bmillerstlouis

I have played this course 3 summers in a row on a family trip to the Bemidji area. It is generally a green, lush course with fairways surrounded by tall pines on each side. The course was redesigned recently, but it still has the feeling of a classically-designed course--a few long par 4s, some short par 4s, reachable par 5s, undulating greens with some severe slope (how greens were designed before everyone ran 11 on the Stimpmenter), the requirement for fades and draws, and no houses along the course. The tee boxes are next to the previous hole. The wind is tricky off the lake and the pines sometimes make it difficult to discern what the wind will do when the ball is airborne (the par 3 7th seems to always get me)

The driving range is nice and a great little short game practice area next to the first tee.

I paid $50 for 18 holes and a total of $71 with taxes and a cart and the locals consider it too expensive. The course was a little dry this year so the bounces and rolls were markedly different, but this was a treat to play

I was here on business in New Orleans and after searching several courses, chose this one. It is about a 20 minute cab ride to the course.

For a course that hosts a PGA event, it has a relaxed atmosphere and the staff is very nice. The practice facility is right next to the pro shop and first tee and has a decent putting green, chipping area and range.

It was a great winter day--some sun and temperatures in the 70s. The course was slightly wet after several days of rain, but drains well. The fairways were a bit rough with some bare patches, but it was February. I played in 3 hours and 10 minutes. The go cart track was going full force and I could hear the roars on about 4 holes.

The course is extremely playable for the average golfer. Multiple sets of tees are reasonable for everyone. The driving is not tight. There is a nice mix of distances on the par 3s, par 4s and par 5s. The greens usually have bail out areas on at least one side. Most greens have the ability for a run up from one side of the fairway. The water present does not require forced carries or absolute reasons to challenge it. Only a few trees come into play. The driving areas are relatively wide until you get closer to the holes. The rough now is not thick, but I suppose the bermuda will be a bit thick by April. There is minimal elevation to the course.

Two things make this course challenging. 1) First, the greens. They are generally fast, large and surrounded by fairly tight chipping areas where your ball will easily roll into. And the required chip will need to be crisp. The greens also are sometimes difficult to read--2 of them seem to break away from the adjacent water. 2) Second, the typical Pete Dye optics to the golfer. Invariably, the shot required or encouraged (fade or draw) will be at least visually intimidating and often with trouble in play . For example, if the hole sets up for a draw, you will be drawing the ball towards trouble often and the prevailing wind pushing the ball towards the trouble. But if you want to fade the ball to avoid trouble, you will need to start the fade over/near the trouble. (think of Hole #17 at Whistling Straits as the prototype)This starts on Hole # 3 and continues for many of the subsequent holes. However, unlike other Pete Dye courses, this course does give the golfer ample bail out on the side away from trouble. This is how it can be challenging for the pros and still playable for the average golfer. For those who tire of Pete Dye designs, the waste bunkers aren't too annoying and only 1 hole with railroad ties.

The pros routinely rate this course as one of their least favorite on tour. For them, I see why: It isn't particularly scenic--it is located in a swampy area away from the metropolitan area. They probably all have 30 minute drives to the course. There are not very memorable holes or green complexes except perhaps the final 3 holes. Hole # 16 you have to decide whether to lay up behind the bunkers and have a long iron to the green with water to the left of your approach. Hole # 17 is a large green with water to the left with the prevailing wind pushing the ball to the left. As someone who hits a draw, I had to start the ball off the green (check the pin sheet or use a range finder) and end up in the middle. Hole #18 is a par 5 with water up the entire right side and bunkers on the left that have a high enough lip that you probably should use a 7 iron at most to get out of.

This was a very enjoyable golf course. The day we played it rained in the morning and continued lightly for our first two holes. After that it was a calm, sunny and humid day. So we did not experience the wind that likely makes this golf course so challenging.

The course was in great shape. The holes have a lot of variety. There are 2 drivable par 4s, some long par 4s, and several strategic par 4s. Par 3s were both long and short.

The greens were extremely slow, but then again it had rained earlier in the day.

Several of the holes play along the sound, but most meander through a nice housing development.

I realize "links" means different things to different players. I expected a more open, treeless course next to the water with opportunities for running the ball up to the green. As I said above, many of the holes are bordered by houses, occasionally on both sides. There is a lot of target golf and some forced carries. Not quite what I expected.

Even the mild wind affected several of our shots, so this will be your main challenge

This is an excellent, though expensive, choice for golf on the Outer Banks.

The driving range and practice green are adequate though not particularly large. The practice green was slower than the course greens on the day we played.

The starter placed us as the third group out, starting on the back 9. We did not have to wait when we came around to the first hole for our second 9.

This is a course that one could benefit from knowledge. The sight lines and knowing which holes have trouble on the back of the hole is critical.

There are some very simple holes here (#1 and #10 are good chances for birdies) but then some ridiculously long par 4s on the front nine (Driver followed by 3 wood to green, Driver followed by 4 hybrid to sand trap.

The course generally plays narrower than it appears because the scrub off the fairway, though not tall, is thick and muddy on the day we played.

I did like that from a strategic standpoint, the golf course usually gives the player a preferred side of the fairway and also a side of the green to miss. For the daring player, there are also some tempting looks that are not usually advisable (first par 5 on the back nine, #11, over the swamp to the green suckered me into an 8 instead of an attempt at birdie or an easy par by laying up short and to the left. Ditto on #18 for a 7) It took me about 9 holes to figure this out, but I lowered my score by 8 shots on the back 9 by playing smarter.

The wind was deceptive and not easily discernible from the ground, particularly on the par 3s, so pay attention to the tall trees before hitting

The greens were slow, but in good shape.

The bunkers have relatively soft sand, so the ball can plug in the walls.

I played from the black tees and felt very challenged (11 index). My partner ( index 24) played from the white tees and had one of his most enjoyable rounds ever. Choose your tee box carefully.