Lives
Duluth, GA
Handicap
0-4
Age
45-54
Gender
Male
Skill
Advanced
Plays
A few times a week

Review Statistics

Average Rating

3.5
3.5
Total 53 Reviews
2 Featured Reviews

Rating Breakdown

53 Reviews
5 Stars
16
4 Stars
13
3 Stars
12
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
8
Recommended Courses
37
Not Recommended Courses
15
Helpful Votes Count
6
Not Helpful Votes Count
15
First Review
10/26/2012
Last Review
06/29/2019

Reviews Map

Reviews

3.5
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Hilton Head National Golf Club

Played On 06/27/2019
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Great course with caveat

I play to a 6.8 handicap currently, but have played to a +3 in years past. Have played tons of tournament golf and have seen a lot of world-class courses. This course is fun to play with loads of challenge. The fairways aren't too wide, which I enjoy... makes you think. If you spray the ball off the tee, you're going to have your hands full. I shot right at my handicap with a +7, 78. The course is well maintained which is a certain plus. The greens, however, were awful. Whether it's time of year or what, I don't know but the greens were bumpy and slow, and if you had to pitch or chip, you don't know how the ball will react... very soft and I'd say were rolling at an 8 or 9. There was plenty of drinking water on the course and it was easy to get to. Would I return? It's a choice while in HH, but I'd rather find a course with fantastic greens before coming back.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 07/09/2019

Hi, Tom. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. We aim for a 5-star experience, so we always welcome feedback for improvement. Thank you for playing @HiltonHeadNational.

#Golf
#GolfLife
#letsglow
#GolfTravel
#GolfFriends
#drivechipandputt
#BeautifulGolfCourses

I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Great course with disappointing greens

I've played for quite a while and at my best was a +3 handicap and now play to a 6.8. I sometimes shoot over 80, but mostly it's a 78. Today at Port Royal, it was a 78. I had 8 bogeys and two birdies. I enjoyed every hole and took driver on each occasion except the first where I hit a long iron, one near the last that is a 270y par 4 where you can't see the green way left from the tee and par 3s (obviously). The final hole, you HAVE to bend your driver hard right or you need no more than 200y off the tee. The one thing that I did not enjoy about the course were the greens. The grass is a broad leaf that stands more than you want and the roll is not true. The ball bobbles and weebles and you will not enjoy putting here, if you expect the ball to roll online. I'd estimate the greens were rolling at an 8 or 9. Other than the greens, bring your own water because there wasn't any on the course, but there was a small water station behind the clubhouse before you head to the first tee.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Sugar Hill Golf Club

Played On 03/01/2019
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

Do not go here

The worst golfing experience ever from a pure "it's just you, your clubs, your golf ball and the challenge of 18 holes." If there was a worldwide "find the worst golf course" hunt, this would be the one. If you have read this review and go play it, you obviously have no other choice. To top it off, SugarHill has its own special gnat/fly that will constantly buzz your face and drive you insane. I live in the area, and these things do not exist anywhere else. I swear, there's something wrong with the place.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/05/2019

Thank you for your review! We apologize that you didn't enjoy your time with us. This gnat/fly situation is an one time situation that resulted from the weather going from cold to warm with rain. We appreciate your review and we hope you'll give us another try in the future!

The Trophy Club of Atlanta

Played On 10/02/2018
1.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Please read this review

I haven't played here in years. The day prior to this, I bought a tee time for 12:48pm and was paired with an ambassador named Russell. I thought "ambassador, what's that? He's got to be good." So, I agreed to play with him. Russell was nice enough, and after we tee'd off, I learned he'd been playing golf for just a year and a half. He also had just had a knee operation and had both achilles heels operated on. I felt sorry for his physical condition and made it a point to just relax and help him as I saw fit. As you could imagine he struggled. So, I basically gave Russell a full playing lesson for the remainder of the day after about five holes, and made no point about trying to be serious in my own game that day. Russell shot a 61 on the front nine. That was what I would expect from a man in his physical condition, his limited understanding and time around the sport and with his age. No big deal. So, I wanted to go out and play without the incumberances of having to teach a fellow how to play golf, so later, I bought a tee time for the following day October 2nd - same time, 12:48pm. I started as a single, (play started on the 10th) and after making the turn joined with another person to form a twosome and on our 11th hole ran into a group of three elderly players. These golfers were awful. Russell was not one of them. Not only did they play terribly but they failed to recognize players behind them, which as etiquette goes is a poor sign. Every hole was sheer agony. We'd arrive at each tee box and the threesome were still on the tee, and hadn't hit their own tee shots. Each shot was awful, with balls either not making the fairway, or balls being sprayed right or left. These are the definition of very high handicappers. As agonizing as it was we just dealt with it and chatted. Then on the 17th hole (#8 on the scorecard), the threesome paired with two additional golfers which were playing in front of them to make a fivesome. A FIVESOME!!! So as we sat on the tee box in shock, we had to watch five of the worst golfers tee off. Four sliced into the woods and only one hit the fairway. They drove off and searched for balls in the woods for at least 10 minutes or more, and finally a few chipped out into the fairway. One golfer was so bad, he tried three separate times to hit over the creek onto the green and failed each time. He was lying seven or eight and far enough ahead so I decided to hit my tee shot (from the gold tips). My playing partner also teed off (from whites). When I got to my ball, this fellow laying seven or eight was literally still in the fairway! It'd been 15 to 20 minutes since they tee'd off!!!! I approached him and asked "You're seriously going to play as a five some and not let the two golfers behind you play through?" He acted like he couldn't understand me, and replied "we work here." I approached so he would understand me clearly and I asked again "You're seriously going to play as a five some and not let the two golfers behind you play through?" He literally said "We thought this would be faster, and there are only two holes left." I said "No. You understand that a five some is a no no, and independent of how many golfers are behind you, you've got to let fewer golfers play through, right ?" He said "I don't understand." At that point I got completely fed up and blew my stack. I will never be back to this horrible golf experience. Seriously, think about this. A golf course has elderly gents work for no pay as marshalls/ambassadors, and lets them play for free or for $5 or $6. The marshalls this course hires don't even have a clue as to the etiquette of the game? Stay away from this awful experience.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate

Fairways of Canton Golf Club

Played On 11/29/2017
1.0
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

My first time here. Read this one...

