Nuffield, Oxfordshire, ENGLAND

Green Fees: £45 ($71 at January 11 spot rate)

Architect: Willie Park Jr.

Huntercombe, along with Willie Park Jr’s other ground breaking masterpiece, Sunningdale, opened in 1901 and sparked a revolution in inland golf design.  Walter Travis commented “I consider that Huntercombe is easily the best laid course that I have ever played over anywhere”.  Harold Hilton agreed, “In links architecture his two great creations have been Sunningdale and Huntercombe and of the two I am distinctly inclined to look upon Huntercombe as the greater effort of the two”.   Bernard Darwin was greatly impressed with the course and wrote “Although Huntercombe is still a comparatively young course; there is an agreeable quality about the golf that, for want of a better word, may be called, very respectfully, old-fashioned.  At any rate, the golf of Huntercombe has a very engaging character of its own; it is good without being too strenuous for the reasonably light-hearted player. Yet this cheerful person must not imagine the disaster cannot overtake him.”

Like many heathland courses, trees invaded what was originally open land, though Park would certainly recognize much of his handiwork if he were to walk the course today.  As one would expect from an older course which has had few revisions, Huntercombe is on the short side at approximately 6300 yards.  The course stands nearly 700 feet above sea level, one of the highest points in the Chilterns, and it is easy to imagine how wind would have played a more significant role in stiffening the challenge before the advent of so many trees. The few bunkers employed are in the main centre-line and many have been placed to offer the golfer a choice of playing heroically or safely.  As an alternative to bunkering, Park dug many hollows throughout the course which greatly affect the decision making of golfers. Not unusually, a road, The Ridgeway, one of the oldest roadways in Europe, divides the course. Unfortunately, the increase in traffic these recent years has precipitated the club to alter the 6th by planting trees down the right and filling in one of the hollows on the left side of the fairway.

Despite the critical success of the course, due to financial difficulties caused by the failure of the planned real estate development, Park lost a considerable sum of money.  William Morris (Lord Nuffield), one of the great industrial pioneers of modern Britain, founder of Morris Motors (manufacturers of the iconic Minor and Mini) and later to endow The Nuffield Foundation and Nuffield College, Oxford, purchased the club.  Lord Nuffield retained ownership until selling it to the membership in 1963, the same year of his death. However, high profile work continued to come Park’s way and his talents were utilized for many more marquee designs; amongst which were Notts, Formby, West Hill and Worplesdon.  Ironically, the early financial setback Huntercombe suffered may be the very reason the course is for the most part preserved.  Unlike Sunningdale, Huntercombe is just far enough removed from London to have effectively become an historical footnote in golf architecture and fails to be mentioned on any modern best of lists. More is the pity because Huntercombe exemplifies concepts which were previously the domain of links golf. Variety, use of natural landforms and strategic merit are features which made the course justly famous over 100 years ago and continue to delight members and visitors alike today.

The old routing used to start with the 1st in the lower left (now the 14th), a long par 4 doglegging left away from a house.  The course now starts with a short par 3 in the upper right part of the map.  The reader should note the many centre-line hazards which included hollows and bunkers. This type of strategic design which allowed for skirting the hazards on either side was unheard of for inland golf until the creation of Huntercombe and the beginnings of a re-design (1901) of Woking by Paton and Low.

HOLES TO NOTE:

Huntercombe has a distinct unconventional flavour about it and that is apparent on the opening tee shot, an obscured, short par 3 with a difficult to read front to back running green.  The front-to-back greens are a particular feature of the course and I think of Park Jr’s designs in general.

Whatever the weather is it is quite likely the course will say hello on the 2^nd with distant views of the Thames Valley.  This is one of those holes with a huge fairway, but getting on the correct side of the man-made cop is so important.

While the first two holes had greens with significant movement, the description of the following two greens edge close to being crazy.  One of the best holes on the course, the third, shows off lay of the land architecture at its finest.  Below is the approach over one of hollows.

Closer to the green it becomes clearer how much drop there is from right to left.

The 4th, a sometimes drivable par 4 which brings hollows on the short right side of the green into play, slips to the right and features a green dropping severely from left to right.

The par five 6th uses hollows to great effect as the player has the choice of weaving between or risk flying them.  The green runs deceptively away from the fairway making front hole locations difficult to access.  Unfortunately, in recent years the club has planted trees down the right to protect cars on the road.  One will notice that Huntercombe is congested with trees which compromise the aesthetics and playing angles of some holes. Often times the golfer is surrounded by indistinguishable green walls of foliage.  If trees could be taken out which leave distinctive species on display, much like parkland courses were intended, it would be a great improvement.

A closer look at the random lies one can draw if he fails to negotiate the hollows.

The 7th is lovely par 3 with alpinized mounding around the green.  A few of these mounds are used to house bunkers, but their main purpose is to demand accuracy off the tee and awkwardness for recoveries.

We now cross the road to play what is likely the toughest hole on the course – #8.  The drive has to challenge a hollow and the trees on the left to setup a very difficult approach.   As the reader can see the green is a freak of architecture.  There is a huge lower tier which sort of wraps around the upper tier.  To make things interesting, the upper tier flows from the front right to the back left. Below is a view from near the 9th tee.

#10 is an excellent par 3, as all the short holes at Huntercombe are, which utilizes a well placed bunker and a green flowing generally from front right to rear left.  The flag can just be made out beyond the gorse bushes in the foreground.

The 12th is another hole with a lone green-side bunker and the flow of the green completely dictating play. A closer look of the green depicts one of the troublesome aspects of Huntercombe, like Woodhall Spa’s greens, they are not well defined. The seamless transition from fairway to green is an overlooked characteristic which grade level greens can provide.

The 14th is a long par 4 which legs hard left away from oob.  One can be bold on the approach and take on a hollow/bunker complex (seen below) or slide a shot to the left in the hope of catching the edge of the green.

The lovely short 15th is a hole I greatly admire.  The green has a mini bowl in its middle. Chipping or putting pin high from the wings is a most treacherous recovery area.  It is best to hit one club less and try to land it in the bowl for an up the gut putt.  The picture below is from well in front of the tee.

A reachable par 5, the 16th moves right off the tee.  If the golfer hits a good drive he can contemplate the aggressive play over the hollow to set up a relatively easy birdie if successful. There is another risky play out to the left which the golfer can take on if he wants to gain a good angle for the pitch.  Below is the approach after a layup.

After a steady dose of grade level greens and the rare bunker, the 17th may come as a shock.  This par 4 is very reachable from the tee, but because of its raised pad housing front bunkers, going for it may not always be the smart play.  There has been some speculation the green is not an original Park design, but it does date from no later than the mid 1930s.

Huntercombe is a very traditional golf club favouring two ball play with dogs most welcome.  The delightful clubhouse reflects these characteristics in a most homely way.

I am immensely impressed with how this fairly flat piece of property manages to hold my attention for the entire round. Between front to back and a few crazy greens, the relationship between the hollows in the fairways and the slopes around the greens, there is a lot to ponder. Every hole has something about it which requires a bit of thought even if it’s an afterthought.  Additionally, Huntercombe offers that truly unique look into the past which reveals the evolution of inland design.  If one finds himself in the London/Oxford area he should strongly consider following in the footsteps of the famous lady magician and one-club golfer, Gloria Minoprio.  She started her golfing career at Huntercombe by taking lessons from the then professional Jim Morris and for anyone thinking of touring the inland courses of England I can think of no better place to start than Huntercombe.

4/4 -  Walkability: Huntercombe is essentially a flat course with few elevation changes.

3/4 -  Architecture And Aesthetics: The architecture is top class, but the over-abundance of trees compromise the interior and exterior views to some degree.

2/2 -  Strategy And Playability: Huntercombe is just wide enough for the considered golfer and loaded with strategic options.

9/10 – Total

Review by Sean Arble (January 2011)

All photos by Sean Arble

Greens Fees: $100 to $175 depending on time of year. Cost includes mandatory fore caddie.

Architect: David McLay Kidd

Kidd’s Resume: Bandon Dunes, The Castle Course at St. Andrews, and Nanea

I was excited, as always, to visit Tetherow for a couple rounds of summer golf. It was great to have my father along for the walk – we played Tetherow two days in a row and truly enjoyed the seven mile walk in our TRUEs.

If Tetherow had been built without limitations from surrounding housing corridors it could have been a spectacularly flowing walk across a brilliant site. But the housing corridors had been created when Kidd and his team were commissioned to design and construct the course.

Tetherow is an example of why it is very difficult to create an ideal walking course when housing is a factor in the layout. However, the new ownership team, the super and the architect have all worked to create a walking “spirit” at the club and I was very excited to see several groups of members playing with push carts or carrying their bags. The addition of walking paths on many holes has made the journey from tee to fairway a lot easier. Several paths have been cut through the high desert to make green to tee transfers easier as well, such as from the 9th to the 10th. The walk from 18 to the clubhouse is still a tough one and there are a few “longish” walks from green to tee, but overall, the walking improvements at Tetherow deserve high praise.

In addition to the walking improvements, the team at Tetherow have worked diligently to make the course “more playable” for the average golfer. A lot of the “mohawk mounds” have been removed or shaved down and several bunkers have been taken out. The changes have made the course a lot friendlier especially for women and higher handicap golfers who used to have trouble carrying the various center-line hazards.

Please note that any of the stunning photos you will see in the review are the work of the supremely talented Wood Sabold and provided courtesy of Tetherow. The other photos were taken by The Walking Golfer on his wee camera and are clearly inferior, although they do capture the recent changes made at the course.

6th hole at Tetherow. Photo by Wood Sabold. Use in review courtesy of Tetherow GC.

Tetherow is split up by several long green to tee transfers that move the golfer from section to section of the layout which is located on a 700 acre property. Overall estimated walking distance for a round is 7.5 miles, and it is worth it, although it may not be easy for every golfer.

Tetherow has a lot of street cred already. Golf Magazine rated Tetherow GC as the Best New Course of 2008, Golfweek named it one of the 10 Best New Courses of 2008 and Links Magazine also had it on their 2008 Best New Courses list.

The intense visual imagery found throughout the course, the motion of the fairways and greens, and the beautiful high desert setting make Tetherow a dream course in many respects. It is strategic, supremely challenging and the golfer must be on their game to score well. Kidd has provided multiple playing options on many holes and the greens are often multi-tiered and undulating. The scenery is breathtaking and the fescue based course melds seamlessly with the high desert environment.

8th at Tetherow. Photo by Wood Sabold. Use in review courtesy of Tetherow GC.

Since its opening, Tetherow has been “toned down” after complaints from both members and visitors about the severity of some of the mounding features, greens, long grass and bunkers on the course. For example, in the photo above, the two mounds in the fairway and the one to the right of the tree have been removed.

The fescue based fairways and greens make Tetherow unique amongst the excellent courses in the area such as Crosswater, Pronghorn, and Juniper. There are no easy two putts and the fairways play firm and fast throughout the year. Golfers who are used to target golf will be in for a huge surprise, as success at Tetherow calls for a sound strategy that must be effectively executed in order to score well. While the fairways are often quite wide, placement off the tee is vital to securing the optimal approach. The wildly undulating greens make it difficult to get the ball close to the pin so firing at the target is rarely the best play. It will take some time to master Tetherow, if that is even possible, as the course changes on a daily basis with the wind.

The greens at courses such as Old Macdonald and Ballyneal receive high praise, and rightly so. The undulations on the greens at Tetherow are similarly interesting, although they do not roll quite as purely as those at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. A “links” mindset should be embraced at Tetherow as creativity around the greens is very much rewarded.

Hole # 1 – Par 4 (400/296)

The first at Tetherow is a great introduction to the course. A waste area fronts the tees, there is ample room in the fairway but danger on both sides, mounds dot the landscape, and there is a ton of movement and undulation. As you stand on the first tee your senses should be tingling since there is a lot to process. Take your drive down the middle of the fairway and you will have a short iron to the elevated green.

1st at Tetherow. Photo by Wood Sabold. Use in review courtesy of Tetherow GC.

The ideal drive below leaves a little over a hundred yards to the green. Hopefully you remembered your pin sheet because most of the putting surfaces have a lot of movement that make an approach to the appropriate section a necessity for scoring.

1st Fairway at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

As you can see below, nothing can be taken for granted on these greens.

Buried elephants, hippos, taxis and boring golf course architects lie beneath the putting surfaces at Tetherow.

After putting out on the the first it should be obvious to the golfer that your experience at Tetherow will be a strategic battle between you and the architect – so get focused and play to your strengths.

