A Twisted Round

April golf in the Atlantic City area is always a toss-up. After sitting at a computer for the winter the muscles are weak, your touch is off and flexibility is virtually non-existent. However, you can go out your first round of the year and play a remarkable round, or want to burn your score-card in disgust. And then there is this round I played yesterday at Twisted Dune Golf Club (Map).

With a day that simply couldn't be beat, I headed to a course that I had the opportunity to play last week and it really blew me away. Twisted Dune is a course that I don't always have the money to play, which is the main reason I have waited so long to play there. But, in spring, Atlantic City Golf course prices are remarkably consistent for the upper-tiered facilities in the Atlantic City area.

The round started off with a bang. My mind saw the first nine holes as the primary challenge and then it would be clear sailing to a 78. Closing the front nine with a blistering 39 I was on my way to meeting this goal. I kept a level head and stayed focused, but after the turn I downed a Kashi Powerbar and a bottle of water I hit the tenth hole.

The tenth is a tricky par five. One thing to remember about Twisted "Dune" is the area between the fairways. As you might imagine, it is covered in "dunes" with thick, clumped, 2-3 foot grasses. A perfect place to lose a ball. My tee shot was great, and the second was lost in the dunes. I had a 12 foot par put that I missed, but a bogey wasn't bad work of the hole with a lost ball. Well, the remainder of the round was the exact opposite of the front nine. At every turn, I was getting eaten alive. The strange part was that I was actually playing pretty well, but for every great bounce I got on the front nine, I got two really bad bounces on the back.

You can walk away from a round like this learning several different lessons. I came away motivated to once again begin the road back to being limber, flexible and strong, a road I take almost ever spring. However, it gets more frustrating each year knowing that a summer's hard work to get in shape will be tossed in the trash once winter returns. What course of reasoning will convince my wife that Florida is the place we should move?

And so the great Twisted dune took another golfer's score and shredded it to pieces. However, a good time was had by all.

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.

My Little Dude

It is safe to say that one of the biggest reasons that I don't play as much these days is because of a new arrival in our house. Our son Adam, which my wife prefers to call him, is almost 16 months old now and is truly a spitfire. Parents tell us routinely that all kids are energetic, but they just don't understand. First, I have a sister that is 12 years my junior and she wasn't like this. Second, at every playground we visit, there is no sign of a child like this at his age. He simply has energy that won't stop.

We all know that he won't be heading out on the course any time soon, but I have found a few activities that work great with him.

First, let's start by mentioning what didn't work. As an early present, someone who will remain anonymous, got him a set of wooden clubs that mimic the real thing (from the Pottery Barn I think), but aren't nearly close enough. What a great idea this seemed initially, his own little, safer set of clubs. The problem is, they just don't look like the one's I play around with. He needed a REAL, yet smaller, kids club.

Yes, he is walking and running now and has been for since 12 months. So, I know of a secluded practice green ay one of the area gold clubs that is almost always empty and well enclosed with a good sense of boundaries. It is easy, even for him, to see where he can and cannot go. Frankly, there is almost nothing as cute a little dude running all over the practice area that is surrounded by woods.

Golf carts pass by routinely as it is along the course, and not a sole driving by can't smile seeing him run across the green. The whole experience is truly a wonderful way of promoting golf and giving him a sense of freedom and individuality, even at 16 months.

We have gone to play about 10 times now, and he loves it. I get to practice my short game for a couple hours, while he runs around, plays in the sand trap and at times, he might be 50 yards from me.

He is truly one of the greatest little dudes I have ever know.

A New Season Ahead

It has been a while since my last post, but winter golf this year consisted of subscriptions to both Golf Magazine and Golf Digest. It was a good winter for golf, or so everyone in the area says, but I simply don't have what it takes anymore to brave the 30-40 degree days of a South Jersey winter. It seems with each passing year the desire to migrate south strengthens.

I spent most of the winter working on my latest project, www.e-Churches.com and www.NJCoalitions.com. It never amazes me at how much time can be put into a project. We can only hope and "Pray" that they work out.

As per Golf in the Atlantic City area for April of 2006 . . .

I chose not to renew my membership this year to Blue Heron Pines. At the end of last year, the talk was of closing the East Course to put up another 1000 houses, condos, rentals or whatever. Shame on them for even trying. It is all about money. It would seem one of South Jersey's richest men needed more money and so he decided to bull-doze one of the great gifts to South Jersey golf to make another buck. Thank heavens, the God's agreed with us and for a number of very legitimate reasons, the zoning boards are holding back. So, the word on the street is that the course will be re-opening soon. What a relief.

As for the rest, we are still in the transition season where Atlantic City Golf rates are somewhat affordable. That will soon change, and frankly, $60-$90 is still to high a price to pay for me. But, the courses are in good shape and the weather has been cooperative through April.

These days the place I like to play is McCullough's in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. A nice course, but always windy as it is the high point of Atlantic County. But, each hole is fashioned after a great hole from many of the most famous courses in the world.