Do not waste your time. This place is where people go to die.

The two girls at the front desk did not greet me, or give eye contact. All they said was "you're good" meaning I was all set after I gave them my name and tee time. Wow!

The front nine I played behind three elderly hackers. Total chops. This lasted for 4 full grinding holes. They were hitting multiple shots each and it was painful to watch. They had no idea as to the etiquette of the game, for if they had, I would have played through on hole 1.

They finally let me through on hole 4. I played the remainder of the front with no one in front of me. I made the turn and there were four groups on hole 10, and me. How is this possible? The members obviously prefer to start their day on hole 10. There is no starter and no marshall, so I'm at the mercy of the worst golfers on the planet.

I have to watch people that shoot 150 or more play golf. People that hit their ball in the woods and take 10minutes to look. It was just awful.

I could no longer stand it after a few holes and for the first time in my GOLFING LIFE, I QUIT! I ACTUALLY QUIT PLAYING after hole 13 or 14. It was unbearable.

As I drove along the path to my exit, the entire back was riddled with foursome after foursome, each seemingly worse that the next.

I have never ever seen anything remotely close to this in my life. The sights I saw on that back nine were the worst I've ever seen. I bet the average score here among the members is over 150.

DO NOT PLAY HERE UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE SERIOUSLY FRUSTRATED!!

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Easy

Highland Walk at Victoria Bryant

Played On 10/16/2017
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

My first time here. Read this one...

The drive is quite long, but easy - not a lot of turns. When I arrived there was a very young woman behind the counter that greeted me warmly as I walked in the door. She was obviously brand new to her job, and I appreciated her hospitality. She didn't know the questions to ask to get me checked in so she called over the assistance of a 70+/yo man who is clearly the person many have included in their reviews. He gave her questions to ask me like "Do you have a rider with you?" but he'd ask it instead and look right thru me. The obvious difference in their demeanor was startling, I must say. Kind of like a grizzled old man who wanted only to be next to his woodburning stove, against the fawning of a legitimately sincere customer focused individual. My feedback would be that on days where the two of them work, the old fellow doesn't need to speak to customers because when you have a genuinely nice person who's clearly interested in your day getting off to a nice start, he just needs to re-learn human interaction or go back behind the curtain. Last thing she said to me was "How is your day going?" Nice touch by her and a disquieting uneasiness between the two of them as he was attempting to “train her”, I must say.

Off to the course. Again, my first time here. I arrived 45mins early… to hit balls. This was Monday at 11:00am and the range was closed. Not good – why is the range closed? Close it in the afternoon to pick balls when the place dies. I was scheduled to tee off at 11:50 and because I play at a high level, I like to hit balls and establish my rhythm and tempo prior to play – a key to keeping a low handicap low, and going low on the course. So, they do have an extremely nice chipping green that is oddly placed. It’s between the first green and the fifth tee box, and finding it requires a bit of a jaunt. So, I was there until 11:44 working and promptly departed so I would get to the tee box a moment prior to 11:50.

I got to the tee box at 11:48 and there were two very elderly men at the most forward tee box and two less elderly men waiting behind them at a less forward tee box. The two very elderly men were in the process of hitting their tee shots where I announced “Are you guys the 11:50 tee time?” ( I had to delineate which of these twosomes I was paired with) and they said “Yes” I said “I’m supposed to be playing with you.” The two other elderly men saw this was now a threesome, and barked “Can we play thru?” and this is the first tee box!!! Yow’za!!! So, to say this place is a cluster is a bit of an understatement – where’s the starter? She was there – she was the one who told me where to find the chipping facility. A maud of a lady complete with a tanktop (sleevless shirt). I think she might have been busy getting the cafeteria up and running or something - certainly not adhering to her duties as starter. So, the twosome tee off, in front of a scheduled threesome, and I tell the other two eldery men who I’m supposedly paired with that I play the tips and I proceed to the back tees, as I am a very low handicapper, and am accustomed to playing at well over 7,000yds. Watching the two younger, but still elderly, men play this hole was like watching paint dry. One guy had white slicked back long scraggly hair all along the side of this head and none on top, and had grown it so he could sport a pony tail - just looked completely silly, and not in golfing attire. The other was dressed like a lumberjack, complete with jeans and flannel shirt – this is golf, right? And in golf there is the notion of golfing attire? Not here – certainly not. I’ve played all over and can’t believe this – what I’m seeing.

So, from the tips of this 290yd (downhill that plays probably 270) driveable PAR 4 hole, I had to stand and watch these two slowly play out the hole, and gosh… the lumberjack had a six foot long putter that he spent gobs of time greenside at the cart fiddling with while slick willie was on the green putting. Meanwhile I’m waiting now 10mins to tee off (driveable PAR 4). As these fellows were putting out I hit my tee shot with less than full power, because I don’t want to upset these two titans of the game, and it was struck right at the flag and trickles up to the front edge of the green, and as I drive up to my two very eldery partners, they announce “You go ahead – we’ll only slow you down.” Ok. First, I understand the sentiment – very old guys who shoot 110+ do not want to be continually embarrassed by a guy shooting par or better, and they can’t feel comfortable so they feel bad to holding the better player back. The point is this – why in the world did the starter not have these clearly cohabitable group of FOUR men go off together? So, it gets worse. I make the trek to the green in a minute or less and the two guys aren’t in their cart yet. I pull up behind them, and they say “We’ll let you go in front of us on the next tee box.” And that’s fine so I acknowledge with a wave and signal of approval – I mean, I just drove the green and it took them more than 10 mins to play a silly little golf hole. So, I putt up to the pin, take my birdie, get in the cart, go under the bridge and make my way to the tips of hole #2. The silverhaired Jedi-master is teeing off. What happened to the “we’ll let you go” is what I’m thinking… but no big deal…

