Played 9 at Clover Hill to warm up for wherever I play 18 on Friday. Shot a 37. My putting, though I averaged 1.9 per hole thanks to 3 good chips and 1-putts, was pretty bad. Missed a few birdie opportunities either short or by pushing it. Also had two 3-putts that I wish I had back.
Love Clover Hill as a warmup course. Meant to respond to your course suggestion post but never got around to it. Based on playing Clover Hill I assume you live in that general area? Regardless, to add to your list:
- Strawberry Ridge in Harmony/Zelienople area is honestly one of my favorite "local" courses. Well maintained greens, good mix of open and tight fairways, accessible Par 3's, a great driving range (that also results in about a million free balls on the first hole), some water hazards, and isn't bullshitily overpriced like Conley.
- Suncrest is like right next to Conley. Cheaper than Conley, nicely maintained, don't believe there is a sand trap on the entire course, Par 3's are bullshit distances.
- Quicksilver Golf Club. A great, excellently maintained course that will steal your soul and dignity and never give either back. The greens are tough and from the white tees the course is over 6500 yards long. Par 3's are an accessible length but both Par 5's on the front 9 are over 550 yards, one of which is uphill, and if you're not in good position off the tee you are ****. ****.
- Hickory Heights Golf Club in Bridgeville. Have only played in outings here. It's a nice, well maintained, fairly difficult course. A couple of long Par 3's, difficult layouts on other holes, and can get some tough pin positions. I enjoy playing there.
- South Park
Country Club Golf Course. It's not very well maintained come late summer, every putt seems like it's straight, between absentee rangers and old people the pace of play is terrible, and the rough is not much longer than the fairway, but it's home and I love it. Decently long for an older course, good mix of accessible and long Par 3's, some challenging dog legs, and lots of elevation changes.
-Scenic Vally in Peters Township. Haven't played there in a while, but it's typically a well maintained, challenging course. Water comes into play on multiple holes which is always fun.
-Lindenwood Golf Club in Canonsburg. Three 9 hole courses (plus an executive course) that you combine for your round of 18. Beautiful, well maintained course. Playing from the white tees gives you a short 18 at less than 6,000 yards. I like playing here, find it to be a comparatively easy and enjoyable 18 holes, but it's not cheap.
-Butler's Golf Course in Elizabeth. Two courses here but I've only ever played the Woodside course. Not as well maintained as it used to be, but it's still a nice course. Fairways are pretty tight so if you like to spray your tee shots all over the course, good luck.
As far as courses that I hate, Conley can go **** itself. Overpriced. The first three holes of the back 9 look like they finished the course then realized they only put in 15 holes, so they crammed in a hole with a 5 foot wide fairway and then threw in back to back 90 degree dog legs. Then the entire nightmare ends with a 180 yard Par 3 that has water on three sides, a sand trap on the other side, and a green that slopes toward the water. **** YOU CONLEY. **** YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY AND YOUR "RESORT".
