OT: On the topic of golf

[cohenzone]

At the risk of spoiling my own fun, it amazes me at how little play Pine Valley in Southington gets. I played there yesterday morning - a beautiful day - and there were 4 cars there at 8:45 and only 10 when we finished at a little after noon. This is typical for the course. We were only 2, finished 18 in three hours, nobody near us. The course is always in good shape, it is generally a challenging and interesting course where good driving is usually a must, and it is less expensive compared to a lot of places. It's only 5 minutes off of the I-84 West St, Exit. The low play had been that way for the 9 years I've played there. I think it is a better overall course than, say Timberlin which is always crowded, and other courses in the area. Laurelview in Hamden is also always busy, costs more for non-residents - I get to pay senior resident rates - than Pine Valley, and the greens have been crap for the last 2 years, although that course is fairly challenging and interesting. I know it was a Weds. and not quite yet summer, but the time of year seems to make no difference to the general level of traffic at the course.

 

[Danzz]

At the risk of spoiling my own fun, it amazes me at how little play Pine Valley in Southington gets. I played there yesterday morning - a beautiful day - and there were 4 cars there at 8:45 and only 10 when we finished at a little after noon. This is typical for the course. We were only 2, finished 18 in three hours, nobody near us. The course is always in good shape, it is generally a challenging and interesting course where good driving is usually a must, and it is less expensive compared to a lot of places. It's only 5 minutes off of the I-84 West St, Exit. The low play had been that way for the 9 years I've played there. I think it is a better overall course than, say Timberlin which is always crowded, and other courses in the area. Laurelview in Hamden is also always busy, costs more for non-residents - I get to pay senior resident rates - than Pine Valley, and the greens have been crap for the last 2 years, although that course is fairly challenging and interesting. I know it was a Weds. and not quite yet summer, but the time of year seems to make no difference to the general level of traffic at the course.

There is that one area on the front 9 where 3 or 4 holes converge and it feels like you are playing in a shooting gallery. Other than that, Pine Valley is a nice course.The reason the course doesn't get much play is because of the management. They used to be rude and in general a pain in the neck.They alienated a lot of customers. Maybe that has changed now but Hawks Landing and Southington CC get more play and neither are as good a course as Pine Valley. There has been a rumor for at least 10 years that ESPN was going to buy the course.

 

[mauconnfan]

At the risk of spoiling my own fun, it amazes me at how little play Pine Valley in Southington gets. I played there yesterday morning - a beautiful day - and there were 4 cars there at 8:45 and only 10 when we finished at a little after noon. This is typical for the course. We were only 2, finished 18 in three hours, nobody near us. The course is always in good shape, it is generally a challenging and interesting course where good driving is usually a must, and it is less expensive compared to a lot of places. It's only 5 minutes off of the I-84 West St, Exit. The low play had been that way for the 9 years I've played there. I think it is a better overall course than, say Timberlin which is always crowded, and other courses in the area. Laurelview in Hamden is also always busy, costs more for non-residents - I get to pay senior resident rates - than Pine Valley, and the greens have been crap for the last 2 years, although that course is fairly challenging and interesting. I know it was a Weds. and not quite yet summer, but the time of year seems to make no difference to the general level of traffic at the course.

Good to hear it's in good shape......playing there tomorrow in a fundraiser and haven't played in a couple of years. Used to play it a lot when I lived in Meriden but not as much lately. Enjoy the back a lot more than the front, as Danzz said below the 2nd-6th are a little rough, can't hit driver all that much but hey it's golf. Also tough to sneak beer out!! LOL........overall a decent golf course though and I agree better than LVCC and Timberlin.......the similar level course in central CT like Tallwood, Topstone, Quarry, Portland and a couple others are a little better but not by a lot!

 

[cohenzone]

I've never experienced a shooting gallery feel there. For one thing, as I said, the course is rarely that busy. so there is rarely anyone shooting near you. Maybe league play is different. But for another, I've played courses that are true shooting galleries, the Traditions in Windsor comes to mind. I don't think PV qualifies, mostly because the fairways are generally separated well enough by trees or otherwise rough. On most of holes 3-6, there are enough trees between fairways to stop errant shots from getting through. As for management, Jack, the pro,usually runs the shop. While he isn't a barrel of laughs, he is usually pretty friendly.