Challenging Exec. Golf Course(s)

[glgene]

Kathy and I are coming to TV on Sunday (6 nights) for a preview of homes. We'll be playing Havana and Glenview, but we also would like to try 1-2 of the Executive golf courses. I would like some recommendations as to which ones are the most enjoyable and challenging to play. Many thanks. :)

Gene in Cincinnati, OH

[Cliff]

Any of the following are fun and a challenge: Truman, Roosevelt, Sand Hill, Oakleigh, Pelican, or El Diablo.

[aln]

Most exec course golfers would probably say Pelican is the most challenging.
Two par 4's, one of which requires a 150 yard carry from the back tee over a marshy natural area. Number 1 is also touch which also requires about a 125 yard carry over a similar marsh. Number 3's green can also be a challenge depending on pin position.

[jadebox]

LOL even El Santiago is a challenge for me!!!! I guess it is in the eye of the beholder. I agree with all the above.

[golfnut]

Belmont, Amberwood and Churchill are also challenging. Glenview is a real nice course, only caveat is they have a lot of sandtraps many of which are blind shots. ENJOY...GN

[rshoffer]

Most exec course golfers would probably say Pelican is the most challenging.
Two par 4's, one of which requires a 150 yard carry from the back tee over a marshy natural area. Number 1 is also touch which also requires about a 125 yard carry over a similar marsh. Number 3's green can also be a challenge depending on pin position.

My wifes a 15 handicap... lost 12 balls the first time se played Pelican from the black tees. It's a delight to play but has challenging carries... BTW, what the heck are those square burnt areas around the greens on Pelican?

[imbrennan]

We have to agree on Pelican being the most challenging - we avoid it like the plague when selecting courses. Even a gentleman friend of ours said he wouldn't want to play it again - men have a really long carry over several "difficult" stuff such as water etc! Take plenty of balls with you if you choose that one.

[The Great Fumar]

Gene
Pelican is definitely the toughest executive course in TV...and you'll need all your clubs to play it.....personally I love it , Even my wife likes it as from the ladies tees its not to bad.......
Amberwood is also a great course and the only executive course with a par five on it.......
they will test your game and great fun to play.......

Hole in One Fumar

[Golf-Tinker]

If you have not, go to:

www.golfthevillages.com

and select Executive Coures. There's a wealth of information. The following takes you to a rating list of the courses.

http://golfthevillages.com/images/executivecoursesratings.pdf

Jim

[Russ_Boston]

The layout at Pelican looks intersting. I hope to get on some execs when I visit again next year. I'm sure some of my TOTV peeps will give me an invite!!!! Right???

[Fourpar]

Russ_Boston,

Absolutely! And Pelican is the most challenging I have seen here. But with a 10 or so handicap, you'll enjoy it. Not only is it good practice for short/mid irons, it is also aesthetically nice. Be glad to play it with you when you next visit. Let me know when.

[glgene]

I have decided NOT to play Pelican next week. I'm getting tired of financially supporting the company that makes Titleist golf balls. :(

[rshoffer]

What happened to the periphery of the Pelican greens? There are large square completely burnt out areas around many greens.

[Russ_Boston]

Fourpar - Thank you. I won't be there until May 15th - 31st.

I'll start up a thread sometime in early May to get some TOTVers out. Maybe V7? RCT?

[Muncle]

I've got a slightly different take on Pelican. The course itself is not that difficult for a decent golfer. In theory, you can lay out your gameplan and beat the course. None of the shots are that difficult. The problems only start when you actually play, especially for a lesser than decent shooter like me. You get on the first tee and have a fairly simple short iron to a decent green. Unfortunately, you can't see that. All you see is the marsh/waste and you're psyched out. Same on several other holes. So you should be shooting a 30-31, but you end up with a 38-39 and three lost balls.

I find the same situation at Truman. I look at that course and just know I can hit a 31-32. Then I overhit two holes. underhit 2 others, get eaten by the traps on the par 4, and 4 putt #8.

Thank god my orthopaedic surgeon says I can't play for at least 10 weeks.

[fizzbyn]

This might be a little off-topic, but related. We don't golf, but want to learn. Which are the easiest executive courses and best for beginners?

[villages07]

Fizz (Caz???)

Here's a link to listing of exec golf courses and difficulty ratings. Ones are the easiest.

http://golfthevillages.com/images/executivecoursesratings.pdf

My advice would be to take lessons after the high season (i.e. lessons between April - December) when there is more course availability for newbies to practice. Right now, courses are pretty empty from about noon til 5 or 6pm..great time to work on your game and not be rushed.

[fizzbyn]

V07... yes it's me. I decided to drop the AZ connection, especially since we've only lived here 4 years and CA for the first 50+.