New England Course Conditions

[Imp]

Played Sakonett GC in Little Compton RI yesterday as the last RIGA Package. One word: Phenominal. If you ever, ever have the chance to play here, do not pass it up. Greens roll quick and true, and quick. Did I mention quick? Because they do. Fairways in awesome shape.

Great location, and it appears as if it's a fairly easy links-style layout (it's mostly fairly straight shots with a few doglegs thrown in for good measure) but where it gets you is if there's any prevailing wind coming off the ocean... it turns into a game of strategery, and their stratgically placed bunkers and rough/fescue will have you thinking a couple times about those shots you *think* you can make.

--kC

[Teetogreen86]

[quote name='Imp' timestamp='1380800079' post='7946397']
Played Sakonett GC in Little Compton RI yesterday as the last RIGA Package. One word: Phenominal. If you ever, ever have the chance to play here, do not pass it up. Greens roll quick and true, and quick. Did I mention quick? Because they do. Fairways in awesome shape.

Great location, and it appears as if it's a fairly easy links-style layout (it's mostly fairly straight shots with a few doglegs thrown in for good measure) but where it gets you is if there's any prevailing wind coming off the ocean... it turns into a game of strategery, and their stratgically placed bunkers and rough/fescue will have you thinking a couple times about those shots you *think* you can make.

--kC
[/quote]

I'll have to keep that in mind if I have some extra gas in my tank and enough time to get over that way. Any ocean views?

[dartboss04]

CT National (Putnam, CT) - very good condition for the price (less than $50 for 18 w/ cart). I like the layout as well, but was only able to get through 12 holes today with the rain. Only effin spot in CT that was a washout and I found it.

[geoangus]

[quote name='dartboss04' timestamp='1380932157' post='7954465']
CT National (Putnam, CT) - very good condition for the price (less than $50 for 18 w/ cart). I like the layout as well, but was only able to get through 12 holes today with the rain. Only effin spot in CT that was a washout and I found it.
[/quote]

wow - what time was the rain? I was on the shoreline all day and went to Pequot @ 2:30, not a drop, unfortunately that included putts.

[dartboss04]

[quote name='geoangus' timestamp='1380937430' post='7954785']
[quote name='dartboss04' timestamp='1380932157' post='7954465']
CT National (Putnam, CT) - very good condition for the price (less than $50 for 18 w/ cart). I like the layout as well, but was only able to get through 12 holes today with the rain. Only effin spot in CT that was a washout and I found it.
[/quote]

wow - what time was the rain? I was on the shoreline all day and went to Pequot @ 2:30, not a drop, unfortunately that included putts.
[/quote]

9:20 tee time and it started sprinkling as soon as we went off. It opened up on the 5th hole. Carts didnt have bag covers and I was not prepared forr that type of rain. The Doppler had the storm clipping the northeast corner of the state. Too bad because I had booked Shenny and changed to this course because I had never been. All was not lost, hit up Foxwoods on the way home for a few hours of 7 card stud.

[Imp]

[quote name='Teetogreen86' timestamp='1380901241' post='7952399']
[quote name='Imp' timestamp='1380800079' post='7946397']
Played Sakonett GC in Little Compton RI yesterday as the last RIGA Package. One word: Phenominal. If you ever, ever have the chance to play here, do not pass it up. Greens roll quick and true, and quick. Did I mention quick? Because they do. Fairways in awesome shape.

Great location, and it appears as if it's a fairly easy links-style layout (it's mostly fairly straight shots with a few doglegs thrown in for good measure) but where it gets you is if there's any prevailing wind coming off the ocean... it turns into a game of strategery, and their stratgically placed bunkers and rough/fescue will have you thinking a couple times about those shots you *think* you can make.

--kC
[/quote]

I'll have to keep that in mind if I have some extra gas in my tank and enough time to get over that way. Any ocean views?
[/quote]Yep. And I have the wind-burn to prove it! It's exclusively private, but like I said, if you can get on.... do it.

