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For public golf in Florida, this was an excellent course when getting a hot deal. Facilities and personnel were great. Layout was above average but not outstanding. Greens rolled nicely. Although it is in a residential development the houses were not on top of the fairways like too many Florida courses. It didn’t wow me as a course, but I didn’t leave disappointed. I’d think twice about paying the non hot deal greens fee but certainly would play it when I get a hot deal.

I mean good average because although the layout is fairly pedestrian the conditions were good enough. The putting surfaces were the defense on an otherwise defenseless course. Lots of relatively forgettable holes. Good place for locals looking to get a casual round in but it’s not going to be much of an interest for advanced golfers. I wouldn’t travel too far out of your way to get to it but if you want a practice round it’s a fairly priced option.

Large rocks in dirt makes for a horrible sand trap. I dented my wedge the first time and took relief after that. Otherwise it’s a good course and the greens were in really good shape for a public course with a lot of play. But the sand traps are an abomination.

This is a very fun golf course. During the season it is packed and even in the middle of the winter it had plenty of play. Greens are in great shape for the winter. Shortish and forces your accuracy. Enjoyable.

Looking at the previous reviews, I see that they are dominated by complaints about the conditions and slow play. What do you expect? It’s a municipal course right in the middle of one of the most densely populated areas in the country. It’s going to get a lot of abuse by a lot of people. What I don’t see is an appreciation of the bones of the course, the design. This course is classic old school golf with the emphasis on shot making. There are some really good holes here that evoke the era of real wood clubs. The course is built into the landscape and you have to play your shots right to set up the next shot. That’s golf.
Having said that, this is a course that I would play in the off season, which I did, when there’s limited options to play. I certainly wouldn’t choose to play here on a summer weekend at a high price. But I have the ability to travel. Those who live in the city may not and this is their place. So buyer beware, play when it is at or below your price point and don’t expect a luxury experience. But it’s still golf.

This is a very solid choice to play. The fairways are reasonably wide and mostly tree lined, and if you do hit it into the woods your penalty is fair. Pitch it out and move on. The greens are huge, with plenty of undulations. So aiming for the center of the green doesn’t necessarily mean you have an automatic two putt. If your putting is on, you can score at this course. Bunkers are almost all pancake flat with deep rough walls. It’s a great value if you use a Golf Now discount, but the full fare is a bit steep to make it a regular place for me. It’s worth an hour drive to get to though, and the conditions of the course were very acceptable. Overall it deserves a place in the seasonal tour.

Too tight for the average golfer. It’s one thing to have a chute to tee from, but 400 yards of trees gets to you. If your natural shape is draw or fade, there’s very little room to work it. This slows down everything and backs the course up. Let’s face it. The majority of golfers can’t break 100 and if you are spending a lot of time looking for the ball, it’s just no fun. Bunkers are thin and hard and rock filled. The greens are covered with dead spots from fungal infection. The rough is very thick and dense, and be careful not to break your wrists. I shot 101 and the next day went to Bethpage Green and shot a more normal 84. It’s just not a fun day at the Woods. I won’t play this course again unless it’s less than $30 and I really am itching to play and want to get a good walk in. But that’s all it will be. A walk in the woods.

It’s a fun track. Until you hit an errant shot and wind up in the fescue. Forget it once you are in there. It’s gone. Bunkers are hard pan and rock filled. But if you manage to keep it in the fairways it’s a fun course. Modern undulating links style with challenging greens. Close enough to the water that the wind plays a big factor. Roomy driving range. Nice clubhouse facilities for a muni. I’d play it for $50 or less, definitely not more. Look for a deal, but it’s always packed.

The location of the course is very convenient to a whole lot of golfers and there’s the rub. Right off the expressway in the middle of densely packed Long Island. They can get away with charging a relatively high price for a public course. It’s a pretty good but not great course. It’s interesting but not compelling. Conditions are good considering how much play it gets. You will probably enjoy your round, but be prepared to open up the wallet for the convenience.

I hadn’t played Smithtown Landing in 40 years and remember little about it except that it was hilly and tight. That was confirmed. The layout makes good use of the ample slopes of the north shore of Long Island, and plenty of trees to block your shots on a relatively short course. Greens were very slow as was the pace befitting a very reasonable priced course filled with locals. This is not a destination golf experience. But if you’re in for a tune up and have patience it’s a good choice if you’re nearby. Don’t expect a luxury challenge. But pretty good low cost basic golf. Staff was very friendly.

A very enjoyable course. Plenty of room for your drive with multiple routes to the hole. Looking forward to playing it more often to learn the variety of approaches you can take. Very visually appealing. Makes you think and gives you options. Highly recommend.

