Bluejack National - The Playgrounds

The Playgrounds at Bluejack National isn't out to be a world-beating par 3 course like Augusta National's par-3 course or Threetops or Top of the Rock. Playgrounds is meant to be a fun, casual option for all levels of players. There are recommended tee markers with yardage plates, but the idea here is you can play from just about anywhere to any green. Greens are small, and yardages are between 50-105 yards. The first tee is right next to The Place, Bluejack's spin on a clubhouse, so a lot of post-lunch, impromptu matches are likely to take place. An added benefit is that the Playgrounds is lighted, so in the winter or late evenings, you can still get your golf fix. It's a wonderful complement to Bluejack National's regulation 18-hole course, and considering it's on just 6.5 acres, you'd think many other clubs could do something similar. I suspect it's a fabulous membership selling point for many prospective families.

While the course itself is pretty easy and very short, it's all the things that surround this experience that have me rating this four stars overall. Set up outside the Nike Performance Center and grill, you don't even have to bring clubs or balls. Those are at the first tee (as well as candy and drink holders on all the tee markers), and you can get by with a sand wedge and putter. It takes all of 45 minutes to play its 10 holes, and there's even a bunker in the middle of the tenth green, ala Riviera. Want to grow the game? Build more of these at munis and daily fees. They're perfect for beginners and those who can't hit the ball very far, and they're fun for the rest of us.