Hot and Muggy Day @ Pine Hill Golf Club

Pine Hill Golf Club
500 West Branch Avenue, Pine Hill, New Jersey 08021
Yards: 6,248, Par 70 (White Tees)
Course Architect: Tom Fazio
Built/Open: 2000
Website: http://www.golfpinehill.com/
Course Ranking: 18th in New Jersey (Golf Digest State Rankings 2009-2010)
Score: 109 (52 out – 57 in)
Date: July 26, 2009

I journeyed out to play Pine Hill Golf Club, wondering if I would finish a complete round of golf (see golfnerdness below). Do to my recent relocation, I have not touched my clubs in about two months. I shot an 18 hole score of 109 on a hot, muggy, sunny day in the high 90’s with 2 pars, hitting 6 fairways, 2 greens in regulation and lost 3 balls. My driving was real good on the front nine, then I reached the 11th tee and the wheels fell off until my drive on 18. I hit 6 fairways out of 13, only one tee shot was unplayable. My mid and short iron game was average, my distances are still off due to lack of practice. My chipping was average, the few I miss hit didn’t hurt me. My putting was bad, eight - 3 putts, the dry / fast greens keep the ball rolling to the hole and past, not short as usual. All in all, it was a nice day out on the golf course.

FROM THE WEB SITE: Set atop southern NJ's highest point, Pine Hill Golf Club will astound. World renowned golf course architect, Tom Fazio, designed a property that is both beautiful and challenging. With 18-holes boasting distinctly different characteristics, PHGC has received numerous national accolades and has rightfully taken its place among America's greatest courses. Built upon the site of a former ski resort, the 43,000 square foot clubhouse provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and Philadelphia city skyline.

COURSE CONDITION: The course is playing in championship caliber condition as usual. The teeing areas were lush green, the fairways were cut short and the ball was running on the fairways. The rough on the other hand was either 4 to 5 inches high or tall fescue which was impossible to hit the ball out of. The greens looked undulated but the ball was not moving much even though they were dry and fast.

FACILITIES: Top notch practice facilities (driving range, putting and chipping greens), dinning, pro shop and staff. Great practice area, I hit a few balls prior to the round.

SHOT (HOLE) OF THE DAY: Hole 18, Par 4, 371 Yards. Smoked my drive right down the middle of the fairway leaving about 100 yards in. A nice way to end a long, hot and tiring day.

SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS: This course is tight and is surrounded by junk if you’re not in the fairway or first cut. The ball nestles down deep in the dense rough and if you don’t watch where it goes, you will never find it. The tall thin strip of fescue which surrounds a lot of the traps and waste areas actually comes into play more then I had expected. Check out the facilities and if you have time, have lunch or dinner on the outdoor patio looking over the course and the Philadelphia skyline.

GOLFNERDNESS: I have played this course about 8 to 10 times, only finishing a complete round 3 or 4 times due to illness, family illness or weather related issues. If you have a junior playing from 150 yards in, give the parent a break, $120 is steep for a junior to play.

GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT: Keep the ball out of the rough and fescue and you will be able to score low. For the high handicapped, this will be a very difficult course, take your lumps and play it!

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Galloway National Golf Club

Galloway National Golf Club
270 South New York Road
Galloway, New Jersey 08205
Yards: 6274, Par 71 (Blue Tees)
Course Architect: Tom Fazio
Website: http://www.gallowaynationalgolf.com/
Score: 108 (55 out, 53 in)
Date: October 8, 2008

Three of my golfing buddies and I had the privilege of playing the ultra-private, 74th ranked golf course in America: Galloway National Golf Club. This course has some natural elevations changes, a few holes with forced carries, super fast greens, bunkers guarding the greens on numerous holes, trees, water, bugs, and meadows ready to wreak havoc on wayward shots on every hole. This is by far the hardest course I have ever played.

I have played this course about 6 times in the past, and the course still amazes me every time I play there, I love playing this course. On a beautiful sunny day, I shot a round of 108 (4 lost balls), best round yet since my goal of the day was to break 110, which is a few strokes lower than my previous rounds played here. I wasn’t hitting the ball fairly straight off the tee which makes this long course, even longer and more difficult. My chipping was pretty good this day, I was getting the ball to stick to the slick greens since I hit the ball real high on all my shots. My putting was pretty good since I like fast greens, on a few holes my playing partners putting off the green a few times on the same hole.

After the front nine, we stopped in the club house for a drink and late lunch. The club house is modern and sleek with lots of picturesque views, the employees could not be more helpful, the food was excellent, the drinks were cold, and the views of the course and Atlantic City skyline are unforgettable!