I used to play this course when it was new. It was just ok then. I came back 25 years later and it’s still really not that memorable but they have let the length of the grass of the tees, fairways and especially the rough to get out of hand. Bring extra long tees to get your ball to the right height.
The fairways are as long as most primary rough on most courses. And you can easily lose your ball just off the fairways. Sand bunkers have plenty of rocks to ding your clubs. And it’s a very long course. Close to a 9 mile walk. A 600 yard par 6 to finish. All this adds up to less than enjoyable golf when it could be so much better. The place is in an area that’s known for its sod farms. It doesn’t have to be one too.

I drove 1.5 hours to check this place out and I have no regrets that I did. It is a very nice layout, playability with wide fairways and a true to the land aesthetic. Environmentally conscious is a plus too. No real hidden tricks and you can choose your angles to approach the greens. Penalty for bad shots were appropriate and the greens were undulating and fun. Conditions were excellent. It deserves the high rating it has. Fun golf.

I asked my playing partners if this place was built by the 10th Mountain Division. Most of the course features very elevated tee shots to fairly ample fairways. I played in early May and I am looking forward to playing here during the fall foliage season. I’m sure it is spectacular. The course is very well designed and will test all your shot making skills. Conditions were excellent. It is a bit on the pricey side for the frugal golfer, but if you come across a deal, grab it. Carts only. Walking this course is impossible. It’s an impressive layout.

A Jack Nicklaus signature course. And it plays like one.
Appropriate risk/reward challenges, super bunker placement, open fairways that you can miss your spots but still have a chance to make par, but have to make a great shot. In other words, you are rewarded/penalized for your shots. Golf.
I stood on several tees and said to myself “what a great golf hole”. It’s scenic, and varied, although there were plenty of 400 plus yard par 4s, so bring your long game.
Conditions of the fairways could be better, but it’s early in the season and they were aerating in preparation for seeding. Greens ran well, bunkers had enough sand, rough was coming in and I hope it stays punitive but not impossible.
This being in the time of coronavirus, the course was walking only, and I would recommend that you be in decent condition for this place. Plenty of elevation change, and it clocked in at just over 8 miles. I gave 5 stars for the staff and the clubhouse, even though it was off limits.
I had to drive an hour to get here. I paid a premium price to walk. I will do it again very soon I hope.

I really wanted to love this course.
I saw that it was ranked among the state’s best by GA and was really excited to play. But the only thing that came to mind after I holed out on 18 was... meh.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s a nice course. Parkland style, pleasant golf, good conditions, nice staff. But as I write this the day after, I really can’t remember an outstanding hole. If I was a golfer who had a regular tee time every Saturday to socialize with my buddies and use golf as an excuse to drink beer, this place would be just fine. But as a golfer who takes the game seriously, this course is very uninspiring.
Distance is a factor as well. I live an hour and a half away, and to do a 3 hour round trip for a golf course, it better be worth it. I’m sorry but no for this one. If I lived closer, sure I would play it often at the right price.
So my takeaway from this is beware of the high ratings. This is probably a case of high ranking due to enthusiasm by the locals. Which is fine and good, but not for me.

This is a tough golf course, and you have to know where to place your shots. If you’re playing for the first time, play with someone who has been there before. Blind shots and the penalties for missing are deep rough just off the fairways. To score well here you better be a mid handicapper having a good day or better. If you are a duffer, I would strongly suggest that you think twice about playing on this course, and perhaps playing the more friendly Jones course.
It looks to me like the Orchard built this course with 3 sections of property they had left over after building the Jones course. The first segment is routed through the woods and features a lot of mounding and two holes that require a strong poke over a ravine. Then a long walk to a section built up and around the highest point on the course. The most notable hole is #12, which requires blind shots on the tee and for the approach. I couldn’t believe it when my playing partner who had played here once before showed me the approach line. I would have never guessed that it would be that severe a dogleg, but it was. The third section goes back down into the valley next to the Jones course and is less remarkable and just darn long. 3 of the final 5 holes are par 5s. At least you get to see where you need to go in this section.
I am definitely going back. I enjoyed the challenge and want to play it again, this time at least I will have a better idea of course management. The conditions are very good, the staff nice, the facilities are very good.
The only real criticism I would have is that the par 3s could be a bit more imaginative, but with the elevation change and wind up on that hill it makes for interesting club selection. And don’t walk and carry unless you’re in really good shape. I did and I would do it again but fatigue certainly became an element when I came down from the hill and started playing the home stretch. Also there are a few really long walks between the sections.
It’s a modern course, with a few holes that are tricked up, but very enjoyable and good test of golf. Play it with the right attitude and you will have a great round.