I played this course for the first time last week and was amazed at how challenging it was, although I ... (more)

I played this course for the first time last week and was amazed at how challenging it was, although I shouldn't have been. The guy at the counter was very friendly as was the starter, who warned to bring a lot of balls with me. I don't even know how many I lost but there was a reason for this. This is a course that provides you a yardage card with the hole layouts and playing strategy. Perhaps I should have looked at it while I played but I was too impressed with the GPS that is included with every cart. There are a lot of blind hits due to elevation changes and as single, first time player there, I often had no idea of when to "go for it" and when to lay up and found myself in many difficult situations. You also need another set of eyes to help find your ball if you miss the fairway because the rough is thick. Also, another hint that this is a tough course, is the lack of sand traps on the course layout. The hazards here are the trees, the water, and the terrain. Some of the holes are so steep and hilly the they would make great freestyle skiing moguls in the winter! Lastly, if you can't read greens, your scores will balloon. There are major udulations at most if not all of the greens. The course yardage card does give you an idea of which way they break but I failed to consult it and suffered the consequences of humiliating 3 and 4 putts. Lastly, the course is not very crowded because it is rightly avoided by novices but is a challenge for any experienced golfer who is looking for a course were accuracy is absolutely, positively, a must. No playing from adjacent fairways at this General's Ridge!
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