We spent yesterday afternoon at Meadow Park in Tacoma. A short course, but they offer 5 tee boxes for golfers at any level (The website scorecard does not show the new tee boxes.)
The front nine is pretty straight forward. The sky-caddie was helpful when you needed to know how far to the end of the fairway or to the water hazard. The course is tree lined with multiple water hazards.
The back nine was a unique experience. Hitting shots through shoots of trees, over a ravine. Being able to shape shots was a requirement if you wanted to score well. Local knowledge is also required.
The greens were consistent and fair. Some of them had drains in the middle, seemed a bit odd. They weren't fast and some of them needed some TLC.
The pace of play was typical, about 4.5 hours. We had a 3-some in front of us so we had the people behind us play along to even out the pace.
Overall I liked the course, we played well on the front (41 & 45), not so well on the back. The course is not marked well, another reason for GPS range finders. The 150-yard pole has a color coded cap that gives you the pin position. The holes are all different and have character. I never asked myself if I had just played this hole?
On a scale of 1-5... (1-not good; 5-nothing better)
Course conditions: 2+, the geese have to go...cart paths need work
Clubhouse: 3, decent facility, pleasant staff in golf shop, nice restaurant.
Range/practice area: 3, Didn't use it, but it is there. Part of the range is covered.
Cost: $36 for 18 holes on a weekend, cart extra
Overall: 2+
Monday, September 12, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The Cedars at Dungeness
Saturday we spent time at The Cedars at Dungeness in Sequim, WA. We arrived about an hour before our tee time. Sequim is known for being very dry as it is in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains. The Cedars website says "...driest course in Western Washington..." and it is mid-July, should be a pleasant day.
We unfortunately arrived at the tail end of 4-days of rain. The historical data shows they recieved 0.3-inches over the 4 days. Doesn't seem like much, but we found standing water on most of the greens with one hole unplayable.
We only played the front nine as the Lavendar Festival was calling us...
The course has character and was in good shape, other than the greens.
More dissapointing than the greens was the service in the restaurant. We sat down 30-minutes before our tee time and asked if we ordered would it be fast as we tee off in 30 minutes. She said they weren't busy, no problem. We waited, waited and waited. I was about to lay down a couple of bucks for the coffee and juice and head to the first tee when the food arrived, six minutes before our tee time. I'm not too sure how I made par on the first hole.
This is a good course in the region, provided the weather cooperates. Don't expect good service in the restaurant...
On a scale of 1-5... (1-not good; 5-nothing better)
Course conditions: 2
Clubhouse: 2 decent facility, pleasant staff in golf shop, horrible restaurant. A solid 3 w/o the restaurant.
Range/practice area: unknown
Cost: $44 for 18 holes on a weekend
Overall: 2
We unfortunately arrived at the tail end of 4-days of rain. The historical data shows they recieved 0.3-inches over the 4 days. Doesn't seem like much, but we found standing water on most of the greens with one hole unplayable.
We only played the front nine as the Lavendar Festival was calling us...
The course has character and was in good shape, other than the greens.
More dissapointing than the greens was the service in the restaurant. We sat down 30-minutes before our tee time and asked if we ordered would it be fast as we tee off in 30 minutes. She said they weren't busy, no problem. We waited, waited and waited. I was about to lay down a couple of bucks for the coffee and juice and head to the first tee when the food arrived, six minutes before our tee time. I'm not too sure how I made par on the first hole.
This is a good course in the region, provided the weather cooperates. Don't expect good service in the restaurant...
On a scale of 1-5... (1-not good; 5-nothing better)
Course conditions: 2
Clubhouse: 2 decent facility, pleasant staff in golf shop, horrible restaurant. A solid 3 w/o the restaurant.
Range/practice area: unknown
Cost: $44 for 18 holes on a weekend
Overall: 2
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Chamber's Bay Golf Club
Last week we played Chambers Bay, host course of the 2010 US Amateur and 2015 US Open. This course is hosting a US Open, enough said...
Chambers is a walking only course. Hire a caddie, it will make your day much more enjoyable. How often do you think you should putt your ball off the green, up a 20 foot slope and back to the green? Hire a caddie.
