Golf Course Reviews

Those two fine young fellows are Todd and J.T Hart, two of my playing partners recently at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park golf course. They travelled all the way from Louisville, along with Jason, just to play a round with the Travelling Golfer !

I didn’t disappoint them, as I showed my total package of shots: chili dips, tops, slices and a few nice shots thrown in just to keep ‘em honest.

I actually parred holes 10 - 14 for the best 5 hole stretch of golf I’ve played this year, though that was only my fourth round. From the tips, this course is a monster, so those five straight pars were a real feat. Of course on the 15th, a par three of about 195 yards over a gorge, I quadrupled for a seven and gave away all the nice strokes I’d saved.

The only real redeeming part of my game was my putting, which was phenomenal, for me, since I’m not known as a great putter.

The golf course at Dale Hollow is in tremendous shape. The zoysia is coming in nicely and the greens rolled like a pool table on steroids !

All of Bruce’s fine staff was as nice as ever and showed us fellow Kentuckians just what southern hospiatality is all about.

The recent addition of a driving range and new clubhouse make this place a “must visit” golf course if you’re near south central Kentucky.

I did a rather lengthy review of Dale Hollow’s golf course about 2 years ago, so if you’d like to read it, just click that link.

In keeping with my soon to be added podcast, I’ll try to get back down there in a few weeks and get you a hole by hole audio review and post it here, so stay tuned !

Just in case you’re wandering near or travelling to Evansville, Indiana, the best course in the area, Cambridge Golf Club, is in great shape for this early in the golfing season. I visited Heath, the pro there, the other day and played 18 holes of one of the best views in southern Indiana.

The greens are so full, lush and thick that I broke several tees trying to use them to repair ball marks.

The fairways are coming in nicely, as Tony’s doing his usual great job as greenskeeper and head grass growing dude !

The only real problem was my inability to score, since they didn’t have a “real golf game” on sale in the proshop, so I had to use the one I brought with me

I’ll try to get back over there in the next couple of weeks and get you a hole by hole audio review and how to play it guide.

Stay tuned !

This review was provided by my new golf buddy Rich Hicks of Cincinnati. He’s lucky enough to travel and play golf and is kind enough to tell us all about it !

Heron Creek is an Arthur Hills designed golf course in North Port, Florida (about 25 miles south of Sarasota) that features 27 holes (Marsh, Creek & Oaks). All nines have four tee boxes with yardages that can play about 6900 yards, par 72 from the back tee.

The “Oaks” is a traditional Florida course that winds through a residential neighborhood. Except for a very unique starting hole, which includes a 30’ elevation change from tee to green, the layout is okay, but not spectacular. The nine features some sort of water on every hole. Perhaps the best finishing hole at Heron Creek is the 9th hole on the Oaks ( pictured below ). It’s a demanding tee shot, but the left side of the fairway is rewarded with a chance to reach this medium length par five in two. A bail-out to the right and mid-iron lay-up will leave a short wedge to the green; but you better hit it close, because it’s not an easy two putt anywhere on this green.

The “Marsh” was another typical Florida layout bordered by a housing community that doesn’t affect the playability. The Marsh nine had quite a few blind tee-shots that looked tight off the tee, but the fairway looking back to the tee, there was ample landing area. The Marsh nine was tighter than the Oaks nine, but in a more modern sense. Although the nine was visually intimidating, it played a little easier than it appeared.

Two of the better holes on the Marsh nine are #8, a short par 4 with a challenging tee shot, and a long par 3 that looks extremely tight off the tee, but there is a lot of space long and left of this large green

The “Creek” nine is why we went to Heron Creek. The lay-out was fantastic ! Every hole presented a unique challenge and was visually stunning. The holes represented a modern design with bunkering, water and chipping bowls around the greens. The signature hole is the 4th hole, a par 5 that plays 503 yards from the back tee. A good drive left-center will leave a shot at the green in two, what a beautiful hole. A unique feature of this nine is driving the carts in the waste areas in lieu of cart paths on a few holes.

