Going to try out the Marshes and wanted to get some feedback. Is it as nice as the greenfees say it is or just hype?
Thanks
Denny
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Going to try out the Marshes and wanted to get some feedback. Is it as nice as the greenfees say it is or just hype?
Thanks
Denny
I'm going to get flamed for this, but IMHO, it's just hype.
Drive the extra 20 minutes and play Eagle Creek instead. It's much better course and cheaper too. Plus you get to walk.
I will say that the Marshes is well conditioned, but as far as golfing experiences go, I don't think it's worth the $$$.
I've played the Marshes 3 times I think. I've enjoyed it every time. It's definitely not cheap and although Eagle Creek is probably as good a golf course (maybe better) I think the Marshes holds its own. There are some interesting risk/reward holes and I've always found it to be extremely well maintained. Plus, the GPS carts are kind of nice... even if they don't always give perfectly accurate yardages.
One thing I don't really like is that there are 6 Par 3s, 6 Par 4s, and 6 Par 5s. Although, if you hit the ball a long way... it might add to your excitement as you might have more eagle chances! As I recall though, only 1 or 2 of the Par 5's are really reachable in two.
MJF
Let the flames begin!
They really are two different styles of courses. Conditioning-wise, the Marshes is as good a course as you are likely to find. Like any course, it has good and bad holes. Whether or not it is worth the green fees will depend on if you like the course or not. I have enjoyed it the 10+ times I've played it.
I should have mentioned that my round will be for FREE! :)
Denny
Definitely worth going at that price. My last round there was free as well.
On a Marshes related note, and somewhat of a threadjack to the lightning thread, my office overlooks the 16th green and there were some clowns playing 16 while the thunder was booming and the rain was coming down heavily.
They eventually picked up, but they were definitely playing with fire since they were clearly underneath the active system.
If you add the range balls and a cart and it's not that much cheaper. I'm a bit bias as I play there very often. Though I'll make it clear I'm a big fan of Eagle Creek too. It's a Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr Design. After reading Jr's book on course design. I'm starting to appreciate it more and more. It's not a tree lined old course. There's 3 holes on the back nine that are surrounded by trees. It's a links style course. Par is protected by length, well placed bunkers, and the wind.Quote:
Originally Posted by jvincent
The only two pars 5's that aren't reachable are 2 and 16. The rest can be had if you have the onions.
Whether it's worth 100 bucks that's up to you. I think considering the other public offereings in the city it's worth the money.
I've played the Marshes and I just didn't find I came away with the "wow" factor that I get everytime I play Eagle Creek. Very nice course but I just don't think back to myself "That was a really great golf hole." Worth $100plus, not sure, give me Eagle at $45 (personal perk) anyday.
While I haven't played The Marshes yet and would love to, I doubt that you'd find anyone who would disagree with your last statement. If I could play Eagle Creek for $45, I'd be there 3-4 times a week. But I don't have that "personal perk".Quote:
Originally Posted by GJohnston69
Having considered that, I think you're making an unfair comparison. Hopefully I'll get a chance to make that comparison before the end of the season... :irked:
Who wouldn't? the question is EC ( and the bugs ) for 95 or the marshes for 115.Quote:
Originally Posted by GJohnston69
Eagle Creek is $75 (not $95) vs Marshes for $115. The twilight rates are EC @ $45 vs Marshes @ $85. Add $5 to the cost of EC for the obligatory can of Deep Woods Off.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andru
In terms of course design, I agree that EC has the "WOW" factor that is lacking at The Marshes. Both courses have superb conditioning and excellent service, but they are geared towards slightly different segments of the market.
EC is geared for hard-core public golfers looking for the ultimate challenge (in this area) - hence their emphasis on hole design and layout. Not only do they want you to go "WOW", but they want you to walk away knowing that your game was truly put to the test.
The Marshes is geared towards corporate golf - which is why they have mandatory carts with GPS, free warmups at the range, 9-and-dine specials, twilight rates that start earlier on weekends than on weekdays, etc. If you want to impress clients or reward employees, then you treat them with a luxurious golfing experience - which is what The Marshes provides. Not that the course isn't challenging, but it doesn't beat you up when your game is off the way EC can.
Well said el tigre. To me that sums it up pretty well. I am not biased based on price. I just haven't been back to the Marshes because I just wasn't that impressed with it. Like el tigre said, not for the lack of conditioning just lack of great golf holes.
Eltigre I'm comparing apples here you have to add a cart and range balls to the EC price.Quote:
Originally Posted by el tigre
I've brought a lot of people to the marshes and they've ALL been whooped. Check out the scores from the QGA tournament held there last month. And the course was playing easy. You should see it now. all of the crap is growing in and the rough is starting to thicken up. Hit it offline and you're screwed now.
I've played eacgle creek quite a bit and enjoy it everytime. Ken Venturi did a marvelous job with some prime golf making real-estate. But let's not make EC out to be a US open Pinehurst. It's not that difficult.
