Quick Look - Hillcrest Golf Center
Interesting 18-hole course, driving range, and mini-golf facility in Washington.
Note: Course Reviews are in no particular order, but mainly reflect the courses I am playing with my 11-year old son and resident junior golfer.
Hillcrest Golf Center is just off Washington Road (Business Route 24) and roughly across from Uftring Chevrolet in Washington. It offers a driving range, miniature golf, and 18 holes. The front nine features five Par 4 holes right around 300 yards each, and four Par 3 holes ranging from around 120 yards to 190 yards. The back nine features all Par 3 holes ranging from around 100 yards to 170 yards.
The driving range offers roughly 20 mat-based hitting bays, along with grass hitting areas at both ends. Large signs out on the range mark various distances, and there are a number of targets set up within the first 100 yards or so. Range balls are fairly new and in good condition.
There is a miniature golf course set up between the clubhouse and Washington Road.
About three years ago, this was the first golf course my son played, and we returned to play the front nine Wednesday evening. It is just as we remembered — no frills, but kept in good condition, with greens that can be more challenging than one would expect. More on that later.
The holes are all straightforward designs and generous off the tee, with the exception of the 4th hole, which requires a tee shot over a small ravine and through a gap in a stand of trees. On this particular hole, there are three sets of tees, the most rearward of which makes the tee shot a little more challenging, and the most forward of which makes the tee shot much easier. Most of the other holes have one tee location, which works fine.
Unless I am mistaken, none of the greens are bunkered, which eliminates a maintenance and expense hassle. Nonetheless, as alluded to above, the challenging nature of some of the greens makes up for the lack of bunkers. For example, roughly six of the nine greens on the front nine either have a pretty good slope, resulting in challenging breaks to anticipate; or, the green falls away on one or more of the sides, requiring a well-placed shot/pitch/chip, or putt of the correct pace, to avoid watching your ball roll completely off the green.
On the second hole, my son had two chip shots in a row roll back to him as he stood about three feet off the green, on the back side, because he had not hit the ball quite hard enough to get up and over the rearward slope of the green to the more level spot containing the cup.
The greens are also fast compared to similar courses (Kellogg Exec 9, Fon du Lac, etc.). None of these factors should be considered a negative, as it provides an introduction to green features and speeds that are more common on tougher courses.
The greens on the exclusively-Par 3 holes of the back nine are generally easier, but with a few that have slopes and/or tiers to provide a challenge. If you are just starting out, or have a youngster who is just starting out, the back nine is perfect.
Drinks and snacks are available in the clubhouse, along with tees and balls. Golf carts, pull carts, and rental clubs are also available. Staff are always friendly!
Although neither of us played very well on that damp and chilly evening, we enjoyed the course just as much as we did a few years ago, and will be back to see if we can redeem ourselves.
Hillcrest Golf Center is recommended for all new golfers, as well as anyone looking for range time and/or a quick nine (front) or a short nine (back).