Played Tiger and Ernies course at Albany in Nassau, Bahamas

[Locked]

Quick review:

So I was at Albany for an afternoon because the boat I was headed out on was docked there and due to tides we couldn't leave until the following morning. What better way to blow an afternoon that to try out this course that I've heard so much about.

First a bit about me: My HC over the last 12 months has fluctuated from 15-17, so by no means am I a stick. I consider myself an amateur in every sense of the word and due to work/family don't get a whole lot of time to play or practice. Its been particularly hectic of late and this was the first round (played last monday) since the end of November. Add to that the fact that I flew in on a redeye from Los Angeles on which I slept for about 2 hours, so I was tired and out of practice. Also didn't plan on playing golf so didn't have my own equipment.... WAY less than ideal conditions for a great round of golf. I played with my father in law who is a +2HC.

 

The facility: One of the most impressive practice facilities that I have ever seen. Seemingly endless practice greens, bunkers, putting greens, chipping practice, beautiful range, massive gym and workout facility designed by tiger woods... honestly an incredible place to train. They said when Tiger is in town on his boat (which we docked next to but he wasn't there) he spends from 6am to 6pm training and practicing and hardly taking breaks. I'm not a tiger fan but the way the staff talked about his work ethic was extremely impressive. Looks like the actual clubhouse is still under construction so no feedback there.

 

The Course: This course was clearly made for PGA caliber players and not for hacks like me. I believe cost for the round was $200-$250, cart did not have gps but did have attached laser rage finder. The course was in absolutely incredible condition, we played as a twosome and didn't see another golfer throughout our entire round, not one. The place was a ghost town. There are homes being built around the course but very few are finished. I'll never understand why you would build a course this nice in the bahamas and do it in a way that you never once have an ocean view, which is my only real complaint. My not real complaint is that this was the tightest and most difficult course that I have ever played, the greens were like hitting onto upside down cereal bowls and were rolling so fast that unless it was an absolutely perfect approach shot holding the green was near impossible. Even for my father in law who is a very good golfer the greens were a massive challenge. He probably "hit" the green in regulation on 13 or 14 holes and held the green on less than 8 of those. He was losing his mind hitting what he thought were amazing approach shots and watching his ball roll off the side of the green, normally into a nasty situation. I struggled mightily. Fairways were firm and gave you lots of roll which was great and all except for the fact that I kept hitting fairway and watching my ball roll into bunkers or wasteland. Again, this course was not designed for guys like me. I lost 2 balls on the front and 3 on the back. My last 5 rounds of golf on other normal courses I've probably lost 1 or 2 balls max, my troubles don't usually come from losing balls. The course was beautiful though and as I always do I had a great time playing it. Yes I was tired, using unfamiliar equipment and it was so difficult that I couldn't really take the round seriously but on a very challenging 18th hole I hit a solid drive which got me to 220 out, hit a 3 wood into the wind onto the front of the green, overshot my first putt by about 8 feet and hit the 8 footter for par. Great way to end, I had 3 pars, 6 bogeys, and I don't even want to talk about the other 9 holes :)... it was one of the ugliest round that I've ever played on one of the most beautiful courses I've ever played, just wish it had at least one of those WOW holes on the water given that it is in the bahamas.

[littlechucky]

Thanks for the review. Looks insane.

Will have to try and get there.

[damnorcross]

Sounds like everything is great, except for the green configurations. Why build a course like that if the greens are so hard? But definitely a fun way to spend the day, better than sitting on the boat.