1st Green at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

Hole #2 – Par 5 (546/475)

The par five second can be reached in two with a long drive down the right side. Last year, there was a more obvious division in the fairway, but the long grass and mounding has been minimized, although some tufts of rough still indicate where the fairway splits. A drive down the left will funnel down to a valley while the right side has a speed bump that accelerates the ball to a flat section with an elevated view of the green. This semi-blind tee shot is a lot of fun because you never know where your ball end up on these firm and fast fairways.

2nd Tee at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

The right side provides a better view into the green while the left makes for a more challenging second if you are attempting to get there in two. The visual stimulation is still remarkable even though it has been softened.

Hole #2 Approach at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

After finishing the second, the golfer has to walk across a bridge to reach the four hole segment of the course known “Kidd’s Corner” which contains a good one shotter and three solid par fours.

Hole #3 – Par 3 (197/122)

From the tips, the third is a challenging par three over a pond. Kidd has used a mound, located in front of the flag on this day, to create some depth perception uncertainty off the tee. The right is much safer than the left and slightly short of the green is better than long as it slopes back to front with a ridge in the middle.

3rd Tee at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

If you have not noticed already, there is very little rough at Tetherow so an ability to chip off tight lies is invaluable to scoring.

3rd Green at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

Hole #4 – Par 4 (481/295)

The fourth is the longest two shotter on the course and requires a deep and well placed drive to set up a short to mid-iron approach. An “ESA”, or Environmentally Sensitive Area, used to run up the left side of the hole but it has been removed and now plays as a hazard. The safe place to aim is the middle or right side of the fairway. However, a daring shot up the left will leave the best line into the green.

4th Tee at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

The approach, like the first, is uphill to an undulating green. The bunker on the right side looks like it belongs on a links somewhere and should obviously be avoided. The left middle of the green is the safest place to aim, but if the pin is on the right side it will leave a difficult two putt.

Approach to the 4th at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

Hole # 5 – Par 4 (429/309)

The fifth runs back to the pond and the former ESA is once again on the left side of the hole. A wide fairway awaits so swing away, but if possible place your ball on the left side as it provides a better angle into the green.

5th Tee at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

The approach shot must traverse a fore-bunker and mounding that is farther from the green than it looks.

Approach to 5th Green at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

There used to be another bunker behind the fore bunker,

5th fore-bunker at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

but is has been removed as seen below.

Since the green is quite shallow and wide, the front bunker got a lot of play because it was very difficult for a low spin hitter to hold the green with a mid to long iron. Anything short will leave a chip and a putt instead of a sandie for par.

5th hole bunker removal. Photo by Rob Rigg.

Hole #6 – Par 4 (424/327)

The tee shot at the par four sixth is intimidating, but not as daunting as it was when the course opened.

The architect provides the golfer with two choices – take the right fairway and leave yourself a blind approach to a very difficult green, or play it at the bunkers in the left fairway and hope you do not hook it into the pond. The mounding and long grass that used to separate the two choices were thick and nasty last year, but it looks like a ball played up the middle will have a good chance of ending up in the short grass after the alterations. There is still a lot to process from the tee, but the options are more clearly defined.

6th Tee at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

From the right side the green is blocked by the mounds, while the sight lines are clear from the the left.

6th Fairway at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

The green has a sharp drop that starts on the right side of the photo. Occasionally the pin is placed on that lower level of the green. If an approach does not make the upper tier, then the golfer will have a tricky chip to get it up there from short grass.

6th Green at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

After the sixth hole, the golfer must walk back across the bridge and out of “Kidd’s Corner” to reach the par three seventh tee which is located near the second green.

#7 – Par 3 (226/105)

The seventh has been toned down significantly, as the bunker that used to run down the left side of the green and across the front has been severely reduced. Now there is a small bunker in front and a medium bunker to the left which makes the hole much more playable although the green is still very undulating.  The architect has provided a back-board that is very useful in catching long shots and drawing them back to the center of the putting surface.

7th Tee at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

For 2009, the hole had been tempered as shown below, with further changes made for 2010.

7th Green at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

The vista of the Three Sisters in the background is breathtaking and the golf course blends effortlessly into its high desert environment which only adds to the experience.

A putt from the back of the seventh to the front is something to be avoided unless you have nerves of steel.

7th Green at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

Hole #8 – Par 4 (395/304)

The two shot eighth is under four hundred yards, but no pushover. The tee shot was more difficult last year as two mounds were located in the middle of the fairway and another short-right of the tree. These have been removed which has opened up the landing area. A long iron or fairway wood will put the golfer in a good position to attack the green with a short iron.

8th Tee at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

Similar to the first and fourth, an uphill approach must avoid the bunker on the right side.

Approach to the 8th at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

The green slopes from back to front and is split by a large ridge that makes a two putt difficult from the wrong level.

8th Green at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

Hole #9 – Par 5 (532/387)

The tee shot on the ninth is fairly open so swing away. The attention to detail in the bunkers on the left is very well done as they are nestled between short grass above and below. Neither should come into play off the tee as there is ample room to the right, although a slice or push might be caught by the bunker over there.

9th Tee at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

If you crush your drive, this is what you have left. About 225 yards with a logical bail out left, a tricky bail out right, and a lot of bunkers between you and the shallow green that has a really difficult pin placement on the back shelf on this day.

8th Fairway at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

There is a gap between the fore-bunkers and this beauty, with another bunker tucked in behind it. The rocks may look like a back board to help out any long approaches but they are neither forgiving nor predictable. Keep your lay up to the left, run the ball onto the green, try to make your birdie and be happy with a par to close out the front nine.

Short of 9th Green at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

Hole #10 – Par 4 (310\253)

The tenth is a par 3.5 and one of the few holes at Tetherow where you can take back a shot. The options are either try to drive it or lay up, so take your chance and go for eagle.

10th Tee at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

The green is protected across the front left by a bunker and on the right by a false front. A lay up will leave a tricky pitch to a pin located behind the bunker, while a drive into the sand will leave an opportunity to get up and down for birdie.

10th Green at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

Hole # 11 – Par 4 (466/365)

Eleven has more trees than any other hole on the course and they create a corridor for the tee shot that should be aimed at the patch of rough on the left side of the fairway. The optimal drive is a power fade which will hit the slope on the left and run along the short grass leaving a mid-iron to the green.

11th Tee at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

The eleventh green is unique to Tetherow. A steep slope with rough and long fescue runs along the front bank protecting the mid-front section of the green. The right side is the best approach regardless of pin position as it is very tough to make anything hold the left side.

11th Green at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

Hole #12 – Par 4 (425/297)

When you step onto the tee at twelve your senses will be overloaded by the gnarly waste areas, bunkers, trees and mounds. The fairway, however, is wide open and welcoming so just knock it out there and get a mid or long iron ready to attack the green.

Several mounds have been removed from the fairway which make the drive a lot easier on the nerves than it was when the course opened.

12th Tee at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

The green is wide and shallow like many of the others on the course. The left side is partially guarded by a tree that imposes slightly on the approach shot while a bunker protects the right side.

12th Approach at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

After finishing twelve, the walking golfer has a bit of a hike through a tunnel to get to the next section of the property which contains holes thirteen through fifteen.

Hole #13 – Par 5 (588/465)

Thirteen is the first three shotter on the back side and it features a semi-blind tee shot that should be aimed between the two trees down the middle and directly at the mountain.

13th Tee at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

The ideal drive makes reaching the green in two a possibility, but beware of the pond on the left.

Some mounding in the fairway ahead has been removed which makes it easier to gauge the appropriate lay up distance.

13th Fairway at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

A pin middle or right is very accessible with a wedge which could leave a great look at birdie. If the pin is tucked behind the pond and the wind is blowing then thirteen can be a tough par.

13th Approach at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

Hole #14 – Par 3 (190/149)

Fourteen is fairly plain vanilla when compared to the other holes at Tetherow. The long and wide green is protected by a bunker short right and another tight left. A tee shot to the middle of the dance floor should leave an easy two putt, but anything landing on the opposite side of the green from the pin will bring bogey into play.

Remember, nothing comes easy here.

14th at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

Hole #15 – Par 4 (437/322)

The fifteenth and sixteenth round out the series of great par fours that exist at Tetherow.

Fifteen calls for a long and accurate downhill tee shot ideally positioned to the left of the bunker. The landing area has been widened with the removal of rough and tall grass short of the large fairway bunker, which should keep the pond on the left even more out of play.

15th Tee at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

The approach from the fairway is uphill to a green that is split into three sections – back, front left and front right. The bunker protecting the front left side of the green is majestic yet frightening. There is room to bail out on the right, but some long grass over there can make an up and down almost impossible. Play for the middle of the green and try to make a putt.

15th Approach at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

Hole #16 – Par 4 (476/380)

The final two shotter at Tetherow was the most controversial when the course opened.

Over the winter a large bunker and several mounds have been removed from the fairway. Unfortunately, what was the most exciting tee shot on the course is now almost too easy. The speed slot on the right side of the fairway is much more accessible now that the large, nasty, gaping and intimidating bunker is gone. Tee it high and let it fly.

16th Tee at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

A downhill approach from the fairway is uncommon at Tetherow and a welcome change of pace. Over the green is dead, so keep your approach short and let it run up onto the putting surface.

16th Approach at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

The sixteenth green has three distinct sections – back right, middle and front left.

16th Green at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

Hole #17 – Par 3 (182/118)

The seventeenth at Tetherow is probably one of the most stunning short holes a golfer will ever lay their eyes on. Situated in an old pumice quarry, the slightly elevated tee shot sets off towards the Cascade Mountains in the distance before dropping onto the 2500 square foot green below.

17th at Tetherow. Photo by Wood Sabold. Use in review courtesy of Tetherow GC.

Railroad ties have been used on the right side of the hole to keep the sand in place and stabilize the quarry wall. Although the putting surface is tiny, the side and back boards make it play bigger. Any tee shot on the green has a chance at birdie since this is likely the most sedate putting surface on the course.

17th Green at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

Hole #18 – Par 5 (588/373)

The “home” hole at Tetherow takes you back towards the clubhouse while providing a rare opportunity to make up a couple of shots. This hole seems to get some flak for being too easy but after battling the architect almost everywhere else on the course it is nice to have some respite before hitting the 19th hole for a well deserved beverage. Furthermore, as the final hole in a match, eighteen provides a lot of excitement as two solid woods can bring eagle into play and make par seem like a bogey.

What you see is what you get. Smash your drive onto the awaiting fairway and get out your three wood for a go at the green.

18th Tee at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

Looking back down the eighteenth it is obvious that one – the hole is uphill – and two – there is a lot of room so laying up provides little benefit.

The green is no push-over and Kidd continues to protect par on the final hole with undulation. The putting surface slopes from front to back and there are three sections and a false front so the approach needs to get all the way to the pin.

18th at Tetherow. Photo by Rob Rigg.

Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed my round at Tetherow and it remains one of my favorite courses in the Northwest. Thanks to a new owner who is well capitalized and committed to providing a great golfing experience, Tetherow will be able to ride out the tough economy and provide a unique challenge for the golfer.

In terms of Walkability, I can now rate Tetherow a 2 out of 4 (up from 1.5), because paths have been added that make the walk both easier and more enjoyable. Tetherow may not be an easy jaunt, but it is well worth the effort because there are a lot of design elements that can only be seen from the fairways at a walking pace.

The Aesthetics at Tetherow are wonderful, while the Architecture will please some and frustrate others. This course will always be polarizing. Many “scratch” golfers will complain because it is so hard to score on the greens, and many ”bogey” golfers will complain that it is overwhelming. I firmly believe the design is demanding, stunning and thought provoking. Kidd has melded the course seamlessly with the high desert environment and while it may not be as “natural” as some of the other tracks in the state, it does fit in very well with the setting. As a fescue based links style course, however, too many greens are raised and/or severely undulating which takes away the ground game that would make it more playable. Tetherow rates 3.5 our of 4.0 for Architecture and Aesthetics.

The Strategy at Tetherow is excellent and Playability has been improved since the course opened. Tetherow receive 1.5 out of 2 for this category. While Tetherow remains one of the most challenging courses that I have played it is now a fair battle, and with five sets of tees and the removal of most of the fairway mounds and several bunkers, it will be more manageable for the average golfer.

Strategic golf design had not been very prevalent in the Northwest until the creation of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, as many of the tree lined parkland courses are very penal in nature. Tetherow is certainly a great strategic course that will push every golfer to the edge of their ability. Low handicappers must shape shots and play to the appropriate side of fairways and greens, while high handicappers should focus on playing the right tees, keeping the ball in play, and two putting.

