The Top 25 Fastest GolfNow Courses
As we wrap up Pace of Play month and bid adieu to June, we also reach the end of our countdown of the Top 100 Fastest golf courses on GolfNow. Today we take a look at the 25 fastest courses, but before we do, here’s a quick look back at all we’ve (hopefully) learned about how to play faster!
Our GolfNow golfers ranked the 10 most-annoying things about slow play:
And, Golf Channel shared 7 ways to help pick up the pace:
- Keep moving: Proceed quickly to your ball and be ready when it’s your turn to hit.
- Be ready to hit: Take 45 seconds max to hit your shot.
- See it, read it, hole it: While others are putting, prepare for your putt. Go to the next tee.
- Use USGA rules with discretion: Take no more than three minutes to look for balls and take relief.
- Always be prepared: Start the round with tees, markers, balls and a ball-mark repair tool in your pocket. Replace head covers while you walk. Write down scores on the next tee, so you aren’t making others wait.
- Play your tees: Choose a set of tees with a rating of 142 minus your handicap index. Or just tee it forward. Not sure your handicap index?
- Speak up: If you see a problem, ask courses to set up the course properly and, most importantly, to manage the tee sheet responsibly.
Golf Channel Amateur Tour Regional Director, Mike Rich, gave us his take on his tour’s pace of play practices, including always keeping the group ahead of you in view and trying to finish each 9 hole rounds in two hours and 15 minutes.
For even more great info on how you can help improve pace of play, visit Golf Channel.com.
And now, (drum roll), the Top 25 Fastest GolfNow Courses…
Emerald Isle Golf Course’s 18-hole layout stretches 2,452 yards for a par of 56 and boasts beautiful scenery that can only found in Southern California. Photo by Emerald Isle
1. Emerald Isle Golf Course (Oceanside, CA)
Located in beautiful Oceanside, Calif., Emerald Isle Golf Course has earned a reputation as “North County’s Most Challenging Executive Course.” Emerald Isle’s 18-hole layout stretches 2,452 yards for a par of 56 and is well-known for the beautiful scenery only found in Southern California, as well as a slew of top-tier amenities.
“When I don’t have time to play a big course or want to practice my short game, I enjoy playing here,” said one GolfNow golfer. “Plus the staff there is all very friendly. I’m glad they’re available on golf now.”
Hole 17 at The Hooch Golf Club is part of an innovative layout that features Crenshaw Bent Grass greens, ponds, lakes and three holes that play along the Chattahoochee River. Photo by David Johnson Golf Design
2. The Hooch Golf Club (Duluth, GA)
The Hooch Golf Club, an 18-hole, par 61 golf course near Atlanta, was voted “One of the Top Short Courses in America for 2006,” by Golf Range Magazine. The innovative layout features Crenshaw Bent Grass greens, several ponds, lakes and three holes that play along the Chattahoochee River. Plus, an added feature to this course is its fully-lit practice facility available for night use.
According to a GolfNow golfer, The Hooch Golf Club is “one of the best and most challenging executive courses I have played. The layout was good with good fairway separation. The course has ample water and vegetation yet plays at a good pace. We never felt stalled or rushed.”
3. Lakeview Golf Club (Delray Beach, FL)
4. Eagle Crest – Challenge Course (Redmond, OR)
5. Oyster Creek Golf & Country Club (Englewood, FL)
6. Colton Golf Club (Colton, CA)
7. Oasis Country Club (Palm Desert, CA)
8. Sabal Springs Golf & Racquet Club (North Fort Myers, FL)
9. Tierra Grande Golf Club (Casa Grande, AZ)
10. Heatherwood Golf Club (Centereach, NY)
11. Mountain Shadows Executive Golf Course (Paradise Valley, AZ)
12. Legacy Golf Links – Windy Hill (Smyrna, GA)
13. Bear Creek Golf Course – Executive Course (Chandler, AZ)
14. Tecolote Canyon Golf Course (San Diego, CA)
15. Lomas Santa Fe Executive Golf Course (Solana Beach, CA)
16. Eagle Crest Golf Club (Escondido, CA)
17. Lake San Marcos Executive South Course (San Marcos, CA)
18. Countryway Golf Course (Tampa, FL)
19. Deer Creek Golf & RV Resort (Davenport, FL)
20. Whispering Woods (Carthage, NC)
21. Mount Dora Golf Club (Mount Dora, FL)
22. Charlie Yates Golf Course (Atlanta, GA)
23. Riviera Golf Club I (Naples, FL)
24. Desert Sands Golf Course (Mesa, AZ)
25. SunBird Golf Club (Chandler, AZ)
Congratulations to all the courses that made our “Top 100 Fastest” list and continue to check GolfNow’s Top Rated Courses page for updates.
– The Daily Tee
of course a course with a par in the 50’s and 60’s is going to play fast. What about changing this to par 70 and above course that average 4 hours or less