New Orleans Golf

[TBD203]

I will be in the Big Easy in January, and I'm wondering if there's anywhere I should try to play if I get some time off (I will be there for a work conference.) I am playing a charity tournament at English Turn for our organization and I've heard it's very nice.

 

Any suggestions?

[frichissin]

TPC of Louisana, Lakewood country club in New Orleans.

[TBD203]

The tournament I'm playing in has been at TPC lousiana before and they decided to go to English Turn instead. I will look into Lakewood- thanks.

[themightytimmah]

I like TPC myself, English Turn is a nice but tight course. Lakewood is pretty run of the mill.

[mattsam]

TPC unless you can get on New Orleans or Metairie CC

[Neilvice]

Latour is a nice track about an hour southwest of English Turn. Money Hill in Abita Springs is nice. MS gulf coast has nice courses about an hour away.

[TBD203]

Thanks for the feedback guys - how is the weather usually around January?

[mattsam]

[quote name='TBD203' timestamp='1407938742' post='9923807']
Thanks for the feedback guys - how is the weather usually around January?
[/quote]

Could be low 40s could be upper 60s

[TBD203]

Alright - pants it is. Worst case scenario I can handle long pants + polo even if it is 68-69 degrees.

[Twitch12]

TPC Louisiana is an interesting track. It has several good holes and can play pretty long from the tips when you add in the humidity. Watch out for gators. I saw 12-15 while playing and I had a couple of close encounters with them. Fairway bunker on 18 and just off the back of the green on 16 I believe. When I say gators, these are not small gators. Some in the 10-12 ft range. Weather should be pretty nice. There is a chance you could wear shorts but, I would plan on pants.

[metrybill]

New Orleans local here.

Metairie CC is my favorite. It is private but not impossible to get on. It's the rare Seth Raynor design (circa 1922) that was restored by Ron Forse circa 2004.

New Orleans CC is another private course which is very nice and like MCC is close to the CBD and the French Quarter. I think Bobby Weeds did the renovation.

Audubon: Par 62 course at a little over 4200 yds., rebuilt by Dennis Griffits. Beautiful, surrounded by LIve Oaks and run by the Audubon (Park/Zoo) Institute. Fun and usually in great shape, near the Garden District on St. Charles Ave., across from Loyola and Tulane campuses. No practice range; short game only. If you are short on time, I recommend this one.

TPC is just fine, when it is in shape, which is not all the time. It's across the River, about 1/2 hour farther out that MCC and NOCC. Designed by Pete Dye with input from Steve Elkington and Kelly Gibson, there is no Wow factor in my opinion. However, it is where the PGA Tour plays the Zurich Classic and it is worth the effort.

English Turn is across the River but much closer to CBD and French Quarter than TPC. The PGA tournament used to be held there. It's a Nicklaus course; not always in good shape but great when it is.

Lakewood: This is at the same location as the original Lakewood but it has a reduced footprint and re-routed. Fun and reasonable. It is also across the River from the CBD and French Quarter but closer than either English Turn or TPC.

Stonebridge; Across the River, too. Never played it. Closer than TPC but farther than Lakewood and English Turn.

Timberlane: Another across the River track. I haven't played this one in a very long time. The front 9 designed by RTJ many, many years ago is terrific, the back 9 not so interesting.

Chateau GC: semi-private but very accessible. Stay away if it's been raining, poor drainage. Fun but no Wow factor anywhere.

Ormond GC: not sure if its private-open to the public status. I wouldn't play there if I had a chance to go somewhere else.

City Park: Note that a Rees Jones course is coming and presently under construction. Beautiful, huge, historic Live Oaks everywhere. It is very close to the CBD and the French Quarter. It's a straight shot down beautiful Esplanade Ave., which begins between the French Quarter and the historic Faubourg Marigny. It was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. It used to have four courses, presently down to one, a smallish course that will eventually be an adjunct to the Rees Jones course. There is a driving range already there. Check out

the website at bayoudistrictfoundation.com .

City Park may be the largest city park in the U.S.; if not, then second only to N.Y.'s Central Park. While you are there, you can also check out the beautiful New Orleans Museum of Art and a number of fields, Bayou Metairie, children's park, music events, and more. If you have been to New Orleans for the Jazz Festival, City Park is not far from that location which is also very near Esplanade Ave.

Hope this helps and encourages someone to come to New Orleans for golf.

[I3erto]

Going to be in New Orleans at the beginning of October. Will have time for a few rounds. Which courses will be/are in good shape and which ones should I avoid? Any advise is greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

[mgrowc1]

I have been playing Lakewood and TPC. In my opinion Lakewood is just a nice with better/tougher greens. TPC has a nicer club house/pro shop though as Lakewood is going through some expansions apparently but is better value IMO. I cannot talk to English Turn. Really I think you are between those three.

If you are planning on playing before your tournament I would def say Lakewood as it has the best practice area. I regularly spend 3+ hours out there. Balls are expensive at $8 for 40 but you can re use them all multiple times on the short range that has 3 greens. I am a member so get them free but still re use a lot of them on the short course.

Hope this helps a little