The Ledges (Tips)
7145 yards – 74.2 Rating – 133 Slope – 88 Score
Day 4; April 24th, 2017
I’ll preface all of this by saying that I decided to play from the tips at The Ledges, a first for me. At 7145, with a 74.2 rating (133 slope) from there, this was, on paper the most difficult round I had played. It turns out that when you go 220-240 off the tee (with a 3 wood) a 7145 yrd course can be a bit long. The reality is that I played many of the par 4’s “as par 5’s” because the greens were just a bit out of range for me, even when I put a couple of good strokes together.
That said, I really enjoyed The Ledges. The course was in fantastic condition and the only thing that really qualified as regrettable was that the toughest hole – a 600 yrd par 5 –was under construction and was playing as a 150 yrd par 3. In talking to the staff, they said this was because the hole was playing too tough “I’d see guys coming in with par, bogey, double bogey, bogey, par, *ten* … over and over again and we knew we had to simplify the hole for playability.” Seems legit.
Almost every review I read about the course said the back nine was breathtaking (check, and double check). What I found interesting was the number of reviews that found the front pedestrian (some even said boring). This did not reconcile with my experience at all. While the front is certainly a different experience, it still plays to some great golf. A bit more open and “links’y” the front still demands some well-placed balls off the tee. With mounds and waste areas surrounding the fairways I think there is plenty of cost for errant shots. I’ll admit that some of this impression may have been derived from playing all the way back for the first time, but that only goes so far. To me this entire course is worth playing.
I liked that the course plays around within the edges of the red rock canyons without getting gimmicky. There is one hole that is absolutely “target golf” I hit 7i (175yds) then GW (114yds) to get on the deck of the downhill hole. However, any angst that might be generated from that is – in my opinion – quickly overcome by the beauty of the hole itself. Everything else on the course plays as good solid golf.
Pace of play was snappy to say the least on a Monday morning. I finished my round in 2:51, and was played through by a guy hitting two balls (but taking zero pictures). I was second out, behind a single that started about 20 minutes before me, so I wouldn’t expect this pace regularly, but it’s good to know quick rounds are out there if you arrive at the right time.
The staff was simply exceptional. Friendly, engaging, and – to a one – legitimately interested in my trip, the courses I’ve been playing, etc. Even the grounds crew seemed to just be generally happy to be there. My wife had an issue with her cart on the first hole (I was walking ahead) and when I turned around Richard from the clubhouse was (literally) running down the fairway to help her out. I really enjoyed The Ledges and would go back again to play the course; however, more definitively, I WILL go back again because of the service.
