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Bob Kennedy
Hawkinsville
2008-12-03
$46 (cart included), played on Wednesday, December 2008 at 10am
Southern Hills is probably the best course within a 40-50 mile radius of Hawkinsville, Georgia. This includes all of Houston County GA, home to the towns of Warner Robins and Perry.
The course is on par with some of the famous Robert Trent Jones Trail golf courses in Alabama which is high praise. The Trail courses are vacation destination worthy, I did not mark Southern Hills as vacation worthy because of its rural location that lacks hotel and other vacation amenities in close proximity. On the other hand if you are visiting within 50 miles, and you enjoy nice golf, then by all means make a point to play Southern Hills.
Today was a bright, clear, somewhat crisp 50+ degree day. We played a round in less than 4 hours. Pace of play was great. We were only held up by our own slow play and stopping at the very nice club house for snacks after 9 holes before we pressed on.
The course is very well maintained. Although the grass is dormant this time of year, the grounds were still groomed with definable fairways and roughs. I have seen this course in other seasons and it is always in great condition. The greens were lightning fast. They had been colored to give them a green look. Did I mention, lightning fast? Wow! Talked with some club members about the speed of the greens and they said yes. We have the best greens around and they are always fast. They also had a grin on their face and a twinkle in their eye, that led me to believe that they may have taken a dollar or two in a friendly game with some unsuspecting golfer, who was not previously acquainted with their greens. Local experience with those greens has to be good for 10 strokes per round. Did I mention that they were very fast?
All in all, a terrific course with ambiance, very nice layout, good variety of challenges, elevation changes, ponds, and streams. The course sits well on the land without requiring false islands and other "tricks" to make it an attractive and challenging course.
The elevation changes along with some good distances between a number of holes would make this course a challenge to walk. I am pretty hardy, and really like to walk when playing golf. Saying that, I am glad I played Southern Hills with a cart.
Bottom line, yes, I recommend.
Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Not Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Best course in the area, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
Condition of Course, Layout, Ambiance, Staff, Clubhouse
$46 (cart included), played on Wednesday, December 2008 at 10am
Southern Hills is probably the best course within a 40-50 mile radius of Hawkinsville, Georgia. This includes all of Houston County GA, home to the towns of Warner Robins and Perry.
The course is on par with some of the famous Robert Trent Jones Trail golf courses in Alabama which is high praise. The Trail courses are vacation destination worthy, I did not mark Southern Hills as vacation worthy because of its rural location that lacks hotel and other vacation amenities in close proximity. On the other hand if you are visiting within 50 miles, and you enjoy nice golf, then by all means make a point to play Southern Hills.
Today was a bright, clear, somewhat crisp 50+ degree day. We played a round in less than 4 hours. Pace of play was great. We were only held up by our own slow play and stopping at the very nice club house for snacks after 9 holes before we pressed on.
The course is very well maintained. Although the grass is dormant this time of year, the grounds were still groomed with definable fairways and roughs. I have seen this course in other seasons and it is always in great condition. The greens were lightning fast. They had been colored to give them a green look. Did I mention, lightning fast? Wow! Talked with some club members about the speed of the greens and they said yes. We have the best greens around and they are always fast. They also had a grin on their face and a twinkle in their eye, that led me to believe that they may have taken a dollar or two in a friendly game with some unsuspecting golfer, who was not previously acquainted with their greens. Local experience with those greens has to be good for 10 strokes per round. Did I mention that they were very fast?
All in all, a terrific course with ambiance, very nice layout, good variety of challenges, elevation changes, ponds, and streams. The course sits well on the land without requiring false islands and other "tricks" to make it an attractive and challenging course.
The elevation changes along with some good distances between a number of holes would make this course a challenge to walk. I am pretty hardy, and really like to walk when playing golf. Saying that, I am glad I played Southern Hills with a cart.
Bottom line, yes, I recommend.