[Patrick Hodgdon]

Has anyone ever played here and/or have pictures? I caddied for a guy who is a member there this weekend and he said he likes it equally to his other 3 courses East Lake, Jupiter Hills, and Oakmont, so it must be good but I had never heard of it before. Curious to find out more about it.

[Mike Leveille]

Patrick:

I know Settindown Creek well, as I have been a member there for quite some time.  In my biased opinion, it is the best golf course in Atlanta.

The club was formed in the late 80s, with the course being designed by Bob Cupp.  The course originally had deep fescue grass off of many of the fairways and was an incredibly difficult test.  Partly as a result of the difficulty of the course, the club had a hard time attracting a viable membership and eventually was bought out by Ansley GC.  Though the course has been softened a bit over the years, primarily with the removal of some of the fescue rough alongside the fairways, it remains a very challenging course and regularly hosts the US Open Sectional qualifier in Atlanta.  The course has also hosted the old Nike Tour Championship and the 2005 US Women's Am.

I particularly enjoy that the course is one of the few easily walkable golf courses in Atlanta, with short walks between greens and tees, as well as one of the flattest pieces of land of any course in Atlanta.

If you ever find yourself in Atlanta and would like to play the course, please drop me a note.

Mike Leveille

[Chris Cupit]

Patrick,

Settindown is a very good golf course and certainly could make a strong case for the best course in Atlanta.  I certainly would agree it's stronger than the "new" East Lake but I would not put it in the same league as Oakmont.  I've never seen Jupiter Hills.

The club hosts a lot of sectional qualifiers at Settindown (and other big events as well) and when set up tough it is a difficult test.  I am not a big fan of Bob Cupp usually and I think his weakest holes are #1 and #10 where two opening par fives parrallel one another and share a rather gimmiky double green.  The holes are a little too similar and given modern driving distances, very often long hitters are forced to lay up off of the tee.

#18 is also a bit of a weak finish--straight downhill that plays as a drive and pitch to a small green with a rather artificial pond to the left.  Aside from those three criticisms it is a solid course and one of the first to really promote walking and native areas throughout the course.  It was also originally planned as a pure golf club which it still is although financial difficulties led to its being purchased by Ansley Golf Club a number of years ago.  That marriage seems to have been excellent for both clubs and the Settindown course is definitely worth a stop while in Atlanta.

Best holes:
Par 4's--2, 6, 9, 11, 14, 15
Par 3's--all four are excellent with the short 7th being really good and the long 5th and 12th being solid as well.
Par 5's--weakest part of the course.  "Lay-up" drives often required for the best players on #1, #10 and even #16 (your drive goes over a hill and beyond the site line sits a lake)  A new tee may have lengthened the hole to allow drivers now.  #4 is the exception as it is a really fun reachable par 5 bending slightly left around a large creek all along its left side.

Holes that get a  would be #1, #3 (very moundy looking), #10, #13 and #18

Again this is VERY picky criticism and a round at Settindown is indeed a treat in Atlanta.

[A.G._Crockett]

I've played Settindown many times over the years, and agree that it is one of the very finest courses in Atlanta. 

I've posted this before, but the routing issues that Chris Cupit mentions, particularly the similarity of #1 and #10, and the relative weakness of #18 as a finisher, are unfortunate and NOT Bob Cupp's responsibility. 

The original configuration of the course would have put the clubhouse in a different location, with a different beginning and ending; I can't remember now which two current holes were #1 and #18 but they were somewhere in the current back nine.  (the starter hole might have been the current #14 or so, with current #13 as the finisher?)  It was a much better routing, changed to the current configuration so that the clubhouse could be in Fulton Co. rather than Cherokee Co. for alcoholic beverage purposes, if I remember correctly.

The other advantage of the original routing was that the golfer didn't face the series of holes with water right beside the green that the course starts with now.  #1 through #5 all have that feature, and then #6 is the #1 handicap hole on the course.  A very, very tough stretch that was a more logical back 9 than front, IMO.

All of that said, it is a great golf course, and as Chris says, certainly one of Bob Cupp's best courses.  BTW, they hosted the US Women's Am two or three years ago.

