Southern Mississippi

[sabram]

I made my first visit to Mississippi last week. Played four very nice courses all within a 30 minute drive from the Biloxi casinos: The Preserve, Shell Landing, Grand Bear and Fallen Oak. I would recommend this area (and particularly these courses) for a guys golf trip especially if you are coming from somewhere that has direct flights and/or if you are in to casinos. I flew into Gulfport from NY. There are no direct flights from NY, so you need to connect in Charlotte, Atlanta or Houston. I went straight from the airport to The Preserve. I was early for my tee time but they didn't make me wait to tee off. I played as a single and finished in 2 hours 40 minutes, playing two balls on several holes. It was a beautifully clear sunny day with a two club wind. The Preserve is a Jerry Pate design. About half the holes require carries over natural marshy areas and about a third of the holes have water in play. The fairways were very firm so I got some good roll on my tee shots and the greens were very fast. The greens had interesting breaks. The green on the 225 yard par 3 16th hole was "Doakish" with a big ridge above the back right pin placement. I really enjoyed the course.

 

https://www.flickr.c...157666689174460 - Link to photo tour of the Preserve

 

Preserve #2 par 3 200 yards from tips 908r

 

 

Preserve #3 i913r

 

Preserve #8 r par 5 928r

 

Preserve #11 from tee short par 4 940r

 

Preserve #14 from tee par 5 948r

 

Preserve #14 par 5 x bridge to green 953r

 

Preserve #16 s from crest on green 963r See how perfect this green is? All 18 were. From the photo it's not easy to see the huge ridge in the green, but the flag is several feet below my feet from where I was standing when I took this photo.

 

Preserve #18 i977r

 

I stayed at Harrah's in order to get the discounted green fee at Grand Bear. The check in line took almost an hour and the lobby is in the process of being refurbished. The hotel and casino were okay but nothing special, although it was very inexpensive, so it was good value if you want to do a trip on the cheap.

 

I'll continue in a separate post

[sabram]

The next morning I checked out of Harrah's and made the short drive from Biloxi to Shell Landing, which is a Davis Love III design. I had the second tee time of the day. There was a twosome of locals in front of me and I was worried about them holding me up. I again played in less than 2 hrs 40 minutes and never saw the twosome after the second hole. Shell Landing had a similar feel to the Preserve. Here there were seven holes with carries over natural areas and several holes with water in play. Number 6 is a very scenic and difficult par 4 requiring two shots over marshy natural areas. That hole and a few others reminded me of some of the nicer courses I've played in Myrtle Beach that have marshland holes (think Rivers Edge, Oyster Bay etc) Shell Landing also played firm and fast. This day there was no wind and the skies were mostly cloudy, but still a glorious way to start the day on a very good golf course.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/albums/72157667118262562 Link to photo tour of Shell Landing

 

Shell Landing #1 from tee 979

 

Shell Landing #3 x988r

 

Shell Landing #6 from back tee 998r

 

Shell Landing #6 approach 100 yards out

 

Shell Landing #10 why wait to 10th hole for this

 

Shell Landing #14

 

Shell Landing #15 from tee

 

After the round it was off to Grand Bear for my afternoon round, but on the way I had to stop for "brunch" at a Waffle House, which is my guilty pleasure whenever I visit the South.

 

Waffle House, Blessing MS 44r

[sabram]

Grand Bear Link to photo tour: https://www.flickr.c...th/25948003833/

 

 

I arrived at Grand Bear before noon for my 1:00 pm tee time. The course was pretty busy and they said they couldn’t get me out earlier because there were four foursomes ahead of me. I spent some time talking golf, baseball and travel with the pro and the starter… two very nice guys. They did let me out at 12:45 but it felt painfully slow playing behind the foursomes, even though they actually were playing at a 4 hr and 20 minute pace. I played two balls on most holes and went back to play a couple of holes again rather than wait on each tee. Grand Bear is located in the middle of the DeSoto National Forest. The driveway from the main road to the course is a six mile drive through the forest. The course is very secluded and felt less open (more tree lined) than the Preserve and Shell Landing. Like those courses it played firm and fast. I finished 9 holes in 2 hrs 10 min. After playing #10 I went back to the starter to see if perhaps #18 was open but it wasn’t, but in a few minutes another single joined me and we played the back 9 together. He was a very good player, who at 50 yrs old had just retired from the Army. He is a regular at Grand Bear and gave me some “local knowledge” playing tips as we went. It made the back 9 a lot more fun than the front

 

 

 

Grand Bear #2 par 5

 

Grand Bear #3 par 3

 

Grand Bear #4

 

Grand Bear #8

Grand Bear #11 from tee par 5

 

Grand Bear #14 par 3

 

Grand Bear #16 par 3 from front tee

 

Grand Bear #17 from tee

 

Grand Bear #18 pitch to green

 

After the round I drove back to Biloxi to check into the Beau Rivage. This is a first class hotel. It is an MGM property and almost as nice as the MGM Grand and Aria that I usually stay at in Vegas. Several steps above Harrah's albeit more expensive. I stayed here in order to get the stay and play package to get on Fallen Oak. The next morning it was off to Fallen Oak for my last round in Mississippi before a late flight to Chicago for work. I'll post Fallen Oak Pix and notes next.

[OK_Golf]

Great pics and nice reviews. Really like the look of all of these courses from the tee. Great pics. Which was your favorite? And did you get the pecan waffle at Waffle House? It's a must!

[MarkCPA]

I'm a big fan of the MS Gulf Coast area for lots of reasons including the golf.

 

Said it here before and I'll say it again - Jerry Pate is a very underrated golf course architect. If I had a couple hundred acres and anything resembling a construction budget, Pate would be on my short list to build my course.

