gsimprov

Took a chance with the near 100 degree temps. Had a 1:48 tee time and staff sent me right out. Sped around in @ 2:30, and that was with being held up by a threesome on the final 4 holes (nobody in front of them.). Lots of hydration and a wet towel saved the day because it was like an oven. Shot an amazing (for me) 38 on the front nine. All aspects of the course are in very nice condition. I’m still repairing lots of ball marks on each green. Wish people would be more diligent.

$5 million in improvements later...there’s nothing remarkable to report. Whereas Saxon Woods changed its sixth hole dramatically when it’s work was done, the layout remains the same. And it’s a challenging tract with a tough finishing hole. But...there are many fairways with sod and they are soggy. The tee boxes markers are ridiculously close together, making for a small box. Many flags were placed in very tough spots, often near the fringe. Today’s round was cart path only due to recent rains and I expect this will be the norm more often than not this summer. On a positive note, the cart deposit is just a buck, as opposed to Saxon’s $5. The pro shop is nicely stocked. The Grille seems to be very popular; in the past I’ve found grabbing a hot dog and drink to take a while. Out on the course, the beverage machines are either gone or out-of-order. Not great on a sweltering afternoon. There’s a hot dog stand after the 5th/14th. All-in-all, I’m more likely to go to the other Westchester public courses this year

Went on afternoon of July 4 and course was wide open. Free range balls and nice putting and chipping areas. There are five tee boxes to play from, and on the first tee signage suggests which tee box based on your handicap. The course is very challenging. Fairways are tight and undulating. The rough is actually penalizing. The biggest challenge, by far, are the rolling, lightning fast greens. The back nine features at least three holes where you need to carry drives over waste areas ending in rock walls. Even more intimidating is a par 5 on the back with a monolithic rock dead center. Near the end is a tricky par 3 with a long narrow putting green protected by waste areas in front and rocks behind the green. Lots of water coming into play. A great experience and looking forward to another shot at it. Staff is very friendly. My one suggestion would be to differentiate the tee markers with brighter colors.

Quite a few blind spots, about a third of the holes. A good challenge with water coming into play on a number of holes. There’s a $5 cash deposit for the cart, which seems a bit odd given that you hand it over right after the eighteenth. Staff is friendly. Big putting green to practice on prior to start and the range has you oddly shooting across the first leg of the challenging tenth hole. There’s a bell to be rung here to stop the range hitters, as well as one on the front nine at the 6th. Food concession after the 7th hole, which is where the on course bathrooms are.

Water comes into play on a few holes. Well maintained layout. Careful club selection from the tee on holes 3, 6, 11, 12, and 17 required as hitting too far, too straight could be trouble. The greens, at least on this day, seemed much slower than other county courses. Started @ 2:30 and finished @ 7:00. This is the exception. I’ve played lots of 6:00 super-twilights and getting in 9 holes can be a challenge. Sometimes you can go from 8 to 13 & 14 then back to 8 & 9, but more often than not you have to stick with the traditional sequence. Nice pro shop and grill. Would be great to have starters at 1 (thru 6:30-7) and 10; I’ve seen players complete the front nine then come back to do it again because the back is “too slow’” making our Twilight time a snail’s pace. And seen ppl who start their twilight at hole 10. I’m comfortable walking the front with a pull cart at twilight, but ride during day/full rounds because it really heats up.

You’ll earn your pars on this course. Blind approaches on some of the front nine holes add to the challenge. Many elevated greens. Overall conditions are very good for this county operated course.

You cannot find a friendlier staff. The course is in v good condition; the biggest issue is some players just won’t repair their ball marks and a few tees are showing the wear of a long season. The front nine is narrow as you go up and down hills. You can drive the par 4 first and ninth holes (white tees.) Basically, if you can keep it together thru the first six holes (par 25) you should shoot a low score. Playing strategically will pay off. I leave the driver in the bag for holes 2 thru 5, using a 7 wood. Walking the front 9 is a challenge; esp the climb up 9, but the back 9 is no sweat. The front is par 36. The back 9 is why I title this review Confidence Builder. There are four par 3’s and none are of challenging length. Total par is 34. Play 13 conservatively off the tee - again I only hit the 7 wood here - as it is the only narrow hole. Doing so should leave you a modest second shot into the green where there’s little room for error. The challenge lies in 15-16-17. It’s par 4-5-4. You need to be long and straight on these to have a comfortable shot at par. During the early part of summer I played many a Sat and Sun twilight at 5pm and easily walked a full 18. The view from the 9th green of Dunwoodie seminary, and from 18 of the NYC skyline, particularly at dusk, are memorable. If you take a cart, they are equipped with screens giving you yardage and where the carts ahead of you are at. Finally, the grill staff is also friendly and attentive; and $6 will get you two hot dogs. Hard to beat.

