- "Worth playing"
Teed off at 720 am, unfortunately group at 715 am was so so slow. We had to talk to them and the ranger on course talked to them about pace of play. Ended up being 5 hour round in 100 degree heat. The course tee to green was in great shape, bunkers were very well maintained, but the greens had been punched 5 days prior. Didn't get any warning of that until we saw the starter as we approached the first tee and paying full price hurts when the greens are going to be subpar. Very sandy on most holes. Will probably be real nice in a few weeks. Saw the cart girls 4x on the course which was great and the transfusions inside at the grill hit the spot. I've always loved Carolina Lakes, just an unfortunate group to play behind and the conditions of the greens left a bad taste. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
I had stopped playing this course years ago because of the very poor playing conditions and management still charging top dollar. Complete turnaround so far. Greens (which were previously the biggest issue) are back to almost perfect condition. Everything else was in great shape. It was a charity captain's choice event, so the pace a play is not a true representation of a normal round. Will start playing there again if these conditions stay consistent. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
My first trip back in over a year. Carolina Lakes got a lot of bad reviews last summer when they had issues with their Bentgrass greens. Not only did they suffer in the summer heat as Bentgrass can do sometimes but they had some sort of fungus or disease.
I'm happy to report that the greens are in fine shape with no major issues. The greens were very consistent with good speed (not slick but not slow). I saw very few problems on any green. I wouldn't say they were perfect (I have been spoiled at Longview), but by comparison to say, Olde Sycamore, they were better. I think Edgewater's Bentgrass greens were smoother and quicker, but not by much.
There were a few holes on the back nine that had areas in the fringe and within a few yards around the collar of the green that were dotted with clumps of poa annua - similar to Edgewater. I didn't notice this problem on the front 9.
Tees and fairways were good with a few exceptions. The fairway on the par 5 13th hole (one of the signature holes, I might add) was dotted with burnt out spots, almost like winter kill scars. It was more of an eye sore than a problem that affected play, though it made for a thin, hardpan lie if your ball was sitting directly on one.
I really, really love this layout. It is one of my favorite public tracks in the Charlotte area. I started on the back 9 and was reminded how tough those first few holes on the back really are. The 10th hole is a long dogleg right par 4 that requires a very accurate approach. The 11th hole is a short dogleg right with such a sharp left to right sloping fairway that it is extremely difficult to hold the fairway. The par 3 12th hole requires an all-carry tee shot of at least 135 yards (depending on your tee) to a wide but shallow green. Just some nervy shots to start your round (or rather your back 9).
The stretch of holes 13-16 is picturesque and breathtakingly dramatic. The par 5 13th is reachable with two good swings but the perched green is protected by water on 2 sides. The par 4 14th is a dogleg right that climbs steeply uphill to a large two-tiered green. The short par 4 15th is a driveable dogleg right but you have to challenge the pond and fairway bunker on the right side to get there. The long par 3 16th requires a 160+ yard carry over water and a murderer's row of bunkers protecting the green. Just an exhilarating stretch of holes.
The front nine is similarly fun and varied with elevation changes, hazards, doglegs and tricky greens. My favorite hole on the front is probably No. 9 with bunkers protecting the dogleg right and the opposite side of the fairway. You can't see the green from the tee, but big hitters who can cut the ball left-to-right have a chance to get close with a good drive.
Overall, I was happy to return to Carolina Lakes and play this layout again with greens in good shape. I worry about the Bentgrass surviving the summer after last season, but right now the course is in very good shape.
The course still ranks as one of the more expensive ones in the area ($49 for a twilight weekday round felt pricey), but when conditions are good, it can be worth it. And right now, it is. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
One of my favorite layouts and again it did not disappoint, Bunkers were in excellent condition, just wish there were more of them, kidding of course. Greens were smooth and very firm. Fairways were rock hard and can really use some rain that is predicted for Saturday. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
I normally love this course and have only positive things to say. I played here 3 days in a row (Saturday, Sunday, Monday) of this weekend and feel their rates were a bit steep for what you got.