I stop the cart and within two seconds Paul Bunyan announces “Well, aren’t you going to go?” At this point I’m about to blow my top and have had it up to my eye balls with the goat rodeo and these non-golfers in street attire. I’ve never played this golf course before, have ZERO clue what the golf hole does, how it’s shaped, the distance, let alone the strategy to play it, and what, he’s thinking it should take me less than two seconds to discerne? That’s what I’m thinking – how dare this lumberjack in jeans and a six foot long putter that is illegal to try and hurry me, WHEN HE TEE’D OFF AT MY TEE TIME? So, I’m a big guy and much younger and spry and retort – “I’m sorry you’re having a bad day, but you just need to calm yourself down right now buddy – it takes me at least ten seconds to find my glove, put it on. Then I have figure out the hole, grab my ball, a tee, a club before I get to my tee box” and boy this made him boil, I could see his brain trying to connect with his mouth, but he had no comeback rightaway. Before I hit my tee shot he did mumble something, but I don’t speak caveman. Anyway, this hole is another driveable PAR 4 at 310yards, and I hit a laser driver into the front greenside bunker, hit that to about 6’ and made another birdie. So, I’m two under thru two holes, and have had to deal with the least savvy golfers in north Georgia on two occasions and played two driveable PAR 4 holes, which most courses, if they have one, it’s not under 300yds, but two and back to back? Well, there were more… Yawn…

So, for the rest of the round I saw not a soul on the course and was able to play golf the way it was mean to be played, with me alone with my thoughts strategizing the terrain and how to avoid mistakes, and if there were opportunities, to take them. The third hole was a medium length PAR 4, where I faded my ball to the right of the 150, and had 164 to a front right sucker pin. Ball was above my feet which meant I would not be able to get close that day, and so I favored the left meat of the green. I like the nuance of this hole. Force me to think. Ball’s above my feet so unless I put the ball back in my stance, the ball will curve hard left missing the green and leave me with a pitch. I take my PAR and go to the next.

Number four is a short PAR 5 that, after I completed the hole, I didn’t quite understand or see fully. I only saw the path to the right which is slightly uphill and a green that was hidden left by trees, requiring a draw for approach. So, I hit a stock fade to the right of the fairway and had 210yds to the center of the green. This pin was tucked far left, and I couldn’t see the pin, so hit a gorgeous pure iron to the front right of the green. When I got to the green and putted out and looked back at the hole, I saw there was a second option off the tee – a lower thinner /riskier fairway. To me, this is a waste of real-estate and something that probably causes the higher handicappers fits and slows pace of play. Only a highly skilled player can hit a thin tree lined fairway, whereas the slicer will be looking for balls and slow others down. Anyway, I took my birdie for a three under thru four and went to the next hole.

Anyway, the fairway grass was lush and superb. The rough, which I only found once during the day, was not overly penal. The green complexes are large, and the grass is a broad leaf Bermuda and not mown for speed, which is a total bummer. There were little to no ball marks, a hallmark of Bermuda, but the speed was probably a 7 or lower on a stimpmeter, so I had to hit the ball with force, which is just not realistic – you will find very few courses with greens this slow. The green speed makes it unpalatable for me to return any time soon, which is unfortunate.

If the greens were a 10 on the stimpmeter and the starting fiasco was avoided I would have no qualms at giving this place a 5-star rating. But, nothing’s perfect.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Easy
29fd3998-f74c-5ef2-a741-466e739c23e9
Commented on 10/24/2017

We appreciate your through review and overall recommendation. You have valid points. The confusion at the 1st tee should have been avoided. We'll reinforce the proper starting process with the staff. The greens were definitely slower on the day you played as the Superintendent began raising the mower height the week before to prepare for the winter. They are normally much quicker. I would welcome a call (706-245-6770, ask for Bill) to better discuss our rationale for the Monday range closing and the questionable dress issue. Thanks, again, for taking the time to provide your feedback.

Collins Hill Golf Club

Played On 10/06/2017
2.0
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Read this if you are thinking of playing here

I have never played here before and arrived exactly 20 minutes before my scheduled tee time. I have played thousands upon thousands of rounds of golf and have done so on well over 100 golf courses. I walked into the Pro Shop and the fellow behind the counter greeted me and I said that I had a tee time at 12:48 p.m. and gave him my last name. He looked at his tee sheet and clearly saw that it was a discounted GolfNow rate and his demeanor changed immediately. He said that he would get me out onto the golf course 10 minutes before the time and that I'd be paired up with the other players. Ok - that was in 10 minutes! This was baffling to me as I had never heard that before. "So what do I do for the next 10 minutes, go sit in my car?" is what I thought. He wasn't offering a cart or anything.

He knows as well so does every golfer in the world that I have gear that needs to be loaded onto a cart. Every other time I’ve ever played golf the attendant understands that my only need from him is to be shown to a cart. And we had this conversation - I'm asking "Can I have a cart key" and "If there are other players here that are in the same tee time group, where is one so I can put my gear on the cart?" If I’m the first guy they should give me a cart key or if there are other people there that I’m supposed to be paired with, then they should show me who the person is so I can put my gear on the cart. Instead, the awkwardness of being pushed away and back into my car is stinging. What an experience!

I arrived on purpose just in time to get my gear on cart and to hit a few putts and pitch the ball - that's it. So, the time is nearing, and it's 12:44pm. No one has come out and I'm supposed to tee off in 4 minutes. I'm already worried because there were reviews of a 5 hour round, and that's the last thing I want to be involved in - a 5 hour round at a goat rodeo.