I guess it's all ion the eye of the beholder. I don't find either that intimidating but if I had to pick one for challenge. The marshes is far more difficult. At least from the blues or back tees. Not sure from the whites. Only played EC from the whites once.
To each his own here. Besides is there a tougher challenge than number 2 at the marshes? Just a note one course that has killed me is Loch March. When that place gets hard and fast I find it very difficult.
Personally, I find them to be two very different golf experiences for two different target markets.
As a golfer, I stongly prefer Eagle Creek. The natural setting, the interesting elevation changes, the fun and challenging risk-reward holes, several very memorable holes, the ability to walk the course, the usually good conditioning (although the one round that I played this year in late May saw very dissapointing conditions due to winter kill on greens and in the fairways), and reasonable value for money make it my favorite public course in the area. The downsides of Eagle Creek - especially for "business golf" - is mediocre service, mediocre (and additional cost) practice area, long drive to get there, and a nice, but somewhat cold and uninviting clubhouse and restaurant.
As a businessman, I'd opt to take clients, suppliers, or employees to the Marshes every time. Convenient location, great service, fantastic clubhouse and restaurant, good (and included) practice area, cool GPS carts, and a solid layout with great conditioning all make for an outstanding "business golf" experience. As a layout, I find it solid, but not all that memorable. As a golfing experience, I don' like always being in a cart, hearing the continuous rattle of gunfire frrom the nearby rifle range (especially on the front nine), and the constant presence of large buildings. Great "urban" courses - of which we have a few private ones in the city - allow you to practically forget that you are in the city. At the Marshes the big buildings of the city are practically a design feature and the lack of large trees (so far) and other isolating design features means that you almost constantly see cars, houses, and office buildings thoughout the round.
Both are very good courses that everyone should try at least once... and then return based on your preference and your ability to pay the $$$. Just my 2 cents.
They're both good - and very similarly priced if you compare a similar package, i.e. cart, range, green fee, extra time/cost to get to Eagle Creek.
My personal preference is The Marshes, but I also enjoy Eagle Creek. As for difficulty, they are both capable of destroying an 11 handicapper (moi) who has a bad day!
We should be thankful we have this choice at such a reasonable price - similar courses in most other locations would be at least double and more liekly triple the price.
I agree 100% with your first comment. To each his own when it comes to likes/dislikes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andru
However, if you've only ever played EC from the whites, you should really try it from the Blues or Golds. It is a very different and challenging layout from back there.
HAHA read the post again. I said I've only played the whites once. I play the blues and championship tees usually. I know it probably wasn't that clear.Quote:
Originally Posted by jvincent
Brain lock, I read it as you had only played EC once, and that from the whites.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andru
Don't forget to add the cost of driving to the middle of nowhere to play EC.
The Marshes has location on it's side.
Playing EC from the whites is a wasted opportunity. I consider my 80 from the blues at EC to be equivalent to my 75 at Greensmere.
The greens at EC, Marshes and Loch March make them worth the $$. If EC was closer, I wouldn't play LM as often.
Is Eagle Creek really that much further than Loch March? I can't exactly remember where Eagle Creek is but I was sure they were generally in the same area. Isn't it like a 5 minute difference from where you turn right to go to Eagle Creek?
Marshes 18 minutes from downtown
Eagle Creek 41 minutes from downtown.
Driving at the speed limit of course.
They are talking about the MArshes not Loch March :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by Barnie
Maybe I'm confused or this is a typo but isn't he saying if Eagle Creek was closer he wouldn't play Loch March as often?Quote:
Originally Posted by oldmaninblack
Loch March is 25 minutes from Downtown.
7 minutes farther than The Marshes and 16 minutes closer than Eagle Creek.
I know gas is expensive, but not gonna break the bank either way. Remeber, we were comparing costs, and time is money too, but I think it is more of a time issue than a cost issue. :D
Hmm I didn't know Eagle Creek was that much further. Learn something new everyday I guess.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Kilbank
Hey this is Ottawa. In Toronto either of EC, The Marshes, or Stonebridge would either be $175 or take 2 hours to get to and cost only $140. We have excellent options and we don't have to pick just one to play!
Ditto.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Kilbank
ditto the dittoQuote:
Originally Posted by Dan Kilbank
I guess it just feels like forever to get out to Dunrobin. I work in the east end so it's a bit of a hike when I skip out of work early.
Sorry to confuse ... I threw Loch March in there because it's one of the 3 area courses that I enjoy playing (along with Marshes and EC). I guess it's because I have to drive by Marshes and Loch March to get to Eagle Creek that I usually opt for Loch March. Come to think of it, I think I'll book a time at EC for tomorrow and Marshes on the weekend :)
Comparing these 2 course is apples & oranges so it's tough to give an accurate assessment of which is "better"
I wouldn't call the Marshes just a bunch of hype, but if I had to play only one or the other course for the rest of the year I would choose EC in a heartbeat.
Haha Must be nice. I wish I could afford to play the nice courses like you guys.. In the meantime I'll stick to my local cheap (read: cheaper) courses.Quote:
Originally Posted by oldmaninblack