TWG Rating for Tetherow:

2.o / 4 – Walkability

3.5 / 4 – Architecture and Aesthetics

1.5  / 2 – Strategy and Playability

7.0 / 10 – Total

Review by Rob Rigg, Updated 2010

The Walking Golfer Course Rating System

Total is out of 10 Points

0 – 4 points – Walkability

0 – 4 points – Architecture and Aesthetics

0 - 2 points – Playability and Strategy

7,094/4,903 Yards

Ballyowen models itself as a Scottish links-style course that is very pleasant to walk with a caddie. Although the skill and experience level of the caddies there have gone down in the past year or so, they try hard and do afford the player a chance to walk this lovely rolling terrain. There are only three moderately hilly holes (nos.9, 12 and 18); the biggest challenges to walking being some of the green-to-next tee paths on several holes that do have some pitch to them. The fairways are generally wide; the holes are moderately long and there are a lot great views.

Walking is the best way to appreciate this  lovely layout. In the afternoon, around 5 PM a bagpiper adds to the enjoyment of this course. After walking this course on a warm day with a “senior” golfer friend, we both felt invigorated, and my playing partner who was apprehensive about walking thanked me for talking him into doing it. In sum, Ballyowen is highly recommended for walking golfers.

Review by Joseph Franceski

Par 73

7,403 Yards

Architect: Graham Marsh

Semi-Private – opened in 2010 – Please visit The Prairie Club website for information on Stay and Play packages.

The Prairie Club is an impressive new golf destination in the Sand Hills of western Nebraska. The land at the club is very diverse as the rolling open prairie meets the majestic Snake River Canyon. There are currently three courses at The Prairie Club with a fourth, which will be located on by far the most compelling land on the site, currently under design by Gil Hanse and his team. The Pines Course, The Dunes Course and The Horse Course (a really fun ten hole “dream” pitch and putt) have been completed and are currently open for play. Paul Shock, the founder of The Prairie Club, should be very proud of his creation and it will only get better with time.

The Pines Course is routed over an interesting piece of property that combines the open prairie and land adjacent to the Snake River Canyon that is populated with trees. The site is excellent for golf and Marsh did a good job of creating an interesting course that will be enjoyable to play again and again. The greens deserve mention as they tend to have a lot of subtle movement, larger undulations when appropriate and sizes that changed fit in well with the surrounding landscape.

Hole #1 – Par 4 (419 – 285 yards)

The straight-forward opener calls for a longish carry from the tips to a welcoming fairway – a nice handshake to start the round.

The opening drive calls for a straight shot over the prairie - welcome to the club

The mid to short iron approach is to a large green with some interesting movement

Hole #2 – Par 5 (548 to 384 yards)

A reachable three shotter with an epic tee shot followed by a heroic approach to a green set against a dune and fronted by a deep bunker. The best par 5 on the course.

The second tee shot is another big carry from the back with fairway bunkers left, right and down the middle

If you can navigate the fairway bunkers off the tee and into the green a big hit can get you there in two

The green is on a shelf behind the bunkers but there is room to run it in on the right

Hole #3 – Par 3 (168 to 121 yards)

A short walk around the dune puts you on the tee of this picturesque one shotter.

A short walk around the dune and you are greeted with this enjoyable short one shotter

Hole #4 – Par 4 (479 – 351 yards)

From the tips the semi-blind drive is a lot of fun. There is ample short grass so trust your line. Three bunkers that cross the fairway diagonally create some visual uncertainty but should not really come into play and there is plenty of room to run an approach onto the green.

The 4th tee shot is semi-blind from the tips, but there is plenty of fairway out there

Bunkers dot the fairway at a diagonal leading to the green, the final fore bunker about 38 yards short

Hole #5 – Par 4 (416 – 298 yards)

From the tips, the tee shot on the 5th is blind and over a waste area. The hole moves sharply from left to right so a long and high fade is ideal. There are a couple fairway bunkers that should not come into play and the approach to the green is open on the front.

The 5th is a blind tee shot from the tips - the hole moves left to right

The approach is open at the front and the pin can be attacked with a mid or short iron

Hole #6 – Par 3 (159/116 yards)

The sixth is a strong one shotter, the best on the property in my opinion. While not long on distance, the green is very tricky as it has a false front, a “Biarritz” like ridge running through it left to right and some subtle undulations elsewhere. There are bunkers lurking on the sides, but the green is plenty big so they should not really be in play. Par is a good score here – and don’t forget to take in the view of the Snake River Canyon from the green.

A great short one shot hole with a "Biarritz" style gully running seperating the front and back sections

The Snake River Canyon lurks just off the right edge of the 6th Green

Hole #7 – Par 5 (616 – 442 yards)

This is a really cool drive from the tips over a small chasm. The hole plays as a true three shotter unless there is a really strong tailwind. I like the downhill approach to the green, something that is not seen often enough in modern golf.

A fun tee shot over a chasm starts this long hole from the tips

Another good poke is necessary to get the golfer in position for the downhill approach to the green

There is ample room over the forebunker to run the ball onto the putting surface

Hole #8 – Par 4 (462 – 347 yards)

Into the wind, the 8th can play like a beast. On a calm day it calls for a solid drive to the left side of the fairway to leave a good view into the green. Anything pushed right will put the golfer behind a large bunker and the approach will be blind.  The green has quite a bit of movement so stay focused and accept a two putt happily.

The 8th tees are just steps from the 7th green - this two shotter is a tough uphill battle

The putting surface is large and undulating with plenty of room to land an approach safely

Hole #9 – Par 4 (314 – 214 yards)

After the long uphill 8th, the 9th is a welcome chance to drive the green on a short par four. The tee ball will run out nicely to the bottom of the hill, but it takes a well struck poke to run it up the false front to leave a putt for eagle. This is a really fun hole, just remember that trouble does come into play if you spray the ball too far left or right.

A drivable par four is always a welcome addition to the round

The green has a huge false front that deflects any drives that are not struck with vigor and accuracy

Hole #10 – Par 3 (173 – 125 yards)

The back starts with a one shotter that plays towards the canyon. Usually a short to mid-iron is required and there is plenty of room to run the ball up onto this large green.

The 10th plays directly towards the canyon which is hidden behind the stand of trees

Hole #11 – Par 5 (602 – 430 yards)

Similar to the 7th, this long three shotter plays through a corridor of pines towards the end of the property. Once again, the green is tucked away slightly on the right as you approach the green.

The 11th plays through a corridor of trees towards the far end of the property

At 602 from the tips the 11th plays as a real three shot hole

The deep tri-spoke green is tucked behind a bunker

Hole #12 – Par 4 (461 – 362 yards)

The 12th is a strong par four and a great driving hole. The approach is easier from the right side of the fairway as a bunker protects the green on the front and also back right. There is a little knob in the front of the green that can deflect well flighted shots away from the putting surface (don’t ask me how I know).

The 12th is one of the best driving holes on the course as the golfer works his way back towards the clubhouse

A mid to long iron drawn along the fairway past the bunkers is often the optimal approach

Hole #13 – Par 4 (422 – 313 yards)

The architect takes us back into the prairie for a couple of shortish two shotters. Take a deep breath and relax as there is plenty of room off the tee and into the punchbowl green on the 13th.

The 13th takes the golfer back to the wide open prairie

The large punchbowl green is quite welcoming but long putts can be tricky

Hole #14 – Par 4 (345 – 253 yards)

The 14th is a drivable par four that calls for a long and accurate poke to get there in one. Bunkers guard the left side of the green and there is a steep drop off to the right where another bunker lies in wait. The green is rather large though so you might as well have a rip at it.

A drivable par 4 with a tailwind, but a challenging green complex awaits a miss left or right

Hole #15 – Par 5 (581 – 445 yards)

The golfer transitions from prairie to pines again on this uphill three shot hole. Depending on the wind it might be reachable but it takes a big drive to get on top of the hill. The second is usually blind and should be played to wedge distance short of the green. From short yardage, the green is welcoming and birdie is definitely a possibility so play it as close to the pin as you can.

The 15th tee lies just beyond the 14th green - this three shotter plays uphill and left to right

The second may be blind over the top of the hill - it is tough to get there in two

The green is open on the front with bunkers fairly close on the left and right

Hole #16 – Par 4 (460 – 334 yards)

The final three holes play through the pines and along the canyon which is somewhat hidden on the left. The tee shot on the 16th is semi-blind, but the trees outline the corridor for the hole and the tufts of grass in the waste area are a good place to start your drive. A draw is ideal on the approach as the green is protected by bunkers left and a drop off on the right.

A blind drive right up the middle of the corridor over the tuft of grass in the waste area will be perfect

The safe play is to the middle or right side of the green as deep bunkers lurk left

Hole #17 – Par 3 (183 – 104 yards)

The 17th plays over a wee chasm to a very large and deep green. Short right is the obvious bailout, although it may leave a long up and down or birdie putt.

The penultimate hole is a longish one shotter with a lot of visual noise on the tee

Hole #18 – Par 5 (595 – 422 yards)

The final hole hugs the upper canyon as it sweeps to the right and back towards the clubhouse. Depending on where you place the drive there is an opportunity to go at the green in two. The two large trees on the left side of the fairway are in the way more than anything and make it more challenging than it should be to find a good line on the second, especially if you want to play conservatively. While the home hole was a bit of a let down, I really enjoyed the fact that it played back towards the clubhouse which is perched above the Snake River Canyon.

The home hole is a long three shotter that runs along the upper reaches of the canyon

The wise play on the second is up the fairway to leave a short iron to the green

The 18th green sits about 50 yards from the 19th hole - a great place to finish

The Pines Course at The Prairie Club is an enjoyable walk across the prairie and through the woods that line the Snake River Canyon. This is a solid course that will be enjoyable for members to play over and over again. The fairways are generous but not massive which adds some intimacy to the round while not jeopardizing playability if the winds are up. Marsh has created a variety of holes that call for different shots and strategies depending on the wind.

The Walking Golfer would rate the Pines Course a 3.25 out of 4.0 for Walkability. There is some movement to the terrain, a couple of longer green to tee walks past the “snack shack” on the 5th and 16th, from the 9th to 10th and 10th to 11th, and you will probably need a lift out to the 1st tee from the clubhouse, but overall the walk at the Pines Course is very enjoyable and manageable. The club has done a pretty good job of creating walking paths and a few more signs will make it even more walking friendly.

The land made available for The Pines Course is excellent and Marsh did a nice job of creating an interesting routing that keeps the golfer engaged. Some may not enjoy the blind or semi-blind tee shots from the tips or the long forced carries, but three other sets of tees are available. While I do wish there were more views of the canyon from the course, the journey in and out of the trees made for a fun golfing experience. The par fives, aside from the second, are quite long which takes some of the fun out of them, but there was good variety of holes and the architecture tied in well with the environment. I would give the Pines Course a 3.5 out of 4 for Architecture and Aesthetics.

From a Strategic standpoint The Pines Course is fairly straight-forward but it does present options or obfuscations made to challenge the golfer. The four sets of tees make the course very Playable for the higher handicapper while also delivering an interesting venue for the stick. The reachable par fours and short par threes provide some good birdie opportunities, while the longer par fours and par fives – especially if into the wind – are a stern test. The commendable balance at The Pines Course would lead me to rate it a 1.75 out of 2 for Strategy and Playability.

Overall, The Pines Course receives a very solid 8.5 out of 10 from The Walking Golfer. I was pleasantly surprised with the interesting routing that Marsh created on this fabulous piece of property.

TWG Rating for The Pines Course at The Prairie Club:

3.25 / 4 – Walkability

3.5 / 4 – Architecture and Aesthetics

1.75 / 2 – Strategy and Playability

8.5 / 10 – Total

All Photos by Rob Rigg (2010)
Review by Rob Rigg (2010)

Par 71

7,147 Yards

Architect: Tom Doak (Renaissance Golf Design)

Private – Opened in 2006

Few courses in North America can stir a walking golfer’s soul like Ballyneal, which boasts golf that is so pure and natural that Old Tom Morris would approve wholeheartedly.

Ballyneal is still somewhat of a hidden gem that is slowly being discovered as golfers venture into the chop hills of North Eastern Colorado, about 3 hours from Denver International Airport. The club is private, laid back and only reached after driving several miles along a dirt road located a few minutes south of Holyoke.  While you may be “in the middle of nowhere”, the passionate walking golfer will feel very much “at home”.