So, I am standing there at the putting green in front of my golf bag with 3 minutes to go and someone pops out and hollers my last name and says "you're playing with those guys" to which he makes no gestures, so I'm supposed to figure out who "those guys are" I guess.

"What a sack of excrement this place is" is what I'm thinking. This is my very first impression of the place! So, I take it upon myself to find "other guys" and ask what their tee time is, and manage to get myself onto a golf cart that's already occupied. Ok. It's past 12:48pm, my tee time, and I'm just now on a cart with no knowledge of the course, etc.

I'm a real golfer so I can handle myself once I get a ball in front of me and near a tee box.

Here's my review of the golf course - It's super short and you have to have local knowledge to play well. Lots of cambered fairways, some hidden hazards, and small greens that are super duper slow.

There's nothing memorable about the golf course itself. Will I be back? I honestly don't know. I really don't know.

I honestly don't get the whole "Let's poo on our customers" vibe - it doesn't get them anywhere.

Hey Collins Hill,
Why don't you chill out on the whole greeting your players thing. You're not getting any style points!
Signed,
The World

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Poor
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Response from on 10/13/2017:
We are sorry to learn you did not have as great of a time at the course as expected. We apologize for any miscommunication when checking in--we treat all of our customers equally regardless of where or how you booked your tee time. We appreciate you arriving early for your tee time. We hope you give us another shot.

Chestatee Golf Club

Played On 09/29/2017
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Greens are currenty immaculate

I have played here many times over the years, and for a time over this summer, I did not visit. However, I played very recently and was flabbergasted at the greens; they are immaculate. In fact, I don't ever remember these greens in this condition. These are as close to tour quality and clearly evident they have been rolled. Therefore, the speed is between an 11 and 12 on a stimpmeter and more importantly, a roller makes them uniform and smooth, so your putts actually roll and hug your line. I mean, how dissatisfying is it when you're playing along and on every hole, your playing partners are saying "man, your ball was bouncing right off the face all the way to the hole?" Well, this is not happening at Chestatee currently.

As to the course itself, there are only a few holes I love. I play from the tips and a very long hitter so take my comments as such. #1 is a medium length par5. Favor the right side or over the trees if you draw, or fade the ball and you'll have a long iron to an uphill gorgeous green complex. If you're a long hitter, going thru the dogleg off the tee is almost a certainty, so fade the ball or bite off a ton with a draw over the trees. Easy birdie if your tee shot is struck well. #4, is the hardest hole on the course (in my estimation). The key on this hole is - leave your driver in the bag. In case this didn't make an impression - DO NOT HIT YOUR DRIVER ON HOLE #4. There, I said it. Instead, hit the club that guarantees the straightest ball flight, or at least predictability. You have to know where your ball is going from this tee, as you cannot use hope for a strategy here. I favor my 3iron from this tee, and I sting it, and have about 160yds to the front middle, which for me is a 9i. And, unless you're very good, you don't want to hit your ball any deeper than the middle of the green. If I were a short hitter, I'd still prefer to hit a 5wood and even if I had 200yds+ into the green, I'd do this every time vs hitting driver into the hazard, because you're certainly guaranteed a double or worse. I'd rather be hitting a 3iron or 4iron into a green and look at most bogey, than to lose a tee ball and be guaranteed a double or worse. This is NOT a birdie hole folks... Take your medicine off the tee, get on or close on your second, take your par and keep your score going. This is a guaranteed blow up hole if you don't take my advice.

Hole #8 is my favorite on the course. In my book, this is why I play Chestatee. It's a very intimidating hole for the meek, but for the skilled low-handicapper, it's a hole with teeth that forces a decision. You stand on a tee that is angled hard to the landing surface and forces a decision. You have two choices: 1. fade the ball comfortably with an 80% swing and guarantee fairway hit then have 180yds to an enormous putting surface for a par, or at most a rare three-putt bogey 2. give a draw a hard rip starting out over the water, and take off some big yardage, which turns this into a certain birdie hole (did I say this green was huge)? Depending on my confidence, I normally rip a draw which leaves me with 150-160yds and every pin is accessible, so if you hit the fairway, it's birdie. BUT, if you don't pull off the tee shot, you're likely putting for bogey or worse (ball in water if ball doesn't draw, or ball in side hill rough, or the worst - you hooked the ball and you're OB left). Note: this hole is a long hitter's delight. Short hitters will not like this hole.

The entire back nine is boring. Hole after hole of boresville. Sorry, Chestatee, but Griffiths just didn't have anything with which to work. I know, I know you're saying "what about #10 - it's a 580yd par5?" Well, from the tip, I rip a driver with a fade downhill about 150feet that lands near the path, and kicks right. On my best driver I have 198yds to the middle of the green, and if I'm left of the path I have 220yds to the middle. At best, I'm hitting 7i or 6i, at worse I'm hitting 5i or 4i. In the off chance, I mishit the tee shot, I lay up with a wedge and have a sand iron for the approach. Now you're saying "what about #16 - our wonderful par 5?" Well, for a long hitter from the tips, I rip a driver to a downhill landing area that runs and runs and have as little as an 9i into a huge green. I am always putting for eagle on this hole, except for the rare time(s) I might miss the fairway.

Last things:
* If you are good, and can keep your ball in front of you, you're looking at an under par score. If you're long and keep your ball in front of you, you might be able to set your all-time low score.
* They give you free range balls. This is good and bad. Good that you can warm-up; bad that the range is a downhill ravine. Good that the ravine has some flags in it for target practice; bad that the most you can hit is 5i.
* I think I've played every one of Griffiths courses in Georgia, and this is not his best, but all in all, it's a drive to get here, but if you play around the time I write this, you'll be rewarded by a few very exciting holes, and 18 wonderful greens.
* This is definitely worth the price of admission, and there are a few great bottle shoppes on the way home to stock up your cabinets.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Easy
12c92ad4-c0a9-58a5-b081-d5d8b0b25e2d
Commented on 11/13/2017

Love the feedback, thank you for playing with us!!