[Patrick Hodgdon]

Thanks for the reviews guys!

Mike thanks for the offer, check your pm.

Chris thanks for the review. I'll keep that stuff in mind if I get a chance to play.

Sounds like a great place that if not for some alcohol laws could ave been even better. Very interesting stuff A.G.

[Kirk Stewart]

I played the Georgia State Am at Settindown last year and love the place. It is golf course that requires one to hit it very very straight off the tee. The long fescues swallow up golf balls and recovery is nearly impossible--as I found out in the first round.  

It is very similar to my home club so I too am biased.  I would rank Oakmont and East Lake ahead of Settindown due to a couple holes that are less than stellar (9 and 19)  but ahead of JH. Numbers 1 and 10 as other have aluded are quite similar and share a double green. I personally like the holes but do not like the creek that bisects the fairway. From the back it is less of an issue but I would like to see the creek filled in allowing some to take a chance with driver and long iron or wood into the shallow green(s). Nearly everone plays both holes as 3 shotters.

Check out Rob Matre's photos from the 2007 event as well as of Oakmont and East Lake.  

http://www.matregallery.net/artists/rob-matre-golf-photos/916648

[Mike_Young]

It is a very good course and one of the best in Atlanta.....
I definitely think it is better than Jupiter Hills....and can hold its own with most others.....

[Mike Leveille]

Chris:

I agree with you 100% about the 18th hole and think it is the only truly weak hole on the course.  To me it is more typical of many other courses in Atlanta, where an architect did the best he could with a very hilly piece of terrain.

I personally like both 1 and 10 (including the double green) and find that, although parallel holes, they play quite different, with 10 favoring a fade off the tee and playing at least a quarter shot harder on average.  I see your point about the creek crossing both fairways, but as it is approximately 310 - 320 from the back tees on both holes (20 - 30 yards shorter from the tees most members play), I have never really focused on the possibillity of needing to layup.

Curious as to why you would give 13 a frowny face, as it is one of my favorite holes on the course.  The dogleg left suckers many players into trying to play a draw and shorten the hole, only to be blocked out by the large tree on the left side.  I find that it requires a good drive and discipline not to try to cut the corner.  I also think the green is one of the best on the course, with the false front making front pin positions tough, and any putt from behind the pin being extremely delicate.

A.G.:

While it is true that the first 5 holes all have water in play, each of holes 1 through 4 yields a number of birdies, as each offers the opportunity for a short iron approach shot.  5 is a tough par three and will certainly raise the pucker factor, but I suspect that the front nine actually plays at least a shot easier than the back nine, which really has no easy holes.

Mike

[Bill Gayne]

I've never played Settindown Creek but I'm a little suprised at the high praise it's receiving relative to other courses in Georgia. How would the course rank against say: ANGC, Peachtree, Sea Island Seaside, Callaway Garden Mountain Course, Cuscowilla, and Long Shadow?

 

[John_Cullum]

Aside from Peachtree, it would rank as one that is in Atlanta

[Brock Peyer]

Settindown is excellent and a great test of golf.  The 18th is a bit strage compared to the rest of the course but I wouldn't hold it against the rest of the course.  It is always in great condition and could probably hold the GA State AM at a moments notice.  I always find it interesting that a lot of people even here in Atlanta don't know about it and it hosted the US Women's AM two years ago.  Great place.

[Chris Cupit]

Chris:


Curious as to why you would give 13 a frowny face, as it is one of my favorite holes on the course.  The dogleg left suckers many players into trying to play a draw and shorten the hole, only to be blocked out by the large tree on the left side.  I find that it requires a good drive and discipline not to try to cut the corner.  I also think the green is one of the best on the course, with the false front making front pin positions tough, and any putt from behind the pin being extremely delicate.

It has been a while since I played and maybe there has been some significant tree pruning, but 13 was a perfect example of the stupidity of keeping a speciman tree despite the fact that it ruins a hole.  The hole dog legs left and the fairway actually runs out where the cart path crosses and driver is rarely the play off the tee which is fine.  But, there was not one place other than the right rough where you could hit a tee shot (from 220-275) and not have to hit some stupid shot either over, under or with a substantial hook to avoid the tree. 

