Galen Hall Golf Club

It’s been a bit since we’ve had rain, I’ll give them that. Course is hard as a rock. For 2 holes I played into some kid hosing down the greens, my tee time was 11:52. Blows my mind why they’d boil their greens on the hottest day we’ve had this year, also why I’m playing into him on the greens..... tee boxes were chewed, so goodluck with that. Also, the tees they set up, I played outside of a few times because who wants to tee off on an OBVIOUS uneven lie. I’m local, and I enjoy playing this course, but I can tell it’s going downhill quick. I doubt I’ll be back this year. Maybe just to challenge my own play, but the conditions were rough, imho.

This course has been written up several times lately as a hidden gem. Sorry, but I beg to differ. From the indifferent guy in the pro shop to the (several) chewed-up tee boxes to the really odd earthworks around some of the greens, I couldn't say it was one of the great golf experiences of my life. Don't get me wrong; it was OK, but nothing special. I was just a bit disappointed because of all the hype.

Awesome mix of holes, better conditions than in years past (a couple of bare tee boxes).

Tough course for someone of my skill level. It's early in the season, so the course wasn't in great shape. Lots of bare patches on the tee boxes and fairways. Greens were in good shape, deceptively slick unless you play them that way. Overall it's a good layout and a nice course. Hopefully later in the season they'll have the snack shack open after hole 10 since the course doesn't turn around at the clubhouse. Best to bring some snacks with you or grab something at the start of the round to be safe.

I have played here before but the conditions seem to be getting worse. The cart paths are awful. The bunkers need attention. Quite a few torn up parts of turf. The layout is fun but it will be hard to come back if other conditions don’t improve.

Greens were ok. Some of the tees are dirt. The bunkers have a lot of rocks and stones. The replacement superintendent added some new bunkers a few years ago must to make it tougher to play also added high grass around them I think he forgot to add sand in them. Goose droppings on some greens and fairways the cart path on two hill is a death run. I was told numerous carts have rolled on the path. One last thing they tore the restrooms down and there are none to use.

Cart path on two is very dangerous. The bunkers have tons of stones in them and the new bunkers have tall grasses around them which slows play while you hunt for your ball the new superintendent has made the course even harder to play. They tore the restrooms down at hole 12 and nowhere to go.

1st round of the New Year. Got a day in the 40’s in January. Course is 1 1/2 hours away but worth the trip. I read a lot of reviews both positive and negative but the draw of Tillinghast made it worth a try. And the Gordon’s have done some really good design/restoration work in the area so what the heck.

Pro Tip: Take a cart if you’re not in tip top shape. The last couple of holes will kick your butt. Straight up hill. I was the only walker i saw. Should’ve been an indicator.

Course was very wet. Top inch or so was frozen. There’s no place for the water to go so it was a quagmire. The entire course was casual water. A few of the greens were so frozen it was like hitting to Macadam. Happened on the first hole. I hit pin high and bounce well over the back off the green almost OB.

Other than that, we really enjoyed playing Galen Hall. A couple of holes are quirky. The most called out hole is #2. It’s a blind tee shot with a road crossing through it. Playing for the first time is what made it the most challenging. We had no real idea where or how far to hit it. The third hole also has a road running through it that you cants see.

The par threes are very challenging. There are five of them and they are among the most interesting and challenging collection of any course. The 7th was a real short par 3 of about 140 yards that played to more like 175 given the uphill, wind and temps. The green is very small and is crazy hard with severe slope. The most hole 15 is one of the hardest “island” greens I’ve ever played. 185 from the back with no margin for error. The 17th is about 175 uphill and plays more like 205. Good luck. I needed oxygen after walking up this hill.

I’ll be back to play this is warmer temps with more receptive greens. It’s a blast.

I love this course, BUT today I find out the Golfnow price is like $5.00 More than what they were charging at the course. Also, #4 which is a beautiful, tough par 3 had a closed green for some reason, so it was reduced to a Frankenstein created semi mowed rough/fairway green with a hole in the middle...this was unplayable period and RUINED the round which I was playing great other than this which the people in the group said to just pick your ball up once on the green and take two putts. It was horrible. Not going back until next year when they fix it.

I really like the layout. The elevation charges and the course's relationship with the topology is fantastic. My son thought the back was better and the front was not his favorite but I thought both front and back were equally enjoyable,. The teeboxes were pretty beat up but the fairways were nice, The greens were slow but I think the conditions for this time of year were better than could be expected for an inexpensive muni.

Interesting and challenging course. Course was in great shape