Berkleigh Golf Club

I tend to always have a good time a Berkleigh. The course is fun and still holds a challenge. I am glad they haven't fallen by the wayside like some courses and I'm glad they also haven't price gouged like some courses. It was one of the first courses I ever played about 4 years ago now.

This past weekend, I called to play around 4 (twilight) but they said 4 was backed up. Since I was a single, I could come at 3:30 and I'd still get the Twilight rate. They were able to fit me in with another group instead of by myself at 4:40. This ranked very highly on my list as I always want to play and get home as early as possible.

Pace was good once we got past the group in front of us at the turn, it was wide open. Thankfully, they stopped for food and we didn't because there were two beginners (we saw one guy helping another with a back swing). They wouldn't let us through for some reason, either. So the only knock is that I wish there was a ranger around (I realize this costs extra money so I don't hold this against them after 4pm).

I still say their bunkers are a bit rough, to say the least. Almost none have any sand left in them and if you're on a greenside bunker, it's almost impossible to get out because it's hard to get underneath the ball. You're either hitting it thin or you're skying the ball across the green. I'd almost play it like a regular chip shot instead of the typical 1-2 inches behind the ball. Other than that, everything was fine.

Thanks for everything, Berkleigh!

Course was in generally good condition. Greens were receptive and moderately fast, fairways tight. The rough was not too thick and actually brown in a few spots. Two items that need attention are the bunkers and some cart path areas. Several bunkers were very hard with very little sand beneath the surface. Some cart part areas have tree roots that make driving the cart something akin to a mini Baha 1000. Be careful! Otherwise the course remains in good condition and I would recommend it. Our threesome played in 4 hrs.

Love this course! Great Older course with championship pedigree making a resurgence. Fairways and greens in good condition. Provides adequate challenge for any level. Great value!

Played in the afternoon on a pretty hot day. There was NO -- repeat -- NO -- water available on the course. I only saw two water coolers...the first one was totally empty, and the second one was just barely dribbling melted ice water, and tasted like polyvinyl chloride coated cooler and metal from the ice machine.

Also, the sand traps are almost out of debris. I can't call it "sand", actually, because it was just like packed down clay. I remember playing here when it was private as a guest...it was a gem. It's obvious they are just grabbing the greens fees and wedding reception money to stay alive. Greens were spongy (but they held). They are true, but slow. Fairways are nice. Most tees are like municipal courses...you can barely get your tee in the ground. Cart paths are rough. There are paths where they haven't trimmed back the bush and tree overgrowth, and you risk getting belted in the face if you don't aim your cart through the vegetation tunnels.

I know it's tough to be in the golf business now. Play is down, and it's probably not getting better in the near future. Berkleigh needs work. That said, you still get to play a country club layout that is in decent shape. But there are many LOW COST aesthetic things they could do to make it a more pleasant place to play. Put coolers on the course with ice and bottles of water in them, and put an "honor" jar and charge a buck. Golfers are usually honest. Southmoore has been doing it for years, and they still are, so it must work. Trim back the overgrowth. Get the owners to put some REAL sand in the traps. I would pay $5 more per round at least, and I'm sure others would too.

The best thing about Berkleigh is the layout. It's excellent. Fairways are in great shape. Rough is not bad. When it was a Country Club they would let it grow longer...but to get more rounds in, they are smart to cut it. Greens are slow...I remember when they were pretty fast. The course is fair, except for 90% of the traps. Some traps have almost ZERO sand in them...just clay packed down.

I hope they can improve the course. It has lost some luster since it became public. However, with play down nationally, it might be a while until someone infuses some cash into the place. And if they did, they would have to raise greens fees. And that might just kill the whole thing. It could be a lose/lose situation. :-(

this is my third time playing Berkleigh. I become more attached to the course each time I play. The course conditions have only improved each year. The greens in particular were in fantastic shape; I rarely see greens in this condition on the public course.

excellent course, great conditions, when everything else is brown they are all green !

The course is now public but still has a private club feel. Turf was in great shape, fairways and greens were soft and groomed. Greens were very receptive. Cup locations were challenging, the greens were fast and rolling. A great layout, very picturesque. I'll be back in the fall when the leaves change. Had a Long Trail IPA on the 19th, excellent!

Excellent, well maintained country club type course !