Often heard this was a nice course and it didn’t disappoint. Long par 3s but very makeable 5s. Water is not a major factor but fairway bunkers make for the challenge. High quality tee boxes, fairways and greens. Some tricky breaks on the greens. My pace of play was exceptional, just over 4 hours. Guys I played with said it’s usually much slower on the weekend. Beverage cart makes the rounds. Nice looking cafe.

A short-playing course; par is 34 on the front. 36 on the back. As a high-handicapper, my most consistent wood is a Callaway 7 wood, so I left my driver and 3 in the bag and used it exclusively and was easy 2nd shot range on virtually all the 4s and well positioned on the 5s. The course has some challenging greens, with a few multi-tiers, and a blind approach on 3. Geese droppings are omni-present, particularly on the front. Play can be dreadfully slow, but rangers are active and responsive to calls to the clubhouse. Water on the course after 7 and, I think, 12.

Definitely a walkable course, with most of the hill climbing coming on the front nine. Many blind approaches possible. Must, must, must keep your ball below the hole when hitting onto the green. I've seen the slightest tap from 10 feet above a hole go as far past. A great challenge for the average golfer without being overly frustrating.

I've played here 3 times and it is a very nicely maintained course. Played weekdays when it didn't seem too hard to get out. Pace was great and you see the rangers often. Greens are in very nice shape. Definitely want to make score on the front 9 as the back has some challenging plays for the high handicapper. I've walked the course and it was a bit of a challenge but definitely doable. Good food service available. Just a few minutes drive from Danbury Fair Mall.

Carts are a must as you are up and down hills all day long. This is truly a course for the low handicapper. Tight layout. Invariably you are going to play with the ball either above or below your feet. Easy for the high handicapper to go through a bunch of balls. Lots of movement on the greens; read somewhere that the break is always towards the water tower, but didn't feel like that's always the case. The only Westchester public course where I've seen machines in the traps for maintenance. Another "unique" characteristic, tho they didn't have it this day, is that there are attendants after 18 who'll wipe down your clubs. Not sure what the expected tip rate is; maybe they've dropped the practice.

The easiest of the Westchester County public courses to get an early weekday teetime. Have played multiple Fridays teeing off before 7am and finishing in 3:30 to 3:45. Definitely slower later. The first hole, a par 4, must surrender a fair number of aces as it is easily reached with a driver as long as you don't mind challenging the trap running parallel to the front of the green (and even then there's an opening on the left.# Holes 2 thru 5 will basically determine how your round will go as these are the Amen Corner of the course. Two is, I think, an especially challenging par 4 because the fairway narrows to your landing zone and you are dead when left and especially right. The green is slightly below the fairway, and you'd better not miss right, but there's a huge tree left to challenge your approach shot. Three requires you play the ball left of center because it will drain downhill right, and then it's a short shot to an elevated green. Four is a long 4 that requires a solid drive and take an extra club for that iron approach going uphill. Five is a slight dogleg right downhill where players often bag the driver and try and coax a 5 or 7 wood into the smallish landing zone. After that you will get 5 par 3s and 3 5s in the remaining holes. So you can absolutely make hay. 3 of the first 5 on the back 9 are par 3s. On 11, a dogleg left par 5, keep your drive center/right and continue to keep your ball on the right side so that you have a clean shot at the green on approach. On 13, just hit a club that you can knock 160-180 yards out. 17 and 18 (a par 3, of course# can provide great views of the Manhattan skyline on clear days. Your approach shot on 17 will play longer than it looks thanks to the ridge in front of the green, Definitely a walkable course, though the front nine is hilly and 9 is a huge uphill climb followed by a long walk to the tenth tee. Greens are fairly unchallenging, with 3, 6 and 9 the slickest. A fun course for a quick round #if you don't mind getting out ultra early) and a low score possibility. Can't remember it ever being buggy in any way. You may see fox or turkey here. Love playing this course at twilight.