All Things Philadelphia Area Golf

[Chappie]

Ace is a really nice club. As stated though, mean bunkers and there are a good amount of "trap" bunkers setup to make you play risk/reward shots.

Have fun with it, beautiful place.

On a separate note, has anyone spent any time at Freddie Hill driving range/putting green? I can't stand tees anymore. Crowded/small natural grass range, terrible putting green and a laughable short game area.

[gpt104]

I'm looking for a better range than Tees as well. Grass range is not well kept. Just happens to easily be the most convenient spot. Been to golf zone out above Downingtown which is really nice all around

[luxman]

[quote name='YipMaster' timestamp='1308597684' post='3321875']
Thanks for the analysis - as someone who's bunker game is closer to a 20 handicap than my (kinda) low single digit index, I'm gonna make sure I stay outta those bunkers if I can

I'll post either tomorrow night or Wednesday morning what I thought of the place - from what I understand it's supposed to be a fairly nice club these days.
[/quote]

No problem. A lot of the bunkers are really not in play, but it makes the course look more intimidating. But, if you are in some of the fairway bunkers you won't have any chance of hitting the green in regulation.

The clubhouse is huge and very nice. I will be curious as to how many people you see out there. My guess is that it won't be many as their membership is pretty low and they don't get a lot of play.

Enjoy.

[C-Law]

Went to PW and got to play ACE as our home course for a year, it was great for someone like me back then because i sprayed the ball all over the place and the fairways are huge there. Also as the former maintenance person at Tee's driving range i apologize for leaving and getting a real job as the grass tees probably suck now that im gone!

[Carolina Golfer 2]

I know it's not Philly area, but has anyone played Royal Manchester Links this year. I played it last summer and it was OK, but I felt it was still a bit early to give it a fair appraisal.

[Chappie]

[quote name='C-Law' timestamp='1308689963' post='3325167']
Went to PW and got to play ACE as our home course for a year, it was great for someone like me back then because i sprayed the ball all over the place and the fairways are huge there. Also as the former maintenance person at Tee's driving range i apologize for leaving and getting a real job as the grass tees probably suck now that im gone!
[/quote]

lol you bastxxx!

I went to Kennedy Kenrick (graduated in 08) and we played Plymouth. It is basically the exact opposite of ace, lol.

I didn't realize their membership was low, that's a shame. If I had the money I would join in a second. It's about 5 minutes from my work and as a person who loves the chestnut hill area, etc. I'd be perfect.

[luxman]

[quote name='Chappie' timestamp='1308711918' post='3326057']
[quote name='C-Law' timestamp='1308689963' post='3325167']
Went to PW and got to play ACE as our home course for a year, it was great for someone like me back then because i sprayed the ball all over the place and the fairways are huge there. Also as the former maintenance person at Tee's driving range i apologize for leaving and getting a real job as the grass tees probably suck now that im gone!
[/quote]

lol you bastxxx!

I went to Kennedy Kenrick (graduated in 08) and we played Plymouth. It is basically the exact opposite of ace, lol.

I didn't realize their membership was low, that's a shame. If I had the money I would join in a second. It's about 5 minutes from my work and as a person who loves the chestnut hill area, etc. I'd be perfect.
[/quote]

Their membership is low, but their initiation and dues are not.

[C-Law]

[quote name='luxman' timestamp='1308752510' post='3326795']
[quote name='Chappie' timestamp='1308711918' post='3326057']
[quote name='C-Law' timestamp='1308689963' post='3325167']
Went to PW and got to play ACE as our home course for a year, it was great for someone like me back then because i sprayed the ball all over the place and the fairways are huge there. Also as the former maintenance person at Tee's driving range i apologize for leaving and getting a real job as the grass tees probably suck now that im gone!
[/quote]

lol you bastxxx!

I went to Kennedy Kenrick (graduated in 08) and we played Plymouth. It is basically the exact opposite of ace, lol.