We had a great day, although I didn't score well. Bethany hit the ball well. The walk tired her out and slowed her swing down and she hit it better, humm...
The course is long but fair. It is links style, I hit very few wedges and lots of running mid-irons. I was in many bunkers, which lead me to many bogeys. The course looks over Puget Sound. We had great weather last week, but I've also played Chambers the rain/snow. Like Scotland, the weather conditions are part of the links experience.
When I asked Bethany how she liked the course she said, "I love the course, but the greens are weird." (See caddie comment above.)
The staff at Chambers is outstanding. They were all very helpful, making it a great day.
On a scale of 1-5... (1-not good; 5-nothing better)
Course conditions: 5 course is firm and fast, drains great. Great views.
Clubhouse: 2 (a real clubhouse still needs to be built)
Range/practice area: 5
Cost: Varies by season and your residence, expensive but worth it!
Overall: 4++
Chambers is a walking only course. Hire a caddie, it will make your day much more enjoyable. How often do you think you should putt your ball off the green, up a 20 foot slope and back to the green? Hire a caddie.
We had a great day, although I didn't score well. Bethany hit the ball well. The walk tired her out and slowed her swing down and she hit it better, humm...
The course is long but fair. It is links style, I hit very few wedges and lots of running mid-irons. I was in many bunkers, which lead me to many bogeys. The course looks over Puget Sound. We had great weather last week, but I've also played Chambers the rain/snow. Like Scotland, the weather conditions are part of the links experience.
When I asked Bethany how she liked the course she said, "I love the course, but the greens are weird." (See caddie comment above.)
The staff at Chambers is outstanding. They were all very helpful, making it a great day.
On a scale of 1-5... (1-not good; 5-nothing better)
Course conditions: 5 course is firm and fast, drains great. Great views.
Clubhouse: 2 (a real clubhouse still needs to be built)
Range/practice area: 5
Cost: Varies by season and your residence, expensive but worth it!
Overall: 4++
Friday, April 15, 2011
Druids Glen Golf Course
Last Thursday we played Druids Glen in Covington, WA. I have played there many times and have enjoyed the course very much. The course has beautiful views of Mount Rainier on many holes.
However, having played a couple other courses this spring, a very wet spring, I feld Druids was in very poor condition. The rough was overgrown to US Open levels. I missed a green by 8-10 feet and never found the ball.
The greens were recently punched, which is fine, but we should have been warned before we paid our money. They were not puttable. Two putts, pick up and move on.
The golf carts are new and have GPS. I'd prefer old carts and more investment in the grass care.
Overall, Druids is a great summer course. It is difficult and would be a tough walk. It is worth playing just to see the views of Mount Rainier. I won't pay any money there until we've had a few weeks of dry weather.
On a scale of 1-5... (1-not good; 5-nothing better)
Course conditions: 1+ (needs lots of dry weather, it is a 3 or 4 in the summer)
Clubhouse: 3
Range/practice area: 3
Cost: $32.50 per person twilight with cart
Overall: 3+ They get the + for the great mountain views
However, having played a couple other courses this spring, a very wet spring, I feld Druids was in very poor condition. The rough was overgrown to US Open levels. I missed a green by 8-10 feet and never found the ball.
The greens were recently punched, which is fine, but we should have been warned before we paid our money. They were not puttable. Two putts, pick up and move on.
The golf carts are new and have GPS. I'd prefer old carts and more investment in the grass care.
Overall, Druids is a great summer course. It is difficult and would be a tough walk. It is worth playing just to see the views of Mount Rainier. I won't pay any money there until we've had a few weeks of dry weather.
On a scale of 1-5... (1-not good; 5-nothing better)
Course conditions: 1+ (needs lots of dry weather, it is a 3 or 4 in the summer)
Clubhouse: 3
Range/practice area: 3
Cost: $32.50 per person twilight with cart
Overall: 3+ They get the + for the great mountain views
Friday, November 12, 2010
The Home Course
Yesterday we spent my birthday at The Home Course in DuPont, WA. The Home Course was the assisting course for teh 2010 US Amateur.
