sbudish

I wish I could review the Saddlebrook 18 but I cant. I have played the Palmer before and it is very underwhelming, not to mention you finish on a short par 3 which is my biggest golf pet peeve. It is in decent shape and the greens are small and challenging. But the course is short and open for the most part.

I booked the Saddlebrook 18 to play a challenging, tight, shorter course to test my luck after hearing great things about the shorter tournament course. When i got there they told me they closed the saddlebrook course for maintenance cause numbers were low today. If i knew i would be playing palmer I wouldnt have bothered coming. Its a long drive and i dont consider the Palmer to be challenging or in exceptional condition. No communication and this information should have been conveyed to me. I would not have come up to WC if I knew they were just going to shove me on the Palmer to appease their schedule.

They said it was better anyway cause Palmer is in better shape. Whatever, they knew what they were doing. I was also told its better cause i would fly through as a single on a slow day, but ended up hitting twosome after twosome after threesome after threesome.

They also wouldnt let me walk which is garbage, my 90 year old grandma could walk that track solo and finish 18 in 3 flat.

Frustrating day with saddlebrook and their staff.

Tom Fazio primarlily develops high end private golf clubs (The National Golf Club of Canada, Shadow Creek) so to be able to play a public facility of this caliber by arguably the best modern golf course architect of our time should not be over looked.

Course was in great shape, greens were killer, layout is incredible. Somewhat forgiving off the tee with strategic placement needed at times, the approach shots must be placed delivately. Par 5's are tight in the last 200 yards so go for it if youre hitting it straight or can control your tragectory like a pro. Pine barrens was amazing, ill have to get out to the rolling oaks next time Im down there. Practice facility was insane and the entire facility is very cool all around.

Course is amazing, we had 8 inches of rain prior to the round so it was soaked and the bunkers were washed out but the course is truly amazing. Practice facility was very cool and comprehensive. Fairly forgiving off the tee but strategic layout makes approaches difficult and the greens are challenging. To be able to play a pete dye course of this calliber is a treat. Course is semi private at times throughout the year so get on when you can, you wont regret it