Do you like hills and blind shots? If so, Pehquenakonck Country Club is the course for you. With the exception of 6th hole, every hole has either a blind shot or an elevation change.
(Sign at the entrance to Pehquenakonck Country Club)
Pehquenakonck Country Club: The Course
Is it possible for this small 9-hole course in North Salem, NY to have the most difficult par 3 in the world? Anything is possible but having played the 14th hole at Mohagany Run in St. Thomas (USVI), it's not.
The 4th hole at here is one of the more challenging par 3's I have faced on the public circuit, especially if you have never played it before. Consider this your warning.
(View from the tee box: The 4th hole is a 115 yard par 3 uphill)
As you can see above, anything short and you hit the face of a mountain. Yes, that is an active street in front of the mountain. There is no warning sign to cars that you may be teeing off, it's pretty wild! The pin placement here was in the front of the green. The back of the green has some serious undulation and swells to it. A miss to the right and your ball rolls down the steep hill. Long or left and you're in the woods. As if that's not enough, there is a bunker protecting the green too.
(The 4th hole green to tee. Notice how narrow the entrance is and how close the the front the pin was)
If you can make par on this hole, you can hold your head high.
Playing Tips for Pehquenakonck
- 1st Hole: Hit your tee shot about 130 yards, watch for the large oak tree guarding the green.
- 2nd Hole: Your approach shot is downhill, plan accordingly.
- 4th Hole: See above. I wish I could offer some advice.
- 5th hole: What goes up, must come down. The 5th hole is the opposite of #4
- 8th hole: Has one of the smallest greens I've seen... ever. Land your ball short and roll it on.
(The 9th green an clubhouse)
What Wam Thinks
I didn't enjoy this course. The conditions were not that great and it's a very short course (playing only 2,197). The greens were in excellent shape which was a nice reward once you reached there. Some of the greens even offered a fun challenge.
The course is hilly and if you have never played here before the blind shots could be frustrating. Guaging your club selection with all the elevation changes added to the frustration. Seldom was the chance to hit a pure shot. If you don't mind the hills or undulation, then you would be ok here.
Location: North Salem, NY
Cost: $17 to walk
Rating/Slope:
Proshop: I didn't see anything golf related but they do have beverages
Range: No
My Score: 44 (9 holes)
Play Again: I don't recommend it.
Website: Pehquenakonck Country Club
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