Deerfield (Blues)
6323 yards – 71.1 Rating – 136 Slope – 88 Score
Day 25; May 15th, 2017
If I had to describe Deerfield in a word, I would say “green, lush, and blind.” I really couldn’t decide between these options, so I’d have to let you choose. I don’t know if I’ve ever had this many blind shots in a round before (Potomac Shores in Virginia might be the closest thing). Between the thick trees, doglegs, and mid-hole elevation changes, it seemed like half my tee shots were taken without having seen the green.
That said, this is a lovely course. Dense vegetation lines most holes and the constant roll of the land keeps your vision largely confined to your own hole (frequently, only half of it at a time) which often left me feeling like I had the course to myself (never a bad thing).
The 6323 yard distance didn’t give me much pause, but when I looked at the 136 slope I had to wonder where the challenge was. For me it lies primarily in elevation and direction change. The course features a large number of uphill tee shots (or approaches) so it simply plays longer than the 6300+ yards. There are downhills, of course (what goes up must come down); however, in many cases they are the front end of a dogleg so you can only make up so much distance.
I’d go so far as to say the course is lightly bunkered (especially in the fairways), but that is just fine due to the large amount of forested area. Where traps are needed they are present; for example on the elbow of #17 – one of the few holes that isn’t tree lined – ensuring that there is no free pass should you try to cut the corner and miss-hit your drive.
The track was in terrific condition with all of the playing surfaces rich in both color and texture. This was especially impressive given how early in the year as I played. The colors of the trees were quite pretty in the relatively early spring, I can’t imagine how beautiful this course gets in the fall.
The first hole serves as a proper introduction to the course. It’s a dog leg left par 5 with 360+ yards to the corner. From there, the hole takes significant downhill tack to the green (a surface you will likely not lay eyes on until your third shot). You can cut a little off corner (especially if you are on the right hand side of the fairway); however, because of how dense the vegetation is on the left hand side you should know that if you miss that way, you are going to your bag for another ball.
My favorite hole was probably number 10; it’s a strong dogleg left from an elevated tee box. Any notions of trying to cut over the trees is tempered by a pond that sits just beyond the elbow and runs along the left hand side of the fairway. So, only the biggest of hitters (read: not me) should try to shave anything off here. That said, a good shot to the center of the fairway will leave you 260-270 to the green. This is a par 5, so that may not seem like a big deal, but the fairway gets very narrow as you pass the pond. As if that were not enough, you are then firing into a postage stamp of a green. No matter how you play this hole there is risk involved. But there is no denying it is a fun hole to play.
While Deerfield is not for the faint of heart, it is not indomitable either. I was not at my best and shot an 88 from the back tees. However, I never sniffed a birdie and, to do any real scoring, I think you would absolutely have to have your “A” game going. Interesting/fun sidenote, I met a guy in the clubhouse (as I was leaving he was getting ready to play) and he sent me a note later on with a pic of his first ever hole-in-one from later that day.
That brings us to the make or break standard for me regarding new courses… the par three’s. Deerfield did not disappoint here. With distances ranging from 158 to 225(!!) yards, elevation changes, and generally different looks… they certainly provided the requisite variety of challenge.
The staff and groundskeepers were terrific, as were the players I met at Deerfield. Between all of this and a pretty brisk pace of play considering the various challenges the course holds, I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t want to play this course.