[James Ng]

I was playing with friends at Ballymeade Country Club in Cape Cod yesterday and I was shocked at the condition the whole place is. All the greens have patches of dirt with no grass, some even have cracks. Grass on fairways are dying. A big practice green has become more like a waste land and the range is closed. The whole place is in a shocking poor condition. I dont know what has happened to it because it has all the best facilities.

[jdl]

My league had our end of season outing at HighFields GC in Grafton MA on Tuesday. Course was in really nice shape though the greens were still a little bumpy from aeration done 2 weeks ago. Love the layout of that course.

[mtrainor]

Played Glen Ellen on Sunday. Greens are rolling fast and true. If you haven't played there in years, you should get out there. It's come a long way.

[dartboss04]

Anyone play Pinehills recently?

[Bigbigrdg]

Played Crosswinds in Plymouth for the first time and love an loved the course and it is an incredible value.... Conditions were great and greens were rolling fast.... The Jones 9 was being aerated on te day we played and I look forward to giving that side a try next time.

[Sean2]

[quote name='Bigbigrdg' timestamp='1382062434' post='8019217']
Played Crosswinds in Plymouth for the first time and love an loved the course and it is an incredible value.... Conditions were great and greens were rolling fast.... The Jones 9 was being aerated on te day we played and I look forward to giving that side a try next time.
[/quote]

I think it's a great value too. Great layouts, very good conditions, and you can't beat the price. Yes, there is no fancy club house, and the driving range is nothing to speak of, but for the price...

[Bigbigrdg]

Anybody play Shining Rock recently... Have been looking at playing it this year and made a tee time for sunday with a few buds.... Looks like a nice course.

[jdl]

[quote name='dartboss04' timestamp='1382060196' post='8018967']
Anyone play Pinehills recently?
[/quote]

Playing the Nicklaus course tomorrow a.m. According to their web site, they are punching the greens on that course Monday, and the Jones course the 28th. Off peak rates in effect, so it's only $70!

[quote name='Bigbigrdg' timestamp='1382062581' post='8019229']
Anybody play Shining Rock recently... Have been looking at playing it this year and made a tee time for sunday with a few buds.... Looks like a nice course.
[/quote]

Played there a few weeks back, it's in good shape, not sure if/when they might have punched their greens. I have mixed feelings on the course, first of all the layout is rough in that you're almost guaranteed to have a backup on the 3rd hole because it starts off with 2 tough par 4s and then the 3rd is a short par 5. Then a driveable par 4 followed by a long par 3. Usually it opens up after that, but I don't think I've ever played without having to wait on that 3rd tee shot. Also there's a huge difference between the middle and back tees, so choose wisely.

[dartboss04]

[quote name='jdl' timestamp='1382108889' post='8021527']
Playing the Nicklaus course tomorrow a.m. According to their web site, they are punching the greens on that course Monday, and the Jones course the 28th. Off peak rates in effect, so it's only $70!
[/quote]

I'll be in the area on the 26th so I may try to play. Ill have to try for jones.

[prorobo]

[b]Tower Ridge (Simsbury, CT) -[/b] Played it yesterday (if you can call what I did playing golf) and it was in pretty good shape. Greens rolled pretty well and were firm/quickish. Not sure if they aerated yet but if they did, the holes are gone. They had some course workers clearing leaves throughout the day though they weren't a big issue. Used GolfNow for a $25 w/ cart deal and finished as a threesome just under four hours! I'd go back more often if it weren't over an hour away. Some of the cart paths could use work though from root breakthrough.

Drove by Farmington CC and Fox Blue Run en route and both of those places look nice too! Might have to be back in that area sooner than later.