Several greens have massive dead areas (bentgrass died). I was also a bit miffed by being charged a $25 rider fee when my girlfriend came out with me on Sunday (Though they gave me a cart to myself on Monday as a single with no fee). For a course I probably play 40 times a year, this rubs me a bit. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
One of my favorite courses and it did not disappoint. Tee boxes, fairways, bunkers and greens were all in great shape. I believe the greens are still bent grass and rolled smooth but were a little slower compared to other courses I've played recently. Can't wait to play here again. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
Based on other recent reviews, I'd say Carolina Lakes is in good shape, given the extremely wet weather of the past 2 months. Greens were in good shape, rolling quick and true with a few exceptions. On some greens that had a few bumpy spots, the pins were placed far enough away that I didn't experience or witness any bad rolls. The tees and fairways were not as good, with some poa annua affecting several holes. I was playing in a tournament (which explains the 5+ hour round) and we were playing lift-clean-place. So those poa annua spots didn't affect play. Bunkers (and there are a million on this course) were in good shape, with no standing water. The layout here is a still a favorite of mine, with tons of risk/reward holes and large, sloped greens that test your approach shot accuracy and your putting. This course will be in my annual Top 10 list once again. Read The Review
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- "Below average"
Normally I love Carolina Lakes but yesterday left a bad taste in my mouth.
Course was water logged and fairways were littered with massive divots. Tee boxes were inconsistent. Some were green and long, some brown and muddy. Greens were just ok.
No starter out there and range was closed.
But they still charged full price even through the condition of the course was pretty terrible.
What ever happened to Winter rates to reflect the conditions. Not great value at all. I recommend staying away until spring unless you want to drop $70 to play in below average conditions Read The Review
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- "Great course"
Carolina Lakes is one of if not my favorite public course in the Charlotte area. I find it to be a very visually appealing course, and I usually play pretty well here. Practice area is average and the people in the clubhouse aren't particularly friendly, but it doesn't bother me. As other reviews have mentioned, lots of bunkers (every single hole), but particularly on #1, 2, 9, and 11 where some might consider them excessive. All four par 3's have water in play, but none are overly long. Fairways are wide and fair, but if you miss them you're going to be in the woods more often than not. Houses come into play on a few holes, but aren't a big issue. Six other holes also have water, ranging from small creeks across the fairways to lakes along the majority of the hole (par 5 #6th). Rough is not particularly penal in my opinion, usually cut fairly low. Definitely lots of fun risk/reward holes where you can go for birdies or lay up and play for par. Greens vary widely in size and slope. A number of the large ones have two or even three tiers that can be quite difficult. Read The Review
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- "Average"
Wow, this is such a long course, just a shade over 7,000 yards from the white tees!
Really surprised at the length of this course since this is in a Del Web 55+ community. They do have green tees which are closer but almost near the red ladies tees.
I played on a Monday and it had rained on Sat & Sun so the course was still a bit soggy. Because of this I almost had the course to myself. There were just a few other golfers who started on the front and they started me on the back so I have no one in front or behind me.
Overall the course is in great condition, the fairways, greens and tee boxes are in good shape. It seems there are always those few who refuse to repair their divot marks on the greens. It's such a shame since it ruins the putt line of all who follow.
It was cart path only because of the rain and it's such a long course so it made my round almost a 4 1/2 hour extravaganza.
The staff is great, the gas carts run well and are in great shape. They let you take the carts into the parking lot to get your clubs.
They have several bathrooms scattered throughout the course.
It winds through the large neighborhood and would be extremely difficult to walk.
It's scenically beautiful and I saw several deer, rabbits, red tail hawks and squirrels as I motored along the cart path.
There are a few holes that are severe doglegs which create a blind shot.
There is some water and quite a few fairway bunkers and green side bunkers. There is a lot of elevation change so you get some great vistas but the challenge that goes with it. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
Greens were slow and tons of ball marks, but that is sort of expected this time of year with bentgrass. Several bunkers were washed out due to rain, and they look in need of major work.
I love this course, but just felt a little steep for what you got. It will be back on my favorites come fall. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
One of the best values in the area, especially if you live in south Charlotte. The greens were aerated around 10 days ago but are already at 95% and were rolling fine. Staff is friendly as always, and we got around in around 4:45 hours, but the course was packed (not a single space in parking lot) and really the flow was fine so it didn't feel like 5 hours (no long waiting).