I didn't realize their membership was low, that's a shame. If I had the money I would join in a second. It's about 5 minutes from my work and as a person who loves the chestnut hill area, etc. I'd be perfect.
[/quote]

Their membership is low, but their initiation and dues are not.
[/quote]

Yea back when we were playing there we heard its mostly corporate memberships, not many indivials becauses the cost is insanely high. We played that course every weekday at about 3 o'clock from end of august to october. I think i may have seen 1 group playnig that course in 3 months, it was basically like having our own golf course.

[billalburger]

[quote name='Chappie' timestamp='1308599351' post='3321981']<br />Ace is a really nice club. As stated though, mean bunkers and there are a good amount of &quot;trap&quot; bunkers setup to make you play risk/reward shots.<br /><br />Have fun with it, beautiful place.  <br /><br />On a separate note, has anyone spent any time at Freddie Hill driving range/putting green?  I can't stand tees anymore.  Crowded/small natural grass range, terrible putting green and a laughable short game area.<br />[/quote]<br /><br /><br />

I too go to TEES, its ok. I think Westover grass is the best. I go up there once in a while, its small, not that great of balls. Also, I THINK their is a sign saying no Drivers, i hit driving any way.
Back to tees, at the BQ golf academy there they have a nice setup, nice grass. I see groups hitting off that grass pretty often, with no swing teachers around. Any idea how to get access to hit over there. I though of going in there and says i'll give you $ to be able to use your grass.

[luxman]

[quote name='billalburger' timestamp='1308756547' post='3326968']
[quote name='Chappie' timestamp='1308599351' post='3321981']<br />Ace is a really nice club. As stated though, mean bunkers and there are a good amount of &quot;trap&quot; bunkers setup to make you play risk/reward shots.<br /><br />Have fun with it, beautiful place.  <br /><br />On a separate note, has anyone spent any time at Freddie Hill driving range/putting green?  I can't stand tees anymore.  Crowded/small natural grass range, terrible putting green and a laughable short game area.<br />[/quote]<br /><br /><br />

I too go to TEES, its ok. I think Westover grass is the best. I go up there once in a while, its small, not that great of balls. Also, I THINK their is a sign saying no Drivers, i hit driving any way.
Back to tees, at the BQ golf academy there they have a nice setup, nice grass. I see groups hitting off that grass pretty often, with no swing teachers around. Any idea how to get access to hit over there. I though of going in there and says i'll give you $ to be able to use your grass.
[/quote]

There's a sign that says no drivers, yet you hit it anyway? It's one thing to not follow the rules, it's another to then make it public that you don't.

I haven't been there in years, but I seem to recall the range at Five Ponds was pretty decent. Nice big putting green to practice on too.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

[quote name='luxman' timestamp='1308757710' post='3327028']
[quote name='billalburger' timestamp='1308756547' post='3326968']
[quote name='Chappie' timestamp='1308599351' post='3321981']<br />Ace is a really nice club. As stated though, mean bunkers and there are a good amount of &quot;trap&quot; bunkers setup to make you play risk/reward shots.<br /><br />Have fun with it, beautiful place. <br /><br />On a separate note, has anyone spent any time at Freddie Hill driving range/putting green? I can't stand tees anymore. Crowded/small natural grass range, terrible putting green and a laughable short game area.<br />[/quote]<br /><br /><br />

I too go to TEES, its ok. I think Westover grass is the best. I go up there once in a while, its small, not that great of balls. Also, I THINK their is a sign saying no Drivers, i hit driving any way.
Back to tees, at the BQ golf academy there they have a nice setup, nice grass. I see groups hitting off that grass pretty often, with no swing teachers around. Any idea how to get access to hit over there. I though of going in there and says i'll give you $ to be able to use your grass.
[/quote]

There's a sign that says no drivers, yet you hit it anyway? It's one thing to not follow the rules, it's another to then make it public that you don't.

I haven't been there in years, but I seem to recall the range at Five Ponds was pretty decent. Nice big putting green to practice on too.
[/quote]
There's a course in our area that has a sign on the range that says "No shots longer than 200 yards" I think that's pretty good instead of a blanket statement saying "No Drivers" In this case some people can stil hit drivers and some can't hit anything more than a 4 iron. The fairway for the 8th hole is about 50 yards behind the range. For the life of me I don't know whey don't don't put a net or something up along the back.