[rsj1360]

[quote name='prorobo' timestamp='1382162383' post='8025319']
[b]finished as a threesome just under four hours[/b]
[/quote]

Why so slow? ;-)

[dartboss04]

[quote name='prorobo' timestamp='1382162383' post='8025319']
[b]Tower Ridge (Simsbury, CT) -[/b] Played it yesterday (if you can call what I did playing golf) and it was in pretty good shape. Greens rolled pretty well and were firm/quickish. Not sure if they aerated yet but if they did, the holes are gone. They had some course workers clearing leaves throughout the day though they weren't a big issue. Used GolfNow for a $25 w/ cart deal and finished as a threesome just under four hours! I'd go back more often if it weren't over an hour away. Some of the cart paths could use work though from root breakthrough.

Drove by Farmington CC and Fox Blue Run en route and both of those places look nice too! Might have to be back in that area sooner than later.
[/quote]

Farmington CC is very nice but private. I only got to play there a couple times in school when we played farmington high. I know the ctamtour gets out there as well but I wasn't able to play this year. If you have connections you should take advantage.

Blue Fox is eh. The couple times I've played there, it was not in the best shape, but I haven't been recently. Maybe they've turned it around.

[dartboss04]

Richter Park (Danbury, CT) - condition was very good for this time of the year. Greens were a bit crusty in a couple spots but overall ran nicely.

Only problem was that it was a SLOW!!! round. It took us 5.5 hours to complete and barely finished before dark. Disappointing.

[garcia51694]

[quote name='Imp' timestamp='1349737350' post='5767503']
Newport National. 10/8/12

$55 w/cart. Cheap due to punched greens and fairways. That said, worth it. Even with the greens being punched, they rolled fast and true. Couldnt believe how well they rolled. Seriously, ignore theyre plugged and go for it without a thought of it going off line. Club grabber rough. you do NOT want to be missing the fairway. Seriously.

--kC
[/quote]

Isn't that the truth.

[jdl]

[quote name='dartboss04' timestamp='1382113377' post='8021893']
[quote name='jdl' timestamp='1382108889' post='8021527']
Playing the Nicklaus course tomorrow a.m. According to their web site, they are punching the greens on that course Monday, and the Jones course the 28th. Off peak rates in effect, so it's only $70!
[/quote]

I'll be in the area on the 26th so I may try to play. Ill have to try for jones.
[/quote]

Nicklaus was in great shape as usual. Tons of pine needles on the greens, though....go figure. :-) Pace was a little slow on the front nine, but not terrible.

We were supposed to play Jones this coming Saturday but got connections crossed so we're playing Waverly Oaks instead. Supposed to be pretty cold, hopefully no frost delays.

[Bigbigrdg]

Played Shining Rock on sunday and thought the course was nice.... Greens looked like they were aerated a couple of weeks ago but rolled pretty good and were quite fast.....par 3's were pretty long and difficult and pace of play was ok.... Finished 18 in around 5 hours... Gonna give the Jones course at Pinehills a whirl this weekend it the cold.... Might be my last round of the season

[Shemp]

[quote name='Bigbigrdg' timestamp='1382396630' post='8036791']
Played Shining Rock on sunday and thought the course was nice.... Greens looked like they were aerated a couple of weeks ago but rolled pretty good and were quite fast.....par 3's were pretty long and difficult and pace of play was ok.... Finished 18 in around 5 hours... Gonna give the Jones course at Pinehills a whirl this weekend it the cold.... Might be my last round of the season
[/quote]

5 hours is quick for Shining Rock. It's only 10 minutes from my house, but I only play there once or twice a year. I've had 6 hour rounds during peak. I'm a member at Blissful Meadows. The course is in very good shape. The greens are rolling the best they have all year. Had a 4some of friends in yesterday who are members at Bear Hill and Marlborough. They raved about the course conditions and layout.

I've played Sakonnet. Very private, but a tremendous course. Several water views, strong winds at times and greens that are lightning fast.

