Bacon Park Golf Course

Course is getting better, still a good bit of work to go but looking better. Glad to see the cart paths and bridge ramps repaired.

First time playing since OC Welch took over with a major renovation nearly 8 years ago. Greens conditions left a lot to be desired. They put 3 guys walking and one in a cart ahead of the two of us who were either didn’t care or we’re unfamiliar with letting people play through. No ranger in site the whole round. GPS area restriction on cart constantly shut down the cart in the middle of fairways and other inappropriate places. Actually had to back between some holes to get anywhere. After all this time I expected better.

Firstly, on line booking fouled up family reservation and the staff was incredibly friendly in getting us out.

Secondly, she is a tired course that has fallen to disrepair and hard times. But you can see Ross’ fading fingerprints on the layout and particularly on the modest green complexes that flex their muscle with defined quadrants requiring precise approaches.

I can tolerate the rutted dirt paths, damaged greens, water damaged fairways but for life of me I don’t understand the security procedures on the carts that constantly shut you down even in the fairway.

Course served a family of 8 well as we have two under five handicaps and 2 beginners. Just important to know what you are getting into. I would do again with this group but unfortunately, could not give a blank recommendation to a group of golfers visiting the area.

I am a fan of Donald Ross courses - I've played them in Florida and they are a lot of fun if they've kept the original Ross design. Bacon Park is typical of Ross's designs in his heyday and that's a good thing. Unfortunately, I've seen this course in better shape. You might excuse it because last year and early this year we were in lockdown and the course didn't generate revenue and maybe whatever public subsidy it might get dried up. But the next day I played Henderson Golf Club, another publicly-owned course and it was in good condition (maybe the county supports Henderson more than the city does Bacon Park). In any case, it's a shame and I hope the conditions improve. I can't recommend Bacon Park in the current condition. Many others have commented on the annoying "nanny" of the GPS - it's no exaggeration - many of the the lockouts are truly head scratchers (If there is no cart path at the tee box and the yardage/par sign is on the left, why lock out the left and make me go to the right side? That's just one example). It ruins what is otherwise a pretty good GPS. To end on a positive note, the staff was friendly and helpful - I'm sure they get an earful about the course condition and the GPS nanny - yet they are a cheerful bunch.

Green s terrible shape

Golf cart software locks car frequently sit in fairway waiting to be unlocked no signs telling you what is restricted and what is not

Don’t waste your money on this dump

The course was not in good shape. Dollarweed taking over in spots. Cart system was annoying. GPS monitored position and forced long walks - and avoiding long walks was the point of renting a cart. It is obvious that OC Welch golf is spending their money on the Wilmington Island Course. This feels like an attempt tp get out of their contract. The city needs to inspect and oversee with intent to make this course the asset it used to be.

Tee to green this course has a lot of potential. Great layout with well placed bunkers throughout and not a lot of trouble. Course asked you to hit a good drive and great approach shots. The disappointment was in the greens. They were HEAVILY sanded. Not something you typically see in this area this time of the year. Pro shop/grill was under construction so hard to say one way or another there. If the greens were in decent shape it would’ve been a 4 star course for 2 star price.

The GPS used to monitor traffic around the greens is a pain. Most golfers respect staying on the cart paths on par 3s., but you cart is likely to lock up in unpredictable areas. Your cart is likely to lock up in unpredictable areas on par 4s and 5s that should be open to traffic, especially with the absence of cart paths in many areas, and especially on the back nine. The cart paths throughout the course are not well maintained or absent. I tried to adjust to the nuisance of the GPS during several other times playing at Bacon, but I will not play there again. Golf can be frustrating for the average golfer and the GPS monitoring I don’t need. Truly a shame. Great location and not a bad course layout.

Played 18 wonderful holes. Course was in great shape. Fairways looked excellent. Friendly staff. Great Day for golf.

The course was not in good shape. Greens and fairways were not in good shape, and in addition to that some areas of grass needed a cut. We had a slow group in front of us the entire front 9. The gps golf carts kept cutting off an excessive amount of times claiming you were in a restricted area when often it was not a bad area at all. The course is way more expensive than it should be for the quality of the course. The course is only worth about $25 for the shape it is in. The only benefit was being able to get the yardage from the gps carts.

I decided to play Bacon Park, because it was designed by Donald Ross. The middle of the course, 4 through 14, excepting 11, have a completely Ross feel. The course was in decent conditions, a little shaggy and rough along the edges. Heavy rain made a mess of the bunkers the day before, but you could tell they had good sand and would be normally well maintained. The greens had been aerated, which we warned when booking the time. Most greens were fine. But several had some dead patches. Only real annoyance was the cart control system, which would cut your cart of without warning in places which were OK to go, while sending warnings and announcements with a startling alarm two or three times a hole. Despite all this the layout and pace of play, despite being full, made for an enjoyable day.

The golf cart boundary settings almost are always a problem. Sometimes the carts shut off in the middle of the fairway. Sometimes they will lock up completely and you’re just stuck there waiting for someone to come along. Very frustrating! Either trust golfers to stay in designated areas only or fix the technology!