HuskyFinn

Timberlin is a good, fun course for the average golfer. It appears easy, and maybe for very good golfers it is, but for folks like me, there are plenty of challenges, yet on an overall fairly forgiving course. They have cleaned up the course in the past few years to speed up play and accommodate less skilled golfers - e.g., where there used to be significant underbrush for balls to get lost in, most of that has been cleared out; now, if you hit towards a pine tree, at least the bottom branches have been cut back so you can find your ball easily without taking hours to look for it. And a number of trees between fairways have also come down, though perhaps more for safety/maintenance to remove diseased trees than to make the course easier. Fairways are reasonably wide, but if you do go astray into the woods, you'll probably have to take a drop if you can find your ball. On the back 9, there are several water hazards - manageable with careful play, but if not they'll swallow your Srixon. And the course is generally in good condition, despite a very hot and dry summer.

There are a number of small maintenance items that could use some attention, though most are not significant enough for me to give the course a low ranking. Some areas at the beginning of several fairways, especially near the ends of the cart paths, are pretty bare, and hardpacked, as are some of areas of the rough, but the fairways and greens are good, though Timberlin seems to attract a lot of golfers who don't bother replacing any divots. Tee boxes are OK with the exception of a few that have recently been built or rebuilt; almost all of these feel like asphalt was laid under the turf - it's that hard to get your tee into the ground.
One item that I think is a bit more important is the lack of distance markers on many holes. On some the traditional sprinkler-head markings are frequent and visible, but on a number of holes they are few and far between. There used to be red, white, and blue stakes, about 4 feet tall at the 100, 150, and 200 yard markers, but no more. On one or two holes there was at least a small (maybe 2 feet) white 150 marker, and even on one of those holes, that marker got destroyed by a mower and wasn't replaced for some time. Many courses use the in-ground round plastic red, white, and blue markers and you'll find those on some Timberlin holes, though sometimes partially concealed by the turf. (On at least one hole that I can recall, the red 100 yd disk is puzzlingly labeled 150 - go figure.) Some courses post those standard distance markers on trees along the course, but we don't have those either. With so many people now sporting hand-held personal range finders, maybe the folks at Timberlin think it's not worth the investment to install, or to improve on, markers on the course, and maybe this is not a big deal for other golfers, but I'd like to see better distance marking.
Again, my overall view of Timberlin is that it's a fun course that I enjoy playing, one I'd certainly recommend, and will look forward to the next time I'm out.

Many people dismiss municipal courses as unchallenging and/or poorly maintained. If that's the rule, Timberlin proves the exception. While a few holes are fairly easy for decent golfers (I wish I could place myself in that category), most holes are longer/tougher than one might expect, which makes for a good, challenging round. They are also generally well maintained - greens that are smooth and reasonably true, rough that is not ridiculously long, good fairways, and with a recent cleanup of some areas that swallowed stray balls and caused too many players too much time looking for them, it is also a forgiving course. You may slice into or through some trees, but there generally are openings to get back to your fairway without a deadly penalty for your missed shot. Staff is friendly, though not always efficient - often so chatty that a line builds up when people are trying to check in, pay, and get out to their tee time. And I've never experienced any problem from any ranger - certainly no one is overly officious in enforcing nit-picking rules. My biggest gripe about the course is the shortage of yardage markers. There's usually a 150-yard stake, but other indicators are sparse, not easily seen, or non-existent., so bring your range finder. In other areas: Course amenities are limited to a few drinking fountains and portapotties. There is no beverage cart and no soda/bottled water machines on the course. Clubhouse is adequate for 19th hole drinks/snacks. There is a "driving range" that is barely worthy of the name (3-4 carpets to hit off, no hybrids or drivers allowed). The main practice putting green is on the side of a hill and provides more challenge than you may need when warming up and trying to get a feel for green speed, etc., but another practice green is quite level. Overall, however, Timberlin is good value for the money. You'll have a challenging, though not impossible, round in a lovely setting, and it provides a good time for many levels of golfing skill.

This course is great for average (or less) golfers like me and far more challenging, both in layout and length, than you might expect for a muni course. It's also very well maintained, though it could use a few more distance markers on most all of the fairways. Greens are well kept and reasonably true, and a few are slanted enough to add some extra degree of difficulty on those holes. Though challenging, the course is pretty forgiving - not a great number of places to lose a ball in, and if you slice on to an adjoining fairway, there are usually enough openings between trees/shrubs to give you a shot back where you belong. Main practice green very slanted so tough to warm up on. Crappy little irons-only driving range with astroturf tees. Clubhouse is minimalist, but plenty good enough for 19th hole refreshment at reasonable prices. No beverage cart on the course, no soda/water machines, and only a few drinking fountains and few portapotties. Staff is friendly but could be a bit more efficient in collecting fees when there is a line of folks trying to pay and get going. This course is enjoyable, the price is right and I'd certainly recommend it.