Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Must Play Atlantic City Golf Courses

By special request, here is my short list of must play Atlantic City Golf Courses. So many courses, so little time.

If you are not familiar with Google Maps, be sure to try it out. When you click over to the Map of the course, you can Click on the "Hybrid Link" in the top right corner of the map. You will actually be able to see a satellite picture of the course and you can zoom in on each hole.

Seaview Country Club
http://www.seaviewgolf.com/
See a map of Seaview Country Club

Closest to Atlantic City is Seaview Country Club. The yearly Atlantic City ShopRite LPGA Classic is played here and it is worth a trip. There are two courses (the Bay Course and the Pines Course). The Bay Course is where the women play and is always well maintained. The Pines, is long and hard. Like the Bay, it is always well kept.

The BEST time to play there is in fall and spring. During the summer the bugs can be unbearable. No joke, it can be horrible. This is the ONLY reason I am not a member. I do however know two members that claim they have never seen a gnat or mosquito there, but don't believe them.

Blue Heron Pines
http://www.blueheronpines.com/
See a map of Blue Heron Pines

Whatever my opinions of the certain events that transpired with this club, they will always hold the honor of having hosted the US Amateur Public Links Championship and for good reason. It is a only about two minutes from Atlantic City International Airport (and yes, you will hear the planes occasionally while you are playing). The original (the West Course) was where this event transpired. However, if you can squeeze it in, the good dude upstairs kept the West Course open and is in my opinion, one of the great courses anywhere. No Bugs :-)

Shore Gate Golf Club
http://www.shoregategolfclub.com/
See a map of Shore Gate Golf Club

This is one of the hidden treasures of south Jersey and the Atlantic City area. From Atlantic City the trip will take you about 35 minutes (leave on the Atlantic City Expressway and jump on the Parkway South and then call them for directions for the rest of the way). The trip and time will reward you with a course that is not only beautiful, but hard and perfectly maintained.

Harbor Pines
http://www.harborpines.com/
See a map of Harbor Pines

If you want a course that is well kept but easier that some of the previously mentioned golf courses, this is for you. The greens are large and true. Always a good time. If you have time after your round, buy a wonderful house so you can play there more often. This is one of the best Atlantic City Golf experiences you will find for a variety of reasons.

Twisted Dune
http://www.twisteddune.com
See a map of Twisted Dune

We are back to the harder courses here, but what a course it is. This is a course you want to make sure you are thoroughly warmed up for before you start. The opening 7 holes will wear you down if you aren't prepared, but the back nine will inspire your soul. A must play. Try to hit Twisted Dune in the summer when the wind dies down a bit. Winter, Fall and Spring golf here can but as windy as it gets. It certainly makes a long course more challenging with a 25 mph headwind. BTW - There is a headwind for almost every hole on the course. It is a miracle without explanation.

McCullough's Emerald Golf Links
http://www.mcculloughsgolf.com
See a map of McCullough's Emerald Golf Links

I had to include this course for a number of reasons. It is not necessarily what you would term a resort course that is really high-end, but it is affordable and challenging. The course is modeled after famous holes throughout the world and it does a good job of this. The course can be very difficult if the wind is howling, and this course boasts the high-point of Atlantic County so the wind gusts regularly.

On a clear day from the high-point (which is the tee box on the 12th hole), you can see Ocean City and Atlantic City. In addition to the wind, the course can be rough around the edges, especially in the off-season. But during the summer, they let the grasses grow in and a miss of the fairway will result in a lost ball (this is almost a certainty). Overall, for Atlantic City Golf, it is a great links-style course that you won't be disappointed in at a reasonable price.