The green was very severe and I just don't think that there should be NO CHANCE to have a clear shot at a green if a drive is placed in the ideal spot in the fairway.  I don't mind if it is a small area of the fairway (8-10) yards wide say, but what is the architect saying about a tee shot when NOTHING can be done to avoid being stymied by a tree?!

Also, the inside tree forces play out to the right which is the best angle for the green?  I would have thought that the architect would have protected the right side of the fairway.  I'd cut that damn tree down and bunker the right edge of the fairway/rough.  Playing down the right side to gain the best angle would force you to challenge these new deep bunkers whereas taking the short cut down the left side would give you a tough angle across the narrowest part of the tough green.

Bill,

I was focusing only on Atlanta golf but if asked to rank the courses you mentioned I would say:

1.  ANGC (sorry but despite the changes still the greatest golf treat in the world--particularly for a GA boy)

2.  Cuscowilla

3.  Peachtree  (just a few too many blind, uphill second shots keep it from being my next favorite, but great greens).  Best first hole in GA

3 1/2.  Settindown Not quite as good as Peachtree but a VERY close call.

5.  Sea Island (Seaside)  just played there and while I loved the 9th and 18th holes I was completely underwhelmed by many of the other holes?!  Many of the holes on the front seemed the same--angular tee shot across hazard with outside bunkers/dunes "framing" the driving area with a second shot to a crowned green.  Maybe the Lodge and the entire feel of the rest of Sea Island is so spectacular that any course was going to be a slight let down? 

Any of the above top 5 are fantastic and, again, the criticisms are really splitting hairs.

6.  D i s t a n t 6th--Callaway Gardens.  Take the wife to the Butterfly Gardens!

I have not played Longshadow so I can't really rank it but I have seen all the holes prior to opening.  Based on looks alone I can say that while I would drive a couple of hours any time for Cuscowilla, if anyone was headed down I-20 to the Reynolds Golf Courses, I'd highly recommend they shorten their trip, save a lot of money and play Longshadow.  Longshadow is as good if not better than anything there (PortArmour (ugh), Great Waters (a very good course), Engh's new course (interesting but a bit "too much"), the Jones Course (immaculate and yet completely forgetable) at the Ritz).

 

[John_Cullum]

Interesting Chris. I find 9 and 18 to be two of the least interesting holes on Seaside.

And I think Port Armour is the most underrated of the Reynolds courses.

[Chris Cupit]

Hmmm.  I just got tired of the same looking drive all day.  9 and 18 were definitely a change of pace.  Again, Seaside is a solid course.  It just didn't inspire me.  Maybe I was just having a bad day

I understand Port Armour has been re-done not too long ago.  I hope they blew up the hole on the back side that I'll try and describe:

440 yards or so.  Completely blind drive over a hill to a obscenely terraced fairway hemmed in on the left by a hazard (maybe on the right too).  Oh, and despite it being 440 or so, a drive down the middle of the fairway down the hill leads directly to a lake crossing the fairway at about 260 yards!!

The second time you play I guess you know to lay up and hope to catch a shelf.  Most likely, you'll end up with a severly downhill lie and then have a 200 yard shot straight back uphill to a multi-tiered  green that was easily the most severe on the entire course!!   That hole #15? absolutely and totally sucked!

The fourth and fifth holes were very good if I remember correctly.  #10 (downhill par 3) and #18--2 iron and a wedge back in 1988 were not favorites either. 

The renovations could have been outstanding but save some time and play Longshadow

[Mike Leveille]

Chris:

Not sure if it was pruning or a storm, but several years ago the specimen tree lost one or two large branches on the right side of the tree.  Now that these branches are gone, the problems you mentioned are gone, and any drive in the middle or right side of the fairway has a clear shot to the green.  Shots from the left side of the fairway still require a draw into the green.  It is now a much better hole.

Mike

[Kirk Stewart]

Chris Cupit and Bill Gayne :

Are you referring to Augusta National or Atlanta National when using ANGC ??   

