[Mark Saltzman]

I am amazed at how little Cuscowilla is discussed on GolfClubAtlas these days.

There were many threads on Cusco shortly after the course opened and it received almost univeral praise.  Raters must have felt the same way as the course was ranked as high as #11 Modern (I think) on Golfweek's list in 2005.  Since then, the little bit of discussion has turned luke warm and the course has dropped some 50 spots on Golfweek's list.

Some quotes I found from an early thread on Cuscowilla give an example of the high praise:

A special course. Arguably the second best in Georgia after ANGC.

Definitely a must see for someone that wants to play a modern classic.

Cuscowilla is a lesson in how to build a minimalistic course on a beautiful, rolling site with some exciting forced carries (maybe a bit lengthy for many players!  ) but great bunkering, excellent greens.


Anyways, I went in with muted expectations and left very impressed.  

The Routing




The first hole is exceptional -- it's hard to imagine a better starting hole, especially given the dull nature of the land.  The golfer becomes immediately acquainted with the striking bunkering at Cuscowilla as he is challenged to play boldly over the bunker on the left to leave a preferred angle of approach into the green.  A reverse cambre fairway will accentuate the penalty of tee shots that are bailed out to the right.




The approach as seen from the centre of the fairway ~125 yards from the green shows how a single very well-placed greenside bunker and an angled green can impact decision-making back to the tee.  




The first green is small and very titled from back-left to front-right, with contours that will help to accept shots played from the right side of the fairway.  Missing long is a terrible mistake.






The 2nd hole is part of a long stretch of holes that continues through the short 5th that makes the golfer wonder whether Cuscowilla belongs in the discussion of Coore/Crenshaw's very best.  Another reverse-cambre fairway at the 2nd that requires golfers play near the high side of the fairway to leave a much shorter carry over an angled bunker set into the lay-up area.




Interestingly, boldly playing over the carry-bunker offers only a shorter yardage as a reward, as the angle from the left side of the fairway is probably the preferred one.




A second wild and demanding green!  It is hard to describe everything going on on this green, but a spine down the green's centre, a front-right knob, a back-right backboard and a back-left run-off make for many interesting pin positions.






When reading Ran's earlier profile of the course, I noted his praise of the varied lengths of Cuscowilla's par-3s.  An excellent observation, and I hit 5i, 3H, SW and 7i on the four par-3s.  And not only are the lengths varied, but so are the shot requirements -- draw, low-fade, straight, high draw -- all four of the par-3s are strong holes individually are an ever better set.

[Mac Plumart]

I find Cuscowilla to be good golf, plain and simple.

It ain't over-the-top fancy, it ain't jaw-droppingly amazing...it is just really good golf, a great walk, and a fun course to play.  It has a really nice mix of challenge and playability with some good greens.

[Thomas Dai]

Mark,

Thanks for posting this.

What time of year does the fairway grass change it's colour back to green and when does it then go brown again?

All the best.

[Mark Pritchett]

Mark,

Thanks for this tour.  I am looking forward to what will hopefully be a good discussion about Cuscowilla.  I agree with your assessment Of the first three holes.

Mark

[John Kavanaugh]

The third at Cusc is a perfect example of when not to build a hole in a routing. A long par three with a boomerang walk after a short par five gives everyone a bottleneck wait. The worst hole ever built.

[Mac Plumart]

The worst hole ever built.

Not even close!  The hole is very good.  I've never waited on that tee box (and I've got over 10 rounds at Cuscowilla).  Heck, its not even close to being the worst hole on this course.

[Mark Pritchett]

I have played Cuscowilla many times and have can not recall ever waiting on any hole, save for a couple of times on the 10th tee. 

[John Kavanaugh]

We had a GCA outing at Cusc in the infancy of this site and there was a three group backup on the third tee. A difficult par three with a boomerang walk after an easy par five is a textbook mistake. How do you guys not know that?!? 

[Mark Saltzman]

Aren't GCA events notoriously slow?

The first two holes are excellent and complex.  After playing them, beards must be pulled.

The 3rd hole is very pretty.  Lots of pictures to be taken.

What's a boomerang walk? 

[Mac Plumart]

How do you guys not know that?!?  

'cause we're stupid!  

Seriously, I've never had an issue there.  I don't find 3 a difficult hole...and the boomerang walk isn't that bad of a boomerang and/or a time waster.  I can think of a few other walks on other courses that are much worse than this one.

Also, I don't find 2 easy.  Drive ain't too bad...but getting into a position to make that bunker on the right not a major issue on my second shot is, well, a major issue.  Also, the green (depending on pin position) can be a real bear.  At least for my game.

[Mark Saltzman]

Mac, you cleared that bunker by a mile.  Never a doubt.

[Mac Plumart]

Never a doubt.

 

[Mark Pritchett]

We had a GCA outing at Cusc in the infancy of this site and there was a three group backup on the third tee. A difficult par three with a boomerang walk after an easy par five is a textbook mistake. How do you guys not know that?!? 

I could see it being an issue at a course with a high volume of play.  It may even be an issue at Cuscowilla.  I will have to ask my relative who is member if this is the case. 

[John Kavanaugh]

I should clarify that it is the worst hole I have ever played. It's like comparing a Picasso to the receptionist at a gallery. You really never own either but each is better when enjoyed alone.

[Carl Nichols]

We had a GCA outing at Cusc in the infancy of this site and there was a three group backup on the third tee. A difficult par three with a boomerang walk after an easy par five is a textbook mistake. How do you guys not know that?!? 