I played Cape Cod National twice last week. Excellent condition and wonderful staff. The clubhouse restaurant and bar are closed for the season, but the pro shop sent someone out to get sandwiches for us and they managed to "find" 8 beers in the bar "somewhere" for us.

[Imp]

Ugh. Blissful Meadows. I'll never return there. I liked the course, and the conditions were also pretty good.

However, I played a round there once in a tournament and the 'marshalls' always kept their radios much too loud, while parked next to a green or teebox, and when you're about to hit, tee off, putt... let's just say the radio would come to life and the marshall would be compelled to hold a conversation. Not only that, just drive along around a corner with no care if anyone was teeing off/putting/hitting. They gave the complete and total impression that they just didn't care for the players as long as they (the marshalls) were being obvious and 'doing their job'.

--kC

[Bandy1080]

[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1382062563' post='8019227']
[quote name='Bigbigrdg' timestamp='1382062434' post='8019217']
Played Crosswinds in Plymouth for the first time and love an loved the course and it is an incredible value.... Conditions were great and greens were rolling fast.... The Jones 9 was being aerated on te day we played and I look forward to giving that side a try next time.
[/quote]

I think it's a great value too. Great layouts, very good conditions, and you can't beat the price. Yes, there is no fancy club house, and the driving range is nothing to speak of, but for the price...
[/quote]

Actually the new clubhouse is complete. And it is a great addition.

Crosswinds is definitely a hidden gem and a great deal at $65 with cart.

[prorobo]

[b]The Ranch (Southwick, MA) - [/b]Played today for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. What a great course! Even for "winter" conditions it is still in great shape. Tee boxes and fairways are tightly mowed. The greens are very quick and incredibly smooth. I'm not sure if they punched for the winter yet or not but there were no aeration marks whatsoever beyond a hole or two that had them in the fringe. The bunkers were a bit lacking as while they were raked mostly, there was only a thin layer of dusty, light sand on top of extreme hardpan. Me and a buddy were stuck behind two foursomes for the majority of the round but still finished under 4 hours. Meanwhile the group of four senior golfers behind us didn't seem to know how to miss a fairway or green. Excellent course.

[Bigbigrdg]

Played 9 today at The Meadow at Peabody and conditions were great for this time of year.... Greens were much slower than mid summer but rolled good..... Fall rates are in effect and its only $20 to ride for 9 holes.....

[metsmc]

I played Southington Country Club this past Wednesday. It was in great shape for this time of year. Greens were the best I have seen them. Teed off at 1:00 and was able to get in 22 holes by the time I had to leave at 3:30. Best of all it was only $21 for as many holes as you could play by 5:30 when the carts had to be back in.

[prorobo]

I think it's time to revive this thread!

[b]Lyman Orchards Player Course (Middlefield, CT) -[/b] Played last week and it was atrocious. I understand that it's basically winter conditions for all courses in the area still with the zero growth we've had but none of the five other courses in the area I've played have been anywhere near this bad. The tee boxes, fairways and greens all had bare spots and the entire course seemed to be in disrepair. I don't understand what they do with their income because the place was packed at $50+ a pop on Friday (thankfully we paid less than half that through GolfNow)! I will not be playing there again this season but will probably give the Jones course a chance in a month or two. Avoid at all costs!

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='prorobo' timestamp='1398320385' post='9158323']
I think it's time to revive this thread!

[b]Lyman Orchards Player Course (Middlefield, CT) -[/b] Played last week and it was atrocious. I understand that it's basically winter conditions for all courses in the area still with the zero growth we've had but none of the five other courses in the area I've played have been anywhere near this bad. The tee boxes, fairways and greens all had bare spots and the entire course seemed to be in disrepair. I don't understand what they do with their income because the place was packed at $50+ a pop on Friday (thankfully we paid less than half that through GolfNow)! I will not be playing there again this season but will probably give the Jones course a chance in a month or two. Avoid at all costs!
[/quote]

Better to start a new 2014 edition IMO.