aky0713

I played at the full rate because I anticipated a more crowded course later in the day even though the greens (and fairways?) were punched. Knew about the greens but not the fairways because of the alert on GolfNow. Recent rains meant the fairways were wet so no rollout and a few plugged shota or mudballs. A long day in terms of second shots; I had 200 yards in multiple times with no 5 iron (do not carry it) and a hybrid which was .. uncooperative. A lot of scrambling to make bogey with only 3 GIR. Liked the layout and would like to play under fast and firm links conditions as long as greens are a realistic speed; I can imagine these are the only defense and are quite fast in the summer.

I've played Royal Manchester somewhere around a dozen times, and I enjoy making the trip up from MD for a mini-stay and play. Third off the tee (all singles in carts), and the pace of play was excellent. I appreciate the starter who said that 2 of us could go as singles rather than being paired together as there was space on the tee sheet to do so; no one playing at 7 AM as a single truly wants to play paired-up ... and the gentleman with whom I was to be paired played 2 balls absolutely flew around the course so that I rarely saw/waited on him! Greens were in excellent shape, rolled true, and played fast (as I like them). All that slowed pace of play was the maintenance crew mowing (fairways), blowing (greens), and spraying (tees), and I'm not sure why they didn't work backwards rather than forwards with play -- it's what we were told to do all the summers (6) I worked on the grounds crew to prevent the same players from seeing/hearing us. Bunkers were about the worst feature of the course; inconsistent and stony or un-raked depending on the bunker or hole. Love the look of something different and the challenge of having to take different clubs off the tee and to shape the ball (#4, #13, and #14 come to mind).

As I've played a number of college courses, I wanted to play the Clemson University Walker Course over my winter break. I could not book a tee time more than 7 days in advance without staying on-site, so I used Golf Now instead.

I was pleased that the course was open given the amount of rain this Fall/Winter and in the days prior to my round, and happy that it was "cold" when I arrived to play as the course was empty. I only regret -- and was told later that I should have been informed by the Pro Shop by guys in the Pro Shop, ugh -- not taking a cart for the back 9. The walk on the back 9 was brutal (especially between 12 tee and 14 tee and 15 green to 16 fairway), and it definitely cost me strokes.

Given the rain, the course was in great shape -- cart path only signs did not impact me -- and despite "winter hole locations" the greens were in very good shape. The ball rolled well on the greens and the fairways were comparable to what I usually play in December on the RTJ Trail in Alabama (my usual destination).

I shot 40-45, but messed up on the 1st, 16th, and 18th holes to wreck a shot at going sub-80 in the final round of the year and before the new Rules go into effect. Tee shots on 9 and 18 are a little quirky for the first-time player, but the course was generally right in front of you and pleasant to play.

Never put a ball in a bunker during the 18 holes, so I cannot rate them, but they looked to be in decent shape given the conditions.

Enjoyed the layout and the people with whom I was paired. Somewhat turned off by the Pro Shop which was not very friendly towards my desire to walk 18 holes despite having paid for a cart on a Hot Deal. Course in decent condition and found it playable despite not knowing a few blind or trouble shots. Disappointment came when I tried to post my handicap based on the 88 I shot. US Handicap said the Rating and Slope were not valid and I could not post.

A friend and I decided to play 18 holes at Shenandoah Valley to catch-up after having not played a round together in a few weeks. Arrived to find a HS tournament being held -- not announced on the website, to the best of our knowledge -- on 2 of the 9 hole layouts; shotgun start, crossing over between White and Blue courses. After debating cancelling our tee time, we played the Red, ate lunch, and, when HS kids were done, played the White. Fairways and greens in good condition, if not a little slow and wet (relative to what I had most recently played). Sand traps on Red and White were in fine shape. We also went on to play the Blue for $10/per player. I believe the greens on the Blue were slower than those on either the Red or White, and several of the traps held water from either prior rain(s) or watering the course. I don't mind fixing others' ball marks, and I got the opportunity on each of the 9 hole layouts.

Pace of play seemed to be a concern for the players here (note: not the staff) -- those behind our twosome wanted us to play absurdly fast rather than correctly fast (good cart golf, carrying multiple clubs, keeping pace with the foursome in front of us), which was off-putting (to me). "Hurried" golf is not necessarily fun golf, and we played 27 holes (and ate lunch) in 6 hours; I'd say we played appropriately fast!

Friendly starter, Pro Shop staff, and at the turn, where where we ate lunch while waiting to play our 2nd nine holes.

As a visitor to the area with some "extra time," I wanted to get a relatively inexpensive round of golf in during the weekend at a course with a solid reputation. Playing on a "hot deal" on a 96+ degree day, I got what I wanted ... in some ways. Paired as a single with a threesome, I walked rather than rode 18 holes. Crazy, in the heat, I know, but I also play better when walking. With at least two blind tee shots -- #2 and #11 come to mind -- and some rolling terrain as well as greens with varying levels, I got the challenge I sought from the course (rather than conditions).

Based on prior reviews, I was prepared for the lack of water on the course -- there were NO water jugs to be seen ... anywhere -- and a slow pace of play -- with NO intervention of rangers at any point. Playing behind two groups of college kids playing "scramble" golf, I was surprised how much we waited on shots throughout 18 holes. In addition, prior comments about the sand traps were spot-on; there is no depth to the dirt/sand in the traps and they're strewn with rocks/pebbles. Avoid them at all costs! At least I was forewarned and none of the conditions ruined my enjoyment of the day.

You should be prepared for thirst, slower-than-acceptable play, and "poor" bunkers before playing BGC!