[billalburger]

[quote name='luxman' timestamp='1308757710' post='3327028']<br />[quote name='billalburger' timestamp='1308756547' post='3326968']<br />[quote name='Chappie' timestamp='1308599351' post='3321981']&lt;br /&gt;Ace is a really nice club. As stated though, mean bunkers and there are a good amount of &amp;quot;trap&amp;quot; bunkers setup to make you play risk/reward shots.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Have fun with it, beautiful place.  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;On a separate note, has anyone spent any time at Freddie Hill driving range/putting green?  I can't stand tees anymore.  Crowded/small natural grass range, terrible putting green and a laughable short game area.&lt;br /&gt;[/quote]&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;<br /><br />I too go to TEES, its ok. I think Westover grass is the best. I go up there once in a while, its small, not that great of balls. Also, I THINK their is a sign saying no Drivers, i hit driving any way.<br /> Back to tees, at the BQ golf academy there they have a nice setup, nice grass. I see groups hitting off that grass pretty often, with no swing teachers around. Any idea how to get access to hit over there. I though of going in there and says i'll give you $ to be able to use your grass.<br />[/quote]<br /><br />There's a sign that says no drivers, yet you hit it anyway?  It's one thing to not follow the rules, it's another to then make it public that you don't.   <img src='http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br /><br />I haven't been there in years, but I seem to recall the range at Five Ponds was pretty decent.  Nice big putting green to practice on too.<br />[/quote]<br /><br /><br />


I said " I THINK" there is a sign. Never said I definitely knew or not ( i dont go there that often). I have seen plenty of people hitting drivers, 3 woods their as well.

[C-Law]

[quote name='billalburger' timestamp='1308756547' post='3326968']
[quote name='Chappie' timestamp='1308599351' post='3321981']<br />Ace is a really nice club. As stated though, mean bunkers and there are a good amount of &quot;trap&quot; bunkers setup to make you play risk/reward shots.<br /><br />Have fun with it, beautiful place. <br /><br />On a separate note, has anyone spent any time at Freddie Hill driving range/putting green? I can't stand tees anymore. Crowded/small natural grass range, terrible putting green and a laughable short game area.<br />[/quote]<br /><br /><br />

I too go to TEES, its ok. I think Westover grass is the best. I go up there once in a while, its small, not that great of balls. Also, I THINK their is a sign saying no Drivers, i hit driving any way.
Back to tees, at the BQ golf academy there they have a nice setup, nice grass. I see groups hitting off that grass pretty often, with no swing teachers around. Any idea how to get access to hit over there. I though of going in there and says i'll give you $ to be able to use your grass.
[/quote]

You can hit balls down there whenever you want if you take lessons from them, if you go down when there is no one there the Tees employees are pretty on top of coming down and kicking you off, especially the manager. Tees are the ones who take care of that grass so the more people hitting balls down there that shouldnt be, the more work/reseeding they need to do. I highly doubt they will take money in exhange to hit balls down there, but then again you could put that money towards a lesson and then you get use of the grass plus a lesson.

[luxman]

[quote name='billalburger' timestamp='1308765983' post='3327409']I said " I THINK" there is a sign. Never said I definitely knew or not ( i dont go there that often). I have seen plenty of people hitting drivers, 3 woods their as well.
[/quote]


So, [b]if[/b] there is a sign and others do it, that makes it ok?

That said, it appears that the end of the range is about 190 yards from the tee and that the fairway is no more than 250 yards away. Shouldn't common sense take over and tell you that you shouldn't hit the driver there?

If, by chance, you cannot hit a driver more than 190 yards, then I apologize for the statement above.

[Random Hack]

[quote name='luxman' timestamp='1308662268' post='3323920']
[quote name='YipMaster' timestamp='1308597684' post='3321875']
Thanks for the analysis - as someone who's bunker game is closer to a 20 handicap than my (kinda) low single digit index, I'm gonna make sure I stay outta those bunkers if I can

I'll post either tomorrow night or Wednesday morning what I thought of the place - from what I understand it's supposed to be a fairly nice club these days.
[/quote]

No problem. A lot of the bunkers are really not in play, but it makes the course look more intimidating. But, if you are in some of the fairway bunkers you won't have any chance of hitting the green in regulation.