I've played here before, albeit not a lot. The course has a lot of mature trees which are a nice visual to the game. I played in spring and it was in good shape. The green had just been rolled so that is the usual pain for any course.

Folks continue to be friendly and the players were a good mix of talent and learners. But all were well mannered and no conflicts or bad behavior.

Traps were in good shape, as were tee boxes, and the entire course. Their putting green and driving range are good practice areas. The food is a good place to relax as well.

For areas to improve, the cart paths are showing some age and need some repairs. and I really enjoy the layout of this old course, until the end. holes 16-18, just like 10 next to it, are all a bit too boring. Maybe because they are next to the road and entrance with no room for changes, but it ends anti climatic. If they could buy out that house on the corner someday and do something for 17/18, and then move the green back 40 to 80 yards (there's room for it), and turn it right downhill, you'd make a big improvement.

so not to end on a negative. still a good course and worth adding to your course rotation.

As a former member of Berkleigh when it was a private club, I was pleasantly surprised with the course conditions. The greens rolled true and the bunkers were in good shape. They've reversed the nines so it was a little strange at first, but having 18 finish at the parking lot makes a lot of sense for a public course. Pace of play was good as we finished in just about 4.5 hours.

The facilities have seen better days. It's obvious they haven't done any work to the cart paths in years and the clubhouse has seen better days. I didn't stick around to check out the grill so can't comment on that.

Course was still under winter rules so tee boxes were all over the place. Cart paths were horrible , this course was at one time very nice, but it needs serious repairs and updating. I am not trying to slam them but I would like to see some money spent on this course to bring it back to what it should be !

They cancelled my tee time only few hours ahead of my tee time on same day. via email. No reason given. Now i have no tee time and all good tee times are gone at other courses.

I was excite to play here and was planning on driving an hour to play. Good thing i checked my email before i left.

I enjoy old golf courses with character. Berkleigh is that and more. Fun golf course.

Berkleigh is a well maintained course which was a very challenging but fair round of golf. It was in very good shape. The greens were in good shape and were quick. The only complaint were the large number of leaves left in many of the traps.

A complete disaster. Went out with my father in law who used to be a member here for25 years. Obviously things have changed drastically. He plays here during the week occasionally but WARNED me about weekend pace of play .He was right. We played 13 hole in 4:15 min. Couldn't take it anymore.
Upon driving off we noticed a Foursome on the tee box of 16th with 16-17-18 WIDE OPEN.. We jumped in front and played 17/18. Proceeded to put our clubs in the car and go to the restroom. AND WE LOOK OUT AND THIS SAME GROUP IS JUST GETTING TO THE GREEN ON 16. REALLY??? Informed the Pro shop to come take a look and they said "They would look into it??" Nothing to look into. We calculated this group teed off at 11:00 or 11:09am and it was 4:15pm!! AND STILL HAD 2 HOLES TO PLAY..That's 5+ hours and still not done????
Two "bag boys were sent out to ask us "how pace of play was "since they received complaints by phone from the course. They approached us on Hole 12. #3 groups backed up on the Par 3 mind you#. Not knowing at that time what the delay was, I told them in order to see what the problem was they should start on 18 and drive the course in reverse and see if there are open holes..DUH???
A COMPLETE WASTE OF A DAY.....YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!! STAY AWAY.......

The course was in very good condition considering torrential rainfall the day before...greens immaculate like velvet...tees and fairway good...gave a 4 because cart paths are very bad..senior tees very generaous...worth the price of admission

The past few years the conditions have deteriorated from country club to good public. The greens are fantastic except for the unfixed ball marks ( shame on you who can't be bothered). The sand is horrible, tee boxes are poor and cart paths are bad. The fairways, rough and layout are excellent. The pace can sometimes be slow as this is not a course for the weekend hacker but is often filled with them. If you like a challenge give Berkleigh a go.

This is the first time I played the course and it was in great shape. It is a mature course and the holes are beautiful. Definitely would recommend playing it.

I first played this former private club course was five years ago, not long after it went public. The course was in great shape then and I was very pleased to see that the staff have maintained the course extremely well. It's challenging but fair. Greens were in very good condition, fairways well kept and the rough was suitably rough! Highly recommend.

I love these old, tight, tree lined golf courses! This course has plenty of challenge for any player. Very well conditioned and provided a nice day of play. The course is an hour plus from my house and I have this on my "go back often" list.