The Home Course has great potential. The practice area is worthy of a top notch facility, but they haven't built a clubhouse, yet. The golf shop is in a trailer next the to snack shack trailer next to the restroom trailer...Hopefully they'll be able to raise th capital needed to build the infrastructure to match the great golf course.
The day started off clear and cold. Then came the wind and rain...
I was surprised that they let us drive carts on the fairways. The course has had as much water as it could take and casual water was becoming commonplace.
The course was in great shape for mid-November. The main defenses for the couse are wind and the greens. If they speed the greens up, 3-4 putts could be the norm. It appears the greens are bent grass, we'll see if they survive in this climate, most have not. Some local knowledge is required to play the course well.
Pace of play was a little slow on the front nine. Enough people quit when the weather turned; we didn't see anybody on the back side.
The course was marked reasonably well. The bunkers are a bit strange. Some look like they are from Scotland with vertical faces while others look like my back lawn with patches of grass in random places on the faces of the bunkers.
The prices are very fair for a championship quality course. If you have a GHIN card, make sure you show it to get your discount.
On a scale of 1-5... (1-not good; 5-nothing better)
Course conditions: 4
Clubhouse: 1
Range/practice area: 4
Cost: $36/$17 Adult/Junior Holiday w/ GHIN card
Overall: 3+ almost as good a value as Gold Mountain, needs a clubhouse.
The Home Course has great potential. The practice area is worthy of a top notch facility, but they haven't built a clubhouse, yet. The golf shop is in a trailer next the to snack shack trailer next to the restroom trailer...Hopefully they'll be able to raise th capital needed to build the infrastructure to match the great golf course.
The day started off clear and cold. Then came the wind and rain...
I was surprised that they let us drive carts on the fairways. The course has had as much water as it could take and casual water was becoming commonplace.
The course was in great shape for mid-November. The main defenses for the couse are wind and the greens. If they speed the greens up, 3-4 putts could be the norm. It appears the greens are bent grass, we'll see if they survive in this climate, most have not. Some local knowledge is required to play the course well.
Pace of play was a little slow on the front nine. Enough people quit when the weather turned; we didn't see anybody on the back side.
The course was marked reasonably well. The bunkers are a bit strange. Some look like they are from Scotland with vertical faces while others look like my back lawn with patches of grass in random places on the faces of the bunkers.
The prices are very fair for a championship quality course. If you have a GHIN card, make sure you show it to get your discount.
On a scale of 1-5... (1-not good; 5-nothing better)
Course conditions: 4
Clubhouse: 1
Range/practice area: 4
Cost: $36/$17 Adult/Junior Holiday w/ GHIN card
Overall: 3+ almost as good a value as Gold Mountain, needs a clubhouse.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Gold Mountain - Cascade Course
Yesterday we chose to drive to Bremerton, WA to play the Cascade Course at Gold Mountain. The Olympic Course at Gold Mountain gets all the press. It has hosted the US Pub Links, numerous NCAA events and will host the 2011 US Junior Amateur. We wanted to play the Cascade Course as it is hosting the SPSL Tournament later this week.
Gold Mountain is a first class facility. A great driving range, multiple putting greens, chippings areas, practice bunkers, etc. The golf shop staff was very helpful and courteous.
I had heard that the Cascade Course was an easy walk. Their website says "It's very walkable with minimal elevation changes." Liars!!! I have walked more difficult courses, but this was by no means easy (no comments on my fitness level...) The course was fair, the greens were in acceptable shape (they had been punched 2-3 weeks ago.) There were a couple holes where local knowledge would have been helpful. On a rainy Sunday afternoon, there wasn't any beverage cart service, but that is understandable.
Pace of play was up to us, we played 18 in just over 4-hours.
I didn't care for the type of sand in the bunkers (so don't hit it there:)) and I thought the course could have been marked with better yardage information. It has center fairway markers at 25-yard increments, but how often was I in the middle of the fairway, not too often...
Did I mention to price? How about $22 for weekend twilight. Junior twilight was only $12, By far the best course I've ever played for $22.
On a scale of 1-5... (1-not good; 5-nothing better)
Course conditions: 3+
Clubhouse: 4
Range/practice area: 4+
Cost: $22/$12 Adult/Junior twilight
Overall: 4 the best golf value I've seen so far, worth the drive from anywhere in Western Washington.
