suavameir

A fairly interesting links style layout with challenging but playable holes. My favorite thing about this course in the past has been the greens, which have been firm and true. This time they were a little long and a bit wet/soft, but still decent. There are some dry patches on the course, but it doesn't really bother me - I just take it as part of the character of the course. It mimics that very short cut, dry, hard turf you see in the Open, or so I like to think. The sand in the bunkers is terrible, but the bunkers are not excessively in play (I didn't get in any, but my playing partners were complaining and I could see how bad the sand was). Overall, it is a good golf experience. My 37 bucks included a hot dog. Can't beat that!

There are some really good specials offered which make this course more than worthwhile. Really fun and interesting layout, good conditions, nice greens. Only downsides are location and the fact that it can be quite hot and possibly windy. But if you play it at the right time that's not a problem. I don't mind making a 1 hour drive to this course when I have the time.

Beautiful, scenic setting. Some of the holes are on the goofy side - like trees right in the middle of the fairway and other strange design elements that throw off the risk/reward ratio. I imagine if you play the course a lot these things become part of its charm. If you are not really familiar with the course, it can be tough to judge the right placement from the tee, or even the approach shot. Nevertheless, had a great time playing this course - my first time in more than 10 years so it was like playing it for the first time. Also remember enjoying it when I played it once or twice 10-15 years ago. The hole designs are unique and interesting if unconventional, course was in great shape, and we played on a hot summer weekday afternoon and had the place almost to ourselves. Tip: the greens roll straighter than you might think; don't play too much break.

Not a major golf challenge, but a fun and pretty course. A nice walk with a little golf thrown in. The holes are short. If you are on your game and hitting straight, you can play a lot of wedges to greens. Course is in sort of not great shape right now. A lot of very thin grass (meaning dirt/clay/mud patches showing through - probably they have had to cut back on watering) all over the course and the greens are kind of bumpy, which I think is normal. But it is a pleasant place to be and it's cheap, and some of the holes are very pretty and even interesting, so you just accept it for what it is.

This course is definitely worth a play if you haven't played it. Picturesque setting, dramatic layout, always in good condition in the many times I've played it over the years.

But it's not quite what I want it to be. The risk-reward trade-off that marks a great course is not there. On most holes, the decision is made for you; there is only one smart play. And it is unwalkable, always a strike against.

The food at the lodge is decent, but quite a bit more expensive than you'd like it to be.

But if you haven't played it yet, for sure you should go check it out.

Like it's neighbor Shadow Lakes, Deer Ridge has few trees and is exposed to a lot of wind, at least in the summer when I played both courses. Deer Ridge has a more varied layout. It also has houses that visually are tighter in to the course, though they are mostly out of play even for hackers. I love the greens (on both courses) - they roll incredibly true and given the climate are not excessively firm. I don't know how they do it. Maybe the courses don't get that much play? Deer Ridge is a little shorter than Shadow Lakes. As 10-12 handicaps, we played the tips (~6,300 yds) and were mostly pleased with the distances. We played twilight rounds booked through Golf Now and the value for $ can not be beat! I preferred Deer Ridge and my partner preferred Shadow Lakes. We agreed that both are a lot of fun and a good challenge.

Very exposed to the wind, at least on the day we played, but a very enjoyable experience. Teed off at 3:10 on a Wed. and finished by 6:45 at the latest. Greens are unusually tricky to read, but roll well. The layout is open and mostly treeless, but interesting with contours, and elevation changes. The course is fairly forgiving and offers the possibility of low scoring, especially if the wind is low, but the wind was a big factor the day we played. The course is well designed in terms of risk/reward and variety of shots, and the different tee boxes create real differentiation for golfers of different abilities. All will enjoy this course, I believe.