University of Georgia Golf Course

Played On 09/27/2017
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

This is a real golf course

Never played here? Play. Ever wonder why there are so many PGA Tour players from UGA? Play here and you'll understand.

To play this course exceptionally well requires you to work the ball both ways. However, if you are smart, on the holes where the bend doesn't fit your natural ball flight, you'll not let the total distance of the hole frighten you, and you'll stick with your "go to" tee shot, which might mean you club down. What? You thought I said you have to work the ball both ways. Right. But, most really good players favor a fade or draw, and if you are on a tee that demands a shot shape that is not "go to" you will club down, accept a longer club to the green, and rely on a tight short game. This is that golf course. Demanding at every turn.

Every par4/5 has a runway strip of fairway. Hitting that strip is imperative. If not, you're in medium length bermuda rough and no bargain. Very few holes are straight away and in short, I'd say this is one of the most challenging [public] courses you can play in the state. I've played most of the best public and private courses in Georgia and this is one of the absolute best pure "golf" experiences, where you'll use every club and every shot. Seriously, this is on par with the Highlands course at Atlanta Athletic Club, except that the greens at AAC are sick, and the greens here are not.

I'm very good and I will only play here every so often, because it really exposes any weakness, and it is somewhat infuriating. Especially when you miss fairway after fairway. Here's what I say to myself before I get to the first tee. "Today I have to understand that I will likely hit only 6 or 7 fairways. Hitting a fairway is a perfect lie and a treat. Take advantage of the opportunity when you're in the fairway. Missing a fairway is why I play the game. I'm going to need to pitch and chip the ball well to keep my score going." If I don't say this, I'm playing with false expectations and will always be disappointed in myself. If I do, I know what to expect, which is to rely on my short game. If you expect to be pitching and chipping the ball, you'll look forward to the chances. If you don't, you'll be cursing yourself constantly.

The one bummer is that the regulars that play here do NOT repair their ball marks and despite the staff's desire to have perfect greens, many local yocals ruine what could literally be a perfect tour quality golf course to all that play here.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging

Reunion Country Club

Played On 09/26/2017
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

You'll like this

I have played here plenty over the years and for my time and money, this is probably the best course in this area of Atlanta that you can play. Wuh? Yup. It is truly as I wrote. Now, let me explain.

To the skilled golfer, the game gets easier and easier and it's very difficult to find challenges other than one or two holes per course, and you find you play most courses in a little less than 2hrs if you have no one slowing you down. And sometimes, you want to spend more time playing because for starters you're nostalgic and you love the game.

There are some super easy holes on this course (4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 16, 17) that you can play without thought, but there are some very challenging holes. #2? Yup. Challenging. You really need to fade your tee ball off of the left trees, but if it pulls, your OB. Or if you over fade you're bunkered right or OB right. But, if you pull off that perfect fade, you've got a wedge in your hand. I love that! Force me to play the hole aggressively, force me to put the ball into play with less off the tee, but force me!!! Don't make it benign.

Then the rest of the course is similar to this - nearly every hole forces you to decide. You're having to think about your strategy to play this course.

I rarely hit driver. In fact, here are the holes where I'll hit driver (note: I'm a very long hitter playing from tips); 1, 2, 7, 10, 18. You can certainly take driver on more or less, but this is all I'll do with driver.

#1 - rip a soft draw off the bunkers and get on in two.
#2 - bleed a cut off the trees and have a wedge.
#7 - cut or draw your tee ball over the middle bunkers and have a short iron into one of two greens.
#10 - blast a draw over the trees, land on a downhill which kicks the ball way forward and have a short iron into a shallow green.
#18 - this is why you play here. Take off as much as you can - this is a gamble. I've reached this green in two only a handful of times. Rip a driver and if you catch the elusive speed slot, your ball will run for miles giving you a middle or long iron. But most times, you'll be laying up to the 150 area.

Lots of intrigue at Reunion.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
c383b1f5-6e5c-593f-9ed7-74ef5a23c73c
Commented on 10/16/2017

Thank for your review. We appreciate it !! - Your review is right on. Thanks Reunion

Royal Lakes Golf & Country Club

Played On 09/19/2017
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Played here many times

Although not my first choice, RL is a decent little course. The greens had been recently punched and the RL staff chose not to communicate this vital info on the GN site, which angered me somewhat - putting is more than half the game fellows... ah hem.

Anyway, aside from hole #11 and #13 you don't need local knowledge and the course is totally benign. However, on #11, a Par5, don't hit anything longer than 5w if you're a long hitter, and if you're not you still probably don't need to hit driver. And if you hit the ball left, you'll want to club down to something you know will not go left (water). This is just a strange hole which, to me, screams that the architect was thinking "I don't know what to do with this hole." And #13, is equally odd. On the tee, if you take (again if a long hitter) a driver or 3w, you're teeing off to an area as wide as a bowling lane, so you must club down to a 3i at most. If not a long hitter, you still only need a 5w. That will leave you with about 140yds or so a green you cannot see (can see top of flag) and see you must because it's the size of a postage stamp. If the flag on the right, you're thinking there's lots of room right of the flag, and there's none. If you miss the green long, left or right you're in for a rough almost certain bogey or dbl if you can't pitch. If you're going to miss the green, miss it short so you can at least chip/run the ball.

Also disappointing is there are a LOT of very very short par 4s. I like the odd short hole, but this course is littered with them. In fact, there are no long par 4s on this course. On one (hole #5 is a sharp dogleg right) or two of them, you cannot hit longer than a 5i off the tee (if you're a long hitter) or you'll go thru the dogleg.

