Fairway Adventures: Exploring Golf Courses Around the World
Part One: Southpointe Golf Club, Canonsburg PA
I recently had the opportunity to play golf as a guest at Southpointe Golf Club in Canonsburg, PA. This is a private course nestled among rolling hills, commercial buildings and homes. It is truly part of a live, work, play community. When you first approach the clubhouse from the main road, you truly don't know what to expect.
Southpointe Golf Club is generally regarded as a challenging yet enjoyable course to play. The 18-Hole course features 6,856 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 72.9 and it has a slope rating of 135. I would add that the challenging part is slightly understated. With many blind approaches and greens that often felt like the superintendent was in a bad mood when he chose the hole locations, I must admit that it added a bit of fun to the mix as greens broke in ways that were not obvious to the eye and often changed very near the hole. Pay close attention to the course map as often you will see the green from another hole before you can see the one you are actually playing. I had asked a photographer to move as I made my approach shot (I was playing in a charity tournament), I took the shot from about 110 yards out and stuck it on the green. Unfortunately it was the wrong green. As I got closer I could see the green for my hole was tucked around a large hill and bunker combination. Oh well, thankfully it was a scramble and the next player on the team was able to attack the green we were supposed to play.
The Course
The course is well-maintained, with fast and true greens, and the fairways are in excellent condition. I would emphasize the fast part. I found myself being very thankful for putting uphill. A missed downhill shot may land you off the green.
Many golfers have praised the beauty of the course, with its rolling hills, mature trees, and picturesque water hazards. The signature hole, the par-3 12th, is particularly scenic, as it requires a shot over a pond to an elevated green. You'll definitely want a GPS or range finder when playing this course. I have my Pinned Golf rangefinder that came in super handy in evaluating those distances. I would highly recommend it if you have been thinking about a new rangefinder. It has a strong magnet on the side that will connect to the rail on the golf cart and stay put even on the bumpiest cart paths.
Challenges of the Course
The course at Southpointe Golf Club is not without its challenges. The course is known for being quite hilly, which can make it tiring to walk. Additionally, some golfers have noted that the course can be difficult to navigate, especially for first-time players like myself and the three other guys in my foursome.
Overall, if you're looking for a challenging yet enjoyable round of golf in the Pittsburgh area, Southpointe Golf Club is definitely worth considering. Now you just need an invite from a member to go and play.
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