The clubhouse is huge and very nice. I will be curious as to how many people you see out there. My guess is that it won't be many as their membership is pretty low and they don't get a lot of play.

Enjoy.
[/quote]

Firstly, great piece of property - the rolling hills and dramatic changes in elevation were pretty spectacular there.

As far as the difficulty of the course, it's pretty seriously difficult - can't recall the exact numbers, but from the 6700 yard tees we played the rating was 73+ (I think 76+ from the tips), if memory serves - very quick greens (although not unreasonably undulating, so most putts from <=25' "felt" makeable) and very deep bunkers (thanks Luxman ).

It was a $1,000 a head (my buddy organized it and someone had to drop out so I played, not like I can drop $1,000 on a random round of golf) "shamble", so didn't get to see all of the course but saw enough with the shamble format.

Course seemed very fair to me, but it certainly was penal if you screwed up just a bit - to the poster above saying that the fairways were generous, we must've been playing two different courses (or our driving distance is much different) - seemed like the bunkers/fescue and trees were very strategically located to pinch in from the 260 - 290 landing areas, so if it wasn't a shamble I probably would've played a 3W or a hybrid off of most tees - that being said, the tips are 7400+ so I'd imagine one could hit driver to the fat part of the fairway for the most part from that far back.

I inquired about membership last year and I think I was quoted $40K initiation and somewhere in the area of $10-15K a year in dues (but I do remember that those dues included cart fees).

BTW, this was my first shamble and I thought that -29 under (2BB per hole, so par was 72*2 = 144) would be a solid net score - winning score was -43. (is that even possible?)

[leftymike]

hey everyone i am kinda of new to the site and just been using it for the lefty swap, ive gotten my index down to a 1.8, mostly because ive been laid off for the past month, but i ve really been wanting to get into some tournys. i like in delaware county. any suggestions or help thanks

[luxman]

[quote name='YipMaster' timestamp='1308773595' post='3327753']
[quote name='luxman' timestamp='1308662268' post='3323920']
[quote name='YipMaster' timestamp='1308597684' post='3321875']
Thanks for the analysis - as someone who's bunker game is closer to a 20 handicap than my (kinda) low single digit index, I'm gonna make sure I stay outta those bunkers if I can

I'll post either tomorrow night or Wednesday morning what I thought of the place - from what I understand it's supposed to be a fairly nice club these days.
[/quote]

No problem. A lot of the bunkers are really not in play, but it makes the course look more intimidating. But, if you are in some of the fairway bunkers you won't have any chance of hitting the green in regulation.

The clubhouse is huge and very nice. I will be curious as to how many people you see out there. My guess is that it won't be many as their membership is pretty low and they don't get a lot of play.

Enjoy.
[/quote]

Firstly, great piece of property - the rolling hills and dramatic changes in elevation were pretty spectacular there.

As far as the difficulty of the course, it's pretty seriously difficult - can't recall the exact numbers, but from the 6700 yard tees we played the rating was 73+ (I think 76+ from the tips), if memory serves - very quick greens (although not unreasonably undulating, so most putts from <=25' "felt" makeable) and very deep bunkers (thanks Luxman ).

It was a $1,000 a head (my buddy organized it and someone had to drop out so I played, not like I can drop $1,000 on a random round of golf) "shamble", so didn't get to see all of the course but saw enough with the shamble format.

Course seemed very fair to me, but it certainly was penal if you screwed up just a bit - to the poster above saying that the fairways were generous, we must've been playing two different courses (or our driving distance is much different) - seemed like the bunkers/fescue and trees were very strategically located to pinch in from the 260 - 290 landing areas, so if it wasn't a shamble I probably would've played a 3W or a hybrid off of most tees - that being said, the tips are 7400+ so I'd imagine one could hit driver to the fat part of the fairway for the most part from that far back.

[b]I inquired about membership last year and I think I was quoted $40K initiation and somewhere in the area of $10-15K a year in dues (but I do remember that those dues included cart fees).[/b]BTW, this was my first shamble and I thought that -29 under (2BB per hole, so par was 72*2 = 144) would be a solid net score - winning score was -43. (is that even possible?)
[/quote]

I believe that their dues include carts and the range has ProV1s.

