I was lucky to have the opportunity to play Goat Hill, aka Shelter Island Country Club, on a beautiful afternoon last week. My friend and I were the only players on this quirky nine-hole gem. Goat Hill reminds me of the Cotswolds courses that Sean Arble has highlighted so expertly here.
The course is routed over a very small piece of extremely hilly land. Seven of the nine greens, and four of the six non-par 3 tee shots are blind. The greens are some of the smallest I have ever seen on a course. I am fairly confident that only the greens are watered. The course is "only" 2600 yards (par 33), but presents a varied challenge to even the best golfers.
Goat Hill is not the best golf course I have ever played, but it is one of the most fun. It forces the player to hit a variety of running shots that are not usually found on courses in America. The 9th hole is a stunning par 3 that would be a credit to the vast majority of courses. Most importantly for me, my friend, a very occasional golfer, and I had a fantastic afternoon on a fun and interesting course.
Without further ado, some pictures (I hesitate to call it a photo tour because I only have pictures of some of the holes).
Looking back up the first (330 yard par 4) fairway:
The fourth hole is an Alps-like Par 3.5 of 226 yards. The golfer is presented with this ridge from the tee:
When he reaches the top, he sees a sharp drop off down to a tiny green:
The green is a semi-punchbowl. This flag was cut on perhaps the steepest slope I have ever seen pinned:
The 5th is a 160-yard downhill par 3 to a green sloping disquietingly from left to right:
The 6th is a 180-yard par 3 that is played across a flat field which abruptly dips about 8 feet in front of the green. This makes the tee shot blind except for the top of the flagstick. The green is the smallest on the course, and is probably smaller than 2000 square feet:
The 8th presents the 2nd punchbowl green of the course, and my favorite approach shot. After a blind drive, a golfer who has driven far enough right will be presented with a view similar to this one of a green built up against the slope of the hill:
The 9th was my favorite hole on the course. It is a 200-yard par 3 playing from high ground to high ground to a green benched into a steep hill upon which the clubhouse is perched. The low marker will have to hit an excellent shot to find the putting surface.
Overall, I had a great time at Goat Hill. It is the antithesis of what one thinks of for golf on Eastern Long Island, yet provides a unique golfing experience.