JMU94
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Golf near JMU
I have a coworker going on a visit to JMU with his son at the end of July. He asked about the best courses in the area. I have not played up that way in many years so am looking for recommendations.
(This post was last modified: 07-12-2017 07:28 PM by JMU94.)
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07-12-2017 07:27 PM |
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TXGiant
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07-12-2017 07:50 PM |
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LegalDuke
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07-12-2017 07:51 PM |
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jmuroadwarrior
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RE: Golf near JMU
Packsaddle can be a challenge in the hot dry weather as the fairways bake and get really hard and the rather severe slope can diminish golf joy. Carts are a must. Views are spectacular.
Lakeview is generally in country club condition and is now 27 holes.
Harrisonburg's City course Heritage Oaks is a bit shorter but nicely laid out and very well maintained. It is very walkable.
A bit down the road off 81 mile marker 225 is Ironwood which is very nice.
The other direction has Shenvallee in New Market with 27 holes.
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07-12-2017 09:07 PM |
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Wear Purple
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RE: Golf near JMU
(07-12-2017 09:07 PM)jmuroadwarrior Wrote: Packsaddle can be a challenge in the hot dry weather as the fairways bake and get really hard and the rather severe slope can diminish golf joy. Carts are a must. Views are spectacular.
Lakeview is generally in country club condition and is now 27 holes.
+1
PR is a tough course, IMO. Lakeview not nearly as difficult (IMO). If your buddy is a good golfer looking for a test, then PR will definitely provide it.
My son and I once were both pretty good golfers (we both have had handicaps in the 3-5 range, though neither of us play enough now to believe we could do that on a consistent basis). We played PR a few times back when we were both playing more frequently (and better) and PR ate our lunch. Lakeview OTOH was a cool breeze comparatively speaking.
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07-13-2017 06:24 AM |
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Purplehazed
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RE: Golf near JMU
Shenvalee in New Market, 27 holes, good views, good price, close to 81
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07-13-2017 06:36 AM |
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Purplehazed
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RE: Golf near JMU
Shenvalee is a short course, average golfers can make the distance from the whites for sure, maybe from the blacks too. A lot of hills and elevation changes, I like SV a lot, factor in the price, it's great.
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07-13-2017 06:39 AM |
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Wear Purple
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RE: Golf near JMU
A tip FWIW...
...if you have the time, purchase a Shenandoah Valley Attractions Guide coupon book. Purchase online for $20... https://www.attractionsbook.com/store/vi...oah+Valley
There are Buy 1 Get 1 Free Greens Fees coupons for all of these courses (see starting on page 199 at the link above) as well as lots of Buy 1 Entree Get 1 Free coupons to a lot of the restaurants throughout the Valley area. 1 BOGO greens fee will pay for the book on one trip.
Good luck!
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07-13-2017 06:43 AM |
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Deez Nuts
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RE: Golf near JMU
whatchu know about Sandy Bottoms though
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07-13-2017 06:50 AM |
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JMUNation
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RE: Golf near JMU
(07-13-2017 06:39 AM)Purplehazed Wrote: Shenvalee is a short course, average golfers can make the distance from the whites for sure, maybe from the blacks too. A lot of hills and elevation changes, I like SV a lot, factor in the price, it's great.
Finally! A post of value from you and something we agree on.
I grew up playing Shenvalee. The Olde 9 is the original course that open in the 20s and I think the only Donald Ross designed course in the valley. It is short with small greens. It looks easy but don't let it fool you. Anything left is out of bounds on 8 of the holes. The Creek and Miller are later designs like modern golf courses. Beautiful views of the mountains and affordable. Beer drinking is encouraged.
If you like country cooking. Southern Kitchen post round is 30 seconds away.
Lakeview is nice as well and a bit more challenging. I would not play Packsaddle. Great views on some holes but circus golf. Same with the mountain course at Massanutten. The executive course at Massanutten is usually in good shape but very easy.
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07-13-2017 07:00 AM |
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Knit35
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RE: Golf near JMU
Sandy Bottom is fantastic Deez. I see you working. On a serious note I always enjoyed lakeview of all the courses. Packsaddle is a nice option though.
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07-13-2017 07:07 AM |
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HyperDuke
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RE: Golf near JMU
Whenever people ask if I play golf, I just tell them I've shot a hole-in-one at Sandy Bottom...
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07-13-2017 07:11 AM |
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Knit35
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RE: Golf near JMU
I havent played there since I was young. I hear they are charging to play now at Sandy Bottom, albeit ~$3 however such a shame my buddies and i used to bring 2-3 clubs and enjoy 9 before being otherwise upstanding citizens the rest of the day. Good Stuff.
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07-13-2017 07:13 AM |
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Deez Nuts
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RE: Golf near JMU
(07-13-2017 07:11 AM)HyperDuke Wrote: Whenever people ask if I play golf, I just tell them I've shot a hole-in-one at Sandy Bottom...
I almost sank a HIO on hole 5 - the toughest hole - on the morning of my wedding day. Stopped about a foot short. Of course then I think i 3-putted that damn hill.
@Knit - still no charge at SB.
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07-13-2017 08:32 AM |
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JMUTrippster
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RE: Golf near JMU
Agreed on Packsaddle - beautiful course but extremely challenging. If you're not a particularly strong player you won't enjoy the day. I've played twice for alumni events playing captain's choice and that was the only saving grace!
I've played Lakeview once and enjoyed it, definitely not as challenging as the mountain golf at Packsaddle.
Sandy Bottom was always fun!
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07-13-2017 08:34 AM |
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JMUTrippster
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RE: Golf near JMU
(07-13-2017 08:32 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote: (07-13-2017 07:11 AM)HyperDuke Wrote: Whenever people ask if I play golf, I just tell them I've shot a hole-in-one at Sandy Bottom...
I almost sank a HIO on hole 5 - the toughest hole - on the morning of my wedding day. Stopped about a foot short. Of course then I think i 3-putted that damn hill.
@Knit - still no charge at SB.
There is a charge...at least there's supposed to be according to their site. $4 M-Th and $5 on Fri - Sun. Still not bad for a little short game practice on an actual "course".
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07-13-2017 08:40 AM |
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Deez Nuts
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RE: Golf near JMU
well, time to go back and pay up.
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07-13-2017 10:00 AM |
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JMU_Degenerate
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RE: Golf near JMU
Just have them make the 1-hour drive to Blue Ridge Shadows in Front Royal and they can thank you later.
(disclosure: Blue Ridge Shadows did not sponsor this post, regardless of whether or not my business card shows that I operate the course)
With that being said, I would recommend Lakeview as the top option "near JMU".
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07-13-2017 10:15 AM |
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RootinFerDukes
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RE: Golf near JMU
(07-13-2017 10:15 AM)JMU_Degenerate Wrote: Just have them make the 1-hour drive to Blue Ridge Shadows in Front Royal and they can thank you later.
(disclosure: Blue Ridge Shadows did not sponsor this post, regardless of whether or not my business card shows that I operate the course)
With that being said, I would recommend Lakeview as the top option "near JMU".
Bowling Green is also a solid place up there as well.
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07-13-2017 10:41 AM |
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JMUNation
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RE: Golf near JMU
Where is Sandy Bottom? I have not heard of it.
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07-13-2017 10:14 PM |
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