Smoke Rise Country Club

Got invited to play a free round here...always enjoy checking out a new venue. So glad this was free because I certainly wouldn't pay to play here. The course is in really poor shape, particularly the fairways. Portions of some greens were damaged as well, but overall the greens putted well. It's a shame because the layout is great and the greens have lots of undulation.

As of April 2023, the course is in really bad condition. The fairways are absolutely terrible and many of the tea boxes are in pretty rough shape as well. The greens were decent but some of the pin placements were screwy.

The clubhouse is entirely closed so it's porta potties only. They were grilling burgers & stuff when we teed off around 11:30 but by the time we finished at 4:30, there was no food or anything available.

I've played it in much better conditions for less money so, for the time being, I plan on playing elsewhere for the remainder of this year. I understand they're putting a lot of investment into it so hopefully one day it'll be nice again.

I've played Smoke Rise for years and it's simply one of the worst courses you'll find, particularly for what is supposed to be a private club. The pro shop now resides in the cart barn due to a "water leak" and the lady running the register could not have been any more rude and uncaring if she tried. That's the good news.

The course itself is atrocious. Fairways are just dirt with spots poa annua for grass. You take your life in your hands entering and exiting the fairway to the car path. Bunkers that are not full of water are just unplayable.

Despite it all, the greens are for the most part ok but they too are stressed.

I don't know how long this place can survive and why it's not gone already is anybody's guess.

Municipal prices for a 4-star experience. Friendly staff, great mix of challenging and less-challenging holes. Great carts. Good burgers.

I couldn't finish my 18 holes due to an emergency, only played 9, but The pace of play was very slow and it tough to stay focused and in a rhythm.

• The 1:20p start still had groups stacking at the tee-box on 7, 8, and 9 • not sure why ???

I wish I could have finished and experienced the back 9

- Hopefully the pace would have improved

I would definitely recommend the course

Course architecture is breathtaking, with many hazards which look like they are natural features of a landscape in motion. Traps were well cared for and soft. Greens firm and true.; spring fairways, not surprisingly a bit bare but not too bad.

I rolled up to Smoke Rose with high hopes for this semi-private course. Upon arriving the club house was closed for renovations which is all well, but upon walking down to the temporary check-in the man behind the counter was rude and dismissive. When I asked for tips about the course (as it was my first time) he refused to answer and said there was a starter at number 1 to tell me all that. There was no starter. The range balls were horrible, the practice green was covered in dirt, and we were required to hit off mats for no apparent reason. Once I got onto the course the greens were in good shape and rolled well, however they had plastic cups in all of the cup locations that weren’t being used (allegedly due to cold weather though I’ve never seen this anywhere else). The fairways were covered in dirt patches, multiple tee boxes were missing tee markers, and the cart path on the front nine was poorly marked. I’m not sure if the course has fallen on hard time during Covid years or the fairways have been hit with some kind of disease, but it was not in good shape. Hope to see it bounce back because the layout has a lot of potential. All the par threes and fives were very interesting and engaging.

Horrible. On the 18th hole, we have to “shared” the green with a group of students. Will not come back.

The layout of the course is fantastic

The condition of the course is in very bad shape.

Fairways and tee boxes have little to no grass. If you don’t move you ball to the closest patch of grass, every shot is off hard pan.

Hopefully the course grows in.

I’ve played better 20.00 courses.

Not worth the money.

Going in, I was excited about playing this course. It had been some years and it used to be semi-private and run by Cannongate/Clubcorp. Not anymore.

Amenities:

Clubhouse was closed due to a pipe bursting in December. Not a ding on the course for that. They had a grill going outside so I grabbed something before the round. Good food and a fair price. What is nice about the course is that the pro shop, golf range, and putting green were right there together. You just load up your cart and don't have to move it until your tee time. I liked that a lot. The practice area included a sand trap which is a rare find as well.

Course Layout / Condition

Not much good to say here... I know we have had a lot of rain so the conditions are not going to be good in March but,.... The layout is definitely NOT for everyone.

I am not a long hitter by any stretch but I did not touch a wood until hole #9. Hitting 7-8 iron off of the tee (even for par 5's) is not my idea of fun. Couple this with wet conditions it makes for a very long day.

Tee boxes were VERY furry an overgrown

Sand traps had NO sand in them

Farming grass from tee boxes.... Not good.

Apron of green hard red clay.. Ball could bounce anywhere

I just feel given this condition/course layout it should be priced lower.. I would be interested in knowing how the reception of the layout was in the "glory days" of opening.

Nice course and friendly staff. The burgers at the turn were delish. Will be back for sure!

Course is in really good shape, especially considering the amount of rain we have had.