Grandview?

[brando]

I've got some passes to play Grandview Golf Club in Gravenhurst and was wondering if anyone has played it. I'd like to hear some feedback on the track if anyone has played it.
This is my favorite forum on this site. I love to play different courses, and you guys really make it easy to know which places to play and which ones to skip.

[sobaka]

If you have time, play Deerhurst Highlands. Twilight rate is good especially if there aren't any groups ahead of you.A 3.5 hr round is within a possibility.Secondly, on a less grandiose scale Huntsville Downs,just 20 minutes away is a good track. The front is so-so,the back is very solid.
PS..... wear light colour clothing!!!!!

[reincarnated]

It is the worst of CL's Muskoka Trail courses, but still an awesome track.

Too many blind shots would be the main knock I have on it. It is key that you play the right tees too. It plays a lot more difficult from the back tees.

[Leftygolfer30]

I'm playing there on Tuesday. I'll let you know after I finish...

[Grass Roots Tour]

If you have time, play Deerhurst Highlands. Twilight rate is good especially if there aren't any groups ahead of you.A 3.5 hr round is within a possibility.Secondly, on a less grandiose scale Huntsville Downs,just 20 minutes away is a good track. The front is so-so,the back is very solid.
PS..... wear light colour clothing!!!!!


Totally agree with these statements.

It is the worst of CL's Muskoka Trail courses, but still an awesome track.

Too many blind shots would be the main knock I have on it. It is key that you play the right tees too. It plays a lot more difficult from the back tees.


I've not played many of the CL trail but the blind shots ruin this awesome course. Especially #18. The Muskoka tracks play a lot longer than the ones here because you get no roll off the tees. Don't get too over zealous thinking 7200 plays like it does here. You'll enjoy it a lot more if you play within your means.

[RobertThompson]

The shot on the 18th at Grandview isn't blind? The tee shot is a long forced carry, the second is up the hill and the final is into a green perched at the top of the hill. What is blind there?

I've only played Grandview once on the media day prior to opening, but it struck me as a fine, but not exceptional, course. That said, I never understand why people complain about a so-called "blind" shot. There is no shot at Grandview where one is uncertain of where to hit the ball -- you may not be able to see the landing area, but the shot is clear.

[Caddy27]

I played there just a few weeks ago. It is a solid course with some really good holes, just nothing exceptional. The opening tee shot is a forced carry over a small river - could be intimidating but is not difficult. The course isn't overly memorable but I enjoyed it and it was in great shape. As for Blindshots I didn't really have a problem as the course guide you are provided with is very good and for the most part you know where you need to hit it. There was not one hole I can remember where you were hitting to a flag you couldn't see and I don't think any of the tee shots required a leap of faith.

[Grass Roots Tour]

The shot on the 18th at Grandview isn't blind? The tee shot is a long forced carry, the second is up the hill and the final is into a green perched at the top of the hill. What is blind there?

I've only played Grandview once on the media day prior to opening, but it struck me as a fine, but not exceptional, course. That said, I never understand why people complain about a so-called "blind" shot. There is no shot at Grandview where one is uncertain of where to hit the ball -- you may not be able to see the landing area, but the shot is clear.


Not being able to see the landing area IS a blind shot, by definition.

The 2nd (or third if you're dead short) shot on #18 is blind becuase you've got NO CHANCE of seeing the lading area.
If you are dead short (or hit a terrible tee ball) then the third shot is blind from 100 yards away.
If you can't see the landing area from 100 yards away that is poor design. IMHO

I find it hard to believe that you wouldn't see it that way. But, this is another example of why I never read golf course reviews unless I know the person well.

There was not one hole I can remember where you were hitting to a flag you couldn't see

One of my playing partners hit an extremely poor tee ball on #18. He layed up with a good 5 wood to 100 yards. We all stood there (after he pointed it out) and had no idea where that giant flag was or any part of the green.

Now, from 100 yards away .... please, thats just wrong.

Obviously, no one in your group hit it there.

[Caddy27]

My Apologies - I forgot about 18. I was middle right by the bunker and could see the flag. From the left side I can see how you might not see the flag and I agree that shouldn't happen from 100yds.

[RobertThompson]

Grass Roots -- I'm guessing you haven't ventured far from North America, where a real blind shot is aiming at a stick, firing over a hill.

I've only played the course once, but it struck me that it was pretty clear where one was supposed to hit their approach to on the final hole. I could be wrong, however, and will have to go back.

I didn't say I thought Grandview was a stunningly well designed course, by the way. You've inferred that, I didn't write it.