Anyway, if you're short on a place to play, this is a decent route. You're just not going to be able to use your long clubs off of the tee, and if there's no one in front of you, you'll need about 1hr 45min to finish the track (I'm a low handicapper and not spending anytime in the woods looking for lost balls).

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Response from on 10/03/2017:
Hello, Tom. Let us first say that we are so glad to hear you enjoyed the pace of play and challenge the course provided. These are all things we work hard to create a seamless experience with so you can focus on enjoying yourself and let us do the rest. We also want to thank you for your honest and constructive criticism of the course. Your comments about our course conditions and layout of select holes are presented in a way we can incorporate them into actual change. We are going to escalate your review to our team in charge and do everything we can to improve before your next game. Thank you for visiting and playing at Royal Lakes Golf & Country Club. We hope to see you again soon!
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

I like

I have played here a dozen times or more over the years. I enjoy Woodlands much more than the Chateau course. It is not overly challenging but the collection of holes offers a good variety meaning, no two holes are the same.

The worst part is that the finish is quite lack luster. You have a super short par 4, a silly downhill par 3 with OB left (if you hook the ball just role past this hole) then another super shot par 4 with OB left and woods right. Just hit iron off the tee short of the bunker on the right and concede a 9-iron into the green.

Overall for the hot deal rate, this course is a good value.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
chateauelangolf
Commented on 09/08/2016

Tom1475160 - Thank you very much for the 4 star rating! We hope to see you back on the course again soon!

Ashton Hills Golf Club

Played On 06/15/2016
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

A gem of a course

If this course was closer I'd play it as much as possible - it'd be my daily. First off, I play from the tips and I like the raised tee boxes on every hole - no exception - raised tee box. It helps with perception of a hole.

Greens - there are no public courses in this city with better greens. There are some that are close but none better. If you're looking for champions bermuda that are near perfect, this is the place. Cut and rolled everyday - this is where you go to be challenged on the greens.

Fairways are also near perfect with few if any bare spots. The day I played it had rained the night before so I didn't get much roll out, but can't complain.

Now, if you're looking at places on the course that are not deemed play areas, you'll find some land that is unkempt and down right unsightly, but priorities are priorities.

The worst thing about this course are the cart paths. There are so many hard bumps that you'd best slow it down - back jarring cart paths do hurt.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
ef7d0d0e-d96a-5808-b06f-346299e8c546
Commented on 06/21/2016

Thanks for the review! We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed our course. We hope to see you back again soon.

The Golf Club at Hilton Head Lakes

Played On 06/08/2016
3.0
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

If you're a good golfer, read this. Or if it's rained recently, read this...

It rained two days prior to our tee time and as result, two holes were "under water", as they put it, so we were unable to play holes 11 and 12. So, thinking I had purchased an 18 hole round of golf, we only got 16 holes. THIS important info, had it been available to me online, would have made me stay away from the purchase. I'm looking to post a full score for 18 holes!!! There's no reason why the manager of this golf course couldn't get on golfnow and place this info on the site as info to potential customers.

So, after the attendant told me we were playing a 16 hole golf course and I took gut punch #1, I swallowed my pride and said "ok, no problem. i'll take a large bucket of balls." "incoming!" Stomach punch #2... He said, the range is closed!!! Yup... the range is closed. I had my young son with me and this was his first time golfing in more than a year due to a sports injury, so I was coming to a facility that ADVERTISES they have a world class practice facility and 18 holes that stretched to 7,300yds... the clincher in my decision to buy the two tee times, because I wanted him to get some good practice beforehand. We came an hour early to hit balls. But, it was closed!!! When we drove the cart to the range they had a putting green (hadn't been mowed in a day or more ) and a chipping green (hadn't been mowed in days and days - shag carpet). And there were a row of hitting stations with a large expansive field that just sat empty.

The greens on the course were so slow it made putting the ball extremely upsetting. You had to blast the ball to get it to the cup and you just don't play golf that way, unless you're in the "pre-lawn mower" era. You'd at least expect the greens to be a) smooth and b) moderately quick - maybe a 9 or 10 on the stimp - but that's too much to ask I guess. These greens were probably rolling a 5 or 6. Felt like we were in the 1920's era.

Lastly, we were on the last par 5 on the front, and here comes this tattooed fellow on a large mower, billowing toward us mowing the rough on the course side of the cart path - he was gaining speed and no signs of slowing. We were clearly playing our shots and 99.99999% of mower operators on 100% of courses in the world would stop and turn off their engine, or at least turn it to low while stopped, because that's called "etiquette" but this fellow was mowing and he wasn't planning to stop. He made eye contact, and just kept going, blowing up all the dirt, grass and other particles WITH his open shute pointed toward the golf course (that we were playing). If he'd have hit a rock and that thing shot toward us and hit my boy I swear... Grrrrr!!! I guess he had an appt at the local ink shop that he wasn't going to miss. That was just icing on the cake to an experience which clearly shows the priority of this golf course, which has to be clearly a result of poor management.

So, I'll not be coming back... A shame too because the course has potential.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Fairly Easy
3477602a-e115-57c4-ba09-f22dfc9fe0c3
Commented on 06/20/2016

We are so sorry to hear about the multiple unfortunate events that occurred during your round. We would like to make it right with you. Please email us at hiltonheadmanagement@gmail.com to further discuss your situation. Again, we apologize for the inconveniences that you have dealt with.

Lanier Golf Club

Played On 03/21/2016
1.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Goat track

I thought hard on whether to write this review or not and decided to write it.

I've played here probably five or six times a year over the last five or six years. I've seen it go down hill in a big way and it looks like it's just about run its course. I just don't see it withstanding the forces which are against it surviving.

