Played Wednesday, 6/18. Teed off just before 3 p.m. and finished in just under 4 hours -- course was surprisingly ... (more)

Played Wednesday, 6/18. Teed off just before 3 p.m. and finished in just under 4 hours -- course was surprisingly crowded for mid-week. No mid-week cart girl, but there are a handful of water stations on course.

This was my first round here in '08. Now that the previous sewer work is done, none of the previous issues exist. In fact, the course was one of the most playable I've been on this year. They had just top-dressed the greens, but that only slowed them. They actually rolled remarkably well and are in very good shape. The biggest surprise was the fairways. They had more grass than almost every other course I've played this year. I've been playing the city courses for more than 10 years, and this is by far the best shape Bobby Jones has been in in my time playing it -- not only did they install new greens last year, but they have actually re-sodded in many areas and have greatly improved cart paths as well.

As previous reviewers have mentioned, the course is short. However, local knowledge (or at least playing with someone with local knowledge) helps keep you out of trouble. Big hitters can definitely take advantage of a few of the shorter par-4s and #15, a 450-ish-yard par-5. But if you play from the wrong side/distance of holes, then your score will not reflect the benevolent length or conditions. As mentioned above, greens are rolling well, though not fast. They held most approach shots pretty well. And, they are relatively straighforward without much in the way of undulations, so if you pick the right line it's going in the hole.

Impressed with the progress that continues. As I live around the corner, it's a slam dunk in these conditions.
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