Our day at Heron Creek included 36 holes, but the wind and chilly temperatures (okay, chilly for Southern Florida) made it a tough day to score. The course conditioning was excellent, greens were moderately fast and receptive, fairways were firm and fast, and the tee boxes were spread out enough such that it can be played from a comfortable yardage for all handicaps. The clubhouse, pro shop and facilities are what you would expect for an upscale golf facility. The club appeared to have a healthy membership that patronized the restaurant/pub and golfing facilities. Everyone we encountered was helpful and courteous. If you’re there around lunch, they have a great buffet and cold beverages.

Be sure to check the website for coupons, which can reduce your green fees (http://www.heron-creek.com). If you’re in the area between Sarasota and Fort Meyers, Heron Creek is worth playing.

I don’t get around the southeast like I used to, due to a different career position, but a good friend visited Mississippi a few weeks ago and brought back some great reviews of the Magnolia Golf Trail.

I was wondering if anyone out there could give us some reviews of any of their courses ?

Once again, I was fortunate to find myself in Evansville, Indiana with a golfing partner and a tee time at Cambridge Golf Club.

As usual, Tony has the course in tremendous shape.

As usual, Heath’s staff was very friendly.

As usual, Mr. Wright’s clubhouse was sparkling.

From the zoysia tee’s and fairways to the big, rolling, well manicured greens, there wasn’t a bad spot on the grounds.

The water was another story, as it gobbled three of my golf balls for a nice quadruple bogey nine on the second hole.

I got my bearings after that and rolled off 5 pars and two birdies to finish the front nine.

On the back nine, the wind started to blow and the true nature of Cambridge reared it’s beautiful head.

I absolutely love playing on top of the world, in the wind and sun, with well maintained grass all around me and that’s exactly what you’ll get when you come to Cambridge.

One of the great things about Cambridge being on the north side of Evansville is that you can be at Stoll’s or The Log Inn in less than five minutes of pulling out on Highway 41.

We went to Stoll’s and had a fantastic buffet, which topped off a great round of golf, at a great facility, with great southern Indiana hospitality.

If you happen to head over to Cambridge, give me a day or two’s notice and I’ll join you. It’s my favorite place to play in the Evansville area.

Thanks to Heath and his staff for a great golf experience and to Tony and his staff for the hard work they put into making their place the place to be.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - If you want a challenging, yet inexpensive golf trip, come to Kentucky and play several of the golf courses in the State Park system.

I recently had the chance to travel to Eddyville and play the improved version of Mineral Mound Golf Course.

The new Pro Shop/Clubhouse is a tremendous addition and the presence of Frank Cross, the new PGA Pro, makes me think it’s going to get even better over time.

This new building makes a world of difference.

New facilities always seem to energize the staff and this one is no different.

I believe I paid $32 to ride and play 18 holes of golf. That’s a bargain anywhere, but especially here, because the back nine here are as good as any nine in the State.

Views like this rock wall, which waits for you after your tee ball on #10 are hard to find at this price.

I hit 3 iron, 7 iron and sand wedge into this 475 yard Par 5, from the next to last tees.

My buddy Pete is not big enough to play the back tees, so I moved up for him.

Next comes the Mineral Mound version of Amen corner. 11 thru 13 are tough to beat and they sit in a little triangle out on the peninsula. Did I mention the entire back 9 sits out in a bay of Lake Barkley ?

Did I mention you get views like this for your money ?

That would be the Kuttawa Marina, unless I miss my guess.

There’s several resorts, harbors, marinas and islets in view on this wonderful back nine.

Here’s the view from th 13th tee.

Can you imagine trying to land in that fairway ?

Over an inlet, over or around a tree and keep from running thru the fairway.

This is my favorite Par 5 and maybe my favorite hole on the course.

Playing a lot shorter than the yardage, the 16th is a great Par 3.

Obviously downhill the whole way, be careful not to pull it left into the bushes and watch out for speedboats on the green !

The combination of great greens, difficult fairways to hit and plenty of water, make this one of the best nines in the State.

I appreciate the effort they put into their new practice putting green, which is as good as their greens are.