How did you like the hole with the "split" fairway? Did you try to carry the bunker and go for the left fairway?

[johnnybogey]

My brother in law lives in the Valley Forge area so we play the local tracks when I'm down there. Have played the following:

Ravensclaw - beautiful track, got my rear end handed to me. Played it once when I first started playing golf. It was brutal.

Turtle Creek - nothing special to write.

Bella Vista - really liked this course.

Meadowbrook - played here when we wanted to get a quick nine holes in. I mentioned to my bro in law's friend that we played here and he laughed.

Downingtown - not bad at all. great track to walk.


What struck me is I figured these courses would have ranges to warm up on but none of them do. I guess you need to go to the more expensive tracks for that luxury.

All in all, the more and more I visit my bro in law in PA, the more I want to move there. I can't stand living in NYC.

[Random Hack]

[quote name='luxman' timestamp='1308838657' post='3329610']
[quote name='YipMaster' timestamp='1308773595' post='3327753']
[quote name='luxman' timestamp='1308662268' post='3323920']
[quote name='YipMaster' timestamp='1308597684' post='3321875']
Thanks for the analysis - as someone who's bunker game is closer to a 20 handicap than my (kinda) low single digit index, I'm gonna make sure I stay outta those bunkers if I can

I'll post either tomorrow night or Wednesday morning what I thought of the place - from what I understand it's supposed to be a fairly nice club these days.
[/quote]

No problem. A lot of the bunkers are really not in play, but it makes the course look more intimidating. But, if you are in some of the fairway bunkers you won't have any chance of hitting the green in regulation.

The clubhouse is huge and very nice. I will be curious as to how many people you see out there. My guess is that it won't be many as their membership is pretty low and they don't get a lot of play.

Enjoy.
[/quote]

Firstly, great piece of property - the rolling hills and dramatic changes in elevation were pretty spectacular there.

As far as the difficulty of the course, it's pretty seriously difficult - can't recall the exact numbers, but from the 6700 yard tees we played the rating was 73+ (I think 76+ from the tips), if memory serves - very quick greens (although not unreasonably undulating, so most putts from <=25' "felt" makeable) and very deep bunkers (thanks Luxman ).

It was a $1,000 a head (my buddy organized it and someone had to drop out so I played, not like I can drop $1,000 on a random round of golf) "shamble", so didn't get to see all of the course but saw enough with the shamble format.

Course seemed very fair to me, but it certainly was penal if you screwed up just a bit - to the poster above saying that the fairways were generous, we must've been playing two different courses (or our driving distance is much different) - seemed like the bunkers/fescue and trees were very strategically located to pinch in from the 260 - 290 landing areas, so if it wasn't a shamble I probably would've played a 3W or a hybrid off of most tees - that being said, the tips are 7400+ so I'd imagine one could hit driver to the fat part of the fairway for the most part from that far back.

[b]I inquired about membership last year and I think I was quoted $40K initiation and somewhere in the area of $10-15K a year in dues (but I do remember that those dues included cart fees).[/b]BTW, this was my first shamble and I thought that -29 under (2BB per hole, so par was 72*2 = 144) would be a solid net score - winning score was -43. (is that even possible?)
[/quote]

I believe that their dues include carts and the range has ProV1s.

How did you like the hole with the "split" fairway? Did you try to carry the bunker and go for the left fairway?
[/quote]

I believe you're talking about hole #9, which is actually the hole we started on - tried to go towards the left fairway but my first swing of the day (didn't warmup at all) was a vicious smother hook.

Figured it out on the front (our back) nine and just demolished the course with long drives - was leaving our group flip wedges into every green and chips into a couple others (#1 and the super downhill 350 yard par four) - almost chipped in for eagle there.

[luxman]

[quote name='johnnybogey' timestamp='1308839767' post='3329669']
My brother in law lives in the Valley Forge area so we play the local tracks when I'm down there. Have played the following:

Ravensclaw - beautiful track, got my rear end handed to me. Played it once when I first started playing golf. It was brutal.

