Sweetens Cove Discussion

General Discussion
#1

I would like to start a discussion of Sweetens Cove. I have never been myself, but am looking to take a trip in the next year or so. I LOVE this concept and genuinely feel these types of facilities could do wonders for the game of golf.

That being said, i know its a bit more complicated question as to whether this concept could scale. So a few questions to kick off the discussion:

  • If you had a facility like this within 30 minutes of house / work, would you drive past other places to go play
  • Is this a scalable model? Was this a unique situation given the shoe string budget, cost of land, fact that it was a muni before they took over?
  • Do you like the idea of no carts? (I LOVE this idea… I think no carts would keep away the people who are primarily at the course to drink 12 beers)
  • Would this model need to be subsidized by the local government in most places?

I don’t know much about the economics of developing a golf course, though I believe it is typically a land play to sell residential lots. This seems different, and am curious to see if it can be replicated.

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#2

I would go. Seems like fun. Love no carts.

HOWEVER - I’ve had to mute the name of that particular course on twitter as too many people I follow don’t stop talking about it/retweeting everything they post and it’s getting annoying.

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#3

Wish I knew about this place when I was commuting from Louisville to Atlanta. I would have definitely stopped!

It’s not super far from me, I’ll make it happen next year.

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#4

I’d go. I learned to play golf just playing in a 9 hole league. There used to be a nice 9-hole course 10-15 minutes from my house that I loved. It had a variety of holes and multiple tees and it was very affordable. The owners couldn’t find a buyer that would keep it as a course so they finally sold to a developer that put a strip mall up…my wife was happy, but I still tear up when we drive by. I love playing 18, but I think 9 holes is better from a time and cost perspective.

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#5

Sweetens Cove, Sweetens Cove!!

Oh I have heard about it!

I think I have read more articles, tweets, Instagrams about it than any course except Augusta National in the last couple years.

They have Hands down the best PR Department in Golf!

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#6

Wow what a story. I want to go play just because of the story. See what it’s all about. I do think it can indeed fix the golf “problem.” It’s definitely enticing to know you can play a beautiful course in an hour and a half and be in your way. There definitely needs to be more options like this to get people into golf. It also gives new players a way to play and not be overwhelmed or discouraged.

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#7

Sounds like Rob is the PR department too. Hahaha

#8

I went to Sweetens last year, when they still had an 18 hole rate in addition to the all day rate. I ended up playing an emergency 9 while waiting for my family to pick me up during our road trip. Honestly wish I had time to play all day, and I still remember every hole vividly. Carts are optional there, but I chose to walk, and too many courses built in the 70’s through early 2000’s were designed with carts in mind.

I didn’t do any cross country holes, but the openness of the layout you can definitely see the possibilities. From the huge undulating greens, to the open fairways to bomb it, and a couple drive-able 4’s, there is nothing like it that I’ve seen. I made a few doubles and triples, but also had 7 birdies in my last 18, including the last 3 holes

The firmness, the slopes, and the openings in front of the green allow for a variety of shots. One my my favorites was on number 9, short par 3. First 2 rounds I hit PW to the green, and went par-birdie. The 3rd time I played, pin was on the lower left tier. I took a punch 7 iron the the back right tier (20 yds right of pin), caught the huge back slope, and it rolled across the green to 3 feet away for an easy birdie. Here is a view from the back right side of the green:

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From my understanding, a lot of muni’s aren’t profitable and are subsidized by the city. I have played my share of uninspired muni’s that sit on a good enough piece of property that could be great in the right hands. In DFW, we have a few great muni’s that have had major renovations by Colligan Golf (Trey Kemp and John Colligan) that are both profitable and affordable including Stevens Park in Dallas and my muni Rockwood in Ft Worth. https://www.gcmonline.com/course/environment/news/municipal-golf-courses

King-Collins also has projects in Nebraska (Landman) a 12 hole course in Jackson, Ms, and Red Feather near Lubbock, TX. I’m not sure if any of these will be as affordable or accessible as Sweetens, but if you can build a fun, open golf course and design it to be low maintenance while having great conditions, then I don’t see why this can’t be a model going forward.

With time and land constraints, having more 9 (or 12) holes makes a ton of sense, especially if they can have so many options to be played differently.

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#9

The fact that almost everyone who’s played it raves about it is the best PR they could get. I was prepared to be underwhelmed because surely nothing is THAT good. I can’t think of too many 18 hole courses I’d rather play than that 9 holer.

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#10

Awesome write up.

I LOVE Stevens Park. They are doing a great job of managing that course. Would be interested to know if they are making money (again they may have a lease way below market or own land outright…i know that course is pretty old).

Very frustrating the Lions Municipal in Austin is unable to keep the course in good shape or make money given its location and natural topography. City is now going back and forth with the University of Texas on whether to extend the lease. Just frustrating as I believe some investment could make the property a really special place (Crenshaw has some proposals to take it private contingent on some large monetary gifts from Austin heavy hitters as well as UT willingness to sell)

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#11

Max Homa had a great quote on some social media platform about Bandon which I think applies (and maybe moreso) to Sweetens

It was something to the effect of “Going on a trip to Bandon Dunes is golf’s version of being vegan, if you didn’t know that about someone, you will soon”

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#12

I’ve been about a dozen times since 2018 and I’m heading back a few weeks. I encourage everyone to make one day-long trip. The place will totally make you rethink “what is golf”. When I head home to my club (which is incredible BTW) I miss the beautiful simplicity that Sweetens offers. Seriously you do not need a clubhouse, locker room, driving range, etc. (although the new bathrooms are nice). Its 10000% about the golf course. And its always spectacular.

I’ll probably join at some point so yes, I’d play it everyday. Yes this concept can be scaled. I wish they’d put a moratorium on new construction and encourage designers to take Rob and Tad’s lead in renovating existing first. Infrastructure is in place so its cheaper to renovate than start from scratch.

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#13

OG illuminati routing at Sweetens is awesome. I’ve played it a couple of times. Best at twilight.

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#14

By no means were my comments regarding anything other than the cult following it has (which is annoying). I’d love to go play as by all accounts it seems like an awesome and fun course and I love what they’re doing. Just wish it wouldn’t flood my timeline so much.

#15

Maybe not a comparison, but it makes me think of Roosevelt inside Griffith Park. 9 holes, no carts, can play it a million different ways, and just have a great hour or two “out of the city” while you’re in the middle of it.

#16

An opposite design in terms of course architecture but somewhat similar to Sweetens is Goat Hill Park. Its all about the golf, its about the people you meet, its all about the hang afterwards. That builds the community (or cult as its lovingly referred). Goat Hill is an afternoon well spent.

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#17

Sure, the low-cost option would insure more parents could afford to take their kids, new generations getting into golf! As for no carts, that would leave me out, I need to use one. Not sure local governments would NEED to subsidize courses like this, but that could be done until they start returning on investment. I would like to play such a course, there are many time and weather related reasons getting a quick round in is preferable!

#18

@golfingbrock took me forever to find it on my phone but here’s the OG route.

image

This is what’s on tap in a couple of weeks. Usually do a 5 club challenge:
SC SR Alt Route

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#19

Those are amazing! I need to get back and spend a couple days trying these routings