Take a hint from Mike and stop by the Barkley Lake Driving range, which is just before the entrance to Mineral Mound, on the right, as they really have no room to squeeze in a range around their property.

They have water jugs on the course and are in the process of building some comfort stations, although it’s a wee bit down the road.

Frank and his staff are very friendly and very helpful, so call ‘em up and tell ‘em Mike sent you.

And if you need a player, send me an email and I’ll be there in about 1 1/2 hours !

We used to live in Wichita, Kansas, so I keep up with all the happenings out there.

This beautiful golf course, Sand Creek Station, makes me want to take a trip out there to play a round … or three.

Golf Magazine named it one of the Top 10 New Courses You Can Play.

From their website:

” Sand Creek Station’s unique links-style design features plenty of mounding encompassing the bent grass fairways and undulated greens uncharacteristic of the courses in the area. The sanctity of the railroad has been preserved surrounding the golf course to remind players of the history of the area. Many holes are, as they say in Scotland, “hard by the cinders,” continuing a century’s old tradition of golf bordering railways. Come challenge number ten, better known as “The Beast,” the longest hole in the state of Kansas! Sand Creek Station Golf Course was voted by GOLF Magazine as a “Top 10 New Courses You Can Play” for 2006. We were also voted second best course you can play in the state of Kansas by Golf Week Magazine. Come see what other similarities you can identify between Sand Creek Station and other famous golf courses in the birthplace of this great game, Scotland. “

I’m not likely to make it out there in 2007, unless I slip out there late in the fall, so if anyone can send us some info, a review or photos, feel free to leave a comment and we’ll go from there.

A little over a year ago, I wrote a post about Dale Hollow State resort Park’s fabulous golf course.

There’s been a few changes since then and they’re all for the better.

First off, my buddies Bruce and Kent have a new Pro Shop and the driving range is very near completion.

Every time I call or come down, they remember your name and are friendly beyond belief.

I got there a little early on Monday, April 30th, so Bruce could show me his new digs and then let me tour the driving range.

The Pro Shop is a fantastic and welcome addition and Branscum Construction of Russell Springs did a great job on the project.

The driving range will be one of the best in the state when it opens in a few days, as the zoysia makes the ball sit up just like it’s on a tee, the same as their great fairways out on the course. I didn’t get one bad lie in 18 holes and the tee boxes are better than some greens I’ve played this year.

Speaking of greens, these were in very good shape considering that it was still April. No surprises on the speed and in great shape after some sand and top dressing in the not too distant past.

This view from one of the forward tees on #14 is deceiving. From my back tee, I hit a hard 13 degree 3-wood to clear the lake, yet keep it in the fairway. Then I hit a hybrid 3 iron from 197 and hit the green before two putting for birdie.

Every time I make the 3 hour drive (each way) to come down and play, I’m rewarded with some deer running across the fairway and it happened again on this hole, while my second shot was in the air. This course is way yonder out there in the boonies and you’ll see raccoons, deer and a million squirrels.

You’ll also be mesmerized by the fine conditions, the very reasonable rates and the extremely friendly staff.

Whether you come down to see the new Pro Shop, the mountain view driving range, the wildlife or just to talk to Bruce and Kent, you won’t be disappointed.

I’ll be going back in a few weeks, after the range opens and I’ll get you a full report on that.

If you’ve played Dale Hollow’s great golf course and would like to add your opinions, just use the comment feature on this post or email me and I’ll post it for you … pictures and all.

Click thru to the golf course home page and give Bruce or Kent a call and set up a tee time and tell ‘em Mike sent you.

If you’re going to stay overnite, make sure to check out the Tee’s & Zzzz’s Package, which will get you a great room and the lodge has one of the best Black & Bleu salads you’ll ever find.

This is where I’ll be on Monday, April 30th.

Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park golf course in south central Kentucky.

That picture is from the fairway looking back up the hill to the tee box.

Click on it to enlarge it to full-screen size.

