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Ridgewood Lakes Golf & Country Club has had many accolades over its 8 year history and for good reason. The par 72, 7016 yard Ted McAnlis layout is sculptured from lush rolling land and features immaculate playing conditions year round. Water and natural wetlands come into play on 16 of our 18 holes and the resident breeze can significantly change the course from day to day. Yet despite the natural beauty and obvious pedigree of the layout, with four sets of tees the course is still enjoyable for golfers of all levels.
The course has so many different
characteristics and great holes that it’s hard to pick the best holes .That said
there is no doubt that the key to a good round at Ridgewood Lakes is to get off
to a good start since three of the toughest holes on the golf course are in the
first five you’ll play. The 1st looks tougher than it really is for at 361yards
it’s not a long hole but the hole doglegs left around the wetlands and is
protected right by large traps and a lake. This gives the player the visual
appearance of a very tight shot especially on the first swing of the day. A
three wood is a good play leaving you a wedge or 9 iron in to a receptive green.
The 2nd hole stretches 426 yards long with a large bunker down the right side
and a small pond just beyond it. The hole gets narrower as you get closer to the
green because another lake comes into play down the left side. The length of the
hole forces golfers to play aggressively smart off the tee. A medium-size green
that is open in the front allows for run-up shots, but putting becomes another
large task because of the heavy undulation in the putting surface. This hole
ranks as the No. 1 handicap. The 3rd hole at 384 yards offers the best early chance at birdie for while the tee shot is over water and a series of bunkers guard the right had side there is plenty of room left and although the green is guarded front left and right with traps there is a large opening and plenty of green to aim at. The fourth hole, a par-5 extending 525 yards, presents one of the most demanding tee shots on the course. Two large sand bunkers come into play down the left side of the fairway and water looms to the right. The fairway slopes a bit to the right so any shot that hugs the right side of the fairway could end up in the water. A solid tee shot, especially by long hitters, will make this No. 5 handicap hole easier. A small creek runs in the front of the green so if you are not sure you can get home in two a lay-up shot must be done with care. Making a par on the 412-yard 5th, will likely win you the hole against your playing partners, it’s one of the very best on the course. Some players may be able to tee off with a three-wood or long iron here for safety reasons as there is jungle down the entire right hand side of the fairway and a sandy-waste area comes into play about 275 yards from the tee box. The approach shot on this No. 3-handicap hole is likely the most difficult to judge on the course. The green is raised some 20 feet above the fairway and the putting surface slopes severely from the back to the front. Most players will come up short here and being short of this green will only make getting the ball up and down for par even tougher. The 6th is a picturesque par three which plays shorter than it’s 185 yardage as it’s played from a tee elevated some 25 feet above the green. Although over water for two thirds of the way it really shouldn’t come into play. The two bunkers left and right might although the green is an invitingly large target. It slopes quite steeply from right to left so be sure to allow for than on landing! The 7th hole is a long par 5, 559 yards with a tee shot over water which opens up to a wide fairway. The fairway narrows a lot near the green though and the player must make a decision as to whether to lay up for position or have a crack at getting close to the green. The 8th is another great par 3 of 171 yards, wetlands guard the right and a deep bunker guards the left. The 9th is a magnificent finish to the front nine. Bunkers line the entire right side of the hole for almost its’ entire 403 yard length and a canal lurks beyond them. To the left the wetlands guard the entire journey although the landing area is generous. The back nine starts with a hole where position is the key. A 372 yard par 4, dogleg left around a lake with the right hand side lined with bunkers. Looking back from this green at the white puff ball clouds and natural vegetation you would swear you were on a Caribbean island. 11 at 580 yards is a classic risk reward par five and the longest hole on the course You can play it safe and take the easy par up the left or keep your tee shot close to the lake on the right to narrow your distance for a second shot that’s all carry over the lake. While the chance of birdie is enticing many a good round has come to a watery grave on this hole. For those who are not so adventurous there is of course the option to go left with that side of the fairway nicely defined by a series of mounds. The par 3, 12th at 212 plays every inch of its yardage much of which is over water. The 13th a 444 yard par 4 is perhaps the best hole on the back nine it’s certainly the prettiest, a tee shot over water to a fairway framed by mature trees. The second is partially over a lake to a green guarded by traps at the front. A good drive here will still leave you with along iron second shot and par is always a fine score. The 14th offers a real birdie chance with a fairway that opens up past the small lake guarding only the short and erratic. The 16th is another excellent par 4 that plays 435 yards and
doglegs right through large trees. It demands an accurate tee shot threaded
through the trees and the large bunker that guards the right side of the
fairway. After a good tee shot the hard work has been done and the hole opens up
in reward. For further information and discount coupons, visit
www.ridgewoodlakesgolf.com |
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Send mail to al@stair.me.uk with
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The
gold tees stretch to 7,016 yards
and play to a slope rating of 140, one of the highest in the
area. The blue tees play 6,547 yards with a
slope rating of 131. The white tees extend 6,031 yards with a slope of 119 while
the reds rate as a 64.5 with a slope of 114.