My ONLY complaint and I am probably nit-picking here. This course has a TON of bunkers, which I don't mind. But they keep the fairway bunkers fluffy and thick just like a green-side bunker, versus the traditional firmer sand of most courses. Makes it pretty difficult to hit a fairway bunker shot effectively (if you hit down, ball goes nowhere). This easily cost me several strokes and was annoying. Add this up with no rakes and you drew some pretty crap breaks. Read The Review
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- "Best of the best"
My second perfect rating of the year. Carolina Lakes is in fabulous shape. The Bentgrass greens were immaculate and rolling true (and quick). Tees, fairways, bunkers were all good. I couldn't find a thing to nitpick all day. Everything was in great condition. The layout is challenging yet scoreable and it includes several picturesque and memorable holes, including the par 5 13th (reachable in two if you challenge the water on the left with your approach), par 4 14th that follows it going up the hill and the short (driveable if you risk the water on the right) par 4 15th. Then there's the murderous par 3 16th with a long water hazard carry to a green guarded by a huge bunker (it looks like a series of bunkers but it's one continuous "trap"). Few courses have such an indelible layout like this - where you will remember so many of the holes. I love this course and the facilities are also top-notch with a great practice/learning area as well as a huge clubhouse / restaurant. Look for deals through GolfNow to book your tee times, though. I went through the course website and would have paid twice what I did through GN ($73 vs $37 for a weekday afternoon). Carolina Lakes is in my local Charlotte Top 3. Go play it! Read The Review
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- "Great course"
Love playing Carolina Lakes as it is a great layout that is always in good condition. The bent grass greens were a little tired from the long hot summer with a few pock marks, but still rolled great and were very receptive. My only beef with this course is that the brakes on the carts are terrible and lock up every time you touch them. Just a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt in one of these carts on one of the many steep winding downhill paths. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
Overall in very good shape. Greens were a little slower than they looked, but with all the rain we got in May and dry conditions that followed, they might have been giving them a break. Putted true and looked great. Fairways and tee boxes in great shape but oddly enough, some fairways had what looked to be ground up hardwood mulch spread on them. Maybe to hold moisture? Maybe to add alkaline? Didn't affect play at all. Some thin areas by the cart path. Now the sand traps...Looked great and you could tell there was plenty of sand in them but it was pretty compacted. Maybe they never fluffed them back up after May rain. Great for hitting out of fairway bunkers but my club would bounce and I'd skull the ball around the greens. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
The course was in very good shape, but the greens were still slow (as the last review noted). Once you adjust to the speed, it's fine because there are no problems with the greens. Very few ball marks -- which compared to other bent grass courses like Emerald Lake is an accomplishment worthy of note. They had us start on the back 9 - no reason given, but whatever. There were no marshals on the course -- it was the 4th of July afterall -- and so we ran into a roadblock with slow play on our 10th hole. There was also no cart girl on a 90+ degree day. Again, it's a holiday so I assumed they were just under staffed. The GPS touchscreen in our cart was non-functional so we couldn't really use it to check distances. I also noted that while the scorecard had up to date ratings for the tee boxes, they have not been updated on GHIN. So I couldn't post my score with the right tee ratings. Those are all little things, granted, but they added up. So this course has the potential to be a 5 star gem around Charlotte. For now, I gave it 4. Happy 4th y'all! Read The Review
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- "Great course"
Aside from a few dead spots around some of the fringe areas near the greens, this course was in spectacular shape. Fairways were perfect, greens excellent. The carts have some nice features...GPS screens (That are pretty accurate) and USB charging plus for your phone. Nice job Carolina Lakes getting your greens back! Read The Review
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- "Great course"
This was my first visit to Carolina Lakes, and I will most definitely be back. The cold Spring and resulting winter kill have affected just about every course in the Charlotte area this year, but Carolina Lakes was in phenomenal shape. Greens were excellent, as were the fairways. An occasional tee box had some thin spots, but those were few and far between. Each of the numerous bunkers on the course were well maintained and had plenty of soft white sand in them. Every sprinkler head had yardages on them and there were markers in the fairways and on cart paths. The cart paths are also well maintained.
The layout of the course is outstanding as well. The course is inside of the Sun City retirement community, and winds it way through it. There is a mix of short and long holes, straight holes and doglegs. You will hit clubs other than driver off of several tees and that helps to provide great variety to the course. The four par 3's all demand carries over water or natural areas. There is a good bit of elevation change, particularly on the back nine. Perhaps the signature hole is #9, a dogleg right par 4 that features 7 bunkers that the tee shot must be threaded through. This is not a course that you can walk, as there are a few lengthy rides between holes.
The fleet of carts is new and full of features, including the best GPS system I've ever seen in a cart. The GPS touch screen gives you a flyover of each hole, in addition to the distances to the front, back, and that day's hole location.
I did not go into the clubhouse, but those amenities seem top class as well. Staff was pleasant and helpful. Pace of play was great. Our twosome got around in less than 3.5 hours on the Friday afternoon of a holiday weekend.
