My first attempt at this got timed out and I lost about 15 minutes worth of typing. Try 2.
As I higher handicap player, I didn’t know what to expect from Wolf Run. I had studied the aerials and drone videos, but I thought, “Can this course really be that hard?” It didn’t take long to look at the first hole and know this place isn’t messing around. In fact, there really is no let up at Wolf Run. You need to be on your game here for most every shot.
That being said, my big surprise was how playable Wolf Run was for me. There aren’t a lot of long force carries from the right tees. Sure, there may be a water intersection, but there’s always an option to lay up, where the next shot doesn’t need to be in the air long to find its next point. Whereas some places have unfair holes or holes that just don’t make any sense, I never once thought Wolf Run is unfair. You can choose to go for the shot; or, in most cases (save 13), there’s a safe option to lay up.
My thoughts on the first round were akin to, “Is this place seriously this tough?”. I may have called 15 a bullsh*t hole at first view. I was questioning my ability to finish the hole on 9 and 14. To summarize my initial experience: I liked it, but I was a bit overwhelmed.
However, my subsequent plays over the weekend had me loving the place. During the second round, it clicked for me. By the third round, I was enjoying the challenge. Would I want this to be my main course I play? No. Is it a hard, yet fun test of golf that’s worth indulging in once in a while? Absolutely. The number of unique holes at Wolf Run makes for an experience you just can’t get at most places.
Take the 16th hole. Both Saturday rounds I hit a ¾ wedge and had GIRs. Sunday (after a thin bullet wedge in the creek), I hit another tee shot where I hit the slope off the green and watched it roll down closer to the pin than any of my two shots on Saturday did. It’s that challenge and variety that keeps things interesting.
The par 3s were great. I’m not a huge fan of 13, but I get the concept. And, once you know about the kick plate on the left, the hole isn’t quite as intimidating. 12-15 is the hardest stretch of golf I’ve ever played. But even that being said, high handicap me pared 15 on Sunday; which despite chipping in twice on 7 for par and birdie, might be my proudest playing accomplishment of the week.
The Wolf Run staff was fantastic this weekend. They really couldn’t have been more welcoming and accommodating. Despite the amount of rain and weather volatility in the area, the course was in great shape. The Lodge was fun. I got to show off my scratch Golden Tee handicap, which has been dormant for a while. I’m glad I got to get Broadmoor in and thankful they let us play.
Jason did a great job organizing everything. Everything (on my end) went smoothly. I know the hard work that goes into doing these type of events, and I always appreciate the efforts.
I’m holding on tightly to that Mashie this year. Can’t wait to bring it back next year at a location TBD.