Pros:
Hobson Grove is one of the more scenic and visually appealing courses in the Bowling Green area designed mainly for accuracy and control, and built around a magnificent historic centerpiece. The technical layout will provide ample challenge for any skill level.
General Course Info:
Hole Avg: 263ft
Length Variation: >200(2), 200-299(13),300-399(2), <400(1)
Elevation: Mostly Flat w/Minimal Elevations
Course Essentials:
-Baskets: MachIII, single position. Baskets in good shape.
-Tee Pads: Small (but adequate) concrete tee pads, single position.
-Tee Signs: Nice, new tee signs on all holes, recently updated.
Course Design & Layout:
Hobson Grove is built in/around the thick woods surrounding the Hobson House, a late 1800's home tied to the history of the civil war. The course is comprised of 2 9-hole loops (each returning to the parking area) which provide a smooth and uninterupted flow that is easy to navigate.
The hole average is just under 265ft/hole, but what the course lacks in length is easily compensated for with the tight (but fair), technical and semi-technical fairways. One of the greatest features of Hobson Grove is the creative combined use of open spaces and tree lines to create holes which force a player to have both distance control and line control off the box. By this I mean that several holes have tee boxes in the open that throw to baskets tucked into the woods with tight gaps to navigate, and vice versa, tee boxes that throw from the woods through a narrow tunnel and tight gap to baskets in the open.
Elevation changes are minimal throught the course, but used effectively in the design. There is good variety in the layout mixing it up between technical and semi-technical holes of varying length. Pin placements are strategic, but accessible. Many of the pins are located in/around tree clusters which provide adequate protection for the baskets, and even a well-placed drive can sometimes leave you in a situation that requires some creativity with the putter to get the deuce.
Maintenance & Amenities:
-Course is well-maintained year round.
-Benches and trash receptacles are located around the course.
-Large wooden sign w/course map near first tee.
-Parking lot with easy access to holes 1,9,10, and 18.
Cons:
-Some tee pads worn, cracked, and uneven.
-Thick foliage outside some fairways in the summer months.
-Lower elevation areas have a tendency to retain water.
Other Thoughts:
Hobson Grove is one of the top courses in the Bowling Green area. New players may find the narrow fairways a bit frustrating, and more experienced players will have to rely on control and creative shot-making to score low here, length offers no advantage. Overall, a fun course with a great layout. The more I play this course, the more I appreciate it's design and challenge. Hobson Grove is a classic, must play course in the Bowling Green region.