Designer: Albert Smiley (1897), Robert Pryde (1911, Lengthening)
Location: New Paltz, New York
History: Originally laid out by Albert Smiley in 1897, Mohonk was lengthened and redesigned in 1911 by Scotsman Robert Pryde. It is owned and operated by nearby Mohonk Mountain House Resort.
Conditions: 7/10, Mohonk is in solid shape and obviously well-taken care of, but the greens are on the slower side and there are some barren spots in the rough.
Value: 9/10, At just $23 to walk with even further discounts for resort guests, Mohonk is a great deal.
Scorecard:
Tee Par Yardage Rating Slope
Green 35 2707 33.4 115
White 33 2337 31.7 106
Red 35 2266 32.8 109
Hole Descriptions: At the turn of the 20th century, there were hundreds of golf courses in America, most of them 9 holes, and many of whom were designed by local amateur architects using the land they were given. Sadly, many of these have not survived the test of time, but the ones that did are often quirky and fun. Mohonk Mountain House which opened in 1897 and has been pretty much unchanged since 1911 certainly falls in this category. Built over rugged and somewhat mountainous terrain, this short but very charming 9-holer is a wild course with unconventional architecture and a large number of blind and quirky holes. I wouldn’t quite classify Mohonk as a “great” golf course, but it is certainly memorable and fun, two attributes missing on many modern courses. If you are staying in the area or playing nearby at Inness, Mohonk makes for a worthwhile addition to your trip.
While Mohonk is on the shorter side (2700 yards) and fairly easy (115 slope), it begins with one of the hardest opening holes I’ve played. With no range to warm up on, the 1st hole is a 210 yard par 3 that plays up the side of a steep hill to an elevated green. Not only is this hole long and visually intimidating, its green is also very small and slopes severely back-to-front. Those who don’t find the bunkers on either side will likely trundle down the side of the hill. A par here is an excellent score.
The beastly opener – “Mt. Rest”
The 2nd hole is a fun 330 yard par 4 and one of the best holes on the course. This teeshot plays completely blind over a large mound in the fairway at about 140 yards. At this point, the fairway ends and steep slopes of rough lead you to another fairway well-below down the right. While there’s OB on the left the entire way, the firm conditions and severe slopes make anything down the right side pretty much okay. The approach then plays a bit back uphill towards a circular, rather flat putting surface.
The blind 2nd teeshot, aptly named “Over the Hills”
The 2nd hole once you crest the first fairway – note the bell down the left
At 380 yards, the 3rd is another strong hole and unquestionably the best at Mohonk. This par 4 plays straightaway but uses the land brilliantly, with severe, rollercoaster-like undulations until the fairway ends at about 270 yards. This approach again plays uphill to another small green that sits beautifully surrounded by trees with a severe right-to-left cant.
The number 1 handicap par 4 3rd – “Far Away”
The intimidating approach at 3
You walk up a small hill to access the 4th hole, a 375 yard dogleg left par 4. Featuring likely the most intimdating teeshot at Mohonk, you must thread the needle between tall trees to find a fairway that turns left at only about 200 yards. At this point, the fairway becomes quite narrow and longer hitters should think about hitting less than driver here to find the short grass. I really enjoyed this approach, which plays slightly uphill through another tree-lined corridor to a left-to-right sloped green.
The tight par 4 4th – “Ravine”
Excellent land movement on display at the 4th
The 5th hole is Mohonk’s second par 3 and plays uphill at 118 yards. Although short, golfers will need to be precise here as this hole plays up a severe hill to a wicked back-to-front sloped green lined by bunkers on either side. Anything long will be almost impossible to stop and any missed GIR here will leave a difficult up-and-down.
The par 3 5th – “Pitch Up” undergoing some construction when I played
The 6th hole plays back down this hill as a 311 yard par 4. Featuring another completely blind teeshot, this fairway is initially generous but becomes tighter with trees down either side for the first 200 yards. At this point, the fairway ends and the hole descends quickly with a big slope and open field of rough leading to a right-to-left sloped green. Longer hitters can attempt to get to the green here, as most of the danger is in the first 200 yards and the downhill gradient makes the hole play shorter.
The blind par 4 6th – “Pitch Down”
The approach at 6
At just 240 yards, the 7th hole looks and plays like a long par 3 but is a short par 4 from the Tips. From the Red Tees, however, this is indeed a par 3. Despite its short length, this is a pretty hole playing level towards a left-to-right sloped green cut into the hillside. Tall trees hug the left side the entire way and a boomerang bunker defends the green short and right.
The par 4* 7th “Lindens” is an excellent birdie opportunity
The 8th hole is another good chance to get a shot back as a 265 yard par 4. Although reachable for longer hitters, this small green sits a bit off to the right and is bordered by trees on this side. More conservative plays will be down the left side of a severe left-to-right sloped fairway. This is one of the more complicated greens on the course with a false front to navigate and a right-sided fall off. Chipping in for eagle to get to 1-under on the round was one of the best moments of my golf year.
The par 4 8th – “Hill Crest”
Mohonk closes with its lone par 5 at 478 yards. The teeshot here is pretty straightforward to a generous fairway split in two by a bisecting road around 240 yards. The second part of the fairway is quite undulating and slopes left-to-right with tall trees down the left the entire way. This approach will likely be blind to a green down to the left that is fairly flat but falls off on the right. The defining feature of this hole is two tall trees in the middle of the fairway about 75 yards short of the green. These give the hole some teeth but are really unnecessary and should not be there.
The par 5 9th – “Orchard”
Two terrible trees in the 9th fairway make getting home in two difficult
General Comments: Although Mohonk Resort is quite upscale, the golf course is decidedly low frills with a small and simple pro shop and practice green. There is no range here and pace of play was absolutely fantastic and I raced around the course as a single.
Verdict: Unabashedly quirky, wild, and fun, the 9-hole Mohonk Mountain House is a historic mountain golf course that offers great value and is well-worth a play if in the area.