[Chris Cupit]

Kirk,

When I wrote of the "greatest treat in golf...", I was referring to Augusta National Golf Club.    I tend to agree with Mr. Doak's assessment of the "other" ANGC although it has softened quite a  bit over the years.

Mike,

I guess I can take away my "frown smiley"   My nitpicks aside, your course is great fun to play.

[A.G._Crockett]

Chris:

I agree with you 100% about the 18th hole and think it is the only truly weak hole on the course.  To me it is more typical of many other courses in Atlanta, where an architect did the best he could with a very hilly piece of terrain.

I personally like both 1 and 10 (including the double green) and find that, although parallel holes, they play quite different, with 10 favoring a fade off the tee and playing at least a quarter shot harder on average.  I see your point about the creek crossing both fairways, but as it is approximately 310 - 320 from the back tees on both holes (20 - 30 yards shorter from the tees most members play), I have never really focused on the possibillity of needing to layup.

Curious as to why you would give 13 a frowny face, as it is one of my favorite holes on the course.  The dogleg left suckers many players into trying to play a draw and shorten the hole, only to be blocked out by the large tree on the left side.  I find that it requires a good drive and discipline not to try to cut the corner.  I also think the green is one of the best on the course, with the false front making front pin positions tough, and any putt from behind the pin being extremely delicate.

A.G.:

While it is true that the first 5 holes all have water in play, each of holes 1 through 4 yields a number of birdies, as each offers the opportunity for a short iron approach shot.  5 is a tough par three and will certainly raise the pucker factor, but I suspect that the front nine actually plays at least a shot easier than the back nine, which really has no easy holes.

Mike

Mike,
I remember playing #18 when it was in the middle of the course somewhere, instead of as a finishing hole.  It was kind of a cool change of pace in those days, and I think the hole has suffered greatly in perception as a finisher.  The hole was never intended to be that in the first place.  But I think it is more quirky than the rest of the course, NOT weaker per se.

I agree with you about #13; I love that hole.  I hit a draw, so that may be why, but I think it is just a superior hole.  It's a great driving hole, with a wonderful green; it's all you can ask from a par 4.

You may be right about the front nine playing a shot easier, but I would still maintain that for a lot of golfers the opening stretch is awfully tough.  I would guess that while the back yields fewer birdies, it also sees fewer huge numbers as well.  My point was just that 1-5 make more sense in the "interior" of the course than they do as the first 5 holes, which is how Cupp intended it anyway.

You're fortunate to play there regularly.  There aren't many courses that would be as much fun to play, and still demand as much of you as Settindown.  Can't overpower it, can't just finesse it.

[BCrosby]

I hope they blew up the hole on the back side that I'll try and describe:

440 yards or so.  Completely blind drive over a hill to a obscenely terraced fairway hemmed in on the left by a hazard (maybe on the right too).  Oh, and despite it being 440 or so, a drive down the middle of the fairway down the hill leads directly to a lake crossing the fairway at about 260 yards!!

The second time you play I guess you know to lay up and hope to catch a shelf.  Most likely, you'll end up with a severly downhill lie and then have a 200 yard shot straight back uphill to a multi-tiered  green that was easily the most severe on the entire course!!   That hole #15? absolutely and totally sucked!

The renovations could have been outstanding but save some time and play Longshadow

Chris - It's the 15th and I agree. But even worse is that because the drive is blind, familiarity with the hole doesn't help much. You still have a hard time putting a drive somewhere that gives you a reasonble second to the green.

Other than the 15th, hoever, Port Armour is very good. I like the new 10th very much.   

But as noted, if you are in the neighborhood, go to Madison and play Longshadow.

Bob

 

[Paul Jones]

Chris,

Were would you put Lookout Mountain on your list?

Paul

[Mike_Young]

Chris,
Thanks for the comments re LS....tell you what...You havent played it??  Rymer relays something like "I'll play yours if you will play mine".

