HipshotPercussion

This was my first time back at Carriage Greens since they flipped nines and did some upgrades. The greens were in excellent shape, the fairways were good.

I play to a 14 hcp and shot an 80 and although I said I would recommend the course, I would with the caveats below.

We are seniors and play from the forward tees - Red. These were absolutely atrocious. Tiny (8' x 10', give or take) pitted, bumps, holes, dirt, clumps of grass, uneven. TERRIBLE! On 3rd hole the tee box is behind three trees. Yes, BEHIND three trees.

On the 8th hole, the tee box is behind a tall tree. In order to hit driver and hit the fairway, you need to be able to draw the ball hard. If not? Just hit an iron to the top of the hill and deal with it.

On 11 the Red tees are just plopped in the fairway. Same thing on 16 - with the 200 yd marker dead center between the markers, about 10' in front of you.

Also on 16 they took out all the tee boxes - looks as though they are selling that piece of property for a home to be built. The white tees were plopped down haphazzardly too.

Cut grass is blown into the ponds making them look all scummy. Lots of holes need to be cleaned up. The 2nd hole has a wet trashy area just in front and right of the tee boxes that looks terrible.

They are working at it, no doubt. The 9th hole is stable and you can drive your golf cart on it. Drainage is much better - it rained last night and normally that would have meant 90 degree or even cart path only in the past - but the course was relatively dry.

The course is tight, relatively challenging and the price is right - $32.00 18, riding for seniors. Staff is terrific and helpful. Pro shop has been upgraded and enlarged.

So, pluses and minus' for the course. I will be back again, but not anytime soon. I'll wait to see if improvements have been made to tee boxes and general upkeep of the course.

Although this tree lined course is shorter than many 18 holers (6200 from the blue) it is a course that has holes that are wide open and some that will definitely challenge you. The front and back nines are two distinctly different courses with the front a flatter nine and the back situated on rolling hills.

The do have a lot of prairie grass that you may NOT enter. If you hit a ball into the grass, its goodbye! On the front nine the par 5 third, the par 4 sixth, the par 4 eight and the par 5 ninth are the tough ones. On the back its the par 3 12th, the par 5 14th and the par 4 15th (this really should be a par 5) that are the hard ones. The par 5 18th is a birdie-able hole (eagle for long hitters)

The well bunkered greens are very well kept and are fast and hilly. Sand (again well kept) comes into play on every hole on the course except the par 3's. The fairways are wide (except for the par 5 ninth) and the rough, though not very deep, is very thick and can give even the best golfers trouble.

Pace of play is always excellent! I have NEVER played Phillips Park where it has taken more than 4.5 hours and this was the worst of days. I regularly play here in 3.25 to 4 hrs. They have excellent staff who are helpful and nice. An excellent driving range and practice greens.

Sandwiches, burgers, fries, cookies and beer are available at the clean and friendly clubhouse.

All in all a great place to play and for a good price, too!
If you have children who play or want to play, they have a three hole kids course and are a part of the First Tee program.