B-Man’s Review of Verdict Ridge Golf & Country Club on 5/4/12

Verdict Ridge Golf & Country Club

Date: 5/4/12 Fri Afternoon
Overall Rating:

"Great course"
Conditions: Good - normal wear/tear
Pace: 4 Hours
Cost: $49
Username: B-Man
Profile: Avid Golfer (about once a week)
Handicap: 8
Today's Score: Not entered
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Finally, finally, finally made the trip to play Verdict Ridge. Glad I did. The course is a beaut with a couple of the prettiest and most unique holes in Charlotte. It plays like a mountain course with hills, valleys and side hill lies aplenty throughout the 18. The first handful of holes were okay but then things picked up. By the time we reached the scenic #9 (see my photo of it on Twitter @charlottegolfer), I was really digging the layout. 16 is another cool one with giant boulders near the green on the uphill par 5. So layout-wise I was impressed. Conditions-wise, I got the sense it was not as lush or perfect as it usually sounds in the reviews. The front 1/3 of the layout was less than lush, with some bare fairway and tee spots – not bad, just not pristine like I expected. The second 2/3 were better. The greens, while there was nothing wrong with them, seemed slower than I expected, probably about average for most courses. I consistently came up short on the course because the putting green was fast and I’d heard the greens were challenging. I imagine they are when they are running quicker. The staff was friendly and the clubhouse/grill is top notch. The round was pricey (rate is $59 on a Friday afternoon?). The guy gave us the discount card for $10 off when I asked about the rate. That’s cool but for the long haul to get there (round trip gas for me was probably $20) and the time of day / conditions, not sure the value is there. I’ll be back because I liked the layout and found it very unique to Charlotte.

Comments (1)

Wulfpack
at 5/6/12 9:12am
I agree with your review for the most part, B-Man. I played the Verdict for the first time yesterday (Saturday). It is just an absolutely gorgeous course. So many great views and varied terrain. Love the neighborhood as well. I also got $10 off on my round with the card off their web site, so be sure to check there before you go out. The course, however, ate me alive. My ball took some strange kicks off of hills and a couple even went OB, wich ruined my round. Also, could not seem to get the greens to hold my approach shots. My foursome agreed the greens were incredibly quick, and the pro shop and ranger warned us as there has been little rain. I love the course and it is only a 35 minute drive for me (about the same as Olde Sycamore), and there is no traffic getting there, but the course was a bit too difficult for my liking at this stage. You’ve got to really place your shots to score here, and I wasn’t even close. So I have some work to do if I am going to make the trip back. I think I will stick with Olde Sycamore, Springfield, Emerald Lake and Stonebridge for now. But if you want an interesting round of golf, this could be the place for you. Be sure you get your round in before July as they are replacing the greens.