Turtle Creek - nothing special to write.

Bella Vista - really liked this course.

Meadowbrook - played here when we wanted to get a quick nine holes in. I mentioned to my bro in law's friend that we played here and he laughed.

Downingtown - not bad at all. great track to walk.


What struck me is I figured these courses would have ranges to warm up on but none of them do. I guess you need to go to the more expensive tracks for that luxury.

All in all, the more and more I visit my bro in law in PA, the more I want to move there. I can't stand living in NYC.
[/quote]

Did Ravens Claw get rid of their range? I was a member there in its first year and the range is/was next the first tee. That said I could see them getting rid of it because there used to be a lot of range balls on the first hole and it was dangerous if you hit your tee shot in the right rough. I'll disagree with you about the course though. I liked it when I first played it, but the more I played it, the less I liked it.

At Turtle Creek you can use the range at Waltz Golf Farm. I disagree with you about Turtle Creek being nothing special. I think it's a good track with the exception of 10 and 18 and the par 3's are all very good.

Downingtown has a very small short game area where you can hit 50 yard wedges to loosen up and they have 2 hitting cages.

[luxman]

[quote name='YipMaster' timestamp='1308842083' post='3329794']I believe you're talking about hole #9, which is actually the hole we started on - tried to go towards the left fairway but my first swing of the day (didn't warmup at all) was a vicious smother hook.

Figured it out on the front (our back) nine and just demolished the course with long drives - was leaving our group flip wedges into every green and chips into a couple others (#1 and the super downhill 350 yard par four) - almost chipped in for eagle there.
[/quote]

That's definitely not a good hole to start on, especially if you are trying to hit it hard.

How were the greens? The one time I played it, they were very smooth.

[johnnybogey]

[quote name='luxman' timestamp='1308844038' post='3329880']
[quote name='johnnybogey' timestamp='1308839767' post='3329669']
My brother in law lives in the Valley Forge area so we play the local tracks when I'm down there. Have played the following:

Ravensclaw - beautiful track, got my rear end handed to me. Played it once when I first started playing golf. It was brutal.

Turtle Creek - nothing special to write.

Bella Vista - really liked this course.

Meadowbrook - played here when we wanted to get a quick nine holes in. I mentioned to my bro in law's friend that we played here and he laughed.

Downingtown - not bad at all. great track to walk.


What struck me is I figured these courses would have ranges to warm up on but none of them do. I guess you need to go to the more expensive tracks for that luxury.

All in all, the more and more I visit my bro in law in PA, the more I want to move there. I can't stand living in NYC.
[/quote]

Did Ravens Claw get rid of their range? I was a member there in its first year and the range is/was next the first tee. That said I could see them getting rid of it because there used to be a lot of range balls on the first hole and it was dangerous if you hit your tee shot in the right rough. I'll disagree with you about the course though. I liked it when I first played it, but the more I played it, the less I liked it.

At Turtle Creek you can use the range at Waltz Golf Farm. I disagree with you about Turtle Creek being nothing special. I think it's a good track with the exception of 10 and 18 and the par 3's are all very good.

Downingtown has a very small short game area where you can hit 50 yard wedges to loosen up and they have 2 hitting cages.
[/quote]

Not sure if Ravensclaw got rid of the range, it was years ago so I don't remember. Curious, why did you stop liking Ravensclaw? IIRC, it was the most expensive out of the ones I mentioned above.

As for Turtle Creek, maybe I should have chose a better phrase to describe. It was a good track but nothing I can remember. Although, now that you mention it, I believe the 10th hole was a sharp dog leg right with the range net on the left hand side.

I don't remember seeing the short game area at Downingtown. All I remember was the net and mat where you could warm up.

[luxman]

[quote name='johnnybogey' timestamp='1308845850' post='3329955']Not sure if Ravensclaw got rid of the range, it was years ago so I don't remember. Curious, why did you stop liking Ravensclaw? IIRC, it was the most expensive out of the ones I mentioned above.

As for Turtle Creek, maybe I should have chose a better phrase to describe. It was a good track but nothing I can remember. Although, now that you mention it, I believe the 10th hole was a sharp dog leg right with the range net on the left hand side.

