If you're looking for plush, you came to the wrong place. If you're looking for fun golf with a handful of challenging holes, then Lakewood passes the test.
Frankly, this course in northern Phenix City took me by surprise. It doesn't blow you away with well-kept greens or well-conditioned cart paths, but from tee box to the hole, this place truly offers an enjoyable round.
What makes Lakewood so enjoyable? To me it was the elevation changes and a variety of shot selection the course makes you play. Lakewood also offers a variety of doglegs, and holes that are simply straight-on, and a few blind shots where local knowledge is necessary.
It's not a long course, just 6,476 from the tips, and it's not a tight course either.The rough isn't in the best shape, nor are the greens or the cart path. But I really didn't care. But the fairways are fine and the holes are challenging. I don't need pristine to have fun.
The front nine and back nine are drastically different. The front nine offers far more doglegs and elevated tee boxes/greens, while the back nine features a string of four-successive down and back straight-on holes (10 through 14).
The course's second hole (par 3, 150 yards from the center tees) plays much farther than it looks. Why? It's all uphill. I've never reached the green from the tee box. Watch out to the right. A slice from the tee box will send your ball crashing onto the road.
Perhaps the most scenic hole is next. The par 4, 378-yard fourth hole features a tee box high above the fairway and offers a great vantage point of the entire facility and surrounding neighborhoods. The hole hooks sharply to the left after about 220 yards. One could hit it straight out of the box, or go or the gusto and try to fly the ball over a series of pine trees and take a short cut closer to the green.
A tricky hole is the 300-yard, par 4 No. 6. From the tee box, you cannot see what lies beyond a hill. That's where a sharp dogleg to the left comes in. Hit a great shot straight and your ball will likely be lost in a large dirt/rough mound. It may be best to hit a two-iron here.
My personal favorite hole is the par 4, 292-yard No. 16. The green is pictured above. Yes, that's my ball ... that little white thing next to the hole. Somehow it got there in two shots, setting me up for my first birdie in years. I was a foot from an eagle! Heavy hitters have a great chance for low scores here since it's very short for a par 4. The biggest challenge, however, is your ball cannot be followed beyond a ridge at the center of the fairway. Once it clears the ridge, you won't see it again until you clear the ridge also. Cross your fingers and hope it's close to the green. Pine trees line the fairway to the right and left.
The 18th hole, a par 5, 492-yarder, provides each player with the chance to either go for the green in two strokes, or lay up and not chance sending the ball into the water. The best bet is to lay up, then go for the green, which is well-protected by sand traps.
Rates are inexpensive, with fees ranging from $25 to $32, depending on the day. For more information, check out the Web site: http://www.phenixcityal.us/Default.asp?ID=170&pg=Lakewood+Golf+Course
I look forward to playing here again.
What makes Lakewood so enjoyable? To me it was the elevation changes and a variety of shot selection the course makes you play. Lakewood also offers a variety of doglegs, and holes that are simply straight-on, and a few blind shots where local knowledge is necessary.
It's not a long course, just 6,476 from the tips, and it's not a tight course either.The rough isn't in the best shape, nor are the greens or the cart path. But I really didn't care. But the fairways are fine and the holes are challenging. I don't need pristine to have fun.
The front nine and back nine are drastically different. The front nine offers far more doglegs and elevated tee boxes/greens, while the back nine features a string of four-successive down and back straight-on holes (10 through 14).
The course's second hole (par 3, 150 yards from the center tees) plays much farther than it looks. Why? It's all uphill. I've never reached the green from the tee box. Watch out to the right. A slice from the tee box will send your ball crashing onto the road.
Perhaps the most scenic hole is next. The par 4, 378-yard fourth hole features a tee box high above the fairway and offers a great vantage point of the entire facility and surrounding neighborhoods. The hole hooks sharply to the left after about 220 yards. One could hit it straight out of the box, or go or the gusto and try to fly the ball over a series of pine trees and take a short cut closer to the green.
A tricky hole is the 300-yard, par 4 No. 6. From the tee box, you cannot see what lies beyond a hill. That's where a sharp dogleg to the left comes in. Hit a great shot straight and your ball will likely be lost in a large dirt/rough mound. It may be best to hit a two-iron here.
My personal favorite hole is the par 4, 292-yard No. 16. The green is pictured above. Yes, that's my ball ... that little white thing next to the hole. Somehow it got there in two shots, setting me up for my first birdie in years. I was a foot from an eagle! Heavy hitters have a great chance for low scores here since it's very short for a par 4. The biggest challenge, however, is your ball cannot be followed beyond a ridge at the center of the fairway. Once it clears the ridge, you won't see it again until you clear the ridge also. Cross your fingers and hope it's close to the green. Pine trees line the fairway to the right and left.
The 18th hole, a par 5, 492-yarder, provides each player with the chance to either go for the green in two strokes, or lay up and not chance sending the ball into the water. The best bet is to lay up, then go for the green, which is well-protected by sand traps.
Rates are inexpensive, with fees ranging from $25 to $32, depending on the day. For more information, check out the Web site: http://www.phenixcityal.us/Default.asp?ID=170&pg=Lakewood+Golf+Course
I look forward to playing here again.
Fun: 8
Value: 8
Conditions: 4
Amenities: 5
Difficulty: 6
Overall: 6.2
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