Inlet Golf Course - Adirondack Mountains (NY)

[Topper]

I took the family to Old Forge this weekend and planned to play Thendara which was right behind the motel where we stayed, but unfortunately they were closed for a member-guest tournament.  So I looked at Inlet Golf Course which is about 13 miles north of Old Forge, NY in the scenic Adirondack Mountains.  And I'm glad I did.

I am a high handicap golfer where my long game is inconsistent at best and horrible at worst.  I can play reasonably well from 150 yards and in.

CLUBHOUSE - First, the clubhouse is a really nice Adirondack-style building which fits the architectural style associated with this region.  I did not have a chance to try the restaurant, but the pro shop was well stocked with golf equipment and essentials.  I give the clubhouse an A.

COURSE LAYOUT - Now for what really matters, the golf course layout.  The course is a "New England style" layout with fairways cut out of the woods.  Most holes are tree-lined with some fairways narrower than others.  The course length from the whites is about 6200 yards which is long enough without being too long.  I would describe the overall difficulty the same way.  The course has enough challenge to keep it interesting for better golfers without crushing high handicap golfers....as long as they choose clubs wisely and keep the ball in the fairway.  And that's the main challenge.  If you're a long-hitter but are used to scrambling from the far side of adjacent fairways on wild tee or approach shots, that won't work well here.  You're more likely to end up with unplayable shots in the woods.  In general, don't miss left, right, or long on most holes.  The following are a few holes that I recall.

Hole #1:  Par 4 395 yd dogleg left.  From the tee, you have a long, wide fairway.  The green is slightly elevated and carved out of the woods with water left and front-left.  The tee may be easy but then you might have a long approach where you have to shoot between a gap in the trees and clear the water to reach the green.  I liked this hole and stuck it on the green from 150 with my 7i, but unfortunately this was my second attempt with a provisional after topping my first into the water.

Hole #6:  Par 3 170 yd.  You have water to the front and left of the green.  The back and right are tree-lined and will likely result in unplayable or lost balls.  In effect, this is almost like an island green except there is a small ring of rough around the green to give you a little margin for error.  I pulled my first 2 attempts just enough left to land in the water.  That was unfortunate since they were both pin high.  I changed clubs and "thinned" a shot in the rough short of the green.  I obviously did not do well on this hole.  I look forward to trying this one again!

Hole #12:  Par 5 504 yds.  This is straight and tree-lined with water close to the tee and more water to the left and right about half-way down the fairway. I topped my driver and didn't get much distance and landed in the rough.  I should have played it safe grabbed a 7 or 8 and put myself on the fairway, but I didn't.  So I topped my 4h into the water on the left.  I played a provisional which was struck OK followed by a nice 7i that landed about 29 yds front-left of the pin.  I grabbed my trusty lob wedge and chipped in for par!

For Layout, I give the course a B+...maybe even an A due to an overall good balance of difficulty, layout, and Adirondack views.  I'll re-evaluate in the Fall when I come back with my brother in law who is a lot better golfer than I am.

COURSE MAINTENANCE - This was easy.  The course was immaculate.  The tees, fairways, and greens were well watered and green despite being well into one of our worst heat waves in recent years.  You could take real divots.  When I picked up my divots, I "unfolded" them and replaced them, the repairs were so clean I could hardly tell the difference.  My clubs cut divots like a hot knife through butter....when I wasn't topping the golf ball.  This is not a testament to my divot repair or ball-striking ability, but rather a reflection of great fairway maintenance.  The greens had very few ball marks resulting in smooth rolls with what I would consider a very moderate green speed....not too fast or slow.  Very nice.  The cart paths were well-maintained with no bone-jarring pot holes and were well labeled to keep carts headed in the right direction.  General landscaping was excellent throughout the course with flower pots and flower beds strategically located to help keep carts off certain areas. The course had an attractive, well-kept appearance with obvious attention to little details that you may not individually notice but collectively give golfers the impression of a well-kept course.  I give maintenance an A+.

I played 18 after 1 pm and paid $44 with a cart.  I would rather walk this course, but was in a hurry to get back to the water park where I left my family while on my little golfing excursion.  I look forward to coming back this fall and hopefully I can get my long game under control by then.  This course is highly recommended if you're in the central Adirondacks.