Review: Range End Golf Club (Part 1)

Most of the golf courses that I review here are completely new to me. However, Range End Golf Club, located just south of Harrisburg, Pa., is an exception. I've played the course four times now, including for this review, but not for 10 years. I've certainly played courses more often than that, but Range End will forever occupy a fairly fond place in my memory. Back when I was in high school, I was on the varsity golf team (options were thin), and after the regular season, the first postseason tournament for those who did well enough was held here. I made it to that postseason tournament twice, and in my senior year, I actually managed to get through to the next tournament, which was probably the biggest success of my junior golf career. That next tournament was a disaster, but that's a story for another course review.

Anyway, 10 years later, I came back to Range End on a grim and humid May afternoon for another round. I remember the course being more difficult than it actually was, but maybe that's because I only ever approached as the host of an important tournament.

The first hole is a dead straight par 5 playing over essentially level ground. The drive is simple, with only one bunker (which probably started its life a bit closer to the fairway) threatening wayward slices. There's plenty of room to make a comfortable, confident swing. The second shot, if you're going for the green in two, is trickier. Range End is definitely a second-shot golf course, the greens are very small (again, I'm guessing they were bigger when originally built) and often well guarded. In this case, the second or third shot is hit to a green pinched by two bunkers left and one right. Even so, this is a great opportunity to start the round with a birdie.

The first hole. Notice the lack of elevation change. And the mist in the air. Not a great day for golf.

Approaching the first green.

The first green.

The second hole is, by a considerably margin, the longest par 4 at Range End, with the scorecard listing it at 466 yards. However, the back tees had been moved up, so it was playing a more reasonable 420 or 430. O.B. runs along the entire right side of the hole, and it is very much in play. So if you want to miss, go left on the drive. The second shot is to another very small green, with a pond left of some mounding.

The second hole.

Approaching the second green.

The very small second green.

The third hole is a fairly long par 3, playing a slightly uphill 205 yards. The green is guarded by bunkers left and right, but you'd have to hit quite a snap hook to get around the tree in front of the left bunker.

The third hole.

The third green. Despite all appearances, it never did actually rain on us during the round.

The fourth hole is one of the worst holes I've ever played. After 10 years, my memory of most of the holes here had faded, but I doubt I could ever forget about this. The green is fine, it's the drive that's the issue. An island green is one thing, overplayed but tolerable in very small quantities. An island fairway? No. And it's an island fairway that you have to lay up on, unless you're comfortable carrying a drive at least 270 yards. And that lone tree on the right side is definitely an issue too. So, after laying up, you're left with a mid iron to the green. Get your par if you can and get out.

The fourth hole, with its island fairway in full glory.

Approaching the fourth green.

There's no trouble around the fourth green, but the damage has been done.

The fifth hole is a shorter par 4 at 380 yards, and much more reasonable than the previous hole. A small ditch cuts across the fairway at roughly the 300 yard mark, so a 3 wood might be the better option off the tee. It's not a long hole. The second shot is to a well-defended green with a significant back to front slope. You definitely don't want to be above the hole here. All in all, one of the better holes at Range End.

The fifth hole.

The fifth green.

The sixth hole is a fairly long par 4 that is a bit narrower than any of the other holes the golfer has come across. A fairway bunker on the left side also comes into play if you're a longer driver. The green is very well guarded, with four bunkers in total both left and right of the green. A pretty tough hole, but not a particularly interesting one.

The sixth hole.

The sixth green.

The seventh hole is a par 3 that's pretty much the same length as the third, but it plays significantly more uphill. That makes the hole quite difficult, as the elevated green means tee shots will be coming in extra low. The front right bunker is deep as well, and is definitely something to be avoided.

The seventh hole.

The eighth hole is a fairly short par 4, playing downhill to a green with two bunkers right and one left. While the eye is naturally drawn straight to the hole, and the absence of hazards makes blasting away very tempting, the drive is actually best hit down the left side. This gives a better angle for the second shot. Not an earth-shattering hole, but the elevation change is nice.

The eighth hole.

The eighth green.

The ninth hole is a very short par 4, playing only 310 yards. And not only is it driveable, a driver is probably the best play, as an iron could easily catch the ditch that winds its way through the fairway. The hole does narrow as you get closer to the green, but not by a huge amount. The stream to the right shouldn't come into play, unless you hit a monstrous slice (guess what I did). The green is narrow and wedged between flanking bunkers. Really, this is an excellent birdie opportunity.

The ninth hole.

My drive on nine was a little wayward.

That's it for now, next week we'll check out the back nine.