said:

If you're gonna sponsor a Sand Trap, I recommend this one instead!  #tooeasy

FWIW, my home course is now either Whispering Woods GC or Chautauqua GC (they have two 18s there).

Hey @iacas - I took your advice and sponsored THIS sand trap ...  The one that helps my score go down (no hazard).  

[nickyreno]

My home course is actually two courses at The Club at Arrowcreek. 

The Legend: Designed by Arnold Palmer. 7310 yd, 73.6/140 from the tips. 

The Challenge: Designed by Fuzzy Zoeller & John Harbottle III. 7433 yd, 74.1,132 from the tips. By far the superior course. 

[PJCdude]

On 12/26/2015 at 10:14 PM, RFKFREAK said:

Both are pretty awesome courses.  

I didn't get a chance to play either one this past year but I'm certainly going to make an effort to go down next year.

They had a sweet deal going this past summer during weekdays and I think maybe weekend afternoons too. It was 45 bucks for a cart, 18 holes, lunch and 2 beverages. Could be redeemed in clubhouse or cart girl. I used to also consider Van Cortlandt a hone course of mine too, but that deal kept me coming back all summer. 

[PEZGolf]

Heron Creek (Oriskany Creek borders it and used to flood it often, and yes, the herons do live here!) is near Clinton, NY (home of Hamilton College) used to be called "Birdies, Eagles, and Ducks", is a real test of golfing skills! Yardage is 3,247 (9 hole course) , but plays longer, since you have to lay up on 3 tee shots.  The greens are moderately fast but slope toward the sides, so you are FORCED to play at the middles. Par is 36 with 2 par 5's and 2 par 3's. A true test of golf!

 

[dennyjones]

I joined "Captain's Club at Woodfield" this past week.   I couldn't pass up the offer.   $900 for unlimited golf and unlimited access to the range.  Green fees are usually around $30 / $36 for 18.   It is a Raymond Floyd signature course over 6700 yards and usually in excellent shape.   This is the first membership I purchased but seeing that I'm retiring by May 1st, I thought it was an excellent opportunity.  

[DaBush87]

Youghiogheny C.C.  Short but challenging at 6380 yds, rated 72.3 with a slope of 136.  You might hit two drivers per round here, lots of four irons, and elevation changes really come into play.  Greens are fast and sloped, but generally easy to read.

[PEZGolf]

On Saturday, December 05, 2015 at 10:37 PM, RickK said:

I know this post was made 11 years ago but since there was a recent post to it, I was re-reading it.  Greatwood caught my attention.  "Challenging"...well it definitely is.  The slope rating from the Black (back) tees is 152.  From the Blues...149 and from the White...145.  So, yep, it is definitely challenging.  And, for us old guys...it is not all that short.

 

On Monday, January 04, 2016 at 0:43 AM, PEZGolf said:

Heron Creek (Oriskany Creek borders it and used to flood it often, and yes, the herons do live here!) is near Clinton, NY (home of Hamilton College) used to be called "Birdies, Eagles, and Ducks", is a real test of golfing skills! Yardage is 3,247 (9 hole course) , but plays longer, since you have to lay up on 3 tee shots.  The greens are moderately fast but slope toward the sides, so you are FORCED to play at the middles. Par is 36 with 2 par 5's and 2 par 3's. A true test of golf!

 

There are many nice things about Heron Creek:

1.  The course is in excellent condition as the owner, Scott Cook, is the Superintendent and works hard to make it as nice as he can.  He has a good crew and they are always out there, grooming the course, not just mowing it.

2.  The members and regulars are friendly people who understand the rules about "Ready Golf".  I have never caught up to a group that did not wave me through.

3.  The course truly rewards good shots and punishes wayward ones, since the area after the rough is thick wet underbrush.  If your ball goes there, wave "bye bye" because you will never see it again.

4. Andy, the cook, really loves his job and his cooking gets a "10" out of 10 rating from me.  Some people come to the clubhouse to eat, and they did not even play golf that day.

5.  All the barmaids and bartenders are excellent, AND THEY STOCK UTICA CLUB beer, my favorite.  It is brewed right near here in Utica, NY, and the Matt family also brews the famous Saranac beers!

6.  Scott and Carrie, the owners, LOVE to throw fantastic parties.  I was invited to their Halloween Party, and it was the BEST HALLOWEEN PARTY that I have ever attended.  When I got there, I almost could not pick out my buddy, Bob, because of the mask he had on!  In fact, I was the only party goer who did not have a costume.  The dance floor was always packed, since they hired a band to provide entertainment!

[ImHappyInthe80s]

I was a Member at Golden Oaks, played much longer than the scorecard read.  well manicured parkland style course.

I am joining a smaller cheaper public course closer to home this year, Chapel Hill.  the white only play about 5600 yds but as a par 70 plays 67.3 122.  It is def a shotmaker's course. Small but nice greens. Def not the shape of my old course but for the price and location can't complain.

[Fourputt]

This year I am back at my former home course.  Well, not physically - I'm still a 2½ hour drive away. but I rejoined the Men's Club there, so it will count as my home course for handicap purposes.  Foothills Golf Course is managed by the Foothills Recreation District as part of the the many recreational facilities in this SW Denver region.  

It doesn't have any famous names attached to it.  It's par 72, but not exceptionally hard by slope or rating (Black 71.6/127 - 6920 yards, Blue 69.7/122 - 6578 yards, White 66.9/115 -6103 yards).  It doesn't have any dramatic elevation changes, just wraps around a hill that provides reasonable slopes and makes reading the greens quite deceptive.  It has enough water in play (on 7 holes) to make it interesting without torturing the player.  Plenty of trees in play but no forest to get lost in.  Deep (as much as 3-4 feet after a wet spring) native rough if you stray too far from the fairway.  Adequate bunkering, but again not tortuous.  As mentioned, greens have light to moderate slopes for the most part, but can be difficult to read.

What the facility has going for it are the 18 hole course, a 9 hole Executive course, and a very nice 9 hole par 3 course.  There is a driving range with 50 grass hitting slots, a short game practice area with bunker and 2 greens, a large putting green that runs at the same speed as the greens on the course.  There is a lesson area that is separate from the other practice areas so that lessons never interfere with other players.  

I've been playing the 18 hole Championship course as my home course for 31 years now, and I've never gotten bored with it.  Maybe I don't set my sights high enough, but I seem to find a different course every time I play.  There are no 2 holes that play alike.  The holes play toward every point on the compass, so you have to compensate differently for wind on each hole.  There are forced layups and there are some good risk/reward opportunities.  

The 425 yard (from the blue tees - 412 from the white), sharp dogleg left 18th hole is one of the better finishing holes I've played anywhere, with an almost equal chance for birdie or double bogie, all based on the success of your tee shot and what choices you make from there.

It's a fun course, and I'm happy to call it my home course.

[9wood]

I don't have a home course. I like to play at numerous as well as new courses rather than have a home course. If I were to play the same course all the time I would get bored - but that's just me.

[DaveP043]

My home course is Stoneleigh Golf Club in Round Hill, VA.  We're just on the east side of the blue ridge, so we go up and down the side of the hills regularly.  The course was built about 25 years ago as part of a housing development.  Fortunately for the golfers, local zoning laws require pretty big lots, so we have very few houses actually within golf-ball range.  The course is built on old farmland, half of which was used for dairy cattle grazing, the other half for apple trees.  The course was designed by a woman, Lisa Maki, and features blind shots, some severely tiered greens, and at least a few stone walls that date back to the original farm or before.  Its not long, but certainly plenty challenging.  Perhaps best of all, we have 6 beers on tap, but only one light beer.