Off the Fringe, “Golf’s best short read.” The award winning newsletter, sent twice monthly, that provides an unconventional perspective on the golf world.
Brian Clark
Chautauqua
2017-12-08
$16 (cart not included), played on Tuesday, November 2017 at 1:15 PM
Mixing business with pleasure and playing the "Hill Course" was purely, pleasure. With the rain soaked conditions on this hilly Xen Hassenplug design they opened it for $20 18/wlk so away I went. There's a reason its called the "Hill Course" as my walking meter registered 6.1 miles 14K steps and 13 floors throughout this 6,549yd / 70.8 / 124 / Par 72 layout. Even with the soft conditions, you could see a real well maintained and demanding layout ready to show itself once the sun dried it up. Fairways straight forward with good receiving landing areas, lined with trees to keep your score honest if you stray. I could see very fast greens ready to greet you if landing in the wrong areas as most had tricky little tips to them that only the regulars know how to play them. Even though the sand traps had alot of water go through them, they drained well and still very playable. Oh one other thing on the layout, its a traditional 18 hole layout with #9 green being the furthest point from the clubhouse. Ending up shooting 39/39 w/31putts and the greens were holding everything I threw at them which was nice. This is one great golfing facility with the two (2) courses (Lake Course is a Donald Ross), practice facility, accommodations that you must put on your list to visit if you're in the Chautauqua area. (Lucille Ball was born and grew up in this area, nice museum)
Would travel: 60-120 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing, Ranks with the best in this price level, Best course in the area
Price, Pace of Play, Difficulty, Ambiance, Layout, No Houses on Course
$16 (cart not included), played on Tuesday, November 2017 at 1:15 PM
Mixing business with pleasure and playing the "Hill Course" was purely, pleasure. With the rain soaked conditions on this hilly Xen Hassenplug design they opened it for $20 18/wlk so away I went. There's a reason its called the "Hill Course" as my walking meter registered 6.1 miles 14K steps and 13 floors throughout this 6,549yd / 70.8 / 124 / Par 72 layout. Even with the soft conditions, you could see a real well maintained and demanding layout ready to show itself once the sun dried it up. Fairways straight forward with good receiving landing areas, lined with trees to keep your score honest if you stray. I could see very fast greens ready to greet you if landing in the wrong areas as most had tricky little tips to them that only the regulars know how to play them. Even though the sand traps had alot of water go through them, they drained well and still very playable. Oh one other thing on the layout, its a traditional 18 hole layout with #9 green being the furthest point from the clubhouse. Ending up shooting 39/39 w/31putts and the greens were holding everything I threw at them which was nice. This is one great golfing facility with the two (2) courses (Lake Course is a Donald Ross), practice facility, accommodations that you must put on your list to visit if you're in the Chautauqua area. (Lucille Ball was born and grew up in this area, nice museum)