Don't shoot me for this! Is there anyway to play Traditions if you are not a member? I'm a former student and have another FS in our traveling foursome and I'd love for our little group to play.

Thanks

If you find out a way let me know!

I've never played it, but I've walked it a couple different times and it's really nothing special. I'm sure that won't be loved here, but just my opinion.

tjones said:

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I've never played it, but I've walked it a couple different times and it's really nothing special. I'm sure that won't be loved here, but just my opinion.

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Hard to argue. I agree and think some of the holes are terrible.

You can rent a Casita and get on. If it was in better shape it would be good, gets too much play.

not a mamber and haven't played it in a couple years, but I used to play it semi often when I was a clubcorp member. I think Traditions is a great, HARD course. One of the more difficult ones around IMO. While it may not be in tip top shape,. it's still normally very good. The difficulty is what makes it what it is imo.

It's a great layout and championship course. I played it several times when I was trying to get my game up to qualify for the US Mid Am back in 2017. It was definitely a test from the tips. Only downside is that it collects too much water on several holes. If it rained at all within a week those holes would be mush still. Other than that its a great design and test of golf.

The drainage has gotten much better in recent years

Is it really "a great layout" though? Or just a well maintained, very tough layout?

I struggle to identify any hole that really stands out to me in a very positive way, maybe #7 (for member play) or the second par 5 on the back 9. But there are several holes that approach being just plain bad.

Always interested in opinions, what makes it "bad"? I'm indifferent to Traditions, not a member and have not played it in over a decade. This is what I love about golf discussions, the various opinions on courses and why people have that opinion, good or bad.

Never once played traditions where half of the holes didn't have some sort of wet grass or mush in the fairway, around the greens, tee boxes etc. That being said I love the layout and challenge it presents.

I agree, it is always wet, even in the middle of August with no rain. If that issue was fixed, I like the course.

I haven't played it in over 10 years but what I remember are several forced layups especially off the tee and I did not care for that. I agree it was on the difficult side. Not a course I would be a member of personally. Just my .02

MoneyG said:

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I agree, it is always wet, even in the middle of August with no rain. If that issue was fixed, I like the course.

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Drainage is an issue, but your experience probably dates to 3-4 years ago when a previous greenskeeper was over-fond of watering.

Last year Traditions hired a higher tier greenskeeper, who seems to have a better grasp on management practices -- but he is having to undo years of poor maintenance. He keeps the course much firmer and drier than previous practices.

I've been a member out there for 7 years, and I think conditions are trending up. It has been a late growing season, but the course is improving.

Things take a step back after major scramble tournaments, where the drunk guests drive wherever, don't sand divots or fix ball marks.

The biggest challenge with Traditions IMO is that it is an expensive course to maintain, and the course is always in a bind between maintaining reasonable costs, and the grounds-keeping budget.