I agree that it's not a great spot in the routing for a hole like that.  But what was the result, a 5-hour GCA outing round rather than a 4:45 one?   

[Brett_Morrissy]

It's like comparing a Picasso to the receptionist at a gallery. You really never own either but each is better when enjoyed alone.  

JK, not wanting to side track Mark's excellent photo tour, but this an interesting issue in relation to the routing, what you describe as an issue of the short p5 preceding a long p3 - being a log jam, even if the p5 is gettable in two shots for many, there is enough trouble around the green and slope on the putting surface, to 'slow' the groups down - for me, so much more time is wasted around the greens, than getting to the green, especially in this Cusco instance, where there does not appear to be a lot of time wasting features the length of the hole.

From my experience it is the longer holes (no matter the par) and the long tee shot that slow players down, as many golfers believe their length far outweighs the reality of their game, so - I put the issue of your three groups on the tee, squarely at the feet of the long par 3, over water, with a heavily bunkered green.

Mark & Mac, what length did the hole play for you guys, and what club did you hit?

For us who are lucky enough to play golf all year round, the dormant turf makes a big impact, the contrast vast between summer and spring, it "looks" dry and firm - was that indeed the case?

[Mac Plumart]

Mark and I played the middle tees that day...I think it was in the 160 range...may have been 150.  I hit 6 iron 160 and 7 iron 150.  I don't think that is a long par 4.


However, I do think over the last few years they have moved the middle tees up.  The last few times I've played there it has been at that 160 range...but I remember the first few times I played it hitting 3 iron...which is more like a 190 club for me.


Maybe that is the club recognizing the precise issue you guys are talking about.  Thoughts?


EDIT...I got a funny PM about John Kavanaugh's comment about 3 being the worst hole he's ever played.  The message said, "Obviously, John's never played Golf Club of Georgia Creekside.  If he had, 3 at Cuscowilla wouldn't be any worse than the 19th worst hole he's ever played."   

[Mark Saltzman]

Mac, 3 played into the wind the day we played it (don't know if that's normal).  I think you're right on with that 160 number, but it played a lot longer than that (and it was 40 degrees!).

I think you hit that hybrid you have, and hit a good one, and had a 20-footer for birdie.

I hit 5 iron in the water    Got up and down with the next 5i though for a nice, tidy 4.

[Mac Plumart]

I think you hit that hybrid you have

I'm pretty sure that day I played with my 3, 4, and 5 hybrid.  I probably hit 5 hybrid.  And I can't recall if the wind is normally against you on the tee shot.  Anyone know?

[Lyne Morrison]

Mark thanks for this - I have always been intrigued by Cuscowilla.

Mac - from your observations do the clay bunkers drain with reasonable success ? or do they hold water for extended periods ? they don't appear to be lined.

Thanks, Lyne

[Mac Plumart]

Lyne...

Hmmm.   I can not recall ever having an issue with bunker drainage at Cuscowilla.  But I can't recall playing it in poor weather either.  The day Mark and I played, it had been pretty rainy for the past few days before we actually played.  But that day it was windy and cold, but kind of sunny.  And the bunkers, and most of the turf, were\was fine.

As a more macro-note, I do enjoy the playability of the bunker sand there and I love the look, as well.

[Mike Sweeney]

Mark,

Fabulous thread as always. Makes me also think of our buddy Mike Young at Long Shadow. Great trip.

[Chris Cupit]

I do understand how a difficult par 3 early in a round can cause pace issues but I confess to being an idiot regarding how the direction of the hole (boomerang walk?) matters.  I do not remember it being a long or awkward walk from 2 green to 3 tee and the walk from 3 green to 4 tee isn't so bad (it does cross the street I think)?

Anyway, I think Cuscowilla is a terrific golf course.  My snapshot smiley on each hole
1     Great start
2  Nice hole with a slightly awkward drive
3  I liked this hole though agree if pace was the only concern a par 3 is ideally deep into a round
4 
5     Fun and neat green
6   
7 
8   
9   
10  Not a big fan of the forced carry drive
11   
12  A bit too tight for my liking though I don't hate it like many
13
14   
15  Never a big fan of the tee shot or the green--seemed a bit severe
16   
17   
18     Awkward tee shot and it just seemed like a bit of a let down though maybe because the rest of the course was si much fun
 

[Mark Saltzman]

I do understand how a difficult par 3 early in a round can cause pace issues but I confess to being an idiot regarding how the direction of the hole (boomerang walk?) matters.  I do not remember it being a long or awkward walk from 2 green to 3 tee and the walk from 3 green to 4 tee isn't so bad (it does cross the street I think)?

Anyway, I think Cuscowilla is a terrific golf course.  My snapshot smiley on each hole
1     Great start
2  Nice hole with a slightly awkward drive
3  I liked this hole though agree if pace was the only concern a par 3 is ideally deep into a round
4 
5     Fun and neat green
6   
7 
8   
9   
10  Not a big fan of the forced carry drive
11   
12  A bit too tight for my liking though I don't hate it like many
13
14   
15  Never a big fan of the tee shot or the green--seemed a bit severe
16   
17   
18     Awkward tee shot and it just seemed like a bit of a let down though maybe because the rest of the course was si much fun
 

Chris, there are people that don't like 12?  Bah! What do they know!

Also, disagree on the ' ' on 14.  I think it's a very good hole.

[Lyne Morrison]

Thanks Mac.
Cheers

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