Classic Mountain golf....Ross, Raynor or Flynn?

[david h. carroll]

I've had the good fortune of playing lots of mountain golf on two golden era courses: Lookout Mountain (Raynor), and the Upper Cascades (Flynn) and I love each of them.  My most recent visit, however, was to Linville GC (Ross), and I must say that I liked it even more than Lookout and the Upper.   I felt that the use of the valley and then the drops and rises was superb...my 11 year old and I played 36 and he loved the ability to not lose a ball even though there are numerous stream running thought the property.  I also felt that the green contours and movement were better than the other two and had more variety through out.   HAs anyone on the board had the good fortune to play all three and what are your thoughts comparatively?

[Mike Hendren]

My good fortune to play Lookout Mountain and Cascades.  I like them both, but find that Cascades limps in after 13.  Perhaps the shine hasn't had time to dull but I'd put Maples' Grandfather Mountain above both of them.  I found the playing corridors more than generous (Bogey didn't lose a ball!) the fairways firmer than anticipated, the routing neat (constantly turning 90 degrees on the front and generally out and back on the back) broad and deceptive movement on the greens, judicious employment of chipping areas and each of the 18 holes within a reasonable spectrum of quality (no weak sisters and no jaw-droppers)  A solid 12 out of 10 on the "walk in the park" test.  

Perhaps dated in the modern era, but classic in every sense.

Mike

[JC Jones]

For great mountain Ross, check out Hendersonville CC.