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Black Mountain Home For Children reviews
14
0
The Shiny Rabbit
Reviewed:
Played on:Dec 26, 2023
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
-Hidden gem for sure. The rabbit on a designated land that's not easy to find time to get to. Very challenging overall with a few easy holes to compensate for the really hard ones. Lots of ups and downs with a few valleys and sloping fairways. What if Chauga Rapids and Jackson Park had a baby? You'd get Black Mountain HFC! There are six holes that are very attackable, six that are about average on the difficulty scales, and six that are hard. With a few of those six being incredibly hard even for touring pros.
-All par threes except for one hole, that is #17. Don't let that fool you. There are several different shaped fairways in the woods with big elevation that'll distract you and make this course feel longer than it actually is. A couple of the par threes need to be changed to par fours because they are long and uphill. You'll be throwing plenty of drivers here for either distance or enhanced angle control and then you'll be throwing mids and putters. This course is a real adventure.
-Nice tee signs with hole diagrams and info. Nice disc catcher baskets with the hole #.
-The elevation is superb. There are more uphill holes on the front nine and more downhill holes on the back nine. You find yourself at the highest point of the course when you get to #12. #12 is arguably the signature hole. It's a long and rough walk to the top of the hill where you tee off, and you'll see that it was worth it quick. #12 is an epic design! Major downhill (more than the camera does justice for) off a brick pad over a dip before going slightly back uphill. This is a daunting putter/mid shot in the deep woods. Early tree kick can have you kick far down to the right side and have you consider throwing a provisional just because the upshot from your original tee shot would be entirely too hard to redeem from. Make it across the valley, and you still could be left with a difficult upshot if you land in the bushes. Throw your straightest putter and don't change your mind on how you throw it. It's still very reachable and is one of the better opportunities for an ace.
#15 is another sweet downhill hole. Even more downhill than #12! Has the greatest elevation change on the course, so it plays a lot less than its listed 431'. It's another nerve racking shot off the tee. The fairway is narrow and breaks off sharply to the right. I threw my most understable midrange and it curled right perfectly in time, but hit a tree soon after it flexed to the right side. This is one of the hardest holes on the course, but being pretty severely downhill, distance is not really an obstacle. If you have a mean sidearm, you might have a better chance to make it all the way down to the green since it is a gentle dogleg right. These two holes will have you throwing multiple shots on. They are so much fun as well as unique.
-Easy start out in the open. The first hole is a little tricky for back hand throwers, but it's open without much potential for trouble. #2 is a very easy birdie being open and straight in the field. #3 is a pretty simple backhand hyzer into the woods on the left. #4 is the shortest hole at 167'. #4 is wooded and over a creek across a valley. The basket is a little bit right from where you stand on the tee. You could throw a small hyzer with a putter on the right side or throw a forehand on the left. There are some retention trees, so it makes this one pretty touchy but it's by far the most reachable. You'll find out once you are done with #9 that there's not really a particular skill level in mind here. #5 is debatably the hardest hole on the course. #6 is pretty challenging, harder than the first four but still very attackable.
#7 is another hole that's a little more straightforward, #8 is a monster (maybe as hard as #5) and #9 is another hole that kind of in between. Not easy but not very hard either. The variety in challenge will keep you intrigued. Gives some breaks in between on the back nine too. #10 is a very tough right to left par three on a ridge connecting to a corner pocket back uphill where the pin is. #11 is a straightforward valley shot. One of the easiest holes on the course, but very enjoyable and brilliantly designed. The signature hole #12 is more than 40' down in elevation and only 284', so it plays around 150' but the rollaway potential and the big number of trees to avoid makes for a scary ace run. #13 is tougher to navigate than #12, being longer and a dogleg right, but the fairway is wider and gives a little more room for error than #12 does. #14 and #16 are two more straightforward holes that are before and after what is a grueling fifteenth.
-About two thirds wooded, which is what I like. I loved primarily wooded courses with at least three or four open holes. Black Mountain HFC has six holes that play more out in the open. Doesn't mean they are wide open. #7 is a nice birdie opportunity that's more open. The green is slightly wooded, and there are some trees forming a gap on the edge of the green, so it's mostly open but still with some trees as obstacles. That's the last (relatively) open hole until you get to #17. #17 still has a wooded part to it. You tee off in the open, but the middle of the fairway has you going into the woods where the hill starts to drop. The downhill elevation on #17 makes the approach from the woods very difficult since you are going back out into the open. The trees aren't super close in proximity, so there's a solid chance you'll have some sort of makeshift line to the pin but you'll have to really follow that designed makeshift route you see. #18 is back uphill and a little more open than #17.
-All par threes except for one hole, that is #17. Don't let that fool you. There are several different shaped fairways in the woods with big elevation that'll distract you and make this course feel longer than it actually is. A couple of the par threes need to be changed to par fours because they are long and uphill. You'll be throwing plenty of drivers here for either distance or enhanced angle control and then you'll be throwing mids and putters. This course is a real adventure.
