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
Louisville
2022-03-07
$36 (cart included), played on Tuesday, March 2022 at 9:15 AM
I warmed up yesterday at Seneca GC and I was very glad as this is a narrow, treelined, rolling layout, with no shortage of sand traps and elevation changes. But the biggest asset to this layout I feel was the tight "Zoysia" grass fairways that held the ball up like it was perched on a tee. Even under the wet conditions here, the tight grass didn't layover but stood up and made fairway shots a real joy. The bent grass greens were rolling 9-10 but my tight chipping saved the day with having only 29 putts. Every hole had its share of fairway and greenside soft sand traps that were well placed and in great shape.
The course offers five (5) tee boxes from Championship 6,762yds / 73.7 / 134 down to the Women's @ 5,197yd / 65.8 / 126 on this Par 35/37 rolling layout. We (Norm W) ended up playing the Black Tees at 3,045/3,373yds / 72.2 / 131 and even though most of the holes were straightaway the elevation changes added much more challenges.
The first three (3) holes are very friendly in yardages (352 - 168yds) for easy Par's, then the real fun comes. The Par 4's have narrow landing areas, scattered traps, uphill 2nd shots to well-protected raised greens that make yardages very tough to figure.
The Back 9 plays a lot tougher as there are more doglegs and the Par 4's at 376yd seem to be designed for course knowledge location not just hitting the fairway. I believe all the 2nd shots to the greens were uphill and many front traps. The #11 at 583yds is a long sweeping left hole that has well-placed fairway traps and O.B. down the lefthand side. The #12 is an elevated 176yd Par 3 with all water carry and OB if you miss left. The #18 is a big uphill 414yd Par 4 that front traps on this very blind green. Enjoyed playing on this Zoysia grass and shooting 40/39 w/29putts having only 13 putts on the Back 9 for a lot of saves.
Thanks Norm W for getting me on this great Private Country Club with a rich history from 1873 and building this course in 1952 (1st 9) and 1960 (2nd 9) and that great grass. Going to play Nevel Meade GC tomorrow.
Would travel: 30-60 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
Condition of Course, Price, Pace of Play, Difficulty, Ambiance, Staff, Pro Shop, Layout, No Houses on Course, Clubhouse
$36 (cart included), played on Tuesday, March 2022 at 9:15 AM
I warmed up yesterday at Seneca GC and I was very glad as this is a narrow, treelined, rolling layout, with no shortage of sand traps and elevation changes. But the biggest asset to this layout I feel was the tight "Zoysia" grass fairways that held the ball up like it was perched on a tee. Even under the wet conditions here, the tight grass didn't layover but stood up and made fairway shots a real joy. The bent grass greens were rolling 9-10 but my tight chipping saved the day with having only 29 putts. Every hole had its share of fairway and greenside soft sand traps that were well placed and in great shape.
The course offers five (5) tee boxes from Championship 6,762yds / 73.7 / 134 down to the Women's @ 5,197yd / 65.8 / 126 on this Par 35/37 rolling layout. We (Norm W) ended up playing the Black Tees at 3,045/3,373yds / 72.2 / 131 and even though most of the holes were straightaway the elevation changes added much more challenges.
The first three (3) holes are very friendly in yardages (352 - 168yds) for easy Par's, then the real fun comes. The Par 4's have narrow landing areas, scattered traps, uphill 2nd shots to well-protected raised greens that make yardages very tough to figure.
The Back 9 plays a lot tougher as there are more doglegs and the Par 4's at 376yd seem to be designed for course knowledge location not just hitting the fairway. I believe all the 2nd shots to the greens were uphill and many front traps. The #11 at 583yds is a long sweeping left hole that has well-placed fairway traps and O.B. down the lefthand side. The #12 is an elevated 176yd Par 3 with all water carry and OB if you miss left. The #18 is a big uphill 414yd Par 4 that front traps on this very blind green. Enjoyed playing on this Zoysia grass and shooting 40/39 w/29putts having only 13 putts on the Back 9 for a lot of saves.
Thanks Norm W for getting me on this great Private Country Club with a rich history from 1873 and building this course in 1952 (1st 9) and 1960 (2nd 9) and that great grass. Going to play Nevel Meade GC tomorrow.