I don't remember seeing the short game area at Downingtown. All I remember was the net and mat where you could warm up.
[/quote]

With regards to Ravens Claw, when I first played it I thought it had a lot of potential, but the more I played the more I noticed that it's just not a good layout. I won't go hole by hole, but I think the course gets worse and worse as you get through the front 9 and my lowlights of the course are...

The 9th green is much too difficult for a completely blind approach. I don't mind false fronts when you can see the green, but to think you hit a good shot that ends up beneath the green when you see your ballmark on the false front is too penal.

10 is a terrible hole and, IMO is there just to beef up the yardage on the scorecard. The landing area on the tee shot (out of a chute) is sloped to bounce out of the fairway, you then have to hit a 200+ yard shot to a blind landing area and the green is much too large and undulating for such a difficult hole.

12 is just my dislike of an architect putting a hazard in the middle of the fairway.

18 could be one of the worst finishing holes in the Philadelphia area with the possible exception of 18 at Skippack (120 yard par 3).

At Turtle Creek, the 10th hole seems as if they ran out of land and realized it after the fact. Funny you say that there's nothing memorable about it. I haven't played it in over 5 years and I still remember virtually every hole.

The short game area at Downingtown is between the right of the 7th and 9th fairway.

[C-Law]

[quote name='YipMaster' timestamp='1308842083' post='3329794']
[quote name='luxman' timestamp='1308838657' post='3329610']
[quote name='YipMaster' timestamp='1308773595' post='3327753']
[quote name='luxman' timestamp='1308662268' post='3323920']
[quote name='YipMaster' timestamp='1308597684' post='3321875']
Thanks for the analysis - as someone who's bunker game is closer to a 20 handicap than my (kinda) low single digit index, I'm gonna make sure I stay outta those bunkers if I can

I'll post either tomorrow night or Wednesday morning what I thought of the place - from what I understand it's supposed to be a fairly nice club these days.
[/quote]

No problem. A lot of the bunkers are really not in play, but it makes the course look more intimidating. But, if you are in some of the fairway bunkers you won't have any chance of hitting the green in regulation.

The clubhouse is huge and very nice. I will be curious as to how many people you see out there. My guess is that it won't be many as their membership is pretty low and they don't get a lot of play.

Enjoy.
[/quote]

Firstly, great piece of property - the rolling hills and dramatic changes in elevation were pretty spectacular there.

As far as the difficulty of the course, it's pretty seriously difficult - can't recall the exact numbers, but from the 6700 yard tees we played the rating was 73+ (I think 76+ from the tips), if memory serves - very quick greens (although not unreasonably undulating, so most putts from <=25' "felt" makeable) and very deep bunkers (thanks Luxman ).

It was a $1,000 a head (my buddy organized it and someone had to drop out so I played, not like I can drop $1,000 on a random round of golf) "shamble", so didn't get to see all of the course but saw enough with the shamble format.

Course seemed very fair to me, but it certainly was penal if you screwed up just a bit - to the poster above saying that the fairways were generous, we must've been playing two different courses (or our driving distance is much different) - seemed like the bunkers/fescue and trees were very strategically located to pinch in from the 260 - 290 landing areas, so if it wasn't a shamble I probably would've played a 3W or a hybrid off of most tees - that being said, the tips are 7400+ so I'd imagine one could hit driver to the fat part of the fairway for the most part from that far back.

[b]I inquired about membership last year and I think I was quoted $40K initiation and somewhere in the area of $10-15K a year in dues (but I do remember that those dues included cart fees).[/b]BTW, this was my first shamble and I thought that -29 under (2BB per hole, so par was 72*2 = 144) would be a solid net score - winning score was -43. (is that even possible?)
[/quote]

I believe that their dues include carts and the range has ProV1s.

How did you like the hole with the "split" fairway? Did you try to carry the bunker and go for the left fairway?
[/quote]

I believe you're talking about hole #9, which is actually the hole we started on - tried to go towards the left fairway but my first swing of the day (didn't warmup at all) was a vicious smother hook.