A simple sign and gate indicate where you turn off the dirt road to Ballyneal

Ballyneal was carefully routed over and around the chop hills by Tom Doak – and this could very well be his masterpiece. It is probably the most natural course I have ever played in North America because it melds seamlessly with the environment as the golfer journeys through a unique and beautiful landscape. Dave Hensley and his team keep Ballyneal playing firm, fast and fun by using very little water and only managing the fescue as necessary on fairways and greens. The experience at Ballyneal is heightened by an excellent staff that create a laid back and welcoming atmosphere at the club. It is, absolutely, inland dream golf on a course that changes day to day and hour to hour as wind and weather move through the property.

Looking across the 9th Green to the 10th Hole after a thunder-storm had quickly passed through

Ballyneal is so pure that there are no yardage or tee markers. It is a match play course with serious distance elasticity depending on the wind and where you happen to put your peg in the ground. Creativity abounds at every green and many approaches can be played along the ground or through the air. While Ballyneal is not a “true seaside links” it certainly plays like one.

For a walking golfer, there can be only be a handful of experiences that rival time spent at Ballyneal – especially if you are on the property with friends.

Please enjoy the photo tour below.

Hole #1 – Par4 (382 – 320 yards)

A straight-forward opener with a long carry from the back tees that can be avoided from the front tees located adjacent to the Turtle Bar (off photo on the right). The left side of the fairway leaves a better angle but you have to take on the trouble.

First Tee at Ballyneal.

Approach to First Green at Ballyneal - Don't run it off the left side!

First Green at Ballyneal.

Hole #2 – Par 4 (490 – 360 yards)

The second plays very long into the wind and much shorter downwind as the drive can get quite a bit of roll out.  There is plenty of room to run the ball on to the front of the deep green.

Second Tee at Ballyneal.

Approach to the 2nd at Ballyneal

View of the right to left sloping 2nd Green at Ballyneal.

Hole #3 – Par 3 (145 – 90 yards)

A thoroughly enjoyable short one shotter into a green that sits in a natural bowl.

Tee shot on the 3rd at Ballyneal

The bunkers on the 3rd are rugged and beautiful

There are no flat spots on this green - it is pure fun

Hole #4 – Par 5 (573 – 360 yards)

An all-world tee shot to a strip of fairway running off into the distance below. With a kind wind the green is reachable in two for the long hitter. Otherwise lay up to the left and give yourself a full wedge to the elevated green.

The most captivating tee shot on the property at the 4th.

I do not believe a golfer could ever tire of watching their tee shot float out over the yuccas towards the fairway below

The three shotter is reachable with a strong second that runs up to the green

A lay up will leave an uphill approach to the plateau green with a false front

Looking back to the 4th tee from the green

Hole #5 – Par 3 (165 – 100 yards)

The pot bunker dominates play into a green that has a steep bank on the front left and back right.

The 5th calls for a precise tee shot to the undulating green

Hole #6 – Par 4 (480 – 370 yards)

A challenging two shotter, especially into the wind from the back tees. The green is on a plateau that falls off to the right side but there is room to miss on the left. An up and down for par is no easy task.

The many teeing options make Ballyneal special - this is the tips on the 6th

From the teeing ground above the 6th unfolds before you.

From the left side of the green it is apparent how subtle yet challenging the undulations at Ballyneal can be

Hole #7 – Par 4 (352 – 285 yards)

Perhaps one of the most “fun” holes in golf – the 7th at Ballyneal is an absolute gem. The reachable two shotter has one of the most interesting greens I have ever seen. One could spend hours hitting different shots in and around the green complex.

Even on the tee there is a hint that this is a very special golf hole

As you turn the corner - the E green greets you

Saying this is one of the most "fun" greens in golf is an understatement

Hole #8 – Par 5 (515 – 340 yards)

The fairway funnels about 300 yards off the tee with safety on the left and daunting bunkers on the right. The terraced green is reachable with two well struck shots, and that is where the real fun begins.

The 8th is another all world hole - the tee box selection dictates the challenge

A drive short and right of the cross bunkers can leave a long and blind second

A drive long and left makes the three shotter very reachable in two

On any other course, the 8th would be the most fascinating green complex, but such is the quality at Ballyneal that it is not

Looking back along the 8th from the 9th Tee - Brilliant!

Hole #9 – Par 4 (362 – 315 yards)

The 9th is driveable with the “right” wind but two large dunes pinch the landing area about 285 yards off the tee so a precise strike is necessary to run the gauntlet. A hybrid or fairway wood is usually a good play, leaving a short iron into another challenging green.

Tee shot on the 9th at Ballyneal

Looking back on the 9th - note how the dunes pinch the drive and force accuracy off the tee from the ambitious golfer

Hole #10 – Par 4 (509 – 380 yards)

A hollow on the left collects all but the longest and straightest drives that successfully challenge the huge bunker on the right side of the fairway. Note that the green cants sharply from left to right.

Tee shot on the 10th at Ballyneal

A running approach is preferred and the bank on the left side can be used by the skillful golfer

Looking back over the rumpled terrain it is obvious how important the ground game must be at Ballyneal

Hole #11 – Par 3 (200 – 125 yards)

A very elastic one shotter than can play slightly uphill from the back tees or severely uphill from the front tees. Missing left is a huge mistake, as is going in the bunkers on the right. Thump, thump – thump, thump.

The 11th calls for an aerial approach to a firm plateau green

And another angle from the lower teeing area - even more daunting

The view across the green to the chop hills is quite captivating

Hole #12 – Par 4 (375 – 240 yards)

The hole may be drivable with a tailwind if you can hug the left side and run it onto the green. Anything leaking right will find a hollow and a blind approach over bunkers to a very undulating green. This is a great match play hole.

The 12th may be driveable with an accurate strike down the left with a tailwind

A drive that kicks right will leave a blind approach

The green moves from right to left and a bunker lies in wait for anything that runs across the putting surface with pace

Hole #13 – Par 4 (510 – 330 yards)

Another all world tee shot, especially from the tips where only a sliver of fairway is visible.

The play is usually down the left even if its means accepting a blind approach. The front right bunker and a huge swale effectively prohibit a shot into that side of the green from anywhere but the left side of the fairway.

An all world driving hole awaits the golfer at the 13th

The centerline bunker is unforgiving and leaves a long approach

A big drive leaves a manageable distance to the pin, but it might be blind

A large swales divides the green at the front - how fun is this putt?!?!?

From behind, the size and movement of the 13th green is more evident

Hole #14 – Par 4 (362 – 300 yards)

A real thinker’s hole that is short on distance but puts a premium on accuracy and strategy.

The 14th tee shot presents a conundrum - short left, take on the center-line bunker or go long and wide right

Short left leaves a longer approach, but it is more direct with safety left of the pin

The angle from the right side is very challenging and demands the utmost accuracy to get it close

Hole #15 – Par 3 (237 – 135 yards)

Another super elastic one shotter that is a joy to play. If you get it in the bowl you will, in theory, have a chance at birdie, but three putts are also very common on this wildly undulating green.

The 15th is a wonderful one shotter to a huge punchbowl green

There are severe undulations within the front, side and backboards that surround the green

Hole #16 – Par 5 (546 – 410 yards)

The finishing stretch starts with a three shotter that can be reached in two from the mid and forward tees with a helping wind. The hole doglegs sharply to the left between two fabulous dunes – and the green is no pushover.

The 16th is a shortish three shotter with a sharp dog leg left

After a long and accurate drive the green is reachable but surrounded by trouble

A drive too far can bring this nasty bunker into play and force a lay up

The fronting bunker is deep and ominous

Looking back it is more obvious how the gap in the huge dunes dominates strategy for the hole

Hole #17 – Par 4 (481 – 365 yards)

The penultimate hole is probably one of the best on course, which is a high compliment. A big drive can split the upper and lower terraces of the fairway and leave a short to mid-iron approach. Anything that kicks to the right will be blind and/or in the fairway bunker visible off the tee. The best play is often to the left side of the green on the approach.

Ballyneal concludes with two strong finishing holes

The approach is quite open if you can keep your drive on the left side of the fairway

Looking back you can see how the fairway falls away, leaving a difficult and blind approach over bunkers

Hole #18 – Par 4 (463 – 375 yards)

Perhaps Doak’s finest finishing hole? The 18th is a fantastic finale for a close match. The drive has some “cape” qualities as the golfer is rewarded for biting off more of the waste area to get a shorter iron into the green. However, the right side of the fairway leaves a better angle, especially to a front pin, provided you do not push the drive too far. Two deep bunkers front the green which slopes quite steeply from the back. Depending on pin position, the approach shot can be an all or nothing last gasp to halve the match.

The home hole sweeps from right to left in a "cape" like movement

A wonderful final hole in a match - Do you take on the pot bunker fronting the green?

Looking back on 18 - it is evident that a drive to the far side of the fairway can leave a longer but easier approach

Both Society member David Mihm and I agree that Ballyneal is as pure a golf experience as you will find on this side of the pond. David is happier than me because he DOUBLE EAGLED the par 5 8th!

Having finished a round at Ballyneal there is nothing a walking golfer would rather do than walk right back to the first and tee it immediately. Ballyneal receives a 3.5 out of 4 for walkability, because the routing is so strong that elevation changes are barely noticed. Most of the green to tee transfers are very short – in fact – you can often tee it a few club lengths from the hole. 54 holes a day at Ballyneal should not be a problem for the fit walking golfer.

The Architecture and Aesthetics at Ballyneal are world class. While there are no ocean holes, the chop hills provide a spectacular setting for the game. As mentioned, the course is routed seamlessly over the terrain and paced wonderfully. A more fun or interesting set of green complexes may not exist anywhere else in the country. Ballyneal is an easy 4.0 out of 4 for Architecture and Aesthetics.

In terms of Strategy and Playability, Ballyneal receives full marks. The fairways are wide enough to handle strong winds, but strategy is always important off the tee as ball placement provides a significant advantage on most holes. Ballyneal is the type of course where the stick will have to work to score well, because it is tough to get the ball close to the hole on approaches, but the bogey golfer, if he plays smart, can navigate the course while playing to his handicap.

Ballyneal is The Walking Golfer’s Top Modern Golf Course in the United States. It is a walk that should not be missed if you ever have the chance to play there.

TWG Rating for Ballyneal:

3.5 / 4 – Walkability

4.0 / 4 – Architecture and Aesthetics

2.0 / 2 – Strategy and Playability

9.5 / 10 – Total

All Photos by Rob Rigg (2010)
Review by Rob Rigg (2010)

Par 72

7,331 Yards

Architect: David McLay Kidd

Cost: Stay and Play Packages are available – please contact the club for more information at – info@huntsmansprings.com or (877) 354-9660

The Walking Golfer was invited to Huntsman Springs for a “media day”. I had the pleasure of playing the course three times – walking twice and riding once with other media members and Jimmy Kidd.

Huntsman Springs is a master planned community in Driggs, Idaho that has been financed by Jon Huntsman, former CEO of the Huntsman Corporation and founder of the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah. All proceeds from Huntsman Springs will be donated to the cancer institute. The community is located in the shadow of the Teton Mountains in a valley between the watershed and wetland edge. The location is absolutely beautiful and it is the type of place that families will enjoy visiting for generations because of all the activities, such as golf, hiking, fishing, biking, etc., that are available.

Water and views abound at Huntsman Springs

DMK Golf Design created both a golf course and an engineering marvel at Huntsman Springs. When David McLay Kidd arrived on the site it was admittedly a “1 or 2 out of 10″ because the land was extremely flat and very wet with run off from the mountains and natural wetlands bordering the property.

The Huntsman’s thoroughly supported DMK’s vision for the land and admired his passion for the complex project. David McLay Kidd and Lead Associate Nick Schaan worked with Jim Haley of Highland Golf to move about 4 million cubic yards of earth to facilitate the construction of the course. Essentially, they moved tons of dirt from the “slightly higher” points on the site to the “lower” points to create playing corridors that worked with the evolving community master plan. By artificially dragging the wetlands through the golf course it enabled a huge amount of natural run off from the mountains to flow through the property. The availability of almost limitless sand and gravel also allowed DMK and his team to plait the course with 9 inches of sand. Similar to their efforts at The Castle Course in St. Andrews, the team’s first priority was creating a site suitable for golf and then shaping it to create something that would be enjoyable for members to play again and again.

Enough water flows through the course in a day to irrigate it for a year.