FROM THE WEB SITE: Galloway National Golf Club is a private, world-class, 18-hole championship golf course designed for the serious golfer. World renowned architect Tom Fazio, meticulously crafted Galloway National’s 6900 yards out of a 200 acre tract of heavily wooded, gently sloping bayside property. “Galloway is one of my best ever,” said Fazio. It is a dramatic and fair golf course designed to bring joy to the serious golfer. Natural contour changes, pine forest, sand and water are the “tools.” Tees with breathtaking views, inviting fairways, challenging hazards, and beautifully situated greens are your reward.

The inspiration behind Galloway National Golf Club originated with a group of dedicated golfers who share a deep sense of commitment to the game. Management of the Club is being approached in the same way. Our facilities rival the finest in the world and are designed to enhance not detract from your unique golf experience. Our members enjoy an elegant, yet understated ambiance of quiet comfort. Golf Digest recently named Galloway one of America’s best private golf clubs.

COURSE CONDITION: The course was in excellent shape, as usual. No divots in the tee boxes or fairways, no pitch marks on the greens, and the greens were rolling super-super fast, like putting on glass.

FACILITIES: Galloway National Golf Club provides top notch practice facilities, pro shop, fore-caddies, locker room and restaurant.

SHOT OF THE DAY: Nothing real exciting, hit two of the long par three greens with my rescue wood.

SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS: If you get a chance to play this South Jersey gem, do not pass on this course! Bring you’re A+ game and extra balls, anything less – hang on and try to enjoy the ride and count on a good old fashion beating. There are refreshment stations between every few holes filled with free refreshments and snacks, very nice touch!

GOLFNERDNESS: I participated in the Stark and Stark golf outing a few weeks back, one of the golfers in our foursome has played everywhere, Pine Valley, Merion East, etc… real good golfer. I told him I was playing Galloway in a few weeks, his response was, and I quote, ‘I f%&@ing hate that place, way to hard, and the club house is ugly’. That is some funny stuff, not the response I expected.

For all your local golf information, check out www.twooverpar.com!

Galloway National Golf Club

Galloway National Golf Club
270 South New York Road
Galloway, New Jersey 08205
Yards: 6274, Par 71 (Blue Tees)
Course Architect: Tom Fazio
Website: www.gallowaynationalgolf.com
Score: 112 (57 out, 55 in)
Date: June 5, 2008

I had the privilege of playing the ultra-private, 74th ranked course in America: Galloway National Golf Club. This course has some natural elevations changes, a few holes with forced carries, super fast greens, bunkers guarding the greens on numerous holes and trees, water and meadows ready to wreak havoc on wayward shots on every hole.

I have played this course about 5 times in the past, and the course still amazes me every time I get to play there. Shot a round of 112 on a beautiful sunny day which is within a few strokes of my previous rounds played here. I wasn’t hitting the ball fairly straight off the tee which makes this long course even longer, chipping was average since the greens were so fast, I couldn’t get the ball to stick on the green, putting was pretty good since I like fast greens.

From the web site: Galloway National Golf Club is a private, world-class, 18-hole championship golf course designed for the serious golfer. World renowned architect Tom Fazio, meticulously crafted Galloway National’s 6900 yards out of a 200 acre tract of heavily wooded, gently sloping bayside property. “Galloway is one of my best ever,” said Fazio. It is a dramatic and fair golf course designed to bring joy to the serious golfer. Natural contour changes, pine forest, sand and water are the “tools.” Tees with breathtaking views, inviting fairways, challenging hazards, and beautifully situated greens are your reward.

The inspiration behind Galloway National Golf Club originated with a group of dedicated golfers who share a deep sense of commitment to the game. Management of the Club is being approached in the same way. Our facilities rival the finest in the world and are designed to enhance not detract from your unique golf experience. Our members enjoy an elegant, yet understated ambiance of quiet comfort. Golf Digest recently named Galloway one of America’s best private golf clubs.

The course was in excellent shape, even a day after a horrible rain fall dumping inches of rain in the South Jersey area, no divots in the tee boxes or fairways, no pitch marks on the greens, and the greens were rolling super-super fast.

After the round (beating), we stopped in the club house for a drink and late lunch. The club house is modern and sleek with lots of picturesque views, the employees could not be more helpful, the food was excellent, the drinks were cool, the views of the course and Atlantic City skyline are unforgettable!

If you get a chance to play this South Jersey gem, do not pass on this course! We played with two – foursomes and we didn’t see any other golfers the entire round, it felt like we had the entire course all to our selves. The refreshment stations between every few holes filled with free refreshments and snacks is a nice touch!

For all your local golf information, check out www.twooverpar.com!