Daugherty16

The price was excellent - finding a Hot Buy makes this totally worthwhile. Proshop staff was friendly as could be.

The course could really use some concentrated turf work. Tee boxes and fairways often had spotty grass and hardpan, but this is parkland golf not links. Patches of unmarked ground under repair were apparent, so I couldn't tell if this is a course coming back from disrepair, or a course going to seed. The other players and many prior comments agree it was better than before, and if it continues to improve this would be a little gem where you can score well and enjoy the outing. The greens were in great shape, though still not especially receptive. Putts rolled true, though they weren't cut especially close which made grain direction a real factor in getting the ball to the hole.

The layout has some hidden ponds and trouble so look carefully at the hole diagrams before teeing off or take along someone who has played Black Birch before.

All in all, a worthwhile day especially for an early season, last-second decision to play. Did I mention that the $20 fee included a cart? Can't find a better bargain.

I'll play there again, especially at the price I paid.

This course has spectacular views, lots of vertical and could be exceptional with some money, time and attention. However the greens are diseased and half sand, the fairways are crunchy (yes, crunchy) and the tee boxes are an afterthought and thick mower clippings were abundant. The cart paths are downright scary - they need to rent quads instead of golf carts - and the 97 bridges scattered throughout the course are so dilapidated its a wonder nobody has fallen through into the numerous rushing streams or impaled their cart's tires on the numerous nails that protrude and had to walk in. Think Disneyland Bobsleds ride and STAY ON THE PLANKS! Note: walking this course is only for mountain goats.

On the other hand, i paid $36 dollars for two plus a cart, so the value made the conditions more tolerable. As for the play, from the diamond tees (a la blue tees) many tee shots are blind and the waste areas and creeks that cross almost every fairway are often hidden. The bunkers are overgrown with weeds (hence, are real hazards). The yardage numbers in the little booklet you are given at the pro shop don't play right on the course, and you will constantly guess which club to play from the tees.

As a "resort" course, i expected much more. They hadn't shagged balls at their makeshift range, thus we couldn't warm up. The pub never opened, so there was no food and nearly no drinks available. Bring your own! At least they had an operable restroom.

In summary, this was real adventure golf. It felt like 6500 yards of the Captains Cove, minus the moving parts. Bring food and drink, lots of balls, get a good price on this website, and go have an afternoon of golf like you've never played it before. Hang on tightly to that golf cart though, and be prepared to shake rattle and roll on the cart paths. Be prepared to shoot 15 over your handicap. The good news, if you play it again you can probably shave 15 strokes off your score.