Huntsman Springs Golf Club now sits on 320 acres as it winds in a figure eight away from the town and through the wetlands before returning home on each nine. The incredibly cold winters led renowned agronomist Jimmy Kidd to select a blend of bluegrass and creeping bents for the fairway and rough, creeping bents for the greens and a fescue blend for the outer rough. The thick sand base allows the bluegrass and bent to play very firm and faster than one might expect. Superintendent Guy Johnson and his team have done a wonderful job of preparing the course for play after a long winter and wet spring. The fairways and greens are both very pure and will provide excellent playing surfaces when they can be cut just a bit lower.

Walkability was not a priority at Huntsman Springs and while that does show, the course is walkable for those golfers who are in shape and inclined to do so. With the addition of a few more footbridges and walking paths the course would be a much easier walk. I do agree with Jimmy Kidd, for the walker, a round at Huntsman Springs should be treated as an “experience in nature.” Some of the green to tee transfers are longer than one would like, but many of them cross boardwalks above the wetlands with the mountains in the distance, raptors circling overhead and trout swimming nearby.

Hole #1 – Par 4 (434/350 yards)

The round opens with the first of many drives over water to a wide fairway that presents options depending on how much risk the golfer is willing to take on. Usually, a wood aimed at the bunker in the middle of the fairway in the distance is a good play.

Remember that Huntsman Springs is located at about 6k feet so the ball will fly an additional 10% or so farther than at sea level.

First Tee at Hunstman Springs

The 1st green, like many, is protected by a bunker that lies at the mid-front.

The putting surface is 42 yards deep so there is plenty of room to fly the bunker and let your approach roll out to the pin.

Approach to First Green at Huntsman Springs

Someone brought their lovely Argyle MacKenzie Sunday Bag out to play

Hole #2 – Par 4 (404/312 yards)

The 2nd tee shot is easier than it looks but still no pushover.

It is 240 yards to carry the water to the second fairway from the “I” tees and 157 yards from the “IV” tees. A drive must be long and accurate to avoid the water short and left. The short hitter must lay up which turns the hole into a three shotter as the burn runs in an “S” from the tee up the fairways and in front of the green.

2nd Tee at Huntsman Springs

The view back from the second green is breathtaking with the Tetons in the distance.

The up and back mowing pattern on the fairway fits in nicely with the environment and I much prefer it to the usual cross-hatch pattern.

Looking back on the 2nd at Huntsman Springs

Hole #3 – Par 4 (347/280 yards)

There are a few tee shots at Huntsman Springs that make the golfer scratch their head in wonderment as to where to hit the ball. After a round or two, members will be accustomed to the visual confusion that Kidd presents at Huntsman which can also be found at many of his other courses.

Multiple options exist off the tee on almost every hole and there are quite a few on the 3rd. The fairway is probably about 100 yards wide with bunkers strategically dotting the landscape. There is water beyond the fairway 261 yards off the “I” tees which should keep driver in the bag and put a fairway wood or long iron into play.

3rd Tee at Huntsman Springs

An accurate tee shot will leave a wedge to the green.

Approach to the 3rd at Huntsman Springs

Hole #4 – Par 5 (596/492 yards)

At 596 yards from the “I” tees the 4th is the shortest three shotter on the course but it plays like a beast as the hole doglegs from left to right around the wetlands.

4th Tee Shot at Huntsman Springs

A three wood may suffice for a tee shot that places more focus on accuracy than distance. After a safe drive, a mid to long iron second is necessary to thread the needle up a fairway that continues to narrow as it gets closer to the green.

A challenging lay up awaits a well executed tee shot

The final approach will probably only call for a wedge or short iron so birdie is certainly possible.

The 4th is a tricky par 5 that will see a wide range of scores.

Then a final approach over the wetlands to the large green

Hole #5 – Par 3 (200/97 yards)

The 5th is the only one shot hole that traverses mostly wetlands instead of water, although a hazard is a hazard.

There is plenty of room to run the ball up onto the green and it is wise to play short if there is a tailwind.

The walking golfer is faced with a long hike around the wetlands and across a boardwalk to reach the green, unless he can find a route through the wetlands (which I was able to) that can cut the walk in half. Be careful, it is pretty soggy most of the year and you do not want to lose your shoes in the muck.

Tee shot on the 5th followed by a long walk to the green

Hole #6 – Par 4 (426/237 yards)

Two fairways await the golfer off the tee. The left is much closer but forces an approach over a pot bunker. The right side leaves a great line into the green but a big hit is needed to cross the pond.

6th tee shot at Huntsman Springs with a dual fairway option

The wetland, creek and pond will gobble up a lot of golf balls, although the left side fairway is quite wide.

The creek and pond will see a lot of traffic from the tee box

A big drive down the right leaves a pretty easy pitch or bump and run.

The approach from the right fairway is ideal

Hole #7 – Par 4 (466/351 yards)

Club selection is important again on the 7th because a big drive can run over the edge of the fairway into a creek. A 3 wood or long iron will probably leave a short to mid-iron approach to an elevated green.

Tee shot on the 7th at Huntsman Springs

The green is open on the front and there is a bail out area to the right side while bunkers await on the left.

Uphill approach to the large green

Hole #8 – Par 3 (200/100)

The 8th is the toughest par three on the course because the green is challenging to hold, especially with a longer iron.

There are a couple of big swales on the green that provide distinct pin positions.

The 8th is the toughest one shotter on the course

Hole #9 – Par 5 (643/518 yards)

While the 9th plays really long, it may be reached in two with a couple of flushed and accurate strikes.

Off the tee, the bunkers in the distance seem to ring the green, even though they are about 150 yards in front of it.

Kidd and team did a good job of creating depth perception issues for the golfer which I believe adds interest to the routing at Huntsman Springs.

9th Tee at Huntsman Springs

A layup over the bunkers will leave a short pitch to the green which slopes from back to front.

The interesting bunkering makes this hole a fun one

Once again, a single fronting bunker dominates play into the green and makes reaching in two a challenge.

It opens up past the fairway bunkers leaving a pitch to the green

Hole #10 – Par 5 (625/486 yards)

The 9th and 10th present back to back par fives over 600 yards.

The 10th is quite a bit more difficult because water is in play on every shot.

A brave tee ball flighted to the right of the forward fairway bunker will leave an easy layup to the second fairway island or long bomb to the green.

10th Tee Shot at Huntsman Springs

The water and the sand make every shot on the hole appear scary but there is plenty of room to work your way towards the green.

A long second awaits with water crossing and lurking right.

A par on the 10th means you have shown excellent ball control from tee to green.

Looking back across the "burn" fronting the 10th Green at Huntsman

Hole #11 – Par 3 (164/78 yards)

The 11th calls for a short to mid-iron over a pond to a green with a great backboard so don’t be afraid to play it a bit long.

11th Tee at Huntsman Springs

The green is big so if you are on the wrong side a three putt is certainly a possibility.

Looking back on the one shot 11th

Hole #12 – Par 4 (494/379 yards)

The 12th is a really fun driving hole because the golfer can hit to the right, left or over the bunkers that look so daunting from the tee.

The 12th provides a really fun tee shot

The bunkers appear much closer to one another on the tee but from the fairway you can see that the two fronting the green are 200 yards away.

The bunkers looked much closer together on the tee - a cool effect

The green is very wide so approach shots can have a 50 yard variance in distance depending on pin position and angle.

There is a lot of room to run the ball up on the right side and the green slopes left

Hole #13 – Par 4 (379/261 yards)

Despite the ominous look of the bunkers and wetlands there is plenty of room to play safely to the right side of the pot bunker in the middle of the fairway.

Take in the view before teeing it – a more beautiful backdrop would be tough to find.

Tee shot on the 13th at Huntsman Springs

Once again, the green’s main defense is a pot bunker on the front.

The green is protected from a short iron in the front by a single daunting bunker

The putting surface is a fun one with a biarritz inspired ridge running north/south through the green which creates several distinct levels.

The flow and pure surface of the green is evident looking back on the 13th

Hole #14 – Par 4 (423/331 yards)

The golfer plays back towards the 13th tee and across the valley with a fairway wood or driver on 14.

Tee shot on the 14th at Huntsman Springs

The mid to short iron approach comes into an elevated green that slopes from right to left and front to back.

The green is very deep at 57 yards but “flat’ish” compared to others on the course.

Looking back at the Tetons from the 14th Green

Hole #15 – Par 5 (603/483 yards)

The 15th is a reachable par five if you hit a long ball over the bunkers.

There are three distinct plays with your drive – safe left, long and straight, or long and right, which can bring a fairway pot bunker into play.

15th Tee at Huntsman Springs

The green is protected by wetlands on both sides but there is some room to run the approach on the front if you are approaching from the right angle.

15th Approach at Huntsman Springs

Hole #16 – Par 4 (396/332 yards)

The 16th is a fun short two shotter with a left or right fairway decision off the tee.

The large fairway is split down the middle by a stream which will gobble up indecisive shots.

Between the fairways on the 16th at Huntsman Springs

The ideal side to approach the green from is dictated by pin position with the right fairway being a good bail out because it is easier to hit.

Approach from the right side on the 16th

Hole #17 – Par 3 (124/95 yards)

The final one shotter comes on the penultimate hole and it is a pretty one.

Usually no more than a tricky half wedge, the pond in front of the green probably sees a lot of action.

There is a great backboard, similar to the 11th, which will help a long tee shot roll back onto the green.

The top right pin position, behind the bunker, is a local favorite and a lot of fun to try and hit at, or putt up to.

17th Tee at Huntsman Springs

Hole #18 – Par 4 (407/281 yards)

Finishing up with a driveable 400 yard par four is a blast.

If the wind is against then a drive to the left side of the fairway is ideal because the shot from the right is blind.

To drive the green, a long and straight hit over the edge of the large right side waste bunker is required.

18th Tee at Huntsman Springs

Anything that comes up short will find the nasty bunker pictured below.

The bunkering at Huntsman tends to suit the land quite well.

A drive short and right will leave a blind approach past two fairway bunkers and a green side bunker to reach the putting surface.

A blind approach from the right side punishes a drive pushed and short.

There is plenty of room to run the ball on from the right side but the left is guarded by a deep greenside bunker.

Plenty of room for a running approach - just avoid the bunker.

A round at Huntsman Springs is enjoyable but the walk is admittedly challenging.

DMK Golf Design have done a solid job of creating a fun course on a site that was a flat wetland before they started. While it is completely manufactured, the rolls and undulations do have a natural feel to them and I believe the course will only improve over time as it matures. The empty spaces available for housing tend to detract from some of the views and this is one of few courses that will play just as well with homes because the lots are inside the routing in most places with the course looking out towards the mountains.

In terms of Walkability, I would rate Huntsman Springs 2 out of 4. While a walkable course was very low on the list of priorities, the architect did a pretty good job of making it possible despite all the water. As mentioned, a few more footbridges and paths would make the walker feel more welcome. If you want to walk at Huntsman Springs, make sure you are in good shape, and enjoy the journey through nature as you gaze out at the Tetons and take in the fresh air.

The surrounding aesthetics at Huntsman Springs are beautiful while the internal aesthetics are quite nice as well. Although, at times, the course is battling a manufactured element as mentioned, the team have done a solid job of integrating the course with the environment. I thought the architecture was good, but not great, because repetitive bunkering and water hazards come into play again and again. The natural sand in the bunkers was a nice touch as bright white sand would not have fit in at Huntsman Springs. The grass selection really makes sense for the climate and the turf plays very well making bump and run shots a possibility. The greens are quite firm right now, which is just fine, but they will soften up over time. The most compelling element of the architecture is the big greens that have movement but are very fair and puttable for golfers of all levels. I would rate Huntsman Springs 3 out of 4 for Architecture and Aesthetics.

With the amount of water that comes into play, Huntsman Springs is quite playable and there are a ton of strategic options which, in many ways, is David McLay Kidd’s calling card. There are at least two routes to take off the tee on almost every hole, often more, and various ways to approach the green as well. A good stick can go low at Huntsman with solid ball control and a higher handicapper should be able to get around just fine if they play the appropriate tees. The course was designed with the 18 handicapper in mind which led to the wide fairways and large greens. I would encourage most golfers to bring a “ball retriever” because the water is usually pretty shallow and it will help you save on ammo. I would rate Huntsman Springs 1.5 out of 2 for Strategy and Playability.

Overall Hunstman Springs is a 6.5 out of 10 for The Walking Golfer. The course loses points for Walkability and then rates 4.5 out of 6, or 7.5 out of 10, for Architecture, Aesthetics, Strategy and Playability which is very respectable, especially given the site that Kidd and team had to work with.

