CTBackInTheRough

If I can be honest, I've let this course fester for a few days before writing this review as I wanted my initial negative feelings to dissipate a bit before sitting down to write a review.

As a player with no home course, I like to play different courses around the state. So I was looking forward to Laurel View, as I look forward to every new course.

Let me start with the positives: The gentlemen in the pro shop was very nice. I have a CSGA PlayBook to save money at some of the state's courses, and he opted not to sign and said I could come back and play again for same price of $25 (with a cart).

Only after the round, did I realize why.

As for the course, it's tight on the back nine and quite a challenging layout. I thought my score would balloon significantly, but it didn't -- much to my surprise. Laurel View, I think, would be a good test even for the straightest of hitters if not for ....

The first negative: The range was closed. As an older golfer, I like to warm up and get a few swings in to loosen up the muscles and joints. On this day, though, the range was closed. Not a major issue, I suppose, but still. When you have a range and it's not open, it's a let down.

The bigger negatives: Throughout 18 holes on the course there is no water outside of the hazards. As in no drinking water and no ball washing water. In fact, most of the ball washers were broken.

Some of the fairways were very, very dry in spots and a handful of the greens (which did roll true and nice) had these odd brown stripes running to and fro over them).

I knew around the turn that I wouldn't be returning to Laurel because of the far from pristine conditions and lack of amenities.

Upon my departure, I met a man in the parking lot who asked me how things went. We talked about the course and I was honest with him in my critiques.

He then told me he plays there a lot and the owners are having a tough time with the town, which refuses to support the course.

As such, I admit I felt kind of bad about feeling so bad about the course I had just played.

So, in closing, I guess I'd say if you want to try a new course, that's quite challenging for a low price, Laurel View might be worth a shot. Just bring plenty of water and plenty of balls because you won't be able to clean any along the way.

After 20 years, this was the first 18-hole course I played in my return to the game and I saw the whole course, left and right, and occasionally center.

My second go round was even more enjoyable.

The people are Alling are really nice and welcoming.

The course itself can be confusing at times if you don't where to go as there are a couple of intersections of cart paths where three or four tee-boxes meet, and you could go off in the wrong direction if you just assume.

The course features some easy wide open holes and some tight tee shots where u have to clear some serious hazards to find the fair way and/or rough.

My favorite holes are 10 and 14, which both feature elevated t-shots, the former at a par 3; the second a long par four with a blind tee-shot to the fairway.

I improved 15 shots from my first go-round at Alling to my second. I'm anxious to get back there and try it again.

Getting back into golf after a 20-year absence, my first stop was my local course -- a Par 3 course in my home town.

It features just one hole that's 200 yards with a couple of holes in the sub-100 yard catagory, too.

The course was in really good condition for what it is and it was easy to get around quickly. (Far less than 90 minutes in most cases).

Having discovered golfadvisor mid-summer, I'm writing this months after I first played there and I must admit the last time I went a couple of the greens were starting to fade badly due to the dry conditions. Hopefully, they stay on top of that.

For residents, the $10 price tag is more than worth it.