scottrmitchell

Visiting a friend in Tallahassee I decided to play some golf, go figure. I know what your thinking, golf in Tallahassee, why Tallahassee when Florida boasts some of the best golf in the world; Orlando, Juno Beach, West Palm Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach and basically any town south of Jupiter on the east coast. Well this is the situation that lays before me so with the weather sunny and 75 I’ll make the best of it. I booked myself a couple of rounds at some private clubs in Tallahassee, Capital City and Golden Eagle, both of which are nice courses, but I want to tell you about Southwood Golf Club. Situated just fifteen minutes south west of the Capital I found a welcoming well maintained and manicured golf club. The staff was friendly and helpful. I booked my tee time over the phone and I arrived early to have lunch and warm up, if they had a driving range, and boy did they. Sitting just outside the restaurant and pro-shop on top of a small hill were perfectly manicured grass tee boxes each with their own inviting shining white pyramid of neatly stacked golf balls. Well! Don’t mind if I do, I thought. I went through my normal warm up routine and chatted it up with the friendliest people who gave me great insight on the way ahead. After finishing up with some wedges I returned to my cart, but not before topping of my Yeti with iced cold water from the supplied cooler at the back of the practice range. I also utilized the club washing station to bring my P790's back to their satiny chrome finish. After cleaning my clubs and topping off my water I headed down to the first tee and met my playing partner who was equally as nice as those I met on the practice tee. I pulled my driver and let it rip, striking a beautiful fade down the left side of the carpet like fairway and thought to myself, this is going to be a great day.

Southwood Golf Club Designed by PGA Tour legend Fred Couples and Gene Bates, plays long from the tips 7100 yards, but they have tee boxes for all playing abilities I chose the red tees which played out just under 6100 yards. From tee to green Southwood plays more like a private club than a public course. The tee boxes are well managed, the fairways lie like carpet, and the greens are quick and true, just the way they should be. While I was there they were hosting the State High School Championship. They also host the University of Florida NCAA golf team even though the college owns its own golf course. Funny how that works, but that just goes to show you how good this club truly is. If your ever in Tallahassee and have 4 hours to spare stop by the Southwood Golf Club, and if you do not have your own clubs with you, no need to worry the pro-shop has Titlist AP1’s. Two thumbs up, five starts and a couple of birdies. Thank you for the hospitality Southwood! I'll be back~

Tucked away in the soft woods of Southern New Hampshire you will find The Atkinson Country Club. Just minutes off Interstate 495 or 93 this hidden Gem appears out of know where on an inconspicuous road in and inconspicuous town. The Atkinson Country Club sits on a huge estate and hosts a full menu restaurant with outdoor deck overlooking the signature eightieth fairway and green as well as a casual 19th hole bar and grill. In addition to its 6580 yards Championship Par 72 golf course you will find a beautiful manicured 9 hole par 3 and two driving ranges. Furthermore, Atkinson Country club is home to the Willow Creek Golf Academy which accommodates 12 heated tee boxes for winter practice as well as four world class PGA instructors teaching and fitting in three instructional bays equipped with the latest in golf technologies including the must have and coveted Trackman.

As for the Championship Par 72 a more challenging and well-manicured course you will be hard pressed to find in New England. Granted there is TPC Boston and other course but for and average greens fee of $65.00 bucks with a cart it’s hard to beat Atkinson Country Club. The First hole presents an inviting Birdyable 350 Yard Par 4. But do not be fooled by this hole it is arguable the easiest hole on the course and number two, a beast at only 515 yard this par 5 with has hazards strewn throughout is just around the corner, and it is fair to say you’re lucky to come out with a bogey and the same ball you went in with on this hole, but golf is not fair. The remainder of the course is just as challenging. Fairways are paramount on this course although you can scramble your way to a good score but I would rather play from the fairways especially when they are kept in such great condition. The greens mimic the first-rate fairways and are as difficult as they are beautiful. Designed to trick, deceive and defy the laws of gravity you can bet that if you read the putting breaking left to right it will break right to left.

Bottom line, Atkinson County Club is a true hidden gem worth the ride form Boston. You can pass right by Granite Links and Salem Country Club and drive up 93 or 495 to Atkinson Country Club and if you like it as much as I did stay the night in one of the 12 hotel rooms located on campuses and play another 18 tomorrow.

Port Royal did not live up to its hype. The course was in OK condition I've played at better courses for the same money. The fairways were not like a carpet as you would expect for $100 round of golf. The 16th hole did live up to its expectations a beautiful Hole with great Vistas and hard to play. There were about four or five holes that Overlook the ocean with beautiful views the rest could have been anywhere in the United States. If you can find Greens fees for under $100 on golf now or other apps it might be worth it. The staff was excellent however I would not recommend this course for $100 round of golf