Figured it out on the front (our back) nine and just demolished the course with long drives - was leaving our group flip wedges into every green and chips into a couple others (#1 and the super downhill 350 yard par four) - almost chipped in for eagle there.
[/quote]

I am pretty sure he is talkiing about #5, the short very downhill par 4, that hole has a split fairway with a trap between the 2.

Raven's Claw does still have the range

[luxman]

[quote name='C-Law' timestamp='1308848985' post='3330105']
I am pretty sure he is talkiing about #5, the short very downhill par 4, that hole has a split fairway with a trap between the 2.
[/quote]

Yes, it's 5. 9 is a par 5 with a split fairway as well though.

[Random Hack]

[quote name='luxman' timestamp='1308850834' post='3330184']
[quote name='C-Law' timestamp='1308848985' post='3330105']
I am pretty sure he is talkiing about #5, the short very downhill par 4, that hole has a split fairway with a trap between the 2.
[/quote]

Yes, it's 5. 9 is a par 5 with a split fairway as well though.
[/quote]

I bombed a drive about two yards off the green on that hole (after our first player hit five iron into the right fairway for safety purposes); that's the hole I almost chipped in for eagle on.

[Chappie]

To divert the convo for a second:

I'm really not even that interested in the range at this point, I just want a place to go wth a good practice green area that allows me to practice approach shots, etc. As well as a putts. It sucks that all the greens in this area are all elevated and small at the different ranges. I want to get my pitches, chips and approach shots in control as much as possible as those are the holes in my game right now comparatively. Not that I'm bad around the green, I just feel like that is where I need the most improvement.

[Joeypole]

What's up PA/NJ people? Born and raised in Norristown up until I was 24 and moved to NJ. My parents still live in Norristown and I'm a member of the JGA as well. Even though I haven't played this year. Played a ton last year. I love hearing the discussions on Jeffersonville as that is 5 minutes from my parents house and my father belongs there. He plays every day of the year as long as there is no snow.

Jeff was a dump back when I played in high school. Graduate 1998 and they just didn't water it and didn't really care about it. Then they put money into it and redesigned a couple holes it really changed the course. You used to be able to swing for the fences and play from anywhere there. You can still do it now but it's not nearly as friendly for the wayward shots. The new greens suck and everyone knows that. 2 is rock hard as everyone stated and real tough to hold a wedge in to it. 6 plays about 10 yards shorter as its hard as well. 7 is just a pain in the butt of a hole. You can kill one over the bunker and have 120 in and still have a tough time holding the green. The problem with the 3 "new" greens is that they are unpredictable. I've probably played about 600 rounds since they re did the course and my father about 5,000 and its still a crap shoot as to how its going to break.

Chappie, you playing in the two man this weekend? I'm playing this weekend for the two man and next weekend for the Red, White, Blue scramble. That is a riot. I won it last year with 3 guys over 20 handicaps. It was interesting. If you are I will see you there. I'll ask Denny to introduce us. You've probably met my old man and my brother there.

Joe

[C-Law]

[quote name='Chappie' timestamp='1308870484' post='3331008']
To divert the convo for a second:

I'm really not even that interested in the range at this point, I just want a place to go wth a good practice green area that allows me to practice approach shots, etc. As well as a putts. It sucks that all the greens in this area are all elevated and small at the different ranges. I want to get my pitches, chips and approach shots in control as much as possible as those are the holes in my game right now comparatively. Not that I'm bad around the green, I just feel like that is where I need the most improvement.
[/quote]

That is the reason i really never go to driving range(especially bc its not free for me anymore), i work till 5 and will make a drive up to Ravens Claw or Bella Vista, tee off by about 5:45 and there will be absolutly no one on the course. I get about 2.5-3 hours of day light to hit as many drives off the tee i want, and then spend as much time on/around the greens. I dont worry about getting 18 done or keeping a score. I feel i get a lot more out of 3/4 hours of doing that for 25 bucks than i do hitting a $10 bucket in 45 minutes at a range.

[Chappie]

Yeah I hear ya, but most of the time I work during twilight hours so I can't really get any cheap deals to do that.

I just want to be able to spend 45 mins at a nice practice green.