However, the desire on the part of most golfers to see their shot land is unnatural and costly. It requires a lot of land to be moved to create the ability to see each shot land. Frankly, many of the greatest holes in the world are blind (the par three Redan at Berwick, the Alps at Prestwick. In a North American context, holes like the 8th at Scarboro is a great hole, but blind off the tee).

I don't have any issue with a blind hole -- but I can understand why pampered golfers who like unnaturally shaped courses would want it. I think if a course is well marked, the shot is clear whether it is blind or not.

If you have no idea where to hit your shot -- then that is probably a bad design. But I've rarely see that -- and I don't recall it being the case on Grandview's final hole.

Now if you'd complained about the forced carry from the tee, then I'd be with you. Far too hard for the average golfer.


Not being able to see the landing area IS a blind shot, by definition.

The 2nd (or third if you're dead short) shot on #18 is blind becuase you've got NO CHANCE of seeing the lading area.
If you are dead short (or hit a terrible tee ball) then the third shot is blind from 100 yards away.
If you can't see the landing area from 100 yards away that is poor design. IMHO

I find it hard to believe that you wouldn't see it that way. But, this is another example of why I never read golf course reviews unless I know the person well.



One of my playing partners hit an extremely poor tee ball on #18. He layed up with a good 5 wood to 100 yards. We all stood there (after he pointed it out) and had no idea where that giant flag was or any part of the green.

Now, from 100 yards away .... please, thats just wrong.

Obviously, no one in your group hit it there.

[Grass Roots Tour]

You're right RT, I havent golfed anywhere off this continent and by the sounds of it, I don't want to.

The forced carry is a non-issue. If someone can't make the carry then you picked the wrong tees to play.

I play shots to places so that I CAN see where to land my next shot. The final hole at Doon Valley comes to mind, although it's not a great example or a great course.
#18 is a par 5 with a valley before the green. If you can't reach the green in two (which is tough because you've got huge trees to carry and bend it around) then I keep the ball back before the valley leaving a longer approach. This helps in two ways ... the 2nd shot is way easier with a short iron and now I can see the full surface of the green making that shot easier.

[Frank101]

well just got back from playing Grandview today and I have to say I agree with Mr. Thompson.

I had absolutley no issues with the blind shots, although, I know alot who do, but I am one of those who has no issues with blind shots to begin with. Like Robert has said, blind shots are pretty standard outside North America and is probably more a part of the game than landing areas that are clearly visible. Most of them at Grandview were off the tee and I can't remember a hole where there wasn't lots of room to hit the ball in terms of distance and landing area size. If you played to the correct areas you would have a view of the green every time (except for two holes and even then you knew where to hit it, they were just elevated greens). Overall, the look of Grandview is awesome, I think its very visually appealing and dramatic. Although I think Rocky Crest is the better design, I prefered playing Grandview.

That said, it is definitely a course you need to play more than once.

Also, the 18th is not blind in any way, the entire hole is visible from the tee so I'm not sure how it's a blind shot (unless you mean the green being elevated, but then whats wrong with that?)

[RobertThompson]

You're right RT, I havent golfed anywhere off this continent and by the sounds of it, I don't want to.

The forced carry is a non-issue. If someone can't make the carry then you picked the wrong tees to play.



Oh, Grassroots, your first comment makes me sad and makes you sound very pedestrian. I doubt you'd turn down a shot at the Old Course, County Down, Dornoch, Muirfield, Portrush or the like, but all of them have blind shots. I can't tell you how many times I've played a hole in the UK, tried to figure out where to hit the ball, looked for the stripe post and hit it at it.

By moving tons of earth to make sure you can see each hole, costs rise. If North Americans were a touch more willing to bend on this, costs would fall.

On your second issue, for some, any forced carry is an issue. I actually like courses with very few or no forced carries -- often links. Nothing wrong with rolling the rock.

[Desi2007]

I played grandview couple of times a while back. I thought the couse was pretty nice. There are bunch of holes where you gotta carry the ball 180+ yards with your tee shot over rocks/trees/water. I thought it was nice use of the natural lay of the land to incorporate in the design of the golf course.

[reincarnated]

Rather play Grandview over Rocky Crest? You are certifiably insane (or work for Grandview).

Neil

[golf101]

Rather play Grandview over Rocky Crest? You are certifiably insane (or work for Grandview).

Neil

I liked Rockycrest myself. Never played Grandview but these days so many courses are overratted too me. Specially for the money. I don't think any golf course is worth more then $150 all in but I am cheap and used to caddy in CPGA events so its all golf to me at some point.

Blind shots here and there are okay but when you pay $200 bucks adn willprobably play the course once a year at best, blind shots are the pitts.

I think Lake Joseph is ne of the more over rated courses out there. Played it 3 times and didn'tlike it much even when I played well. IMHO. Woth about 2 adn a half cents or so.

