Probably my favorite of the 3 Dixie rounds was Palmetto GC. There are three things I tend to look for in a golf course- beautiful scenery, strategic and fun golf, interesting history. It's a rare thing for a golf course to have all three at the same time. Palmetto does it. Friday night we were treated to a presentation on the course, but several of us were able to get our own personal tour while playing with Palmetto member Tony J. Not to take away from any of the great courses we played this weekend, the most significant memory I'll take away from this trip is the sense of generosity and pride the members had in their courses. It seemed to me that while they enjoyed their course, they enjoyed sharing it with newcomers even more. Don't see that in my area very much...
Now on to Palmetto GC: My expectations going into the round were pretty high.
Some things I really liked- Gentle rolling terrain. It must have been easy to spot holes on this property back then. Everything fit just in place. The width the course played at. Sure you could bomb it anywhere, but getting it on the right angle into the green was a huge task. The greens. I hadn't been so terrified or confused on a green since I played Crystal Downs. They didn't have gigantic up and down movements for the most part. They were very subtle, and mix that with the type of grass, I was totally perplexed. While they were wild, at no point did I think they were unfair, even though I might have putt one off the green into a bunker. (ahem, 13... everyone did it so I dont feel bad
) I can appreciate how the course defends itself at such a "short" length, all the uphill shots will tire you out. When you do get to the green, you cant let up. Scruffy bunkers and turf. GCs dont need to be perfectly Forest Dunesy manicured! The par 3's were difficult for me as a couple went straight up the hill. I played so poorly all weekend, that became a chore. It's definitely got a great mix of fun/quirky/everyday kind of play, but it can be turned to a championship caliber course quickly...
Now the pics...
1 tee shot. Big drop to the fw, kinda cool to see how the #1 fw, #15 tee and #14 green all intersect.
1 green
2 approach. Pinehusrt style raised green with dropoff behind
3's massive green, with its massive-er drop off in front. Unfortunately didnt seen anybody send one flying back down the fairway. Im sure it happened though!
4th tee shot and green. Nice amphitheater setting. Would love to see it when all the flowers are in bloom.
Some had some complaints with the zaniness of the 5th green. Just stick it to 3 ft and its pretty easy guys...
Here's a behind the green shot of the par 5 6th, overlooking the day's featured pairing and the wild 7th hole
7 is a medium/short par 3. Dont miss. Anywhere...
Another of 6 green. Very elegant.
You can really see the width of the fairway here in #8. It reallly pinches in to the green, one that was rather sloped
Par 3 9th is straight up the hill and very difficult.
10 plays as a 3 shot par 5, unless you're Ryan Simper and you blast 250 yd 3 wood over greens. Fairly difficult green here.
Par 3 11th reminds me of my home state of Michigan, with all our drop shot par 3's. Were we in Gaylord or something?
12 is the best hole on the course. Beutiful and up a gentle hill to a crazy green. 380 yards has never played so long...
13th is a longish par 4 to the green with an "interesting pin position"
Par 5 14th from the trench
I thought a sub 300 yard par 4 would be nice with the 15, until I noticed it was insanely up hill
LONG par 3 16th. Mayyyybe a boring hole. I had to hit driver up there... I tended to like the "Loop" as members call it, 16-17-18. Maybe put in an odd location, maybe kind of forced, but I liked the fact that the course is wide open until you get here, then tightens up like a snake around your neck. Good luck in tournaments!
17 thru the trees, down the hill
...to a pretty green just over a valley
Then off to 18, over the scruffy sand to a tight fairway
...and a fun setting right beside the clubhouse.
And what a beauty it is
