Woods at Beauty Hill - Lynx reviews
10
2
2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Jul 4, 2011
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
The word "Beauty" is definitely apt to describe this course. The setting for this course is truely beautiful. The entire property has a very peaceful, tranquil feel to it. Being in a somewhat remote area, there's not a lot of noise out there.
The course is very well maintained with mowed grass, nice brick tee pads and excellent signage.
The course is very well maintained with mowed grass, nice brick tee pads and excellent signage.
Cons:
There are some major design issues here that make the course frustrating and unfairly difficult. There are a number of holes where the intended line is littered with trees, overhanging branches and even telephone pole wires. These obstacles add an element of randomness and luck that can punish even good shots.
Hole 12 is probably the most poorly designed hole on the course. It requires a ~300' tee shot through a tight tunnel with an OB wall long. The intended landing zone is just short of the wall, with another tight tunnel shot ~250 to the pin. The problem with this hole is the trees at the corner. The landing zone really has just two landing "spots" no more than a few feet wide. In either of the spots, you get a nice clear line with an opportunity for the three. However, a few feet to either side leaves you staring at a wall of trees requiring a short putter dump shot to get back into the clear. Removing the trees at the corner between the two lines would create a nice, fair landing zone that rewards a good first shot.
There are a couple holes (6 and 16) that have some of the most awkward lines I've ever seen. They both require straight shots off the tee to hit a tight window, but past the window, the hole curves very slightly left. Most players will hit the gap and end up in the trees on the right. To make matters worse, the tees are positioned at very awkward angles so that it's very difficult to find a stance that gives players an opportunity to hit the line.
Hole 12 is probably the most poorly designed hole on the course. It requires a ~300' tee shot through a tight tunnel with an OB wall long. The intended landing zone is just short of the wall, with another tight tunnel shot ~250 to the pin. The problem with this hole is the trees at the corner. The landing zone really has just two landing "spots" no more than a few feet wide. In either of the spots, you get a nice clear line with an opportunity for the three. However, a few feet to either side leaves you staring at a wall of trees requiring a short putter dump shot to get back into the clear. Removing the trees at the corner between the two lines would create a nice, fair landing zone that rewards a good first shot.
There are a couple holes (6 and 16) that have some of the most awkward lines I've ever seen. They both require straight shots off the tee to hit a tight window, but past the window, the hole curves very slightly left. Most players will hit the gap and end up in the trees on the right. To make matters worse, the tees are positioned at very awkward angles so that it's very difficult to find a stance that gives players an opportunity to hit the line.
Other Thoughts:
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this course. On the one hand, it is very well maintained. There is obviously a lot of care taken and it shows. This is the saving grace of this course.
However, this seems like a mask for the underlying product which is not very good. There are too many unfair holes which make the course incredibly frustrating, particularly for better players who are accustomed to being rewarded for good shots.
Beginners will enjoy this course. They are accustomed to hitting trees and being in the woods and will not notice much difference between this course and other, more fair ones. However, they will notice the nice amenities and nice upkeep.
More advanced players will be overly frustrated by the unfair nature of the course. At this level, players are accustomed to being nicely rewarded for hitting the right line off the tee. Seeing these nice shots kick hard into the woods gets old really quickly.
However, this seems like a mask for the underlying product which is not very good. There are too many unfair holes which make the course incredibly frustrating, particularly for better players who are accustomed to being rewarded for good shots.
Beginners will enjoy this course. They are accustomed to hitting trees and being in the woods and will not notice much difference between this course and other, more fair ones. However, they will notice the nice amenities and nice upkeep.
More advanced players will be overly frustrated by the unfair nature of the course. At this level, players are accustomed to being nicely rewarded for hitting the right line off the tee. Seeing these nice shots kick hard into the woods gets old really quickly.