Gold Mountain is a first class facility. A great driving range, multiple putting greens, chippings areas, practice bunkers, etc. The golf shop staff was very helpful and courteous.
I had heard that the Cascade Course was an easy walk. Their website says "It's very walkable with minimal elevation changes." Liars!!! I have walked more difficult courses, but this was by no means easy (no comments on my fitness level...) The course was fair, the greens were in acceptable shape (they had been punched 2-3 weeks ago.) There were a couple holes where local knowledge would have been helpful. On a rainy Sunday afternoon, there wasn't any beverage cart service, but that is understandable.
Pace of play was up to us, we played 18 in just over 4-hours.
I didn't care for the type of sand in the bunkers (so don't hit it there:)) and I thought the course could have been marked with better yardage information. It has center fairway markers at 25-yard increments, but how often was I in the middle of the fairway, not too often...
Did I mention to price? How about $22 for weekend twilight. Junior twilight was only $12, By far the best course I've ever played for $22.
On a scale of 1-5... (1-not good; 5-nothing better)
Course conditions: 3+
Clubhouse: 4
Range/practice area: 4+
Cost: $22/$12 Adult/Junior twilight
Overall: 4 the best golf value I've seen so far, worth the drive from anywhere in Western Washington.
Monday, October 4, 2010
High Cedars Golf Club
Yesterday we drove to Orting, WA to visit High Cedars Golf Club. Bethany has a match there this week and she hadn't seen the course before. No problem getting a tee time at 1pm on a cloudy Sunday. I almost walked out when I was told the rate was $43 per person, walking, no junior rate on weekends; however, for the sake of Bethany's experience in the upcoming match, I paid.
We went out after a nice lunch and Bethany commented on how flat the course is. This course is an easy walk. My biggest gripe is with the fairways. There is no fairway/rough designation, the fairways are all rough. It appears the course superintendent doesn't pride himself in a well groomed course. Since they haven't mowed the fairways, the leaves from the numerous trees are all over, causing many a lost ball after a reasonable tee shot.
The group ahead of us took the morning Seahawk loss personally and drowned their sorrows in mass quantities of beer or other spirits. I don't typically carry my 9mm in my golf bag, but I wish I had it yesterday.
On a positive note, the greens were in good condition, except for the numerous divot marks.
Overall, High Cedars is a destination course, in the future I won't drive to Orting unless I wanted a lesson from Tad Davis, PGA Professional (great guy!) For half the money you can play Sumner Meadows or for the same money play Auburn, Riverbend, or Druids Glenn! I went home disappointed in the course, even after shooting better than my handicap.
On a scale of 1-5... (1-not good; 5-nothing better)
Course conditions: 1+
Clubhouse: 3
Range/practice area: 4 (it very good, especially lessons with Tad)
Cost: $43 per person, no junior rate on weekends
Overall: 1+ (too expensive and poorly maintained)
We went out after a nice lunch and Bethany commented on how flat the course is. This course is an easy walk. My biggest gripe is with the fairways. There is no fairway/rough designation, the fairways are all rough. It appears the course superintendent doesn't pride himself in a well groomed course. Since they haven't mowed the fairways, the leaves from the numerous trees are all over, causing many a lost ball after a reasonable tee shot.
The group ahead of us took the morning Seahawk loss personally and drowned their sorrows in mass quantities of beer or other spirits. I don't typically carry my 9mm in my golf bag, but I wish I had it yesterday.
On a positive note, the greens were in good condition, except for the numerous divot marks.
Overall, High Cedars is a destination course, in the future I won't drive to Orting unless I wanted a lesson from Tad Davis, PGA Professional (great guy!) For half the money you can play Sumner Meadows or for the same money play Auburn, Riverbend, or Druids Glenn! I went home disappointed in the course, even after shooting better than my handicap.
On a scale of 1-5... (1-not good; 5-nothing better)
Course conditions: 1+
Clubhouse: 3
Range/practice area: 4 (it very good, especially lessons with Tad)
Cost: $43 per person, no junior rate on weekends
Overall: 1+ (too expensive and poorly maintained)
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