 

I'll add Shell Landing to my play list on my next trip there after seeing your post and pics.

[sabram]

Great pics and nice reviews. Really like the look of all of these courses from the tee. Great pics. Which was your favorite? And did you get the pecan waffle at Waffle House? It's a must!

 

I think I liked the Preserve the best, but just by a hair. It had great greens a beautiful setting, a strong wind and was the prettiest day. I know that shouldn't matter but it does have an effect on me. The playing conditions at The Preserve, Shell Landing and Grand Bear were excellent. I guess it had been dry for some time so all three had very firm fairways, providing lots of roll and the greens at all three were quite fast. Also, the green fee at each was less than $100, with Grand Bear being the least expensive and a great value.

 

I haven't had a chance to post about Fallen Oak yet. There was a deluge the morning I played there so it was cart path only and the conditions when I played Fallen Oak were very soft and wet. It is a different course than the other three and much more expensive. I'll definitely play Preserve , Shell Landing and Grand Bear on my next visit. I don't think I'll play Fallen Oak again unless I can get a lower green fee.

 

I did get the Pecan Waffle with scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, raisin toast, coffee and O.J. Gotta love Waffle House :D

[sabram]

I'm a big fan of the MS Gulf Coast area for lots of reasons including the golf.

 

Said it here before and I'll say it again - Jerry Pate is a very underrated golf course architect.

 

I'll add Shell Landing to my play list on my next trip there after seeing your post and pics.

 

I've only played a couple of Jerry Pate's courses. He did do a nice job at the Preserve. Dancing Rabbit and Trump Colts Neck NJ are also very good. My only nit with the Preserve is that there are a couple of holes where there are long walks from green to the next tee so would make for a tougher walk than i'd like if I was walking the course. . If you like the Preserve you should like Shell Landing.

[sabram]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/albums/72157667282397552 link to Fallen Oak Photo tour

 

Fallen Oak #1 par 5 xdogleg

 

Fallen Oak #3 z par 3

 

Fallen Oak #4 approach

 

Fallen Oak #5 pitch from right side of fairway

 

Fallen Oak #8 par 3

 

 

Fallen Oak #13 par 5 from front tee zoomed

 

Fallen Oak #18 from tee

[seus777]

Love those courses. Nice review and pics. Looking forward to playing a tournament down there in September.

[AustinLefty]

Great pics and nice reviews. Really like the look of all of these courses from the tee. Great pics. Which was your favorite? And did you get the pecan waffle at Waffle House? It's a must!

 

I think I liked the Preserve the best, but just by a hair. It had great greens a beautiful setting, a strong wind and was the prettiest day. I know that shouldn't matter but it does have an effect on me. The playing conditions at The Preserve, Shell Landing and Grand Bear were excellent. I guess it had been dry for some time so all three had very firm fairways, providing lots of roll and the greens at all three were quite fast. Also, the green fee at each was less than $100, with Grand Bear being the least expensive and a great value.

 

I haven't had a chance to post about Fallen Oak yet. There was a deluge the morning I played there so it was cart path only and the conditions when I played Fallen Oak were very soft and wet. It is a different course than the other three and much more expensive. I'll definitely play Preserve , Shell Landing and Grand Bear on my next visit. I don't think I'll play Fallen Oak again unless I can get a lower green fee.

 

I did get the Pecan Waffle with scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, raisin toast, coffee and O.J. Gotta love Waffle House :D

Biloxi is definitely a great place for a buddies golf trip. The Preserve, Shell Landing, and Grand Bear are my three favorite courses in the area. I haven't ponied up the dough to play at Fallen Oak yet. The last three times we've stayed at the Palace and been very happy. The rooms have all been renovated in the last year or two and are great. As a non smoker the smoke free casino is a plus as well as the sports bar they have. Last year we went and ate at Adventures Pub and Half Shell Oyster House. They're a block off the beach and both places had great sea food and selection of local beers.

[adamjstl]

I'm a big fan of the MS Gulf Coast area for lots of reasons including the golf.

 

Said it here before and I'll say it again - Jerry Pate is a very underrated golf course architect. If I had a couple hundred acres and anything resembling a construction budget, Pate would be on my short list to build my course.

 

I'll add Shell Landing to my play list on my next trip there after seeing your post and pics.

 

+1 on Jerry Pate. Most underrated designer out there.

[Spicoli]

Nice reviews!

[guyswhoisawesome]

All of these courses look so nice through the pictures

[cbrwn425]

Down in Biloxi for the weekend and played shell landing because of this thread. So glad I did, beautiful course, absolutely loved it. It'd played pretty soft and slow but it looked like they aerated pretty recently. If I come back down here again I'll definitely be played it again.

[MarkCPA]

Heading to the coast for my annual run there. I'm playing Shell Landing for the first time as well based on adamjstl's recommendation.

[ksnooksk]

Yeah, Shell Landing did just aerate the greens but, it's always a bit slow anyhow, imo. However, that takes absolutely nothing away from the course because it's a fantastic track that is always in pristine shape.

 

I'm from Biloxi.

[bizzle21]

Headed down in early sept for a wedding with another couple, buddy and I are gonna play while the wives do wedding stuff. From what I can tell the preserve and she'll landing are on the list. My question to those that are local. Is TPC worth it?

[MarkCPA]

I played Shell Landing yesterday. I was very impressed with the layout. I've only played one other DL3 designed course and found it bland and repetitive. Shell Landing winds its way through marshlands which will produce several photo opportunities and test your game. Course conditions were good and I'd say the greens were the best I saw on the coast all week. Getting to SL was a haul when you're renting a house in Bay St. Louis, but the course proved worth the drive.