If you are near Jackson Hole, WY or in Driggs, ID then stop by for an enjoyable round at Huntsman Springs. Tony Snoey and the staff are wonderful and Guy Johnson and his team keep the course in immaculate shape.

TWG Rating for Huntsman Springs Golf Club:

2.0 / 4 – Walkability

3.0 / 4 – Architecture and Aesthetics

1.5 / 2 – Strategy and Playability

6.5 / 10 – Total

All Photos by Rob Rigg, 2010
Review by Rob Rigg, 2010 

The Walking Golfer Course Rating System

Total is out of 10 Points

0 – 4 points – Walkability

0 – 4 points – Architecture and Aesthetics

0 - 2 points – Playability and Strategy

Par 71

6,944 Yards

Architects: Tom Doak and Jim Urbina, with Karl Olson, Bradley Klein and George Bahto consulting.

Cost: $220 for 1st round of Day at Resort, $110 for 2nd, $0 for 3rd (rates lower in off season). Caddies are available for $55 plus tip.

Old Macdonald, the fourth course at Bandon Dunes, opened for play on June 1st, 2010.

I had the pleasure of teeing it at Old Mac on opening day, playing a total of 39 holes, and it was easily the most fun I have ever had on a golf course. I had thoroughly enjoyed the preview round and the full eighteen was, umm, eight holes better.

There are a mix of photos from the preview round and opening day below.

"Sahara" Bunker and "Eden" Green

Old Macdonald is a tribute to C.B. Macdonald, who many consider the father of modern golf in the United States. In order to bring the “highest caliber” of golf to the shores of America, Macdonald traveled across Great Britain and played many of its renowned links courses. On his own course designs, such as The National Golf Links of America on Long Island which opened in 1910, Macdonald used “hole templates” such as the Redan, Short and Alps that he found on courses in England and Scotland.

The course that Tom Doak and Jim Urbina have designed at Bandon Dunes, at the direction of Mike Keiser, has incorporated the spirit of many of Macdonald’s template holes into a spectacular routing which borders Pacific Dunes towards the northern end of the property.

Karl Olson, former super at NGLA, Bradley Klein, long-time architecture focused writer for Golfweek, and George Bahto, author of the C.B. Macdonald biography “The Evangelist of Golf”, have also worked with the Renaissance Team to ensure that Old Macdonald adheres to the spirit and passion of the man it is built to honor.

Old Macdonald is a wonderful golfing experience and very reminiscent of links golf on the coast of Scotland as the course is quite open, has wide playing corridors, is subject to wind, and calls upon the golfer for creativity in shot making.

The course is walkable, with several ascents but mostly flat to rolling terrain. The scenery, which includes blow out bunkers, ocean views and some amazing tree specimens, contributes even further to what is already an “all world” round of golf. I would not be surprised if Old Macdonald becomes a favorite of many golfers who travel to Bandon Dunes.

Sahara Bunker with Snare Tree in the background

Hole #1 – “Double Plateau” – Par 4 (341/213 yards)

The opening hole at Old Mac is a nice introduction to the round as the golfer is greeted with a wide fairway and rather accepting green.

As you gaze across the landscape from the first tee it feels like you are playing a course that has been around for many years, with edges roughed by nature over time.

Hole #2 – “Eden” – Par 3 (181/102 yards)

Eden is a short to medium length one shotter depending on the wind and pin position. The revetted bunker front right is probably the most challenging to play from on the course, but rather fun to go in (especially if you make an up and down).  The green is about 38 yards deep and runs front to back in three tiers.

Tee shot at "Eden"

Hole #3 – “Sahara” – Par 4 (375/217 yards)

As you can see in the photos at the top of the post, the Sahara bunker is a beauty.

The third tee lies just off the back of the Eden green and the golfer is tasked to strike his ball up over a 40 ft ridge to the left of the bunker. The ideal ball flight is just right of the snare tree and down to the sloping fairway.

The dune that this hole runs across is spectacular, with long grass, sand, gorse and old trees creating a fascinating landscape.

Dunescape on the "Sahara" Hole

The large green is sunk into a little bowl with side and back boards to help keep the ball on the putting surface. The tees for “Hogback” are just behind the green in the short grass, a very linksy touch.

Approach to the "Sahara" Green

Hole #4 – “Hogsback” – Par 4 (504/283 yards)

“Hogsback” is a long two shotter that can easily turn into a three shotter if the drive is not pured and appropriately placed on the left side of the large spine that runs along the length of the hole. This a fun tee shot and the reward for crushing one is a long walk between drive and approach.

I played this hole with the wind during the summer and recall going driver, 9 iron. On opening day we played against the winter wind, although it was June, and I went driver, driver off the deck, and then putter from 50 yards.

"Hogsback" Tee at Old Macdonald

The natural beauty of the site at Old Macdonald is staggering as is evident in the photo below.

Blow Out bunkers on "Hogsback"

Both of these drives took advantage of the slope and were over three hundred yards. The approach is challenging as a deep swale runs across the front of the green which means any shot that lands short, which is a necessity with a tailwind, needs to land in the trough or upslope to kick onto the green without running over.

Approach to "Hogsback" Green

The wind is just ripping at the flag below, links golf at its best. The swale will catch any approach that lands too short and an uphill chip creates a difficult up and down.

Swale guarding the Green on "Hogsback"

While the green may look large and flat, there is a mix of undulations that must be taken into consideration while putting. Once again, the greenside bunkering looks like it has been there for years.

"Hogsback" Green

Hole #5 – “Short” – Par 3 (160/100)

The round continues with an entertaining one shotter across a little valley to a mammoth double green that slopes severely, in levels, from back to front. The green is surrounded on the sides by huge bunkers that should be avoided at all costs. While the green is massive , it can be difficult to find the proper level, especially in strong winds.

View from Tee to Green on "Short"

The two tee shots below are safe as they found the correct tier, while another drive long and left will face a massively sloping downhill putt that could easily run down past the pin to the front level, or off the green.

Severely sloping Green on "Short" with ninja Caddie in background

"Short" and "Bottle" combine to form a huge double green

The “Short” green is actually a massive double which links up with the putting surface on the “Bottle” hole. The grand undulating contours that can be found on many Old Macdonald greens are obvious in the picture below. The scale of Old Macdonald is overwhelming, in a very good way, for any golfer who is used to playing tree lined courses at home.

Hole #6 – “Long” – Par 5 – (555/354 yards)

The view from the tee on “Long” will make any links golf junkie excited – a wide open vista with clumps of gorse, fescue, bunkers, ridges, mounds, and the ocean somewhere in the distance.

View from Tees on "Long"

A well placed drive on the left side of the fairway leaves a view to the pin in the distance, but the right side is the safest option although it forces the golfer to face down Doak and Urbina’s rendition of the “Hell Bunker”, which is spectacular.

The "Long" Fairway with the Hell Bunker in the distance.

The “Hell Bunker” crosses the fairway about 120 yards from the center of the green. It is probably the most intimidating man made feature I have ever seen on a golf course. After a big drive, the golfer has a big decision to make on the second, as the bunker confuses lay up strategy because of its size.

Downwind, the green is very reachable and the bunker should not come into play, but against the summer headwind it can bare its teeth.

"Hell Bunker" from the Fairway on "Long"

Railroad ties have been implemented to keep the earth in place.

View into "Hell"

Once past the bunker, a green awaits that is a lot more undulating than meets the eye.

Green on "Long"

Hole #7 – Ocean – Par 4 – (393/195 yards)

From the tee, this looks like a short but challenging uphill slog to a green located up on a plateau. Into a 30 mph wind, the second hole plays a lot longer than its yardage, while it can play quite short with a helping wind from the south – making 3 wood and then putter from the fairway a decent play.

Tee shot on "Ocean"

The approach is blind from the bottom of the hill.

View up from the "Ocean" Fairway

At the top, an incredible view awaits, especially on a clear day.

A rewarding view from the "Ocean" Green

There is not a lot of room to miss long although there are bunkers that may catch an errant shot that rolls off the back. The green is expansive with sideboards on the left and right. The vista is one of the best on the entire property.

View across the "Ocean" Green down the Coast

The “Snack Shack” at Old Macdonald has a panoramic view of the Pacific and provides a great angle to check out the Sheep Ranch to the north.

The best placed "Snack Shack" in the World

Hole #8 – “Biarritz” – Par 3 (181/121 yards)

With a cross-wind whipping, the golfer is happy that the putting surface looks so big. Little do they know that a large swale located in the middle of the green will make a putt from the wrong section extremely difficult. In true “Biarritz” fashion, the deep swale is complemented by bunkers that guard the green on the side and the back.

"Biarritz" Tee at Old Macdonald

The trough in the middle of the green is amazing to behold for any golfer who has never seen a “Biarritz” before. Doak and Urbina have done a fabulous job of integrating this template into the rugged environment along the Oregon coast by tweaking the shape of a “typical” Biarritz green to ensure that the swale looks quite natural.

"Biarritz" Green

The tee shot caught in the valley has a big climb to get to the hole. Clearly, this is not an undulation but a deep scar in the green that is several feet below the other sections of the putting surface.

"Biarritz" Swale at Old Mac

Hole #9 – “Cape” – Par 4 (416/231 yards)

The “Cape” is a heroic hole that challenges the golfer to bite off as much land as he can on the drive. This inland version is much tamer than its predecessor at the Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda, but it is still a decent hole. A safe play to the left will leave a mid to long iron approach, while a long drive that skips past the bunkers can leave a gap wedge into the green if you have a tailwind.

"Cape" Tee at Old Macdonald

An errant drive may find one of these timeless fairway bunkers. You will not find a lot of fluffy sand on Old Macdonald.

Fairway Bunker on "Cape"

These large greenside bunkers wait patiently for an offline approach, although the contoured green can defend itself well enough on its own.

Approach to "Cape" over right rough

Hole #10 – “Bottle” – Par 4 (365/323 yards)

Off the tee, the golfer encounters a series of bunkers that cross the fairway at longer intervals, beginning short-left and ending far-right. So you must be realistic about distance in order to choose the safe and appropriate line, always factoring in the wind.

"Bottle" Tee at Old Macdonald

The approach is to a raised green that is protected on the front with a bunker. The shot below from wide right shows that the “Long” fairway is not such a bad line to come in on.

"Bottle" Green from "Long" Fairway at Old Macdonald

Anything short will lead to the classic links conundrum of wedge versus putter . . . it is never easy to clip it off the short grass to a raised green.

Short of Green on "Bottle"

Hole #11 – “Road” – Par 4 (445/313)

Designed in the spirit of the most famous hole in golf, the “Road Hole” at Old Macdonald is a lot of fun.

Into the wind, this hole plays pretty long so a drive too far left can turn it into a three shotter. The optimal line is over the edge of the long grass and safely onto the fairway.

"Road" Tee at Old Macdonald

While the famous “Road Bunker” is visible from the tee, its presence is much more daunting on the approach as the size and depth become apparent. Try not to be distracted by the gorgeous natural blow out bunkers and dunes in the background.

Approach to "Road" Hole Green

The softest sand on the course awaits the golfer in the bunker. Note how the strong wind has pushed the sand half way up the right side, while the flag whips in the background.

"Road" Bunker at Old Mac

There is no road or path along the back of the green, just a tightly mown collection area that leads to longer grass.

There is no "Road" behind this Green

Hole #12 – “Redan” – Par 3 (237/91 yards)

The “Redan” on Old Mac is a devilish original.

Into the wind it takes a low hooking iron or well struck fade. With the wind it seems to call for a low running shot that manages to run up the right side and stop on the putting surface.

Tee on the "Redan"

Hole #13 – “Leven” – Par 4 (346/220 yards

“Leven” is a really fun short par four with a tailwind that probably plays rather stout into a headwind.

Tee on "Leven"

The fairway and green are made for the “putter approach” which is my favorite. The bunkers on the right are trouble but there is plenty of room on the left to run a shot in and down to the pin, even if it is tucked behind the bunkers.

Fairway on "Leven"

The ball below was played in across the undulations, up around the left side of the green and back down to the right. It was about 15 seconds of links golf nirvana watching the shot from start to finish.

"Leven" Green with Snare Tree

Hole #14 – Maiden – Par 4 (370/230 yards)

The seventh is a drivable uphill par four when the wind is helping, but probably not in a cross-wind. The hole has some “Cape” like qualities in that an attack on the green will require a long a precise carry over hazards. The right side of the fairway actually provides the best line into the green for a wedge approach.

