Michael Smith

Perhaps one of the greatest golf experiences in the country, but most certainly in the northeast. A course that's jam packed with history, giving golfers the opportunity to roll putts on greens with some of the greats. Another member of the Ross thruway trail, this being the best and the hardest. The second hole is a typical Ross design, seeming simple and easy yet making players scratch their heads walking off the green. The fairway starts wide but narrows towards the end and is flanked by multiple bunkers. The short hole can leave a short iron in but a narrow approach shot questions where a miss should be. The green slopes hard back to front and is guarded by deep bunkers. The 6th hole is a ridiculously hard par four, as the slight dogleg right requires the ball in the fairway to even have a chance at the green in two. Not a long hole yet the average golfer will most likely be hitting a wood into this green. If lucky enough to get it near the green in two, a green side bunker and a creek await on opposite sides. The green is devilish, making a par very improbable. The 14th is a typical Ross short par four. What seems drive-able on the scorecard, is most definitely not, as the green and tee box create a steep valley. This track has already hosted the two rotating majors in this country and plans to do more. Perhaps that’s the reason for the only critic of this course, as it’s always being tweaked and changed. Renovations are normal but they're usually incredibly course changing at this club. Definitely the best in the area and is up there for best in the state.

Another fixture of the Ross thruway project, this gem is tucked at the top of the valley overlooking Syracuse. Usually tabbed as the best in Syracuse, this Ross design features some sneaky greens and shot shaping. While not a long track, shot shaping is a necessity and strategic first shots can make the challenge a little easier. Multiple holes have steep uphill approach shots, making the whole course seem longer. The front nine is highlighted by the par three 7th. Playing at around 155 yards, the downhill drop makes it play shorter. Also the main spot to take in the views, this hole offers a big green, guarded by three bunkers. The 14th hole is the most memorable, as the fairway is sandwiched by two stone ledges. The dogleg right isn’t long but the false front usually requires a club up. The course offers a fun yet challenging round, with some opportunities to score. From a design standpoint, there’s some question marks but could be due to limited space and renovations. Rivals a few others for best in Central New York but rightfully so.

The currently being discovered gem is nestled at foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. The Donald Ross design is the most eastern on his New York Thruway trail. The hilly layout hardly features a flat lie and is very typical of Ross designs. The par four second hole is deemed the hardest and starts with a tee box aimed directly out of bounds. The tee shot descends into a tight valley of a fairway and leaves an uphill approach shot to a plateau green, requiring a club up. The green slopes from back to right front and hardly sees a one putt. The eight hole comes across as fairly straightforward, as the elevated tee box gives view to green. A poor tee shot leads to a valley and a blind approach shot where the green is nowhere in sight. A good tee shot places an approach from the top of the valley and an excellent tee shot can clear the top of the valley and leave a wedge into the green. The diabolic green is evil even for Ross, as it slopes hard from back to front. Approach shots usually require a club up and when on the green, a three putt is the usual. Putts from above the hole, have a tendency to miss the cup and roll off the front of the green. The par four 17th hole is another typical Ross design, as the tee shot leads to the top of a valley and an approach shot goes into an uphill green. The fairly easy green sandwiched between two bunkers, making for a difficult approach. While this course has recently been receiving some recognition, it is most certainly a top course for the state, especially above The Island.