SKANEATELES - Pearl Lakes Golf Course provided us with a couple of firsts.
It was the first time either one of us broke 40. It was the first time we hit sand wedge off the tee. And it was the first time we hit a sand wedge, off the tee box, 40 yards over the green...into the trees...and down the hill...and into the marsh.
Pearl Lakes is only two holes away from being a par-3 course. At only 1,526 yards, the course appears to be receptive to low scores. Well, on paper that is.
It takes a few holes to realize the birdies come about as often as par-5s do. Seven of nine greens are guarded by either trees or water, making iron precision a must.
Although frustrating at times, Pearl Lakes is the perfect course for beginners. Each green is reachable in regulation by any skill level. No par 3 exceeds 175 yards and both par 4s are shorter than 350 yards. Budding golfers Thomas, 12, and Mike McNaney, 10, of Marcellus have chosen Pearl Lakes as their training ground to hone their skills.
“We've been playing here for almost a year,” Mike said. “We like it because it's not that difficult. It's a lot shorter than other courses we've played.”
Shorter by a long shot. Pearl Lakes' signature hole, No. 3, is one of the two par 3s measured at less than 100 yards. While it only takes half a wedge to reach the 88-yard hole, you have to navigate your way over pine trees. Oh, and avoid the water that sits in front of the green. And the marsh off to the right and the trees to the left. Or you can just save time and mark down a six your scorecard.
If you have enough golf balls left after No. 3, the fourth hole is more agreeable, especially to the slicers out there. The 302-yard par 4 wraps around a row of pine trees, forcing the golfer to play a left-to-right tee shot.
“The fifth hole is our favorite,” Thomas McNaney said. “It's the only one where you have to slice it.”
Pearl Lakes provides one other, more tradition par-4. The 343-yard eighth hole provides a challenge off the tee. About 175 yards out lies a creek that's just far enough out to make your knees shake on your backswing. No. 8 isn't that difficult if you can clear the hazard but it will be the most significant challenge for beginning golfers.
“The eighth is definitely the hardest,” Thomas said. “It's really long and you have to hit a really good drive to make it over the water.”
About three holes into your round at Pearl Lakes you'll realize this is no pitch-and-putt course. There's not much room for error on your tee shots. If it's one of those days where you're spraying your irons, you'll get used to punching out through the branches. If you're hitting your irons high and straight, you'll be fine...or too long.
But don't get discouraged. Tell your friends what you shot. Post your score at work. Just don't tell people it came on a par-29.
Pearl Lakes is only two holes away from being a par-3 course. At only 1,526 yards, the course appears to be receptive to low scores. Well, on paper that is.
It takes a few holes to realize the birdies come about as often as par-5s do. Seven of nine greens are guarded by either trees or water, making iron precision a must.
Although frustrating at times, Pearl Lakes is the perfect course for beginners. Each green is reachable in regulation by any skill level. No par 3 exceeds 175 yards and both par 4s are shorter than 350 yards. Budding golfers Thomas, 12, and Mike McNaney, 10, of Marcellus have chosen Pearl Lakes as their training ground to hone their skills.
“We've been playing here for almost a year,” Mike said. “We like it because it's not that difficult. It's a lot shorter than other courses we've played.”
Shorter by a long shot. Pearl Lakes' signature hole, No. 3, is one of the two par 3s measured at less than 100 yards. While it only takes half a wedge to reach the 88-yard hole, you have to navigate your way over pine trees. Oh, and avoid the water that sits in front of the green. And the marsh off to the right and the trees to the left. Or you can just save time and mark down a six your scorecard.
If you have enough golf balls left after No. 3, the fourth hole is more agreeable, especially to the slicers out there. The 302-yard par 4 wraps around a row of pine trees, forcing the golfer to play a left-to-right tee shot.
“The fifth hole is our favorite,” Thomas McNaney said. “It's the only one where you have to slice it.”
Pearl Lakes provides one other, more tradition par-4. The 343-yard eighth hole provides a challenge off the tee. About 175 yards out lies a creek that's just far enough out to make your knees shake on your backswing. No. 8 isn't that difficult if you can clear the hazard but it will be the most significant challenge for beginning golfers.
“The eighth is definitely the hardest,” Thomas said. “It's really long and you have to hit a really good drive to make it over the water.”
About three holes into your round at Pearl Lakes you'll realize this is no pitch-and-putt course. There's not much room for error on your tee shots. If it's one of those days where you're spraying your irons, you'll get used to punching out through the branches. If you're hitting your irons high and straight, you'll be fine...or too long.
But don't get discouraged. Tell your friends what you shot. Post your score at work. Just don't tell people it came on a par-29.
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