Different Strokes: 10 Perfect golf holes
We asked readers and friends to name -- and explain -- their “perfect Morris County golf holes.” Here are some of the responses we received.
“My perfect golf hole is the No. 17 at Pinchbrook Golf Course in Florham Park. Why is this short and unassuming 127-yard par 3 hole the perfect golf hole to me? Because that’s where I recorded my only hole in one so far.”
David Dennison, Morristown
“I’d like to add the 17th hole at Brooklake Country Club to the list of beautiful golf holes. It is a short par 3 with water in front with a stone wall and trees behind. The green is very wide but not deep. This was a real challenge for me coming down the stretch in the junior dope open. I was able to make par.”
Brian Mulcahy, Parsippany
“This is the tee shot at the ninth hole at Brooklake Country Club. It’s a long par 5 that has a double dog leg. I had to really try to drive it as close to the trees as possible to have any chance of reaching the green in 3. I like par 5’s.”
Connor Mulcahy, Parsippany
“No. 8 at Morris County Country Club is one of my favorites. It's a long par 4 that requires a draw off the tee or a very precise fade over some trees to have a look at the green for your second shot. The approach to the green after a good drive usually is with a mid- to long iron. With the green sloping front back to front, and usually very fast, 2 putting and escaping with a par is a good score. Also No. 16 at Flanders Valley White/Blue is a reachable (in two shots) par 5 hole. A good drive avoiding the bunker on the left will leave a hybrid or fairway wood shot into the green. Fade the approach softly on the green and you'll have an attempt at an eagle. I've had a few here!”
Patrick Mulcahy, Parsippany
“The 13th hole at Morris County Golf Club, 184-yard par 3. Elevated green surround by bunkers. Green slopes left to right and back to front. No room behind the hole, and if you come up short, you land in a bunker where you can not even see the pin because you are so far below. When you stand on the tee, you hope for a par!”
Doug Kris, Mendham Township
“The best hole is the third on the Knoll West. It’s 185 yards and is bunkered by sand on the right and the left. The left trap is so deep they built steps to get into the trap. The green has a ridge in it that looks like a body was buried in it. If you know the history of the course, it might be possible. It’s almost fun to be in the trap on the left side of the green because if you can get out it’s a wonderful feeling. It’s odd that a recovery shot feels better than a 15-foot putt or a well-hit drive, but it’s a different experience. The entire course is great, but the third is my favorite hole, risk and reward.”
Joe O’Shea, Boonton Township
“No. 17 at Berkshire Valley. It’s not long, 373 yards from the blue tees, but it’s all about shot placement. There’s water off the tee (There are even two separate sets of tees, and depending on how long and/or aggressive you hit your tee shot, you can leave a long iron or a wedge into the green, with fairway bunkers to avoid off the tee as well. The green is severely sloped, so being on the right side of the hole is important as well. It’s a shot maker’s hole.”
Scott Ireland, Flanders
“My favorite hole in the county is No. 4 at Mount Tabor Country Club. It looks like a very birdie-able par 5 at only 470 yards. The drive must be straight (the fairway is cut 25 yards wide) and long to reach the top of the knoll. If you reach the top, you’ll approach the green from 210 yards to a green on a dogleg left. Fail to reach the knoll from the tee and it’s a true three-shotter. The green is 27 yards deep and 20 yards wide and slopes gently front to back. Don’t let the yardage on the card lull you into cockiness as double bogey lurks for the errant shot.”
Bob Khoury, Morristown (HE INCLUDED PHOTO OF HOLE)
“The 10th hole at Mount Tabor CC. This is one of the greatest risk/reward holes in golf for us mere mortals. As an 18 handicap. I have experienced few eagles in my life, but the rare occasion is such a rush that the chance and challenge can make it worth risking an entire round for such an opportunity. The 10th hole is a reachable par 4 (240 downhill), but it is also guarded down the right by a towering oak and down the left by a row of 100-foot evergreens and is framed by a path on the right, traps on the left and in front and out of bounds 20 feet beyond the edge of the green. The slightest excess on a fade or pull for a right-handed golfer and your chance for experiencing one of golf’s momentary nirvanas can explode into not only a bogey, but multiples of the same.”
E. Drew Britcher, Parsippany
“My favorite golf hole is No. 6 at Mount Tabor C.C. Standing 200 feet above this 172-yard par 3, it is almost impossible to notice that the deceptively large green is really a double-tiered, gently domed shot maker’s delight. To the left awaits thick sticky ruff, to the right a long hungry bunker, land in front and you will have to have your very best short game going. Stick the green and you will still have your work cut out as you attempt to read the tricky nuance that is the putting surface of the hole.”
Glenn McCrostie, Mount Tabor
