Not to be confused with a Par 3 course, an executive golf course—a playing option growing in popularity—is the same as a regular course, only a bit shorter, often including a mix of Par 3s, 4s and 5s. The Last Word on Sports published its choices for the country’s best executive courses, including both 9- and 18-hole properties.
For those who don’t have the option (or desire) to spend the amount of time needed for a round of golf on a traditional layout, The Last Word on Sports (LWOS) published its choices for the country’s best executive courses—a playing option growing in popularity.
An executive golf course is the same as a regular course, only a bit shorter, LWOS reported. Instead of a par 72 that stretches out to 7,000 yards, an executive golf course might be a par 65 and only be 5,400 yards long. Golfers still get to play a mix of par 3s, par 4s, and par 5s, but the amount of each will be different from a normal course.
While some confuse “executive” with Par 3 courses, there’s a simple difference—a Par 3 golf course is all Par 3s, LWOS reported. An executive golf course has a mix of pars, but the majority will be par 3s. For the avid golfer, it better simulates the experience of playing on a classic, full-length course.
As for some of the “best executive golf courses,” according to LWOS, let’s start with St. Mark Executive Course in in San Marcos, Calif. St. Mark is an 18-hole, par-58 that measures 2,700 yards. It’s open to the public and was built in 1980 by architect David Rainville.
The Winding Hills Golf Club in Montgomery, N.Y. features an 18-hole executive golf course that measures 2,595 yards and plays to a par 57. The designer, Steve Esposito, modeled the layout after Geoffrey Cornish’s Blue Rock Course on Cape Cod.
Sugar Mountain Golf Club, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Sugar Mountain, N.C., is a par-64 that includes 9 par 3s, 8 par 4s, and one par 5. It sits at 4,000 feet elevation, so you might get a little extra distance with your clubs. The course opened in 1974 and was designed by Frank Duane, who spent two decades working with Robert Trent Jones.
Oasis Country Club in Palm Desert, Calif. features a par-60 executive golf course that measures 3,489 yards. It was designed by David Rainville and was built in 1985.
Canyon Mesa Country Club is a 9-hole executive course located in Sedona, Ariz. The majority of the holes are par 3s, but LWOS said narrowness of the fairways require accuracy and the greens are quite tricky.
Maple Leaf Golf & Country Club in Port Charlotte, Fla. is a par-62 executive golf course measuring 3,871 yards. The layout includes 10 par 3s and 8 par 4s, LWOS reported. In 2018, they resurfaced the course using new versions of Bermuda turf.
Audubon Park Golf Course in New Orleans, La. is an 18-hole, par-62 course that measures 4,220 yards. It was built in 2002 by architect Denis Griffiths. What they say about real estate can be true for golf courses as well; location, location, location, LWOS reported. This course is just minutes from downtown New Orleans.
Mountain Course at Incline Village (Nev.) offers 18-holes that play to a par 58. This course is the highest elevation place you can play golf in the state of Nevada and the Tahoe basin, LWOS reported. The course consists of 14 par 3s and 4 par 4s.
Portland (Conn.) Golf Course West is a par-60 executive golf course that includes 12 par 3s and 6 par 4s. It was built in 1985 and designed by Al Zikorus. A unique feature … there are no homes on the course, LWOS reported. Portland West happens to be a sanctuary for waterfowl, deer, foxes, and other woodland creatures.
The Eagle Crest Resort is located in Redmond, Ore. and offers three different courses, LWOS reported. The Ride and Resort courses are full-length, but the Challenge Course is a par-63 executive option that measures 4,160 yards.
The Huron Shores Golf Course in Port Sanilac, Mich. is the longest and oldest course on the LWOS list. This par 70 track has a total yardage 5,428 and is a bit of a hybrid between a typical executive golf course and a full-length option. It was built in 1925 by architect Jeff Gorney.
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.