golf

The Moat Hole is a true island green and according to some historians,
one of the first island greens ever created and the oldest in continuous use.

This course can be described as something of a mountain course: short but challenging. It’s in very good condition, approaching local country-club condition. And with our out-of-the-way location, and no major housing developments, Galen Hall is a refreshingly peaceful day of golf.

The fifteenth hole at Galen Hall was designed and built in 1917 by famed golf course architect AW Tillinghast when he added nine holes to the existing golf course.

We overseed the course in the Fall and aerate once in late Summer, with little or no interruption to your enjoyment of rounds, to keep the course in the best possible condition.

The best way to get to know a course before you play it is to ask the guys who work here. And that’s exactly what we did. Here are a few course highlights of Galen Hall Golf Club:

Describe the terrain of the golf course and greens.
The golf course is built on historic South Mountain and as such, it features a mixture of hilly terrain as well as undulating fairways. Beautiful views of the surrounding countryside await those who play our scenic course. The greens are small, undulating with speed ranges of moderate to fast.

What kind of condition is the course at different times during the year?
Our course is a late bloomer in the spring but explodes in color when the warm weather hits. You’ll find the course in good condition beginning mid-April with fabulous conditions from May through the end of the playing season.

How should the first hole be played?
Hole # 1 is a par 4 of only 336 yards from the longest tee box. Club selection off the tee should stress accuracy, as the hole plays much easier from the fairway. An approach shot from the fairway is preferred over a shorter approach from the rough on this hole. Be alert on your approach shot as a severely-sloped green with a fall-off on the right side adds challenge to your approach shot. On most occasions, you’ll score well simply by aiming at the center of the green.

What is the best par 5 on the course?
#12, our longest par 5, is a great test — an elevated tee frames your tee shot. Two bunkers off the tee await any wayward tee shot regardless of your shape shot. From the back tee, this hole measures 520 yards and only the longest hitters have a chance of reaching in two. A newly-added bunker on the left side will also put a premium on accuracy when approaching the green. Long hitters must decide if they want to “bomb” the second shot toward the green realizing the risk of going in the bunker. For those playing it as a 3-shot par 5, they’ll have to deftly place their second shot.

What is the best par 3 on the course?
#15, which is also our Signature Hole. Try to find terra-firma on our tiny island green measuring 193 yards from the back tee box! Even if you somehow manage to hit the green, putting on this undulating green will test your skills to save par.

What is the toughest hole on the golf course?
Hole # 14 is our most difficult hole — a long par 4 measuring 453 from the longest tee. There’s a creek you must negotiate off the tee and yet another creek guarding the approach shot.

What is the most difficult green on the golf course?
Hole # 7, with its very small green, it’s steeply sloped, making for super fast downhill putts.

On your finishing holes (16, 17 and 18); is there a chance to salvage my round?
A strong mix of three demanding finishing holes which all play uphill could be called Galen Hall’s Amen Corner!

Sixteen is a par 4 requiring a drive between a tree lined-fairway. The green is carved out of the hillside and putting downhill will get your heart racing.

Seventeen is a par 3 straight uphill — not for the faint of heart. It requires a carry over an environmental area onto a raised green sloping severely from back to front.

Eighteen a par 5 with an uphill tee shot. The long hitters are able to reach in two but the work isn’t complete just by hitting the green. A strong influence by South Mountain will have the first-time visitor wondering why they couldn’t see the break!

What is your “Signature” hole?
#15 Par 3, known as the “Moat Hole” with its island green!

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