Manada Golf Club - PA

In our 2010 Memorial Day trip to Hershey, PA we wanted to golf without breaking the wallet. Hershey Resort had a few top rated golf courses that looked absolutely beautiful, but came with a high price tag. After a quick search we found Manada Golf Club. Does it compare to Hershey Resort courses? No! However my wife and I had a great time golfing here. They were running a promotion so it only cost us $50 with cart for both of us. I liked the course. It was a nice mix of open and hazards. Some holes you could swing away, others you had to pick the right club off the tee. If you like birds you will get a bonus playing here. They had birdhouses all over the course. Over all you should score well on this course but still feel like you were challenged.

Free Christmas golf in Myrtle Beach

My wife and I spent Christmas in a condo in Myrtle Beach. The condo was in Sea Glass Tower which is one of our timeshare options to stay at. We both like this place because it has floor to ceiling glass walls facing the ocean, which makes for a nice view. It was a nice short getaway. We had hoped to spend Christmas with our kids and when that fell through we headed to the ocean. We both love the soothing sounds of the ocean.

One pleasant surprise I found out about was free golf at one of the golf courses in Myrtle Beach, Myrtlewood. They have opened their course up on Christmas day for many years now. No carts available so you must walk. I forgot to bring my pull cart so I ended up walking 18 holes and carrying my cart bag. I felt it by the end of the day but still well worth the price. Thank You Myrtlewood.

Hilton Head Golf

Got the opportunity to play two golf courses in Hilton Head in late January, 2009. The two courses, Crescent Pointe and Eagle's Pointe, have a sister relationship. We got discounts to both of them through our timeshare. The two courses are located on highway 278, just outside the actual island of Hilton Head.

I played Crescent Pointe first, not sure that was the best choice because it was the harder of the two courses. The fairways were narrow and there were many opportunities to put a high score on the card. The rough was mostly dormant so it was not as much of a penalty as it will be when the grass is thick and full. I would like to play this course again when it is in the growing season. Beautiful course with many scenic views, designed by Arnold Palmer.

Eagle's Pointe, designed by Davis Love III, is not as high a slope rating as Crescent Pointe. It has a nice mix of forgiveness and challenge. The course was better suited for my wife which is good since we played this one together. I liked this course and would love to play it again, pardon the pun.

Shaker Run

Shaker Run is one of the highest rated public courses in OHIO. It is built through nature, not a housing development like so many other courses. It is beautiful scenery and nature at its best. There is a large lake behind the clubhouse that comes into play on several holes. The last hole on the two original nines requires a drive over the lake. Both holes then follow the lake to the green. One goes left, the other right. The course will test all your skills. It is very popular in this area. It also is part of the eagle pass, see my previous post Crooked
Tree.

I've heard stories of golfers seeing a diver in the water, gathering up all the many balls that fall short. Imagine that, a golf ball that finds water. Shaker has three nine hole courses. The original two are Lakeside and Woodlands. The newer nine is called Meadows and is not near as popular as the original 18. The intent is for them to build homes in the Meadows. They recently built three swimming pools close to the large clubhouse. The clubhouse is great for parties, weddings, receptions, and the like. I played the original 18 on July 27, 2008. There was a wedding reception going in the clubhouse as we made the turn.

Shaker Run

Deer Run Country Club

Had the pleasure to play Deer Run on July 20, 2008. This course is another one of the 4 eagle pass courses, see previous blog. Deer Run used to be a private Country Club but has now become semi-private. It is open to the public after 11:00 on the weekends. Deer Run is a fun course to play and in great shape. It is a par 70 with tight fairways and lot's of elevation changes. There are drivable par 4s and par 5s that are three shot holes. Hitting the ball straight is a must. Length is not so important. Local knowledge goes a long way. The second and third time you play this course will be much easier. Knowing how far to hit and where to aim is a plus.

If you get hungry at the turn, they have awesome cheeseburgers.

Deer Run Country Club

Crooked Tree

Played Crooked Tree in Mason OH on July 13, 2008. Course has a lot of trees and tight lined fairways. Lots of opportunities to lose some golf balls. If you can hit it straight, you can score. It is part of a program called the eagle pass. For $90 you can get 4 rounds of golf. One round at Waldon Ponds, Crooked Tree, Shaker Run, and Deer Run (private course). Hole 18 is a very interesting par 5. Not long, but crooked, and crosses two creeks.

Crooked Tree

Shenandoah Golf Club

I played Shenandoah on July 5th, 2008. http://www.shenandoah-crossing.com/accommodations_amenities.html. This course was located inside the resort we stayed at, so it was very convenient. It seemed like my wife and I had the course to ourselves, they were not busy. I played it from the tips, only 6,454 yards. A straight tee shot is a must. I got lucky multiple times because I found my ball in the trees. Most holes were tree lined and crooked. The course is a little on the costly side, $50 with cart on weekend.

A pleasure to play. I look forward to playing it again. The grass and character reminded me of Myrtle Beach style courses. Can't wait to visit there in October.

Grandview Country Club

Grandview is a golf course just off of interstate 64 in Beaver, WV. http://www.golflink.com/golf-courses/course.asp?course=1219756. Great value considering there is not a lot of competition close by, $31 with cart on weekend. I played it from the tips, 6,834 yards, on July 4th, 2008 with my wife. Course is fairly wide open, but it does have water on several holes. I thought the slope rating of 132 was a little high. You must hit decent lengths off the tee to score.

Hole 8 has a overlook area where you can see for miles. Hole 15 is perhaps the most beautiful hole I've seen. A par three with a 75 foot drop from the middle tees. Landscape will take your breath away. The view from the rest of the course is typical for an average course from anywhere.