Tee shot on "Maiden"

The fairway has a strong camber that starts high on the right side. Although the lie may not be flat, it is possible to get a wedge or putter close from here.

Approach on "Maiden"

The green is large with sweeping undulations. A large bunker will gobble up anything long and leave a challenging “out” to a green that is running away with a sharp drop off the front.

Green and back bunker on "Maiden"

Hole #15 – “Westward Ho” – Par 5 (535/340 yards)

The 15th is a stout three shotter that will usually play with a cross-wind. It plays from dune to dune across a valley.

"Westward Ho" from the Fairway

After negotiating the ball past a deep fore bunker, the golfer encounters a front to back sloping green with a gorgeous blow out bunker in the background. It is a good idea to say out of that one.

"Westward Ho" Green and Blow Out behind

Hole #16 – “Alps” – Par 4 (455/270 yards)

Possibly the most fun hole on the course, Alps plays downhill back along Westward Ho. The green is hidden behind the “Alps” which is the huge mound in the distance pictured below.

Tee shot on "Alps"

A drive on the left side of the fairway will leave a blind approach. There is a cavernous bunker behind the Alps on the right and a long slope on the left that will kick a ball down onto the green.

"Alps" from the Fairway

A well struck drive down the right will provide a big advantage in a clear view to the green. A low running shot between the bunkers would be a great play from here.

"Alps" Green view after ideal drive

Looking back from the green it becomes evident that a left fairway drive off the tee actually leaves a fairly straightforward approach over the Alps which will run down to the green, provided it lands on the short grass and not in the bunkers on either side of the ramp.

Looking back from green to "Alps"

The “all clear” bell behind the Alps green – a nice touch that lawyers will approve.

The all clear bell behind the "Alps" Green

Hole #17 – “Littlestone” – Par 5 (546/343 yards)

The most fun three shotter on the course is reachable with a big drive up the right side over the “swamp” or waste area which is 250ish out. The left side is fairly open off the tee and a safe play.

Tee shot on "Littlestone"

From behind the waste area the superior angle from the right side to the green is more evident.

View from behind the "Littlestone Swamp"

The green is protected by a deep bunker on the front left while the right is open. At 64 yards long, club selection to the putting surface plays very differently day to day.

Fairway Bunker view to the "Littlestone" Green

Hole #18 – “Punchbowl” – Par 4 (469/312 yards)

“Punchbowl” has one of the most FUN greens I have ever seen.

A rather inviting fairway welcomes the final drive of the day.

Tee shot on "Punchbowl"

The huge bowl shaped green is protected on the front by several large mounds that block access. The green has four separate shelves and plays 46 yards deep. A running approach is always the play if possible – if only to watch the ball react to the contours.

“Punchbowl” provides a fabulous end to the round.

Fortunately, the first tee beckons loudly only about 50 yards away.

The passionate walking golfer will want to re-tee it immediately as there are few golfing journeys as enjoyable as Old Macdonald.

Fairway bunker view to "Punchbowl" Green

Old Macdonald will probably become a favorite of many visitors to the resort, which says a great deal about the course because it only touches the ocean a couple of times, unlike Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes which have several epic stretches along the bluffs.

The scale of Old Macdonald is much bigger than any of the other courses because of the open vistas and elevation changes around the edges. Pacific Dunes is an incredible course with exquisite attention to detail and a superior routing, but Old Macdonald MAY have something that it is missing in its obvious and powerful tie to the links courses of Scotland that C.B. Macdonald used as a foundation for NGLA, his masterpiece. OM and PD are very different, each compelling in its own way.

Old Macdonald is very walkable, a 3.25 out of 4 IMO. The climb over the dune on “Sahara” is a little steep, the “Ocean” hole has another steep climb,  and there are other steady climbs on Maiden and Westward Ho. The 4th through the 6th and 9th through 13th play across a rather flat valley and then 17 and 18 are on the same fairly level stretch as 1 and 2. I would consider Old Macdonald a pretty “easy walk”.

In terms of Architecture, the team at Renaissance have once again done an incredible job with a compelling piece of land. Macdonald’s templates have not been copied, but used for inspiration and taken to another level by Doak, Urbina and team. Old Macdonald appears as if it has been there for many, many, years which is a testament to its creators and the skills of the Super Ken Nice and his staff. Aesthetically, Old Macdonald competes with the tree lined landscape of Trails on 1,2, 17 and 18, along with both of the Dunes courses which boast a series of ocean holes. The blowouts on and around Old Macdonald are like nothing on the property aside from the 13th at Pacific. The rugged and beautiful nature of the property is spectacular and the old world links golf flavor of the course must be seen to be believed. Old Macdonald receives 3.75 out of 4 for Architecture and Aesthetics.

Strategy is important for scoring at Old Macdonald, but like St.Andrews, the course is incredibly playable for all levels of golfer due to the wide fairways, a 2 out of 2. The greens are very big and tricky at first because of a mix of large and subtle undulations, but they are definitely a fair challenge. Smart play and a good strategy can result in excellent scoring, so stay focused and enjoy this “all world” golfing experience.

TWG Rating for Old Macdonald Golf Links:

3.25 / 4 – Walkability

3.75 / 4 – Architecture and Aesthetics

2.0 / 2 – Strategy and Playability

9.0 / 10 – Total

All Photos by Rob Rigg, 2009 and 2010
Review by Rob Rigg, 2010 (updated)

The Walking Golfer Course Rating System

Total is out of 10 Points

0 – 4 points – Walkability

0 – 4 points – Architecture and Aesthetics

0 - 2 points – Playability and Strategy

Green Fees: 60 Pounds ($87 at May ’10 spot rate)

Architect: HS Colt

Designed in 1913, fairly early in Colt’s career, Camberley Heath GC is perhaps the most unbridled of all Colt’s English courses.  Colt routed the course to take advantage of the plentiful and often steep hills to great effect in creating all manner of holes; valley, double valley, up n’ overs, flat, side hill, downhill and uphill.  The varied green complexes are also a testament to the designer’s creativity.  To off-set the many high, flat areas used for greens sites, Colt utilized mounding as a way to create individuality among the holes.  Over the years there have been many changes to the course, some of which were not terribly sympathetic with the original design.  There are many newly created bunkers and the odd tree which raise questions, but the most obvious aberration is the Koi pond on the 16^th.  However, the quality of Camberley Heath wonderfully shines brighter than the odd feature or two which rankle.

Holes to Note

The elevated tee shot of #1 affords a promising start.  The tee used to stand in what is now the parking lot, some 40 yards to the rear and left of the current tee.  The approach is slightly elevated and well guarded by sand.

True to Colt’s standards, all the short holes are a delight.  The 2nd is particularly good because the green has two tiers and a ridge bisecting the green into a left and right half as well.

It is often said that good things come in threes and this is most certainly the case for the opening trio of holes at Camberley.  The third is three-shotter and is often cited as the favourite of many.

We now cross under the Chobham Road for what are the next ten holes.  The walk pays off for the 4th is a gem of a hole which is drivable par 4, but not without its risks.

The 6^th is another drivable two-shot hole.

In appearance only #8 is a Redan-like par 3 benched into the side of a hill.  The hole requires a long carry unless one is adept at hitting the flat long iron utilized so often by enthusiasts of links golf.

The outward nine finishes with a shortish par 5 cutting up the head of a little valley.

Much like a traditional links, the golfer is now at the furthest point away from the clubhouse.  The property, which looks like an arched ballerina’s foot, is not suitable for two loops of nine.  However, Colt creatively designed a routing whereby one can play a perfectly flowing nine holes by jumping to the adjacent tee 13th after playing #3.   Additionally, there are a few other opportunities to easily cut short a full round if so desired.

The remarkable 10th is a double valley hole over heather and canting severely to the right.

The 11th is a somewhat long par 3 with a flat landing area short of the green.  Often times for the British architects of Colt’s era this sort of characteristic signals a front to back green.

After playing the rather modest 12^th we cross once again under the Chobham Road to play the final three-shotter.  As on the tenth, heather cuts the fairway in two and thus thwarts the flat belly from opening his shoulders.

#14 takes us back to the house.  There are a handful of sloping front to back greens at Camberley, but this short hole’s green is the most severe of this type and thus explains the placement of the forward bunker.

The home hole is a lulu.  It reminds the author of a shortened version of St Enodoc’s 10^th.  Is the play right or down the skinny strip of fairway to the left?  In the summer this isn’t a difficult decision for most, but one can imagine the golfer leaning into a cold winter puff and not coming up with the correct choice, if there is one.

When visiting Camberley Heath, be sure to take a look at the trophy case behind the pro shop.  There is a touching display of Molly Gourlay memorabilia.  Several medals, paper clippings, posters etc. are the mainstay of the collection.  Sadly, no mention is made of Mrs. Gourlay’s architectural contributions at Ballybunion or County Louth, but one can’t help but be impressed by her career as a golfer.

To some degree, the flotsam and jetsam of various owners and time have tarnished the design, but Camberley Heath remains a striking example of Colt’s abilities.  Hopefully the new owners will relish their role as guardians and take the cardinal steps to preserve and enhance what is surely one of the most unsung courses in the heathlands of Surrey and Berkshire.

RATING FOR CAMBERLEY HEATH GC

Walkability – 3 / 4: The course is designed with walkers in mind, but it is somewhat hilly.

Architecture and Aesthetics – 3 / 4: Camberley Heath has been compromised by design changes over the years, but remains a delight to play.

Strategy and Playability – 2 / 2: Colt rarely puts a foot wrong.  His routing solutions always create a bond of intimacy between the golfer and designer.

Overall – 8 / 10

Review by Sean Arble (May, 2010)
All Photos by Sean Arble

The North Wales Golf Club was founded in 1894 by a prominent Manchester Businessman Tancred D. Cummins.  Mr. Cummins invited Mr. John Ball, first Englishman to win the  Open and winner of numerous Amateur Championships, and Mr. Harold Hilton, twice Open Champion, to assist in the course layout. North Wales sits on pristine links land with many large dunes.  Llandudno is a fabulous Victorian Resort town, second only to Southport England as the prime seaside resort for vacationing English families.  The course plays 6,253 yards from the Championship tees and 5,893 from the member tees with a par of 71.

Hole 1 – 334 yards – The First

The first shot in any round is always a nervy one and here you open with a blind dogleg  requiring a tee shot of 200 yards to clear the houses that make up the inside of the dogleg aiming at the marker post in the distance.  The second shot is blind to a small green with several traps.

Hole 2 – 352 yards – The Furze

A slight dogleg left with the hole demanding a tee shot to land just short of the fairway cross bunker.  The green is guarded by several bunkers.

Hole 3 – 365 yards – The Collins

This down hill, down wind hole has a ditch crossing the fairway 250 yards from the tee that creates a risk/reward decision.  The flat, large green is protected by several bunkers.

Hole 4 – 192 yards – The Railway

This long Par 3 is played next to the commuter rail line so out of bounds runs along the left side of the hole with a prevailing right to left wind adding to the excitement.  Two bunkers protect the right side of the green.

Hole 5 – 537 yards – The Hill

At first glance this is a straightforward dogleg left par 5 hole as it stretches out in front of you. The hole climbs uphill at the corner of the dogleg all the way to the green, with the approach playing into the prevailing wind.  The large green is protected on three sides by dunes and bunkers.

Hole 6 – 382 yards – Bryn Lupus

This hole plays down wind and slightly downhill back towards the rail line.   A straight forward hole that is a birdie opportunity.

Hole 7 – 501 yards – The Dyke

This is another genuine birdie possibility. The drive needs to be left side of the fairway, avoiding the fairway bunker and dunes on the right. The second shot needs to avoid the out of bounds down the left side along the rail line. The green is large and protected by several bunkers.

Hole 8 – 384 yards – Vardre

This par 4 also plays along the rail line so out of bounds runs the length of the left side of the hole.  The tee shot is blind, requiring a drive over dunes aimed at a directional marker in the distance.  The fairway slopes severely from right to left and narrows as you approach the green as the sea and rail line almost meet.  The green is elevated into the dunes.  From here on in , the course plays in the larger dunes making it a true links pleasure.

Hole 9 – 345 yards – The Chasm

A short par four that plays along the beach with the crosswind blowing from left to right.  The green is well bunkered.

Hole 10 – 393 yards – The Ruins

Playing in same direction along the beach as the ninth, this par 4  has a row of cross bunkers 75 yards short of the green.  Avoid the bunkers, the cross wind, and the blind approach to the green and it could be a birdie hole.