-Nice tee signs with hole diagrams and info. Nice disc catcher baskets with the hole #.
-The elevation is superb. There are more uphill holes on the front nine and more downhill holes on the back nine. You find yourself at the highest point of the course when you get to #12. #12 is arguably the signature hole. It's a long and rough walk to the top of the hill where you tee off, and you'll see that it was worth it quick. #12 is an epic design! Major downhill (more than the camera does justice for) off a brick pad over a dip before going slightly back uphill. This is a daunting putter/mid shot in the deep woods. Early tree kick can have you kick far down to the right side and have you consider throwing a provisional just because the upshot from your original tee shot would be entirely too hard to redeem from. Make it across the valley, and you still could be left with a difficult upshot if you land in the bushes. Throw your straightest putter and don't change your mind on how you throw it. It's still very reachable and is one of the better opportunities for an ace.
#15 is another sweet downhill hole. Even more downhill than #12! Has the greatest elevation change on the course, so it plays a lot less than its listed 431'. It's another nerve racking shot off the tee. The fairway is narrow and breaks off sharply to the right. I threw my most understable midrange and it curled right perfectly in time, but hit a tree soon after it flexed to the right side. This is one of the hardest holes on the course, but being pretty severely downhill, distance is not really an obstacle. If you have a mean sidearm, you might have a better chance to make it all the way down to the green since it is a gentle dogleg right. These two holes will have you throwing multiple shots on. They are so much fun as well as unique.
-Easy start out in the open. The first hole is a little tricky for back hand throwers, but it's open without much potential for trouble. #2 is a very easy birdie being open and straight in the field. #3 is a pretty simple backhand hyzer into the woods on the left. #4 is the shortest hole at 167'. #4 is wooded and over a creek across a valley. The basket is a little bit right from where you stand on the tee. You could throw a small hyzer with a putter on the right side or throw a forehand on the left. There are some retention trees, so it makes this one pretty touchy but it's by far the most reachable. You'll find out once you are done with #9 that there's not really a particular skill level in mind here. #5 is debatably the hardest hole on the course. #6 is pretty challenging, harder than the first four but still very attackable.
#7 is another hole that's a little more straightforward, #8 is a monster (maybe as hard as #5) and #9 is another hole that kind of in between. Not easy but not very hard either. The variety in challenge will keep you intrigued. Gives some breaks in between on the back nine too. #10 is a very tough right to left par three on a ridge connecting to a corner pocket back uphill where the pin is. #11 is a straightforward valley shot. One of the easiest holes on the course, but very enjoyable and brilliantly designed. The signature hole #12 is more than 40' down in elevation and only 284', so it plays around 150' but the rollaway potential and the big number of trees to avoid makes for a scary ace run. #13 is tougher to navigate than #12, being longer and a dogleg right, but the fairway is wider and gives a little more room for error than #12 does. #14 and #16 are two more straightforward holes that are before and after what is a grueling fifteenth.
-About two thirds wooded, which is what I like. I loved primarily wooded courses with at least three or four open holes. Black Mountain HFC has six holes that play more out in the open. Doesn't mean they are wide open. #7 is a nice birdie opportunity that's more open. The green is slightly wooded, and there are some trees forming a gap on the edge of the green, so it's mostly open but still with some trees as obstacles. That's the last (relatively) open hole until you get to #17. #17 still has a wooded part to it. You tee off in the open, but the middle of the fairway has you going into the woods where the hill starts to drop. The downhill elevation on #17 makes the approach from the woods very difficult since you are going back out into the open. The trees aren't super close in proximity, so there's a solid chance you'll have some sort of makeshift line to the pin but you'll have to really follow that designed makeshift route you see. #18 is back uphill and a little more open than #17.
Cons:
-Only open on Tuesdays through September to the end of May. Closed during the summer, when there's daylight past 7 pm. Extremely hard for people that work a 9 to 5 job to find time to play this gem. Wish it was open on weekends if not every day. I know its private, but shouldn't paying a fee be enough? Or maybe require a higher fee (maybe $20) on days other than Tuesday? I mean, you'd most likely have to request a day off of work to play here. A little too extreme. This is clearly a course aimed for more competitive higher rated players. I'm 100% confident that there'd be a whole lot more donations if it were available for play not only on Tuesdays. Many competitive players wouldn't hesitate play here if the availability was more open cause it's an awesome course. This is my main gripe.
-The par on a couple of holes. #5 and #18. Yeah…..these are NOT par threes. Both 440' and they both have elevation rises at 30' or more (#5 is 30' up, #18 is 35' up). #5's fairway is not designed for a drive and a long putt. The fairway turns right after 150'. #18 isn't as difficult as a result of being open, but a three on this one feels better than a par. It takes over 500' and power and a reasonable amount of accuracy to have a putter for 2. #8 is a real tweener too. Only 346' but sharply uphill, tight, and rhododendrons off the fairway the whole way. Can't see it being birdied either. Doesn't play quite as long as #5 or #18, but it's tighter. The rough is grueling, and the elevation rise is, like #5 and #18 over 30' and not being quite as long the hill is steeper and you have to make it up slightly quicker due to angle of incline being maybe 45 degrees and the angles on #5 and #18 being more like 25-30 degrees upward. Doesn't mean I disliked the holes though. I enjoyed all three of them. The par is just questionable.
