-
Discover new ways to elevate your game with the updated DGCourseReview app!
It's entirely free and enhanced with features shaped by user feedback to ensure your best experience on the course. (App Store or Google Play)
Garlough Park reviews
10
1
A+ Pitch and Putt 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 18, 2021
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
1) Garlough Park's biggest plus is the variety that is on offer here, you could not ask for more from a pitch and putt 9-hole.
Elevation: Much, much more than I expected before arriving at the course. Every hole has at least a little bit and some are quite steep. Hole 1 starts you off with a bang, throwing straight uphill with a moderately tight line. A deceiving hole that looks much longer than it actually is. In the opposite vein, hole 9 finishes you off with a tricky downhill shot that requires good speed control to keep it close to the basket. Holes 4 and 6 are the closest to flat here, but they still have some slight change in elevation.
Shot/hole shape: While there is a slight favor towards lefty holes, the balance between left/right/straight shots is very good here. There is one hole with a big dogleg for each direction, a few holes that don't really favor either handedness, and two holes that have multiple lines available off the tee.
Technicality: This course is generally quite technical; you need to hit your gaps on most of the holes here. Despite the short length, bogey can still be in play on quite a few holes for most players with early kicks. Good mix of gap size and gaps that you need to hit early and late into flight. Hole 4 has a decently small gap 225ft-ish off the tee that you need to hit to have any chance of making the dogleg, hole 6 has multiple very tight lines to choose from. Overall, from a technicality standpoint, enough of a challenge to keep a more experienced player entertained but easy enough to not be discouraging for a beginner.
2) Tees are in good shape, grippy, and plenty big enough for the distances on the course. Technically there are two sets of them, which is always nice. But, the shorts are just grass/dirt and in some cases not level. Plus, the long tees are already very short to begin with. I would say the shorts are only really going to be enjoyed by children or very beginners.
3) Baskets, while nothing fancy, are in good enough shape and catch well. Anything better than Mach IIIs is always a plus in my book.
Elevation: Much, much more than I expected before arriving at the course. Every hole has at least a little bit and some are quite steep. Hole 1 starts you off with a bang, throwing straight uphill with a moderately tight line. A deceiving hole that looks much longer than it actually is. In the opposite vein, hole 9 finishes you off with a tricky downhill shot that requires good speed control to keep it close to the basket. Holes 4 and 6 are the closest to flat here, but they still have some slight change in elevation.
Shot/hole shape: While there is a slight favor towards lefty holes, the balance between left/right/straight shots is very good here. There is one hole with a big dogleg for each direction, a few holes that don't really favor either handedness, and two holes that have multiple lines available off the tee.
Technicality: This course is generally quite technical; you need to hit your gaps on most of the holes here. Despite the short length, bogey can still be in play on quite a few holes for most players with early kicks. Good mix of gap size and gaps that you need to hit early and late into flight. Hole 4 has a decently small gap 225ft-ish off the tee that you need to hit to have any chance of making the dogleg, hole 6 has multiple very tight lines to choose from. Overall, from a technicality standpoint, enough of a challenge to keep a more experienced player entertained but easy enough to not be discouraging for a beginner.
2) Tees are in good shape, grippy, and plenty big enough for the distances on the course. Technically there are two sets of them, which is always nice. But, the shorts are just grass/dirt and in some cases not level. Plus, the long tees are already very short to begin with. I would say the shorts are only really going to be enjoyed by children or very beginners.
3) Baskets, while nothing fancy, are in good enough shape and catch well. Anything better than Mach IIIs is always a plus in my book.
Cons:
1) Tee 'signs' are just wooden posts with the hole number painted on them (in some cases barely
visible/readable). No distances, or anything else.
2) The walk from 3-4/6-7 is a bit long, but not really unintuitive. After finishing 3, go behind the green and take the path to the right down the hill to 4 then come back the same way after 6. Though, a first timer not paying close attention could definitely accidentally go straight from 3 to 7 without realizing. Otherwise, navigation is very simple and straight forward.
3) Given the pitch and putt nature of the course, a very minor con, but objectively compared to other courses it's still a con. A couple holes just feel too short. Hole 3 is 130ft uphill and pretty wide open. I cannot fathom a situation outside of playing in a tornado that I would be happy taking anything higher than a 2. And hole 7 is 120ft and pretty steep downhill, easily in jump putt range for many people.
4) Erosion is starting to show in places around the course and I could imagine it getting quite sloppy during wetter times. Specifically, the path through the woods between 3-4/6-7 and around some of the baskets. Some woodchips, I think, could go a long way here.
5) Some parts of the course are quite cramped, and I could see some unwanted hole interaction occurring. Though, it would probably take a pretty big shank to really be a problem. So, not much of a con but still worth mentioning.
visible/readable). No distances, or anything else.
2) The walk from 3-4/6-7 is a bit long, but not really unintuitive. After finishing 3, go behind the green and take the path to the right down the hill to 4 then come back the same way after 6. Though, a first timer not paying close attention could definitely accidentally go straight from 3 to 7 without realizing. Otherwise, navigation is very simple and straight forward.
3) Given the pitch and putt nature of the course, a very minor con, but objectively compared to other courses it's still a con. A couple holes just feel too short. Hole 3 is 130ft uphill and pretty wide open. I cannot fathom a situation outside of playing in a tornado that I would be happy taking anything higher than a 2. And hole 7 is 120ft and pretty steep downhill, easily in jump putt range for many people.
4) Erosion is starting to show in places around the course and I could imagine it getting quite sloppy during wetter times. Specifically, the path through the woods between 3-4/6-7 and around some of the baskets. Some woodchips, I think, could go a long way here.
5) Some parts of the course are quite cramped, and I could see some unwanted hole interaction occurring. Though, it would probably take a pretty big shank to really be a problem. So, not much of a con but still worth mentioning.
Other Thoughts:
Overall, Garlough Park is a great pitch and putt style 9-holer. Perfect place for a quick round on lunch or when you are otherwise strapped for time. Great for bringing a beginner or working on throwing your putters. And, generally, just a very fun course and the best pitch and putt course I've played. I'm very much on the verge of giving the course a 2.5 instead of a 2.0, but it just BARELY falls short on account of the pitch and putt style and only being a 9-holer. Though, I still highly recommend the course if you are a newer player, bringing a newer player with you, or just want some great pitch and putt golf.
4
1
johnwwcarl
Experience:
15.9 years
50 played
1 reviews
2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:May 14, 2009
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
A shot course that is fast to play. A great course for beginner's. For the more advanced players this is a good practice course. This course has a nice balance of holes 3 to the left, 3 to the right, and 3 straight. All have elevation changes.
Cons:
The tee's are wood. This is a short course, put your driver's away. Not much of a challenge for anyone over beginner level.
Other Thoughts:
Go for the Ace on holes 3,7,9. All holes are well marked. Look for score cards at the first hole. GOOD LUCK, it's a fun little course.