Hole 11 – 415 yards – Castell

This third par 4 running parallel to the beach is the longest and most difficult of the three.  The hole plays slightly up hill and the green is protected by several bunkers.

Hole 12 – 353 yards – The Warren

The hole plays down wind, slightly down hill, and is a slight left to right dogleg.   A ditch crosses the fairway about 270 yards off the tee and the green is heavily bunkered.

Hole 13 – 177 yards – Hades

Not for the faint of heart as this hole requires the perfect tee shot, normally playing into the  prevailing wind.  The green is surrounded by large dunes making a chip shot from off the green very awkward.

Hole 14 – 528 yards – The Long

Even with a blind tee shot, this down wind hole playing back to the clubhouse is a birdie opportunity.  The fairway is pretty wide so avoid the ditch that crosses it about 225  yards off the tee.  The green has several bunkers but most do not come into play with a straight approach shot.

Hole 15 – 330 yards – The Valley

This short par 4 plays up hill and into the prevailing wind.  It requires a very accurate tee shot towards the opening in the dunes which is the only approach to the protected green.  The green is surrounded by dunes, gorse, and bracken.

Hole 16 – 144 yards – O Hell

This short par 3 is the most photographed hole on the course.  It plays directly into the prevailing wind and is located in the highest dunes on the course.  Hit the green and the hole is simple, miss it and pay the price.

Hole 17 – 132 yards – Hell O

The sister hole to the 16^th, this par 3 plays down wind to an elevated green on top of a dune and situated in an amphitheater.  The club selection between 16 and 17 can vary as much as 6 clubs depending on the wind.

Hole 18 – 385 yards Paradise

This down wind, downhill hole with a wide fairway offers a good chance to finish with birdie.  The green is well bunkered so keep it on the short grass.

(Hole descriptions and photos by Chuck Howington)

Walkability:                                      4 out of 4

Design and Architecture:               3 out of 4

Strategy/Playability:                       1.5 out of 2

Cost: Winter Rate of approximately $30

North Wales is a true links course and has the larger dunes, beach front holes, and even railway holes just like many of the more famous courses in Scotland.  The course displays the rugged beauty of classics links golf.

Par 73 (7,411 yards)

Green Fees: $268 Standard/$218 Resort Guest includes cart- cheaper twilight and afternoon. $10 additional per person for caddie plus $60+ recommended tip

Architects: Coore and Crenshaw

The Plantation Course at Kapalua was one of C&Cs early projects and it really put them on the map as an up and coming design team of significant merit. One word comes to mind while playing The Plantation – FUN! 400 yard drives, strong trade winds, downhill approach shots, bump and runs, incredible views, and so on and so forth. This is a really enjoyable golf course, but it is not easy so bring some ammo.

The greens are somewhat unique as the grain, which runs towards the Pacific, often impacts the line and speed of the putt. The large greens have quite a bit of undulation and they are a blast to play.

The Plantation is routed over hundreds of acres of old pineapple and agriculture land – up and down the side of the West Maui Mountains at Kapalua.

The course is essentially unwalkable due to several long green to tee transfers on the front side. However, caddies and “cart transfers” are available and while the walk is certainly challenging, it is manageable if you are in shape. You will have to hop in a cart between the 5th green and 6th tee, the 8th tee and 8th green and the 9th green to 10th tee. The caddie calls the pro shop and they send someone out to ferry you on these transfers, a nice gesture by the resort for those who REALLY want to walk. On the other holes, the tee boxes range from very close to not to far from the previous green. The course does not encourage walkers and if you want to walk then it would be wise to play when the course is not t0o busy so you are not accused of causing pace of play issues with all of the elevation.

At up to $268 for a round, plus caddie fee plus $60 or so for a tip, it is an expensive day at The Plantation. However, if you want to golf while visiting Maui – this is a treat worth taking advantage of whenever you are on the island – at least in my opinion. If you take a cart then it is a lot more affordable, unfortunately.

The 11th Tee at The Plantation - surfers, whales and Molokai in the distance.

I will let the pictures do the talking . . . for the most part.

Hole #1 – Par 4 (520/381 yards)

The view from the first tee at The Plantation is captivating.

This is a downhill two shotter that plays much shorter than its yardage, especially with a tail wind.

1st Tee at The Plantation.

If you drive it too far you will be at the bottom of the ravine with a blind chip up to the green.

There is room to work the ball off the bank below the left-side bunkers.

The first is a great intro to various playing characteristics that are revisited throughout the round – elevation change, slope around the greens, firm conditions and a need for ball control to score well.

The approach across a chasm on the 1st at The Plantation.

Looking back from the 1st Green to the Clubhouse at The Plantation.

Hole #2 – Par 3 (218/132 yards)

The second is a flat one shotter that calls for a mid to long iron over several bunkers.

When the wind is up it whips across The Plantation Course - a photo of the 2nd Green.

Hole #3 – Par 4 (380/260 yards)

The third hole plays away from the ocean in the opposite direction of the first. It looks short on the card but plays long against a prevailing wind.

The fairway is well bunkered on the right side and junk lurks on the left.

The 3rd Tee at The Plantation Course.

The approach must be accurately flighted to avoid deep bunkers on either side of the built up green.

Approach to the 3rd Green at The Plantation.

Take in the gorgeous view before turning towards the uphill fourth.

Looking back from the 3rd Green at The Plantation.

Hole #4 – Par 4 (382/218 yards)

The Plantation has a bunch of fun tee shots – both uphill and downhill – if you keep it left of the bunkers you should be in a good position for the approach.

Uphill view at The Plantation's 4th Tee

The ground works right to left across the front of an open green. Bump and run may be a good option.

Approach to The Plantation's 4th Green

Hole #5 – Par 5 (532/445 yards)

The fifth has a gorgeous view from the tee back towards the ocean and across the adjacent valley to the sixth green.

The tee shot is rather daunting because of the steep fall-off to the right and the slope of the land towards said fall-off.

A drive towards the left side of the fairway is a good play – the ball will probably work its way back to right.

View along the right side off the 5th Tee at The Plantation.

The approach must cross a deep chasm and/or deep bunkers that surround the green – that makes two thrilling shots on one hole.

The well protected 5th Green at The Plantation.

Hole #6 – Par 4 (398/315)

The sixth tee lies, literally, across the valley from the fifth green. Even if you have a looper, this is the first “cart transfer” that is unavoidable.

The drive on this two shotter can reach the green if it lands just to the right of the central fairway bunker and takes a nice hop down the hill.

The driveable 6th Green is just over the hill in the distance.

The green sits in an amphitheater with a sharp drop off on the right side and junk beyond.

Downhilll approach to the 6th Green.

Hole #7 – Par 4 (516/450 yards)

We continue downhill on the long two shot seventh that has, believe it, a potentially driveable green if you crush a perfect tee shot with a tailwind. I ended up about forty yards short getting some huge roll on a solid drive.

A huge slope awaits just beyond the tree on the 7th at The Plantation.

The view as you crest the rise is incredible – while the downhill approach can be daunting. Bunkers left and right, along with a steep fall off over the back, must be negotiated carefully.

Don't get distracted by the view behind the 7th Green.

Hole #8 – Par 3 (203/146 yards)

A do or die one shotter with very little room to bail out.

When the wind is up – this is a challenging long iron to a two tiered green with the grain running towards the ocean.

Three is a great score.

A cart is sent out to transport you and your caddie from tee to green.

View from the 8th Tee at The Plantation Course.

Hole #9 – Par 5 (521/401 yards)

Into the wind, the ninth is a beast. It plays back up the hill towards the clubhouse adjacent to the first.

The 9th is definitely a three shot hole.

If you go over the green, and need to chip back, it is likely that your ball will end up 50 yards down the fairway, no matter how deftly you play it.

Don’t ask me how I know . . .

The second must cross the ravine and avoid fairway bunkers on either side.

Hole #10 – Par 4 (354/251 yards)

The tenth tee is a long drive from the ninth green – this is the final “cart transfer” that the walking golfer has to deal with.

Like the fourth, the tenth calls for a blind uphill drive that tracks towards the right side of the fairway.

10th Tee shot at The Plantation.

The short to mid iron approach can be worked from right to left on to the green.

Looking back from the 10th Green at The Plantation.

Hole #11 – Par 3 (164/120 yards)

A beautiful but challenging short one shotter.

The picturesque 10th at The Plantation.

Hole #12 – Par 4 (420/303 yards)

Another potentially reachable two shotter with a perfect drive.

Tournament tees on the 12th at The Plantation.

A good drive will leave a short pitch to the green which is well guarded – unless you drove it in the bunker, in which case you need to blast it out.

Approach to the 12th at The Plantation.

Hole #13 – Par 4 (407/300 yards)

Thirteen plays back into the prevailing wind to an elevated green canted from right to left.

13th Hole at The Plantation.

Hole #14 – Par 4 (305/232 yards)

The uphill fourteenth poses a tough question on the tee – go for power or go for placement. A hybrid or fairway wood off the tee can leave a wedge to the green while a crushed drive can almost get there. A couple of Tour pros drove the green during the SBS Championship.

14th Tee at The Plantation.

This is the smallest green on the course.

14th Green looking back to the Pacific.

Hole #15 – Par 5 (555/474 yards)

After a short walk across Honokahau Street the golfer reaches a formidable par five.

The hi-lite of the 2010 SBS Championship, at least for me, was watching Geoff Ogilvy reach the green in two off a downhill/sidehill lie on Sunday.

15th tee shot at The Plantation.

As you walk around the corner of the right hand dog leg, a very challenging second awaits.

15th Fairway at The Plantation.

Hole #16 – Par 4 (365/282 yards)

A fairly easy two shotter before the crescendo that is 17 and 18.

There are two fairways – the obvious one on the right and another on the far side of the fairway bunkers.

16th tee shot at The Plantation.

Hole #17 – Par 4 (508/428 yards)

The 17th is jaw-dropping – a 500 yard downhill par four that will produce 300+ yard drives if you keep the ball in play.

A drive from the top of the property to the Pacific on the 17th.

Similar to the 18th, the second will traverse a ravine and move right to left towards the green.

Approach to the 17th at The Plantation.

Looking back towards the tee.

Looking back from the 17th Green at The Plantation.

Hole #18 – Par 5 (663/489 yards)

The eighteenth must be one of the most recognized holes that the PGA Tour visits on an annual basis.

A 400+ yard driver is possible and the green is reachable in two despite the distance.

18th Tee at The Plantation.

How much should the golfer bite off on the second?

You might as well take a rip if you do not play here often.

18th Fairway at The Plantation.

A nicely drawn fairway wood can catch the slope, run onto the green and give you a look at eagle.

Eagle putt on the 18th.

Remember that on these greens, no putt is a gimme.

Looking back from the 18th green at The Plantation.

Kapalua Plantation, as you can see from the photo tour, is not an easy walk – but it is certainly manageable if you are in shape.

Aside from the three “cart transfers” which are less than ideal, I have definitely walked more challenging courses, although I have never paid so much to do so.

The Plantation is essentially unwalkable, it is pretty much a cart golf course, however the architects have created a routing that can be walked “with help”. So if you are determined to walk it then you will have to pay for a caddie, but the experience will be superior – in my opinion. The course receives a 0 out of 4 for Walkability because of the necessary “cart transfers”, but that does not mean it cannot, or should not, be done.

The Architecture at The Plantation is fantastic – I have heard many walkers say that this is their “favorite cart golf course in the world.” C&C did a masterful job with fairly extreme terrain and created a fun yet challenging track that should be experienced at least once. Aesthetically, The Plantation is incredible with views of the Pacific, Molokai, whales, surfers, and the West Maui Mountains. The course flows naturally over the landscape although it must have been a daunting challenge to construct. 1.5 out of 2.0 for Architecture and 2.0 out of 2 for Aesthetics.

Precise tee shots and accurate irons are vital to score well at The Plantation. Most holes present multiple options to the golfer and the wind makes the course play differently everyday.  The course is playable for golfers of all levels if you do not bit off more than you can chew. My wife had one of the most enjoyable rounds of her life and she only gets out to play from time to time. Expect to score higher than your handicap and just have fun. The Plantation gets 1.5 out of 2.0 for Strategy and Playability from The Walking Golfer.

TWG Rating for Kapalua Plantation:

0.0 / 4 – Walkability – (But a 2 out of 4 with caddie and “cart transfers” – it can be walked)

3.5 / 4 – Architecture and Aesthetics

1.5 / 2 – Strategy and Playability

4.5 / 10 – Total

Review by Rob Rigg, 2010