I had a chance last week to play Twisted Dunes in Egg Harbor Township. It is a tough, long and hilly course with always a strong breeze blowing. That said, it is a great course. The back nine is simply beautiful with the esthetics of a great Arizona or New Mexico course. The last nine holes are simply a thing to witness.

Prior to that I played a few rounds at Mays Landing. There is considerable construction at the moment and the greens were core-punched last week which made it, well, let's say challenging, if not simply ridiculous. It is always a nice course, but you can encounter a lot of unique players who may not have the same respect for the game a you might, but isn't that the case anymore for almost any course?

The question this year remains, where to join?

Complete List of Atlantic City Golf Courses

Here is a list of the Atlantic City Golf Courses located within driving distance of Atlantic City. Each course listing includes a link to Google Maps.

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.

Atlantic City Country Club (private) - Map
(609) 641-7575
1 Leo Fraser Drive
Northfield, NJ 08225

Avalon Golf Club Pro Shop - Map
(609) 465-4653
1510 North Route 9
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210

Blue Heron Pines Golf Club - Map
(888) 4STAR-GOLF
550 West Country Club Drive
Cologne, NJ 08213

B.L. England Golf Course - Map
(609) 390-0472
900 North Shore Road
Beesley Point, NJ 08223

Brigantine Golf Links - Map
(609) 266-1388
1075 North Shore Drive
Brigantine, NJ 08203

Buena Vista Country Club - Map
(856) 697-3733
Country Club Lane
Buena, NJ 08310

Cape May National Golf Club - Map
(888) CAPE-TRIP
Route 9 and Florence Avenue
Erma, NJ 08204

Eastlyn Golf Course - Map
(856) 691-5558
4049 Italia Avenue
Vineland, NJ 08361

Galloway National Golf Club (private) - Map
(609) 748-1000
270 South New York Road
Absecon, NJ 08021

Greate Bay Golf Club (private) - Map
(609) 927-5071
901 Mays Landing Road
Somers Point, NJ 08244

Green Tree Golf Course - Map
(609) 625-9131
1030 Mays Landing - Somers Point Road
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234

Hamilton Trails Country Club - Map
(609) 641-6824
620 Harbor Avenue
Mays Landing, NJ 08330

Harbor Pines Golf Club - Map
(609) 927-0006
500 Saint Andrews Drive
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234

Heritage Links Golf Course - Map
(609) 390-4500
1375 Route 9
Ocean View, NJ 08205

Hidden Creek Golf Course (private) - Map
(609) 653-8011
75 Asbury Road
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234

Latona Country Club - Map
(856) 692-8149
Oak and Cumberland Road
Buena, NJ 08310

Linwood Country Club (private) - Map
(609) 927-6134
500 Shore Road
Linwood, NJ 08221

Mays Landing Country Club - Map
(609) 641-4411
1855 Cates Road
Mays Landing, NJ 08330

McCullough's Emerald Golf Links - Map
(609) 926-3900
3016 Ocean Heights Avenue
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234

Ocean City Golf Course - Map
(609) 399-1315
2600 Bay Avenue
Ocean City, NJ 08226

Olde Masters Golf Center (Driving Range) - Map
(609) 272-2880
6020 Delilah Road
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234

Pinelands Golf Course - Map
(609) 561-8900
887 Mays Landing Road
Winslow, NJ 08037

Pines at Clermont - Map
(609) 624-0100
358 Kings Highway
Clermont, NJ 08210

Pomona Golf and Country Club - Map
(609) 965-3232
400 West Moss Mill Road
Pomona, NJ 08240

Ponderlodge Golf Course - Map
(609) 886-8065
7 Shawmont Avenue
Villas, NJ 08251

Sand Barrens Golf Club - Map
(609) 465-3555
1765 Route 9 North
Swainton, NJ 08210

Sea Oaks Country Club - Map
(609) 296-2656
99 Golf View Drive
Tuckerton, NJ 08087

Seaview Marriott Resort and Spa - Map
ShopRite LPGA Classic
(609) 652-1800
401 South New York Road
Galloway Township, NJ 08205

Shore Gate Golf Club - Map
(609) 624-TEES
35 School House Lane
Oceanview, NJ 08230

Stone Harbor Golf Club - Map
(609) 465-9270
905 Route 9 North
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210

Tilton Road Golf (Driving Range) - Map
(609) 272-0520
338 Tilton Road
Northfield, NJ 08225

Twisted Dune Golf Club - Map
(609) 653-8019
2101 Ocean Heights Avenue
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234

Victor's Par 3 Golf Course - Map
(609) 625-4931
6441 Pittsburgh Avenue
Mays Landing, NJ 08330

Vineyard Golf at Renault Winery - Map
(609) 965-2111
72 N. Bremen Avenue
Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215

Wheat Road Golf (Pro Shop) - Map
(800) 273-0433
2142 East Wheat Road
Vineland, NJ 08361

White Oaks Country Club - Map
(856) 697-8900
2951 Dutch Mill Road
Newfield, NJ 08344

Wildwood Golf and Country Club - Map
(609) 465-7824
1170 Golf Club Road
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210