When you walk into a pro-shop, you will not see a pro. There is a teenager - a very nice and courteous young boy, that runs the counter. You will not see balls, clubs, clothes, shoes, socks - nothing to buy except a few slazenger, top flite and water balls they dredge out of the pond on number six. Oh yeah, they do have about 7 gloves in size cadet L that you could choose from, but that's about it. There's a copier in the "pro-shop" and a small table with a FOREGeorgia magazine and just used Tupperware container where someone just ate last nights leftovers. Oh, yeah, don't forget about the nickel gumball machine and the full-length wall mirror as you walk in the front...

So, you'll be needing to stock up on everything golf related BEFORE you come to play - batteries, tees, beer, food, balls, everything... They have nothing for you or for your round of golf.

Once you sign in, you'll have an awkward walk out to the cart area, where the carts are gas-powered, clean and fast. The course itself is very very short. There are three good holes of the 18. #1, #4 and #16 - all short par 5s. The rest of the holes are totally forgettable and if you choose to play you'll see why.

There is no maintenance being done - no maintenance people. The greens are not cut/mowed and the green surface looks like a shag carpet that is laying down. The ball bumps, bounces and saunters along the green surface once struck. There is no roll...The fairways with few exception are hard compacted Georgia red-clay and your ball is going to bounce hard and roll into unkempt junk. Overall it's not a great experience. Now, if you just want to go bang some balls around and have no interest in the aesthetics of the game, then this maybe a bargain at $10 hot deal. But I would not pay any more than $10, that's for sure.

In a few words, play at your own peril. On a brighter note, no one plays here so you'll be able to get 18 holes in in about two hours or less. The day I played it was about 58 degrees and not a cloud in the sky - you'd expect there to be a lot of cars in the parking lot. Other than mine, there were six cars. One was the guy behind the counter, one was mine. Look - word has been out that this course has run its usefulness, and people in this area, if they're still playing golf, are not playing here. I'm sorry to have had to write this but it's all true.

If you ever see me out here again, it'll be because there's an $10 or less hot deal, I won't have much time to play and I just need to knock some rust off. It just barely beats hitting balls at the range, but just barely. Sorry Lanier, but you've brought this onto yourself... the decline began when you allowed your two starters back in 2009/2010 era to drive around like policemen brow beating and yelling at golfers for not driving thru the "gates" then letting the pro-shop fall apart, then when you got rid of your beverage cart, then letting the course maintenance go.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Moderate

Smoke Rise Country Club

Played On 09/10/2015
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Smoke Rise challenge

If you are not comfortable hitting the ball along doglegs, you are going to post big numbers.

The course is a challenge, and I play from the tippy tips. I hadn't played here in several years and it is a good test which will challenge all aspects of your game.

For example, hole #2 is a longish par 5, which there is no reason on the planet to take out driver, or perhaps even 3wood. I did use 3 wood and hit it thru the fairway, but luckily it came to rest in front of the bunkers, but before the woods. Had I taken driver, I'd have been in the woods. It didn't matter that I had taken 3wood, because I had 270 to the green (from rough that is WAY too long for the average golfer), so I couldn't go for it even if I could. Why? There is a hazard in front of the green that is quite ominous. So, I laid up to 90yds and hit it to 6 feet. Therefore, take a 4 or 5 iron off the tee and guarantee you're not going to take a penalty off the tee box...

The next par 5 is even more silly. It's a longish par 5 that doglegs severely to the right. I hit a HUGE bomb of a drive which was 315yds and was in the left fairway. I had to drive the cart miles and then find a hill that I could climb, and then back track to the ball. Terrible design... Anyway, I thought I'd have a shot to the green, but could not see the green from my ball AND my ball, even though was in the fairway, was on a huge slope that was going to hook 20yds or more. I laid up with an 8iron, then had 102yds to the pin which I hit to 3'. Again, I go for every par 5 known to man when I'm in the fairway, which I should given my length off the tee, but here you can't go for the green. That's NOT FUN!!!

So, if you're long you'll not be able to go for the first two par 5s, and you should take shorter clubs off the tee to guarantee you're in the fairway.

The rest of the holes are pretty good...

The greens are fantastic. You'll get serious tour quality spin which is always fun... 60 lob wedge was spinning like a top on approaches.

I don't know if I'll play this course more than a couple of times per year and that's just because it's target golf which handcuffs my long game due to course design deficiencies.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging

Windermere Country Club

Played On 08/26/2015
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing

Great greens

I play a lot of golf and I always play the back tees. My handicap is up a bit right now and I play to a 2. At a low point a couple of years ago I was a +5 - yup that's right. If you were a scratch golfer I'd have to give you 5 strokes. But I digress. I include that info just so you know the type of golf I'm capable of and I think that lends itself to the impact of my review for the enthusiast golfers out there. If you're a chopper/duffer/hacker, this review may not be to your liking.

The attendant behind the desk was very friendly and went out of his way to make me feel welcome. The practice putting green was right there so you don't have to walk more than a few steps after you get your gear onto the cart to begin practicing. There was a large cooler full of ice next to a full water dispenser and Styrofoam cups so you were hydrated (and there were same at at least three or four stations through out the course).

I played with a local who'd played the course a million times and although he was an awful player, he at least knew the lines so I was able to play with local knowledge which shaved two strokes off my ending score and helped dramatically on holes 15 and 16.

The greens... Some of the best you're going to find at a public golf course. They are champions bermuda I believe. Certainly not the bermuda you'll find at orange county national crooke cat / panther lake with the large grass blades. There's not a ton of grain, so you'll have ultra smooth putts that hug the ground and roll very true. I enjoyed the putting immensely, although there were not fast - I'd say they were running 9 or 10 on a stimp meter.

