Off the Fringe, “Golf’s best short read.” The award winning newsletter, sent twice monthly, that provides an unconventional perspective on the golf world.
Michael Babiuk
Howell
2008-06-27
(cart included), played on Thursday, January 2008 at 6am
The Staff, from the Head Pro on thru to the "cart girls" are friendly, helpful and enthusiastic. The course has a 140 slope rating from the back tee placements and would reflect that rating if the rough were allowed to grow a little higher since the fairways are usually only 16 yards wide. (Personally, I would estimate the current slope to fall between 130 and 135) The par threes are a fine test of golf while three out of the four par fives can be reached in two ... provided a long approach shot can land safely beyond the hazards guarding these greens. The front nine and the back nine are separated by a local 2 lane road which tends to highlight the slight layout differences between the two tracks. The layout of the front nine is somewhat "denser" than the back nine where the back nine holes are more spread out. However, the back nine holes are, on average, longer with a more difficult approach shot than the front nine holes. An accurate description of the course layout would be "old style" parkland. The course does include a driving range and a practice sand bunker. (Bring an old club to the practice sand bunker since the "sand" is mixed with a plentiful supply of small gravel stones.)
Would travel: 10-20 Miles, Not Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
(cart included), played on Thursday, January 2008 at 6am
The Staff, from the Head Pro on thru to the "cart girls" are friendly, helpful and enthusiastic. The course has a 140 slope rating from the back tee placements and would reflect that rating if the rough were allowed to grow a little higher since the fairways are usually only 16 yards wide. (Personally, I would estimate the current slope to fall between 130 and 135) The par threes are a fine test of golf while three out of the four par fives can be reached in two ... provided a long approach shot can land safely beyond the hazards guarding these greens. The front nine and the back nine are separated by a local 2 lane road which tends to highlight the slight layout differences between the two tracks. The layout of the front nine is somewhat "denser" than the back nine where the back nine holes are more spread out. However, the back nine holes are, on average, longer with a more difficult approach shot than the front nine holes. An accurate description of the course layout would be "old style" parkland. The course does include a driving range and a practice sand bunker. (Bring an old club to the practice sand bunker since the "sand" is mixed with a plentiful supply of small gravel stones.)