As I mentioned above, Carolina Lakes is in about the best shape of any course in the Charlotte area currently. The conditions and layout make this one a must play for anyone. Read The Review
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- "Best of the best"
Best condition I have seen this course in for a long time. Greens were superb to putt on. Everything else (fairways, sand traps,etc.) great as well. They also have new carts with gps systems in them which was good to see. Will definitely be coming back soon. Read The Review
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- "Below average"
Most of the greens were burnt up with significant black bare patches that made many holes unputt-able. I understand that sometimes courses are unable to maintain or even save some greens, but the course should offer a reduction in the price. $59 on the weekend was hardly worth it. Very disappointing, because generally the course is very well maintained and fun to play. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
This is the first time I have played Carolina Lakes. Course was in good shape overall. They just put fertilizer on the course so it was cart path only which made it long round. Tee boxes were good, Fairways were a little hard but with the incoming rain they should soften up. Bunkers were fine and greens were quick. Overall a good day will be coming back. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
Greens are showing signs of play. No one fixes ball marks...which is a shame because this is such a great course. Everything else was in good shape, with the exception of a few bunkers. Worth playing, but be aware of the greens towards the end of summer and fall. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
Today wasn't the best time to hit Carolina Lakes, but I hadn't been back in about 2 seasons. The course was still a little wet from yesterday's storms and so it was cart path only. The bunkers were a bit wet and there were a few puddles. The course was just in good not great shape. They aerated the bent grass greens about a month back and they are still rather slow, even though the punch marks have mostly faded. More recently, however, they had punched the fringe around the greens. So those areas were a little dicey in spots. I can't complain about the layout though -- it's still one I really like. The first several holes offer a pretty stern test right off the back, but then it evens out with some memorable holes on the back. The greens are all rather larger, which means hitting to the right spot is key. I like the challenge. The fairways are well marked with yardages, too. I'll be back, but I'd love to see the greens quicker. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
Wet like everywhere else, but still in pretty good shape. The greens are showing some wear and tear, so they weren't quite as smooth as the last time we played here. Seems like most of the issue with the greens are people not repairing ball marks. With everything so soft right now even a short pitch from 25 yards is going to leave a small ball mark. It's a real shame more people don't take the time to fix them. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
Carolina Lakes is a great golf course. Tee boxes, fairways and their many sand traps were all in great condition and well maintained. Their driving range, putting green and chipping green were also in good condition. They have a nice club house and a conviently placed grill outside to speed you up at the turn. They even have water on the course and a cart girl that I saw 5 times over the round and a ranger that I saw 3 times driving around. Fun layout that makes you hit good drives or you will be in one of the many fairway bunkers. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
First Time at Carolina Lakes and I already love this course. The course was nearly perfect. The only issue I had was that the greens were a little shaggy and the fairway grass was going to seed i.e. grass was higher than normal. I am nitpicking here; the course is in fantastic shape tee to green.
Here's a good indicator of the quality of the course conditions; In our group of 10-11 people we had the following NET scores 58, 59, 59, 60, 62 and a few others well below par.
The weather was as benign as can be; 87 degrees, no wind to speak of, 60-65% humidity and medium soft greens after all the recent rain.
The facilities are top notch. beautiful clubhouse, nice grass range, large putting green and a second chipping green.
