Tahkodah Hills Golf Course

Has appeal for all kinds of golfers

While it's a shorter course that doesn't mean it's a pitch 'n' putt; there are challenges for beginning and experienced golfers alike. The fairways aren't watered and conditions vary with the weather; this isn't a course for people who like to play on grass resembling a living room carpet. Many of the greens have hidden, protected, or sloped approaches that encourage the player to pay attention to club selection, and accuracy gives greater rewards than raw distance so shorter hitters have equal opportunities for success.

Here are my impressions of the holes, written from the point of view of an amateur weekend "bogey golfer":

#1: A nice beginning hole; hit it straight and it's a great birdie opportunity. However, the small slough in the right rough can't be ignored so don't get careless to the right thinking that it's an easy save.

#2: A very short 4, but an uphill dogleg left with a strategically placed tree and bunker make it a challenge to drive accurately.

#3: The back tees require a straight shot through a tree-lined chute in order to get out into the fairway. Trees placed in the fairway can be a real obstruction to a tee or 2nd shot that stays left.

#4: Uphill, with the green being down in a swale. Again, a tee shot to the left - even if it's in the fairway - makes things more difficult.

#5: The longest hole on the course, it's wide open and big hitters will want to let it out. But it's also hilly and the green is elevated, so beware of 2nd and 3rd shots from awkward lies. Try to avoid going deep into or over the green as you'll have a downhill shot to recover.

#6: Right next to the clubhouse, this longer par-3 is tight down the left side and the green is heavily flanked with trees to the left and rear. The fairway also slopes away from the green as it moves left to right, so a tee shot played short and right will effectively elevate the green. If I par this hole I feel like I've accomplished something.

#7: Elevated tee down to a somewhat swale-protected green. After #6 kicks my butt I like to get some confidence back here.

#8: Longer par-3 protected by bunkers and water (it shares the slough with the #1 fairway). Better to be short than long if you're not going to hit the green.

#9: Reaching the dogleg par-4 green with a straight shot or fade from the tee is a strong temptation because the distance isn't great, but it requires height to clear the woods and a rapid descent into a fairly tight landing area, and an off-course shot could wind up in serious trouble. Playing a straight shot or draw down the fairway will yield a much more favorable 2nd shot and a big hitter with a draw could theoretically reach it in 1, but that kind of golfer usually plays on TV on Sundays.

If you do decide to give Tahkodah Hills a try (and I hope you do), please carry along a large bottle of clean tap water for your replaced divots. Thanks!

Overall Experience