The holes... You start with a dog leg left PAR5 which from tips is reachable if you're good with your long clubs. I fly my driver 280y and with roll I can get out to 310+. I bombed my driver with a tight draw and was just to the right and adjacent to the last of the two bunkers and had 230y to a center pin. That's a good PAR5. Stout. Next is a dog leg right PAR4 with junk left and junk short right with trees that you'd have to fly if you were wanting to draw the ball long with driver. I took a hybrid off the tee at the far bunkers with slight fade and had 152y remaining. The green had three tiers and was very challenging. I put my ball in the center and had a center left pin. My putt broke about 2' and I drained it for birdie three. The rest of the front was very nice with a great collection of holes.

The back? Oh, the back. Number 10 is an amazing golf hole. I believe it is 420y. For the bomber off the tee it's a real treat. You stand on a tiny tee box and you have a long finger lake to carry of about 250-260yds. Where you land your ball, it is pretty hard packed and you'll get a ton of roll. I had 75yds remaining to a center pin so the driving experience on the hole is going to be a treat! The rest of the back until #15 is a bore, but not every hole can be great. #15 is just wonderful. Perhaps one of the best holes on the course. It's a 510y PAR5 dog leg right with a tall stand of trees and lake down the right side and tight tree lined left. The average golfer's bowels will certainly turn into a diamond mine, because you'll be feeling overwhelming dread on this tee. But, the confident golfer will feel inspired to dominate this golf hole and welcome the beauty. My local knowledge 'guide' told me the precise line to take... The tallest evergreen/pine on the right is the line if you hit a high draw, which I enjoy hitting. I absolutely crushed my ball directly on the line with a tight 5-8yd draw and when we came to my ball I had 158yds to the center of the green. I was disappointed that the second shot wasn't longer, because a PAR5 is supposed to challenge your game to get on in two, but I guess it's played differently for the average golfer and, yeah, I know I'm not the average golfer, but it was not what I was hoping for... driver, pw to a medium/short PAR5 is just underwhelming, but the layout of the golf hole is really nice.

#16 is another local knowledge hole for the bomber. Standing on the back tee there are two thin 'shoots' coming out of the tops of the trees. Kick a field goal through those with a tight draw and that's the line to the green. This hole is sopping wet, so your ball may plug and most assuredly will not roll, so a drive of 280y carry will putt you 20-30y in front of green. The pin was in the back the day I played so I had a pitch of 48y and so this is risk reward golf right there - two great holes. The last hole #18 is a shortish PAR4 where you take hybrid or 3W over the lake to a drenched wet fairway, then need a wedge to a smallish green which slopes back to front.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good

The Oaks Course

Played On 08/21/2015
3.0
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing

If you play a lot of golf, you'll want to read this review

Ok. I play a lot of golf. And I play from the back tees. On average I shoot two strokes over par with the very occasional low round of 68 and even more occasional high round of 82 when I'm playing a really tough course where if you miss it off the tee you're OB or in water and having to re-tee your ball. Three weeks ago I was invited to play Atlanta Athletic Club Riverside by a friend. Ok, obviously, that course and everything about it is in the stratosphere. So, I know the possibilities of what can be done when there are no budget constraints to a golf course. But, I also enjoy playing places like Reunion, Trophy Club, St Marlo, Ashton Hills, Cherokee Run, etc. Lately, I've really enjoyed playing the UGA Golf Course up in Athens. So, you can see by the courses I play, that I'm not judging the courses I play based on the amazing facility at AAC. BUT... the only thing about the Oaks Course that is worth the drive might be the greens. I say might and it depends upon how far you drive. Me? I drove an hour and ten minutes to play here. I will not be going back... ever. It's not because I was treated poorly, or because of this or that. It's just a ho-hum course where you'll see no real challenges in front of you. The longest par 4 was 422yds, but it played more like 380yds. And the longest par 5 was like 550yds I think. The rough on some holes was far too deep. I played with a local fellow who moved to the backs to play with me and he hit a fade every hole off the tee. Several holes he was in the right rough and we couldn't find his ball. #10 is a medium length par 5. We couldn't find his ball and from the tee it looked like he hit it right down the middle. Real shame here. Netting it out, if I had to play here and there were no other options I'd go back, but other than that I will not go here again.

DISCLAIMER:
I enjoy very challenging golf. I enjoy being tortured on the tee. I enjoy having to shape the ball left to right or right to left, or else having to take less of the tee to find the fairway. That's my idea of golf. On this course, you can bomb driver all day long and not have any difficulty. But, if you're a chopper, you're in Covington and you want an easy round, this might be right up your alley.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average

The Trophy Club of Atlanta

Played On 08/06/2015
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

I like it overall

I've played here a few times each year, and I've played three or four two day tournaments here. It's a short course. The greens are the best part, most of the time. There are several poorly designed holes. #2 is a prime example. It's a short par5, and from the tips, your landing area is about 20yds wide and the fwy slopes left to right with hazard right and woods left. So, you have to think about laying up. But it's a par5, who's going to layup off the tee? Not me... So, for this hole you HAVE to be hitting your driver super well otherwise you'll be minus one golf ball. And the #4 fourth hole? That is a complete joke!!! You tee off with an iron to have a full wedge into the green. If you're above the hole, you're complete toast. The green is perhaps a 4 degree slope all the way around. You're going to three or four putt unless you have skill. The rest of the course is pretty good with a hole or two that just doesn't need to be there. There's a par3 that is #14 i think... you'd best be on the proper side of the green where the stick is or you will three putt for sure.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Average

University of Georgia Golf Course

Played On 08/03/2015
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

You're gonna like this course

This is one of the best public courses you're going to find. Truly a challenge from the back tees. Tree lined fairways that offer big demand from your driver. If you're crooked, you're going to run up your numbers. Greens were a little slow to my liking and I would say they were running around 7 on the stimp. But, I think that's because it's early August and very hot so they're keeping them a bit shaggy so the grass stays healthy.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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