Course 144: Southampton CC

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Southampton CC is the kind of course that many people might picture in their mind when asked to imagine New England golf - Tree-lined with and rolling hills in a quiet setting.

The aspects that will strike a chord with visitors to SCC are the massive greens and the peaceful setting. Fighter jets crack the silence as they hum overhead, but otherwise the course meanders through lovely, quiet land.

The undulating greens are easy to hit because they are so big, but that can lead to tough 2-putts across tiers and slopes.

At 6,500 yards from the tips, players will hit a variety of clubs into greens from wedges to long irons.

Accuracy is of paramount importance at Southampton CC. Trees choke off many angles and opportunities for clear views of the green. Because many holes are relatively straight, players can use a driver on plenty of tee shots. A few doglegs might force a player to lay back more strategically.

The routing was a distraction. Long walks between a few holes and poor signage made it tough to find the right tee boxes.

The par 3s as a set are solid and provide a variety of challenge.

The standout holes were the 2nd, 3rd, and 16th.

The second hole completes a long descent from the first tee box. The 200-yard par 3 is way downhill to a large green protected by a stream.

The third is a straight par 4, but at 430 yards, two good shots are required. The green slopes hard from back to front and right to left.

The 16th is another behemoth at 420 yards. It runs across the most extreme land and is one of the few holes that play downhill and back up to the green. It's tough to find an even lie for the long uphill second shot.

Overall, SCC is a simple, straightforward course. You pay cash at the bar. You head to the first tee and golf your ball along cool land, between trees, and onto big greens. It's a good challenge.

Is it worth a long drive?

I don't think so. But it's a good value if you're in the area or live close. Just make sure you bring cash to pay your greens fee.

Additional Thoughts:

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