So, I finally got around to checking out Black Birch Golf Course the other day. Heard a few things, some good, some just, well, talk. Figured I’d see for myself. It’s always a bit of a gamble, trying a new spot, you know?
Getting there was easy enough, no crazy back roads or anything. Pulled in, and the parking lot was decently full, which I guess is a good sign on a weekday. The clubhouse, from the outside, looked alright. Nothing too fancy, but not falling apart either. Just a regular place, which is fine by me. I’m not there for the architecture, right?
Heading Out to the Course
Walked into the pro shop to get sorted. The guy behind the counter, he was busy. Seemed like he was doing three things at once. Got my tee time, paid up – price was reasonable, not cheap, not outrageous. He pointed me towards the starter, and that was that. Pretty straightforward. No fuss, which I appreciate. Sometimes these places can be a bit much with the welcome song and dance.
The starter was a friendly old chap. Gave me the lay of the land, told me to keep pace. Standard stuff. Then it was off to the first tee. I wasn’t expecting Augusta, but you always have that little bit of hope when you step up to the first hole at a new course.
The course itself? It was… a mixed bag. Let me break it down a bit:
- The Fairways: For the most part, they were okay. Some spots were a bit thin, you know? Like the grass was having a tough time. But generally, you could get a decent lie. I’ve played on worse, for sure.
- The Greens: These were a bit on the slower side for my liking. And a few of them had some old ball marks that hadn’t been fixed. Pet peeve of mine, that. But they rolled true enough, if you gave the putt a good whack.
- The Bunkers: Didn’t find myself in too many, thankfully. The couple I did land in, the sand was a bit compacted. Not that fluffy stuff you hope for, but playable. Had to really thump it to get out.
The layout was interesting in parts. Some holes really made you think about your shot, which I like. There was this one par 4 on the back nine, dogleg left, with water all down one side. That one got my attention. Managed to par it, surprisingly. Felt good, that did. Other holes were a bit more, shall we say, straightforward. Just grip it and rip it. Nothing wrong with that, keeps things moving.
Pace of play wasn’t too bad, actually. We had a foursome in front of us that was a little deliberate, but they weren’t holding things up massively. It’s always a bit of a lottery, isn’t it? You can get stuck behind folks who think they’re on tour, taking five practice swings for a two-foot putt. Didn’t have too much of that here, which was a relief.
The Little Things
One thing I did notice was the beverage cart. Saw it a couple of times, which is always good on a warm day. The person driving it was hustling, seemed to be covering a lot of ground. Good on them.
After the round, I didn’t stick around much. Just packed up the clubs and headed out. Didn’t grab a beer or anything, though the little patio area looked pleasant enough. Maybe next time, if I’m feeling sociable.
So, Black Birch. Yeah, it was an experience. It’s not going to be my absolute favorite course ever, but it wasn’t a disaster either. It’s one of those places that’s just… solid. Does the job. If you’re looking for a decent round without too many frills or breaking the bank, you could do a lot worse. I might go back, if I’m in the area and fancy a change. It’s always good to have options, right?
You play enough golf, you learn that every course has its own personality. Some are divas, some are workhorses. Black Birch felt like a workhorse. It’s there, it does its thing, and it doesn’t ask for much in return except for you to hit ’em straight. Or try to, anyway.