Here’s some of the accolades it’s received:

Ault-Clark Associates, the golf course architect, did a magnificent job with the land and made it a very friendly golf course, even though the elevation changes could have rendered it impossible to play.

I’ll try to remember to take some photos, but it’s really hard to show just how beautiful, peaceful and serene this part of my home state actually is. You really need to be there to experience it.

Finally ! Huntsville, AL and me got to be friends.

Two of my golf friends, Rick and Ken, went with me to the RTJ Golf Trail courses at Hampton Cove just outside of town.

We stayed at a local Hilton Garden Inn, which was extremely nice and only about 6 months old. I highly recommend you stay there if you get the chance, as they has the absolute nicest people I’ve ever stayed with.

Their breakfast was a work of art ! Good coffee, juices, real grits, gravy, biscuits, eggs any way you want, more fruit than a rain forest, bagels, sausage, bacon, cereal and all of it prepared fresh and by some tremendously friendly people !

The beds were like sleeping on air, the pillows were perfect, the rooms were way above the usual hotel room and their foyer was like sitting in the Biltmore House !

The business center had 2 computers, so I could keep up with email without having to wag along a laptop and they had a Pantry to provide anything you might need, but had forgotten.

And where else can you look out your 4th floor room to see the sunrise and 2 rockets ? Yes, rockets. Real ones. Huntsville is home to a Space Center. I can’t wait to go back and take along my better half by far. The local eateries were all just as friendly. I’m sensing a theme here - Huntsville = friendly people.

Once we got to The Highlands Course for our 8:20 am tee time on Friday, they had taken the liberty of putting a gentleman from Canada with us.

We didn’t mind, but it would have been nice if they’d asked us first.

Rob was from Toronto and was in town for a wedding. he was a good golfer and was a great guy, so it worked out okay. We were glad they had joined us up with him.

The Highlands Course is still trying to green up, as it’s still early in the year. That made the lies kinda tight, but rolling the ball around the greens was easier, so that was a good tradeoff.

The Highlands Course also winds it’s way thru a very high-end subdivision, but never once did a house come into play.

It’s supposed to emulate a Scottish links, but this was just a hilly course that wanted to be a links style course.

It’s hilly, lots of terrain changes, kinda tight in spots and the greens are not very user friendly.

Tour pro’s would boycott having to putt up and around this many humps and bumps. Even 3 foot putts had too much break.

Hint to golf course architects - Make the greens large, flat and leave room to run the ball along the ground for the average golfer to enjoy your course.

All in all, the 3 of us agreed we’d never want to play this course again. Sorry.

The River Course at 11:20 am on Saturday was our next round and we showed up pretty early to hit some practice balls on the very well manicured range. They had buckets of water to wash your clubs and the grass was perfect. Nice touches all around.

There was also a grill going at that hour and the cheeseburgers were $5.50. A tad high, but since neither course brings you back to the clubhouse after 9 holes, you need to take food out with you.

The beverage carts were very regular in coming around and they were driven by some very nice kids who were generous with cups of ice and were as friendly as everybody else was.

Again, they had taken the liberty to add a gentlemen to our group and again we could not have gotten a better guy to join us. Greg, a lobbyist from Montgomery, was a great ball-striker and very fun to be around. All 3 of us liked him and hated to see our time with him end.

The River Course was almost daylight to The Highland’s night. Flatter, except around the greens, which are built up and surrounded by LARGE mounds and humps for some strange reason. No houses and extremely quiet and peaceful. It wound in, around and thru a lot of the Flint River, hence the name, a lot of trees.

Neither of those should trouble you though, as this course was very, very playable, generous and user-friendly.

We all 3 agreed we could play it every day and never get tired of the surroundings, the course or the challenge.

All in all, I can’t wait to get back to Huntsville, AL and have some more great food, play some more great golf and interact with some of the friendliest people on earth.

Take my advice and stay at The Hilton Garden Inn , and tell ‘em Mike sent you.

And if you need a second course to play around Huntsville, head over to Fightin’ Joe in Muscle Shoals, like we’ll do next time.

Hmmm…maybe next month will be a good time.