If I'm wearing pants, two shirts, and a wind shirt, it's too cold for golf. However, when you're invited to play a club like Whitemarsh you bundle up and hope the sun comes out. I have played this course a couple of times in the past and it gives me all I can handle each time.
We played from the White Tees which play 6,494 yards and a rating/slope of 71.6/134. With gray skies and a howling wind that didn't let up, I knew this was going to be a challenging round.
Whitemarsh Valley Country Club, The Course
(A view of the clubhouse from the 1st fairway)
One of the longer courses from the white tees, Whitemarsh Valley lives up to the "valley" part of it's name. Although the elevation changes make for some amazing views of the course (and valley), it creates one of the more challenging courses you'll play.
One of the more distinct features of this course is bunker placement. The bunkers on 18 and 11 come to mind as some of the most well placed and challenging bunkers you'll face. The bunkers are very well groomed but very deep. It wasn't uncommon for me to just have my head above the lip of the bunker (I'm over 6 feet tall) and in some cases my playing partners didn't see me.
(A view from the par 3 9th which gives a good look at the valley in the distance on & 10th hole)
Is it Possible to Shoot Well Here?
This applies any time your playing a course you're not familiar with and playing someone who is, take their advice. The guy we played with plays there often and could help out with the break in the greens and distance to carry the bunkers. The back 9 are a little easier to manage offering a par 5 very reachable in two and a couple of the easier par 4's. Take advantage because the 18th hole (ranked as the #4 handicap (I truly believe this is either the #1 or #2 handicap, especially if you play from the tips) has the ability to leave you with a bad taste in your mouth... fortunately you can wash it out with beer on the 9th.
(Walking up the 18th Fairway)
What Else?
One hole to note is the 9th hole. A 235 yard par 3 with a water hazard carry and OB long and right. We were fortunate enough to have the wind at our backs and a 4 iron got me just short of the green.
The greens were big for the most part and had good speed to them. I didn't think they were too fast but if you got above the hole it could make for a real challenge. The member we played with also told me they were removing some trees and growing out the rough. This will create some more punishment for missing the fairway.
Holes 7 and 8 are across the street. These two holes are long and have OB right. If you can escape them with pars you've done better than most. The 6th hole is short but narrow and has OB right as well.
Overall
This is a real treat to play. We were a bit unlucky with the conditions and by going out in the afternoon had no one else around us... they were too smart to play with weather like that. The course offers some outstanding views and great risk/reward opportunities. I would never turn down a chance to play here but if possible, you want to be in your best form or it could be a long day.
Overall
This was a real treat to play and I'd liked to thank JS for taking me out. Everyone who has played here raves about it and I can see why. It's a challenging course but very fair. Playing with members also helps as they know the ins and outs of the course.
Location: Lafayette Hill, PA
Cost: Private club but I paid $95 to walk with a member.
Slope/Rating: 71.6/134
Proshop: Yes has everything you would need.
Range: I didn't discuss this but it's a full practice facility just a short cart ride away.
My Score: 104 (I think the last time I shot over 100 was 5 years ago)
Play Again: I would play this course any time I am invited.
Website: www.whitemarshvalleycc.com
Notes: There is a men's only locker room and lounge which is really cool. The old wood and history on the walls is fun to see. The club was established in 1908 so it's been around for a long time and has a good mix of old and young members.
Thanks again to the member who invited me!
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