Grand View Lodge (The Pines) – Review and Rating

The course is a typical forest course, with most of the holes isolated from each other by mature pine trees. This provides for a very quiet golfing experience, you can sometimes play several holes without ever seeing another golf group. If you play in late afternoon, you are more likely to encounter deer than other golfers.

The major challenges are (naturally) the pine trees themselves. Even though you think “I can hit between those trees, lots of space” they tend to be in the way more often than not. So straying too far off the fairway results in having to come out sideways, and lose a stroke.

On the Lakes track, there’s also plenty of water. Most notable are hole five, a short par 4 where you hit blindly over a sharp drop-off in the fairway, with the approach over a small lake in front of a green protected on all other sides by pine trees. You need to study the course guide carefully, as you will end up in the water on your tee shot unless you pick the right club.

The signature hole on the Lakes is number seven, a short par 3 at the far end of a fairy tale lake. The whole setup is nothing less than magical. I could have stayed all day at this hole, just taking in the environment and landscape. And if you are not careful, you will stay a bit extra, looking for your ball at waters edge, the green is not easy to find with your tee shot.

Finishing up the first nine is a par three with a very long but narrow green, perpendicular to your tee shot. If you end up at the wrong end of the green, this could easily be the longest putt you’ll face all season.

The Woods track is nice and peaceful with a few very nice holes. The culmination is the approach to the last hole, surrounded by water and situated just below the club house terrace. Your putting skills will be scrutinized.

The course is suitable to players of all handicaps, and would be a fine course for a golf vacation. In combination with the lodge and all the activities it offers, it is perfect for a family outing.