Schalamar Creek Golf Club

We were following a five players foursome,so it was very long.
N marschal to supervise.

Many of the greens were in poor shape. Dry spots with no grass. Hard to putt. Overall, the course is changing but differently needs some repair

Nice enjoyable course with enough to challenge you

Could not play the course because it rained all day. We lost the money we had paid to play.

Not much grass on some of the fairways to hit off and the greens are in reasonable good shape over all a fun course to play

Not long, but great practice for target golf.
Some green damage, but mostly ok. Play here every winter and always enjoyable.

I played here six years ago and greatly enjoyed the experience with my son. Today proved to be an equally good round of golf. Schalamar Creek again seemed a slyly good layout–with impressive quality–though that may not be quickly obvious as you’re playing it.. Architect Ron Garl does not use a cookie-cutter here; he knows how to apply creativity and it shows on a layout with relatively limited real-estate. Surely, the weakness may be seen as too many short par-4s, but these are full of challenge and grief with their narrow fairways and frequent, well-placed hazards.

STRENGTHS:
–Imaginative bunkering.
–Effective mounding and green design; well-designed holes throughout the course.
–Frequently narrow fairways in places means precision is required on both drives and especially second shots on par-5s.
–As a group, excellent par-3–with variety.
–Nine through sixteen are the workhorse holes; they anchor the course and supply much of its character.
–A genuinely strong (but fair) closing hole at 18.
–Friendly clubhouse atmosphere (notably Cindy at the counter) and excellent amenities.

Comments on the Layout:

What breathes life into this design is its unpredictability, and Garl proves to be a master of variety. The short par-4 tenth, for instance, begins with a tight drive to an exceptionally well-guarded landing area. The drive on eleven, on the other hand, feels open, with quite a lot of room to miss on the left. Green ten is flattish; the eleventh more sloping. Unlike the drive at the 11th, at the par-5 12th the tee shot is beset by trouble on both sides, its fairway seeming like an alleyway.The second shot on this hole brings more of the same, but tighter still. Twelve’s green, however, is a large target which can be missed without a real penalty. Then comes an island green at the short par-3 thirteenth, protected doubly by a bunker. Further still, Architect Garl follows up with a mostly flat surface on green thirteen, having just given players the pitched, tricky-to-putt twelfth.

The entire course benefits from this kind of mix of qualities and features. There is an assortment of bunker types along fairways, not far from greens, or next to them. The fairways may be heavily or sparsely tree-lined. Water hazards come in the form of large ponds, mostly, but their placement varies widely. And because the course’s overall dimensions are snug, you’ll likely be playing around the many threats–very carefully–if you hope to make your score.

Is SCGC strictly target golf? I wouldn’t say so; there was enough openness on many holes, especially into the relatively large greens, that I didn’t always feel hemmed in.

Most interesting hole: Nine, par-4
Doglegging a bit left, this hole’s driving zone is tight and well-guarded by an array of troubles. Best angle into the green comes from the somewhat safer right side of the hole. The green itself, situated near a large pond, is raised and double-tiered, a demon to putt when facing a downhiller to the lower level.

Best Hole: Par-4 fourteenth
Slightly curving (to left) fairway around a pond, encouraging a draw. Precise driving hole. Has a beautiful, serene look around the green.

Conditions:
Average overall, and the recent dry conditions appear most to blame. Greens were average; fairways and roughs fair; bunkers very good; greenside areas good. Water coolers are provided on the course. Hot weather for February.

Some Conclusions:
What is it about shorter courses? They can be overlooked by lots of golfers. Low-handicappers tend to scorn them as unworthy! Mid-handicappers often call them too easy! Accusations fly! This course is tricked up! The OBB sits too close at number seven! The fairways are too tight!

Turns out that this short course, although it may be narrow in places and maybe a bit easy on a few of the short four-pars, is very good and more than worthy after all. I find it a lot of fun to play, as Schalamar Creek serves up several challenges on both nines that add interest: birdies and bogies often seem equally possible. Garl delivers a refreshingly varied, carefully-plotted track with plenty of trouble when you stray from its fairways. It’s well worth playing.

Over all a little above average for this time of year. Greens were above average and fairways were a little lower. T boxes were a mix.