Oh, Grassroots, your first comment makes me sad and makes you sound very pedestrian. I doubt you'd turn down a shot at the Old Course, County Down, Dornoch, Muirfield, Portrush or the like, but all of them have blind shots. I can't tell you how many times I've played a hole in the UK, tried to figure out where to hit the ball, looked for the stripe post and hit it at it.

By moving tons of earth to make sure you can see each hole, costs rise. If North Americans were a touch more willing to bend on this, costs would fall.

On your second issue, for some, any forced carry is an issue. I actually like courses with very few or no forced carries -- often links. Nothing wrong with rolling the rock.

Some blind shots are different then others that for sure. Big hilly blind shots aren't my cup of tea. The blind shots you speak of on th eold course etc.. are a little differnt then some of the ones you see up north. Alot different with nothing but forest surrounding you. Not the same. IMHO and I have travelled a bit and caddied a bit too. Still consider myself somewhat pedestrian but my ego is far smaller then it used to be after doing alot of travelling. how about you Robert?

[Frank101]

Rather play Grandview over Rocky Crest? You are certifiably insane (or work for Grandview).

Neil
I never said I'd rather play Grandview over Rocky Crest I just said I preferred playing Grandview over Rocky Crest. If had to choose between the two it would be a toss up, and never would I stick to only playing Grandview as I think Rocky is amazing. This time however, playing them back to back on those particular two days, I preferred Grandview. I find it much more dramatic thats all and it's a nice change in pace.

[Leftygolfer30]

Well, I just got back from my excursion up north and we played Lake Joseph on Monday and Grandview today. Overall, I preferred Lake Joseph over Grandview. I have played Rocky Creat a few times in the past couple of years and would put it in the middle of the two as far as my personal preference.

Keeping with the topic at hand, I would say that my biggest problem with Grandview is not so much the "blind" shots but the more the punishment placed on good shots. More times than I could count, both my partner and I were punished with bad lies on good, well struck shots. We would hit good shots to the indicated landing areas (according to the yardage book) only to come up to our ball and be faced with nothing close to a flat lie. I completely understand and agree with receiving a less than ideal lie when you're not in the fairway but when you hit a great tee shot and end up with a sidehill and/or downhill lie to an elevated green, it really gets frustrating after awhile...

I would play Lake Joe again but am unlikely to ever set foot on Grandview again.

If I am that far north to golf, my first choice would be Taboo!

[Frank101]

hey leftygolfer30,
everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I would just like to note that what you said about uphill/sidehill lies is exactly what golf is about. These are the kind of things that are considered good on golf courses across the pond where golf originated. Personally, I don't see how having rolling fairways is a bad thing (I can, but not at grandview) and I also didn't feel there were many of these instances.

I'm in the same boat tho. I personally enjoy Lake Joe quite a bit. Hec I like all the clubs up there!

[ktrainor73]

I've played Grandview already this season and it's fantastic. For whatever reason (some mentioned above) it has a bad rap for "blind shots" but that's ricidulous! (if you want to see every shot land, bounce & roll go to Hornby)
It's always in great shape and the clubhouse is simply fantastic - one of my favs!
Enjoy your passes Brando and let me know if any are for sale.

[bundy316]

Hey at least the course hasn't closed to be tweaked?

The Rock anyone???

or has it to do with no rounds being played...

[RobertThompson]

I liked Rockycrest myself. Never played Grandview but these days so many courses are overratted too me. Specially for the money. I don't think any golf course is worth more then $150 all in but I am cheap and used to caddy in CPGA events so its all golf to me at some point.

Blind shots here and there are okay but when you pay $200 bucks adn willprobably play the course once a year at best, blind shots are the pitts.

I think Lake Joseph is ne of the more over rated courses out there. Played it 3 times and didn'tlike it much even when I played well. IMHO. Woth about 2 adn a half cents or so.



Some blind shots are different then others that for sure. Big hilly blind shots aren't my cup of tea. The blind shots you speak of on th eold course etc.. are a little differnt then some of the ones you see up north. Alot different with nothing but forest surrounding you. Not the same. IMHO and I have travelled a bit and caddied a bit too. Still consider myself somewhat pedestrian but my ego is far smaller then it used to be after doing alot of travelling. how about you Robert?

Oh, my ego is massive, as anyone who knows me is aware.:hush:

In my mind a blind shot is a blind shot. I always find it intriguing that one is okay with blind shots in the UK, but many have a problem with them in a North American context. No worries either way -- don't play Grandview ever. It won't bother me any. But if you insist on only playing courses without blind shots, you'll miss some of the best in the country, the continent and the world.