Orchards Golf Course

I gave the course condition a 4 when I reviewed in 2022, only because the cart paths are so broken up - which others mentioned. However this time, the fairways had a lot of yellow grass, some dirt, some ruts from water issues, and were generally very thin, which wasn't great for striking. They also had been recently aerated and the dirt plugs were everywhere, stopping the ball, making your stance unsteady, etc. The greens were very slow - which is really the case everywhere right now due to weather issues, so probably not their fault. However, we didn't see a single grounds crew person working all day - and it seems like they are short staffed - which may explain but doesn't excuse the condition.

Also, dumb complaint, but the bratwurst was terrible. It seems like a pre-cooked smoked brat that was cooked again - well done, and had the consistency (dry, chewy, and greasy) and almost the thickness of a Slim-Jim. Either buy real brats, or don't cook the pre-cooked ones so much. Again, dumb complaint, but needs to be fixed.

Carts were great - cart paths still bad.

Good layout, good condition, nice people and fair price. What more do you want?

No beverage card on a Monday holiday. Some fairways were rough and some spots greens were good.

The greens were very nice the teaching area literally dirt and the fairways were skeptical some good some dirt. Awesome layout ranger and pro shop very courteous!

Course was in great condition and was great that it was cart path only to not damage the perfect fairways!

Greens rolled well, fairways ok grass dormant, overall will be awesome warmer weather.

This was my first time playing the course in almost 20 years. Loved the layout. The course was in OK shape considering it was winter. The rate charged for a Sunday was reasonable. The course was cart path only so the round took 5 hours to complete. The staff was great. Amenities were good (driving range, putting green and bar).

So the shape of this course was significantly improved around 2018 - 2019. But as far as I could tell it has back slid since I last played in 2020. The outer rough was uncut. I assume the natural grass look was better in the summer but for fall it was a real eyesore. All the issues I remembered that needed addressed were still there. Multiple poor collars, bad LHS green surround on 3, irrigation leaks, tee boxes of 7 beat to heck, some how still no walkway down steep slope to green on 17. Most notably would be that I'm told they have had a 'carts in fairway only' policy all season, yet the rough did not look good at all. A huge inconvenience to golfers for no improvement. I know the Superintendent who took over in 2020 and I could overlook his personality if the course was looking good but I saw no improvement since he took over. He was driving around in golf cart during our round to police our cart usage. My advice. OPEN THE ROUGH TO CARTS and just block off the bad spots. Rotate periodically and boom. Fixed. Maybe stop acting like a marshal and focus on improving the course.

My wife and I played this course to a pace of 4 hours and 40 minutes. We never let anyone play through but somehow wound up with 4 different groups immediately in front of us over the course of the round. The marshal wants to ensure no one drives in the rough but does nothing to drive the pace of play. Hit a shot, wait 8 minutes, hit next shot. If this were a drinking game you'd still be sober. The Orchards wants to be a premium course but manages like a mom and pop bootleg operation. We've played at least 25 courses in 6 states in the past year and this was the biggest disappointment. Stay away.

When I arrived I was told that I had to play the front 9 twice as they were aerating the back nine greens. I was not aware of this when I purchased from Tee Times. I paid 38.00 for the round, should have been $20.00 due to aerated greens. I will not make the 30 minute drive back to Orchards to play the course again.

There is nothing more annoying than paying for 18 only to get to the course and find out “sorry we are aerating the front nine and you have to play the back twice.” Why do courses risk angering regular players by deliberately not communicating about the course conditions in order to hoodwink unknowing players to come and play anyways? I wont be booking this again.

A nice mix of holes. Some more open, some in the woods. Some flat, some rolling. Pace of play was great for a Sunday afternoon. The greens were in pretty good shape. I got above the hole on 14-16 and it was tough to 2 putt. Numerous bare spots in several fairways is the only criticism. A beverage cart would be nice too.

A very nice course, but it was very dry and bare and many places on fairways and in roughs.

Pace if play was not good.

It’s been a while since I played this course,stayed away because the greens were suspect but yesterday I can honestly say the course is back the Fairways were immaculate the greens rolled smooth and the Marshall Tom Biggs was very professional courteous and polite I will definitely be back!!