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The sixth hole at Shoreham's Tallgrass Golf Course, easily the shortest par-4 in the layout, presents a unique, strategic challenge. How heavy that challenge remains in the future is uncertain.
A driveable, risk/reward par-4 by design, Tallgrass #6 has played as a modified par-3 throughout the 2012 season due to concerns by neighbors over errant golf balls. Heading into the offseason, the Tallgrass staff is considering ways to redesign the hole with its short par-4 character intact, or simply leaving it as a par-3.
General manager Phil Tita says the plan is to keep the hole a par-4 but adds that, currently, the future of the hole is "up in the air." The problem, according to a Tallgrass pro-shop attendant, is that players aiming to drive the green -- a 295-yard shot from the back tees, 280 from the second set -- can easily hook (or slice) their shots off the property toward several residences next to the course. Though the fairway is oriented to the right of the tees and away from the property line, the hole's design -- including penal areas left and long -- and a buffer of trees are not enough to protect the homes and their inhabitants from wild drives.
But the strategic nature of the Gil Hanse-designed hole would be lost if the fix is to convert #6 to a par-3. Slightly uphill, the hole features a tremendous and deep sand trap down nearly the entire left side. Over the far end of the trap, the fairway banks downhill toward the green. Players can try an aggressive shot toward this banked fairway or simply lay up shorter in the middle of the fairway. The glory shot is a drive-the-green attempt, ignoring a major falloff behind the green and two awkward bunkers short of it, not to mention the out-of-bounds potential.
At close to 190 yards, this season's modified setup is still tough, but feels out of place on a course where the par-3s require some finesse, creativity and shot-making skill. As seen in the image above, simply moving the tees as part of a par-4 redesign is likely not possible due to space constraints. More dramatic changes could impact at least two adjacent holes.
For more on Tallgrass, visit the course flyover. Or click on the aerial image above and pitch your design ideas in the comment section.
[Aerial image courtesy of Google Earth]
Don't be fooled by cooler temps -- golf season is still in its prime in October. Lucky for still-active golfers, at many area courses, it's not priced that way.
Below is a sampling of some of the rate specials available this fall around Long Island. For the most up-to-date rates, call the courses directly or visit course websites.
Great Rock: $49 weekdays, $39 after 1 p.m., $29 after 3 p.m.; $49 weekends after 1 p.m., $39 after 3 p.m. (cart included with all rates)
Swan Lake: $45 weekdays with cart, $35 to walk; $55 ride / $44 walk on weekends and holidays (all rates include breakfast or lunch)
Spring Lake: $56 to ride, $40 to walk on weekdays; $51 to ride, $35 to walk after 12 p.m. on weekends; twilight rates begin at 12 p.m. all week
Long Island National: $59 to ride weekdays before 2 p.m., $49 after; $59 to ride on weekends after 2 p.m.
Mill Pond: $50 to ride, $40 to walk on weekdays before noon; $52 to ride on weekends before noon ($42 after) -- all rates cheaper for Brookhaven residents with discount card
Middle Island CC: $49 to ride, $39 to walk on weekdays ($40/$30 before 8 a.m. and after 12 p.m.); $65 to ride on weekends ($55 after 12 p.m., $45 after 2 p.m.)
Bergen Point: $30 for Suffolk residents, $42 for non-residents all week after 11 a.m. (cart included)
Cherry Creek Links/Woods: $57 to ride, $42 to walk weekdays before 2 p.m. ($42/$30 after); weekends $52 to ride, $40 to walk after 2 p.m.
The Brentwood and Holbrook Country Clubs are offering seasonal specials this fall that allow players to tee off and ride for as little as $32.
For the rest of October and through November, the weekday foursome rate is $128 with cart and reservation fees included, which breaks down to $32 per player. If you don't have a full group, or you're looking to go out on your own, play for $37 on weekdays or $42 on weekends. All special rates are valid after 10 a.m.
For detailed descriptions, check out the Brentwood and Holbrook course flyovers.
Come January, one local golf course, as well as an area driving range and golf store, will earn the distinction of "Best of Long Island." Which ones earn that title is up to you.
Voting is open at the Long Island Press website for the 2013 "Best of LI" poll. Each year the newspaper puts together dozens of categories across a variety of genres and asks Long Islanders to pick the ones that stand out as the cream of the crop. The "Best Golf Course" category has been dominated by Bethpage State Park, which is seeking its sixth consecutive crown. This year, nine public golf courses (and three private clubs) in Nassau and Suffolk are in the running to knock Bethpage from its perch. Voting closes on December 15.
This year's public nominees, in addition to Bethpage, are:
Vote for the "Best Golf Course" of 2013 at www.LongIslandPress.com, and while you're there be sure to cast a vote for your favorite driving range and golf shop. Winners will be announced in January.