-VERY limited parking. Parking lot is pretty small. It was very rainy when I played, so I was the only one there. I can't tell what the traffic is like on Tuesdays when it isn't rainy but there could potentially be crowds leaving you having a hard time finding a place to park, since those are the only days its open and this is without question one of the best courses in Asheville. It's better than Richmond Hill, Sandhill, and slightly better than the new and improved Lake Julian.
-The par on a couple of holes. #5 and #18. Yeah…..these are NOT par threes. Both 440' and they both have elevation rises at 30' or more (#5 is 30' up, #18 is 35' up). #5's fairway is not designed for a drive and a long putt. The fairway turns right after 150'. #18 isn't as difficult as a result of being open, but a three on this one feels better than a par. It takes over 500' and power and a reasonable amount of accuracy to have a putter for 2. #8 is a real tweener too. Only 346' but sharply uphill, tight, and rhododendrons off the fairway the whole way. Can't see it being birdied either. Doesn't play quite as long as #5 or #18, but it's tighter. The rough is grueling, and the elevation rise is, like #5 and #18 over 30' and not being quite as long the hill is steeper and you have to make it up slightly quicker due to angle of incline being maybe 45 degrees and the angles on #5 and #18 being more like 25-30 degrees upward. Doesn't mean I disliked the holes though. I enjoyed all three of them. The par is just questionable.
-VERY limited parking. Parking lot is pretty small. It was very rainy when I played, so I was the only one there. I can't tell what the traffic is like on Tuesdays when it isn't rainy but there could potentially be crowds leaving you having a hard time finding a place to park, since those are the only days its open and this is without question one of the best courses in Asheville. It's better than Richmond Hill, Sandhill, and slightly better than the new and improved Lake Julian.
Other Thoughts:
-I REALLY REALLY REEEAAALLLYY hope at some point in the nearby future that they'll have it open on weekends. It's hard to find time to play on Tuesdays regardless of what your job is. This is an awesome course that needs love and attention like every fun course does. If the availability for play expands, I think it would help with their operations. More traffic would mean more donations. I'm sure there are a lot of locals that haven't gotten to play it due to schedule conflicts that really want to play it. This course was well worth the two hour drive for me to play in the rain. I'm sure if a tournament (hypothetically) where to be here on a weekend, it would fill up because it's spectacular.
-But for now, it's that final shiny rabbit in Mario 64. Hard to catch, hard to find, and takes a lot of progress in the game to reach the opportunity to catch him. Hard to find a time to play here. I had a Tuesday off of work and didn't hesitate to take the opportunity to catch this rabbit. That time finally came for me and I didn't want to wait any longer. Wasn't going to let the rain stop me.
-It's a real hiking adventure at Black Mountain HFC. It's well worth the $10 donation to play it. I'd be more than happy to pay even more if it meant it was open at least on weekends too. It's a quite a hike. Bring water and do not bring your nice shoes. The range in challenge and atmosphere is wild! You start off in an open and relatively flat field and all of a sudden you find yourself huffing and puffing on top of a cliff on #12 and making you way back down it.
-Definitely the silent assassin of the WNC courses. Starts off basic but once you are finished, you'll want to play it again and again. It's awesome! In terms of fun, it's at least as fun as Jackson Park. I'm giving Black Mountain HFC a 4 (to be more precise its more of a 4.2) because there's only one set of pads and pins and still a bit rugged here and there.
-But for now, it's that final shiny rabbit in Mario 64. Hard to catch, hard to find, and takes a lot of progress in the game to reach the opportunity to catch him. Hard to find a time to play here. I had a Tuesday off of work and didn't hesitate to take the opportunity to catch this rabbit. That time finally came for me and I didn't want to wait any longer. Wasn't going to let the rain stop me.
-It's a real hiking adventure at Black Mountain HFC. It's well worth the $10 donation to play it. I'd be more than happy to pay even more if it meant it was open at least on weekends too. It's a quite a hike. Bring water and do not bring your nice shoes. The range in challenge and atmosphere is wild! You start off in an open and relatively flat field and all of a sudden you find yourself huffing and puffing on top of a cliff on #12 and making you way back down it.
-Definitely the silent assassin of the WNC courses. Starts off basic but once you are finished, you'll want to play it again and again. It's awesome! In terms of fun, it's at least as fun as Jackson Park. I'm giving Black Mountain HFC a 4 (to be more precise its more of a 4.2) because there's only one set of pads and pins and still a bit rugged here and there.