I wish I had read the review posted on 7/29 by vet013 from Greensboro, PA PRIOR to playing Lakeview and Mountainview on consecutive days on 8/4 and 8/5. Fortunately, I played both courses for a combined $65.00. I played the Lakeview 20 years ago when I was in graduate school at WVU and had fond memories. After playing Lakeview -- slow pace of play after 11th hole with no Ranger, little water to drink on the course, divots and ball marks galore, etc. -- and Mountainvew -- grounds staff cutting grass forwards from #1 and not backwards from #18 so as to not interrupt play, for example, and the most bizarre bounces OUT of the fairway this side of Scotland -- I'd not return ... to either course ... ever. Vet013 was spot-on!

When I saw a "hot deal" for Maryland National (and an empty tee sheet reflected on Golf Now), I jumped at the chance. Happy to have paid nearly 50% off the regular rate to play this Central/Western Maryland "gem". If you get the chance, go this route! Wet conditions and hot temperatures during the week meant "cart path only" and the bunkers weren't prepared as they might be for a member/guest event, but the greens were fast and the fairways and tees were in great shape. Staff was friendly. Make use of the "included" driving range (especially if you can hit off the grass [rather than the mats]) and the short game area, which pretty accurately reflects course conditions.

In thinking about it, I'm not sure that I've played another course more often this summer than BRShadows. The only real differences in each trip has been the condition(s) of the course. This time around the tees and rough were pretty dry; rough I understand if there's not been a lot of rain, but the tees looked like they needed some help. Played the front 9 as a single and then joined a three-some I'd been chasing on the back 9. An enjoyable time both as a single and as an addition to another outing. Greens were in fine shape (except #16), and the staff was working on the bunkers, some of which needed some sand and additional repair(s). Always a fan of the layout as you get 2 views in 18 holes: a wooded front 9 and an open, "linksy" back 9. A great place to practice for either type of sight-line off the tee(s).

I booked on-line as a single before playing later the same morning. I was paired up with a really nice retired couple who knew the course well. We all played well from the appropriate tees, and challenged one another to shoot good scores. The front 9 was easily seen from the tee boxes and "for the taking". Pace of play was appropriate. After making the turn, I tried to go it alone as a single (as the couple had other plans and left), but got caught up in "foursome purgatory"; no ranger on the back 9 and the play came to a standstill at several points. I joined another twosome, and we finished the final 6 holes together. I was politely waved through two foursomes, but fell back to wait for the twosome since there was no improvement by my playing alone. Back 9 is definitely more difficult, and was made especially so by the pace of play. Yes, I know it was a holiday weekend, but given the lecture the Pro Shop attendant gave the customer prior to me about "pace of play" I was hoping to see a ranger to facilitate something better than a 5 hour round (when the attendant claimed play was always done in just over 4 hours and that rangers would make sure of it!). Course conditions were great: cut, watered, and green.

I played with friends from the area, and we planned to walk 18 holes so that I could stretch my legs after driving down from Maryland. We were told we were playing the Orange to Black routing, but that changed mid-way through the round. All went well on the Orange, which we played from the "back" white tees. Course is in front of you and not too tricky. Greens and tees were in excellent condition, fairways and rough were recently cut, and I didn't have any issues with the bunkers (as noted by others' reviews). Greens were fast and firm! When we headed for the back 9, we were told instead to go to the White course, which was a long hike -- both to the holes and between the holes. Given that it was sunny and approaching the high 90's, I wish someone in the Pro Shop had offered us a cart since we got pushed to this side while they prepped the Black for an upcoming tournament. We did get a ride to the White course from the friendly starters, but no one made the suggestion that we take a cart. That being said, this was the only "hitch" in an otherwise pleasant experience. I would definitely take a cart for the White course! Here's the amazing thing though: $14 to walk 18 holes ... and we started play at 740 AM! A great deal and a good course!

Royal Manchester was a very different/interesting course, which I sought-out because I wanted to see something new/different. Definitely not a tree-lined traditional course. Only blemishes in the "look" were the smoke-spewing industrial towers (not presented in any on-line pictures) in the background, including a view of Three Mile Island. I wish I had played better -- I struggled with my own game rather than the course -- because I think the course could have been "had" with a good round. Followed the advice to play "up" a set of tees since it was my first time. Good sight lines off the tees marked by "barber poles" even on "blind holes". Greens were the course's main defense; freshly cut AND rolled. Fairways felt "hard" and seem still to be growing in. Bunkers ... eh, still need some work as they're light on sand and have "wrapping" peeking through at points. The course had not been watered the night before so the irrigation was on during a number of holes I played -- but that was because the friendly staff had asked me if I'd mind (which I did not). Staff was friendly and wanted to know what I thought of the course. I'd definitely return, and hope that I have my game in order to take advantage of a fun layout. I did not use either the driving range or short game area, but both looked up to Raspberry Trail standards. I did not use the food/beverage service inside.

I played at Dowingtown CC again because I'd enjoyed it so much the first time I'd played it (about 18 months ago). I played poorly on the front 9 -- the easier 9 -- but did great on the back 9 -- playing bogey golf. I enjoyed the traditional look, small greens, and fast greens, which brought me back for a repeat visit. No interactions with the grounds crew, staff, or halfway house, but I played at the crack of dawn. Course was in great condition, and the greens were lightning quick (compared to the last course I'd played down in VA the week before). Glad that I could walk the layout; made for a much more enjoyable experience, and $20 less expensive than advertised on Golf Now. I'll definitely play Downingtown CC again!

I booked the night before I played on a hot deal. As a single, I was paired up with 3 regulars, who helped me around the course. They were a riot; made the first round of the "Spring" enjoyable! Wet as a result of recent rains, there were some rough spots on the course, but the greens putted well. Nice layout. I'd be curious to see what the course looks like in the late Spring or early Summer.