Wintry 9 Holes @ Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club

Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club

7 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean View, DE 19970

Yards: 5817, Par 72 (Grizzly Course - Club Tees)

Course Architect: Rick Jacobson

Built/Open: 1999

Website: http://www.beartrapdunes.com/

Score: 46

Date: January 2, 2009

I played Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club over the holiday weekend without touching my clubs since playing The Rookery in early November. Not expecting miracles, I shot a 9 hole round of 46 on a cold (34 degrees), windy and after a few holes snowy day. My driving was average, I was just on or just off the fairway on most holes and didn’t hit any balls into the water the entire round. My short game is still off since I tweaked my swing, I am hitting the ball further with my irons and have to adjust my distances and aim. My chipping was good and my putting was good since the hard greens keep the ball moving past the hole instead of being short of the hole like usual.

FROM the WEB SITE: 'Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club offers one of the area’s most unique and memorable golf experiences on the Eastern Shore. Winding bent grass fairways lined with native wetland grasses drift into natural sand dunes. Impeccably groomed oversized greens and four strategically placed sets of tees beckon golfers of every skill level.'

COURSE CONDITION: The course was in great shape considering it was the 2nd of January. It was a little difficult to insert tees into the teeing area the first few holes. The greens were frozen solid, if you hit the green on the fly, it sounded like a ping pong ball hitting the table, and usually took a huge bounce and ended off the green.

FACILITIES: Didn’t utilize the facilities due to the cold weather and getting the call to play 20 minutes before teeing off.

SHOT of the DAY: Hole 4, Par 3, 134 Yards. Due to the winter conditions (frozen greens and blowing snow), I hit a 9 iron figuring it would be short and hit the frozen ground and run toward the green. The pin was in the back middle of the green, the ball landed on the front of the green, and since I hit the ball so high, it only took a few bounces and started rolling toward the pin. The ball rolled over the ridge in the middle of the green and tracked left toward the hole. By this time, all of us were yelling, GO IN THE HOLE!!! It stopped 2” away, so close yet so far.

SUGGESTIONS and COMMENTS: This course is close to the ocean which keeps the temps reasonable for winter golf at the Delaware shore, but wind will be a factor any time of year.

GOLFNERDNESS: When playing in the cold, keep moving!

GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT: Keep the ball out of the water on the few holes, and you will shoot a lower score at this course.

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