This is one of the finest tracts of golf in the Charlotte area. Go PLAY! Read The Review
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- "Great course"
The course is coming in really nice. Punch marks on the green are still visible but the putts are rolling fine. The fairways are starting to come in nicely. Still a little thin but that's to be expected at least for the next week or so. Overall a really enjoyable round of golf. And for $29 after 2pm, can't beat it. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
I played terrible so that probably figures into my rating. Fairways were thin, greens seemed dry with the holes in them. I bumped along. Traps were excellent, I once played 7 straight shots from them. It seemed to be in better shape last year at this time when I played it last. It will be super when the greens and fairways grow in. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
Course in overall great shape. Currently going through a "micro" aeration with very, very small punches in the greens. Didn't seem to affect the roll on the ball at all. Tee boxes, fairways, and traps are in excellent shape as well. Definitely recommend getting out there soon. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
First time playing this course and it was in great shape tee to green. Fairways were very well maintained, greens almost perfect and sand in bunkers was well raked. Some rain from the night before packed the sand a bit but that was expected. I will definitely play here again. Only reason I gave it 4* was because of the duration of the round which was about 5 hrs 15 mins. Read The Review
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- "Never going back"
Yes it was a busy Saturday, but 5 hours and 20 minutes will ruin any round. Not one ranger. Unforgivable. Like the layout, but won't be back for a long time. Greens still recovering from a punch, other conditions pretty good. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
Flew in from Michigan to play some NC golf. Really enjoyed the layout (and weather), got burned a couple times because first time playing there (i.e. playing to proper part of green/fairway). Still in spring conditions as far as grass growth. Staff was really nice. Take time before hand to spend on the practice green...key to scoring out there. Would definitely play again. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
It's greening up very nice - the course is a real beauty right now. Greens are a little hairy, still rolling decent but I wouldn't necessarily say rolling smooth. Other than, no compaints at all. If you haven't played here, you should. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
I have to say, I am big fan of this place. They should call it Carolina Sands though...bunkers EVERYWHERE! I've played out here twice now, once last thursday and again Saturday. We played a 2:10 tee off and played 18 with squinty eyes trying to see the ball but we made it through. Don't tee off after that time or you most certainly won't make 18. Anyhoo, the greens undulate like crazy and are fast - you have to get used to them quickly if you're going to post a decent score. There's not much in the way of issues with the course, everything is in fine shape. Distance markers are a little hard to find from time to time so a GPS or the like would be very helpful out here. I would put this course in the top 10 courses to play in/around Charlotte - definitely worth your time. Give it a shot. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
Greens were the best I have played on all year super fast. The greens are huge so you better hit your target or 3 putt is in order. The rest of course has matured well since the last time I played 2 years ago. The par 3's are some of prettiest you will play in the area. The pat 5's are bit of a disappointment, because the way they are step up it almost always forces you to lay-up on all but 1 out 4. The course itself is very demanding, certianly not build with a senior community in mind. The 1st hole is a bear. Up hill with bunker and OB in play and your second shot is to 2-tier green you cannot see, but only the flag with a false front. Take bogey and move on. They finally introduced a twilight rate after 2:00 it is $32 which is great otherwise it fairly expensive $58 during the week and $65 on weekend. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
Maybe the best greens around. Fairways are bare though. Completely different golf course depending on which set of tees you play. A lot of fun holes, love the layout, wish the par 5s were a little shorter, I can only reach #17. A couple of different tiered greens are tough if you get on the wrong level. Best time to play here is after 3 during the week, all the old farts that live there will not play in the heat, so the course is typically open. To expensive otherwise, but thats how they keep the riff raff out of there. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
This course had everything I want. Interesting layout; very good if not excellent greens; well maintained and manicured bunkers, fairways, tee-boxes, etc.
Others have complained about the fairways being too firm? I did not particularly notice this or more accurately did not perceive this to be a problem. All in all right up there among the better public tracks in the area right now. It is priced $10-$12 more than I think is fair, but outside of Charlotte National and Sycamore there aren't any alternatives for a consistently well conditioned "Championship Caliber" (ie 7,000+ yds)public course on the southeast part of town. Read The Review
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- "Average"
Greens great. Fairways, not so much - not as hard or sparse as last year this time, but still quite hard (hard as in firm, but also hard because it is difficult to hit irons off such bare turf). Yes, I know many courses are having this problem this time of year, but there are courses - Verdict Ridge, Olde Sycamore, Charlotte National, and Eagle Chase, to name a few - that have quite nice, lush fairways. Pace of play was 5 hours, and the single ranger we saw just chalked it up to a busy Sunday, no attempt made to move things around. We waited on virtually every shot. Yes, I love the layout, but if you add the high cost ($60 with a Clickit coupon), hard fairways, and slow play, it is hard to recommend. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
I would have gave this 5 stars if it wasn't for the pace of play. Really slow, even for a Sunday Morning. Course is in excellent shape and I got to see a lot of waiting continously between shots. I understand it is a retirement community and their might be a lot of elders on the course, but it was held up by a foursome who weren't that great playing from the back tees and treating their round as if it was Sunday afternoon on Tour. Several times there were 3 groups behind them waiting on the same hole! Ranger came around several times but it didnt seem to work. I recommend playing this course and hope you have better luck with the pace than I did. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
Course is in pretty good shape for the most part. The fairways would be the exception. They just don't seem like they have much grass growing on them, and they are rock hard. It's probably a case of them not getting enough water. Other than that greens, tees, and bunkers were all good. Pace of play was good on this difficult, but fun layout. Read The Review
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