Anyway...Port Armor....IMHO is a very good golf course and has gotten better with the new #10.  the hole you mention #15 with the small pond in a blind landing area at 260 is not really the architects fault from what I am told.  supposedly the pond was to be off the golf course to one side and the owner placed it there.  It makes sense.
I just think it presents a good test.

[Kirk Stewart]

Chris,

3.  "Peachtree  (just a few too many blind, uphill second shots keep it from being my next favorite, but great greens).  Best first hole in GA"

Besides #8 possibly # 9, what other blind, uphill second shots are there ?

[John_Cullum]

At the Georgia Open a couple of years ago at Pt Armour, I was assigned rules officiatiing on 13 14 and 15. I cannnot recall a single tee shot into the pond on 15. Most players went for the left half of the fairway with a 3 wood or driver and had about 175 in. I thought it was a good hole with a very difficult approach.

But this is a Settindown thread. I have no problem with 1 and 10. 18 is a little on the short side for a championship finisher, but it is by no means a birdie fest.

[Chris Cupit]

Paul,

I've never played Lookout but have heard good things about it.

Mike,

Tell TV star/fat boy I'm ready to come play.  Let's pick a day.   He only rode around my course so ya'll will have to come play sometime as well.

I can appreciate that the pond at 260 on the 440 hole is not the architects fault but the hole still sucked.   I've heard the re-do was good and that #10 is much improved.  They need to fill in that damn pond though!

Kirk,

Let me be clear that in Atlanta, Peachtree is my favorite course and the following list of holes that are uphill and "blind" are not meant to suggest otherwise.  I actually enjoy blind holes certainly more than most people--I just think Peachtree has a lot of shots where you find yourself hitting signifcantly uphill and a portion or all of the flagstick is hidden.  Examples:

Second shot on #3  There was actually thought of removing the right front mounding to allow a view into the green and it was decided to leave the hole alone.

Approach on #4 third shot on par 5 from 50 yards or so,  is uphill but not blind (the par 5)

#8 and #9 as you mention

#10 is straight uphill the last 150 yards and unless you can reach the par 5 in two, the shot from 50 yards short is blind also.  You could only see a portion of the flag

#12 the approach goes significantly uphill again although it is not blind

#15 tee shot is blind and must be hooked to stay in the fairway.  Driver can reach the creek that crosses.  If you hit driver on this very long hole and get it over the hill, the approach is again up a steep hill and the green is hard to see completely.

#16 Again, unless you can reach this par 5 in two you will most likely have a 50 yard third shot or so and it is again pretty steeply uphill and unless the hole is on the back tier you can not see the bottom of the flagstick.

#17  VERY uphill, long par 4 that is totally blind for the second shot

#18  second shot is very uphill and also "blind".

Obviously, by blind I do not mean that no portion of the green or flagstick is visible and I am sorry if my comments suggested that.  But, there is no doubt that Peachtree is a very hilly course and can leave a player with a very distinct feel of playing a lot of approach shots uphill.  It is uphill to the point that you can rarely see the bottom of the flag and in many cases you can only see a portion of the flagstick itself. 

A truly unique course with some of the best greens around.  You simply won't see greens that bold and undulated built today (unless you play my course )!  #2 green is hard to describe--I think Doak said it really does look like an elephant was buried there and he is correct!

The renovations--zoysia fairways, Tif-10 rough, A-1 greens and extensive tree removal that opens up the vistas (around 1,000 trees removed! ! !) are fantastic.  William Shirley and his staff are top notch and keep the course in magnificent condition.

Sorry for getting OT on the Settindown thread

[Kirk Stewart]

Chris,

I'm very familar with Peachtree and played it a lot while in college. Perhaps I'm using the old adage that a blind shot is only blind the first time you play it. I never really thought of 3, 5, 10, 12,17 and 18 as blind. Uphill yes.

Regardless, Peachtree and Settindown are both fine tests, each having their own strengths, weaknesses and strategic merits, however, I still prefer East Lake's shot values to both.

After 18 holes of qualifying and 36 holes of medal play at Settindown during the  State Am, I'm still trying to get over that clausterphobic feeling the course gives you with a pencil and scorecard in your pocket.

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