In my previous post, I talked about the house we stayed in on our golf trip. This post is about the first course we played, Rum Pointe Seaside Golf Links in Berlin, MD. One of the keys when picking our house was location to the courses we would be playing and Rum Pointe was no exception. The course was about 22 miles from our house.
Travel to the Course
With 10 players playing in the event, travel usually requires 3 cars with all of our golf bags. When we travel to the courses, it requires we have 3 designated drivers. This year, two of the guys decided to surprise the rest of the group by renting a limousine to take us to and from Rum Pointe since it was the furthest away. It was a blast and saved me from being a DD (thanks JA & MA).
(The 18 passenger limo was big enough for 10 passengers and 10 golf bags.)
Rum Pointe Seaside Golf Links: The Course
From the moment we arrived this looked like a special course. As we stepped out of the car a view of the golf course and Sinepuxent Bay was right there. I could see how on a windy day this course would be extremely challenging. We were fortunate enough to have minimal wind and 100% sunshine.
(View of the clubhouse from the 9th tee, a 381 yard par 4 with water along the left side)
To make the course manageable for everyone, we decided to play the white tees at 6,004 yards. This decision was based mostly on taking a limo to the course and everyone had already been drinking. With a rating and slope of 68/113, the course was fair enough for the guys who don't play regularly and force the guys who do to make good club decisions off the tee box.
The course is fairly wide open with the exception of the 10th, 11th, and 12th holes. These are the only holes on the course where the woods comes into play. It's slightly more narrow but a good tee shot is rewarded by a short approach.
(The 12th hole is a short narrow par 4 with woods on either side and a bunker down the center.)
The primary source of trouble is water which comes into play on 12 of the 18 holes. Although there is usually no forced carry off the tee, hitters are rewarded if they choose to carry the water with a shorter approach shot to the green. The 9th & 18th holes are perfect examples of this.
The 9th hole is a 381 yard par 4 with water along the left side (see picture above). Hit it over the water along the left side and your rewards is a wedge into the green. You can bail out to the right and have a more challenging approach. The 18th is a mirror image of the 9th with water along the right side and playing 386 yards. Again, if you carry the water you had a wedge in but bailing out left is an option too.
The Par 3's
Although the par 3's were nothing spectacular, the 5th hole presents a challenge. The short 127 yard (from the white tees) leaves almost no room for bailing out off the tee. The left side is guarded by water right up to the fringe and the right side offer a few rolling mounds. The remaining par 3's (holes 2, 14, and 17) reward you for a good shot at the green.
(Tee shot on the 8th hole must carry part of Sinepuxent Bay)
Overall
I think this is an excellent course which is both fair and challenging. If you enjoy scenic courses, you'll be very happy with the design right on the coast. The one negative was the pace of play. On one hole we were backed up by 3 groups and this was on a Thursday. I can't imagine what it would be like on a Saturday.
Location: Berlin, MD
Cost: Included in golf trip but would have been $65 after 1pm. Carts have GPS which is very helpful
Rating/Slope: 68/113 (white tees)
Proshop: Yes, they have everything you need.
Range: Yes and practice green
My Score: 80 (36-44)
Play Again: Yes, I would like to play here again
Website: Rum Pointe Seaside Golf Links
My favorite golf courses are beach courses.
Posted by: Myrtle Beach Golf | 01/15/2011 at 06:13 PM