Callaway Gardens 
Pine Mountain, GA 



Reviewed: 1995
Callaway Gardens


As home of the Buick Challenge on the PGA Tour, the Mountain View course at Callaway Gardens is highly regarded. Opened in 1964, this Dick Wilson design is joined at Callaway by the Lake View, Garden View and Sky View courses. So there's something for everyone with 63 holes of golf.

Gary Wilder is superintendent over all of the courses. "The PGA Tour player's love the natural beauty of the design of the Mountain View course," Wilder said.

The Lake View course opened its' original 9 holes in 1952, with nine following in the early 1960's. It was designed by J.B. McGovern and Dick Wilson, with Cason Callaway himself providing the inspiration for the layout. He believed that playing golf should be a pleasant experience in beautiful surroundings. The challenge of the course lies in its nine water holes, and its landscaping of azaleas, dogwoods and seasonal flowers. It plays to a par 70.

The Gardens View course was the last of the quartet to open - it opened in 1967 - and was designed by Joe Lee. The picturesque par 72 course runs along a trail of beautiful orchards and vineyards. It's played over some hilly terrain, with water hazards and greenside bunkers making it an excellent test of shot-making ability and game management.

The Sky View course is ideal for a family outing or for a brisk nine holes. With its no-cart rule, the par 31 executive course is ideal for an hour or two of fresh air.

Thus Callaway Gardens provides a total golf experience for all types and levels of players - the social foursome, the family, and the serious, seasoned golfer - in the midst of the beauty and peace that is Callaway Gardens.

Back to the jewel of Callaway Gardens golf courses - the Mountain View course. Some holes that stand out include the par 5 second. An uphill tee shot to a generous fairway that funnels to the center leaves the longer hitter a chance of going for the green in two. However, the green is a very shallow target for a long approach shot, as it is heavily guarded by bunkers.

The par 3 fifth is a tough "short hole." It is played downhill to a big green that slopes from right to left. Two bunkers protect the right side of this 212-yard hole.

The ninth represents a demanding finish to the front nine. A lengthy par 4, it doglegs slightly to the left, and runs slightly uphill all the way. The bunkers to the left of the landing area must be avoided to leave a shot to the large, sloping putting surface. Parring this hole would make heading to the back nine a more pleasant proposition.

The twelfth is a picture-perfect par 3. This tranquil looking, downhill hole can jump up and grab an errant tee shot, as water to the left of the green is definitely in play. Bunkers short and right must also be noted. Standing on the green a scenic view of the lake to the left is seen.

The par 5 fifteenth is a spectacular hole, and is rightly designated as the signature hole. It is easy to be intimidated standing on the tee seeing a lake down the right side and a tree-lined left side. The fairway slopes from the left to the right, so one's tee shot should favor the left. The lake cuts in front of the green some 80 yards from the putting surface. So all but the longest hitters need to lay up short of the water and rely on a good pitch shot to set up a birdie putt. Also the green is raised up from the water and so the approach shot requires extra elevation in order to hold the green. This hole could certainly make or break a round.

A common feature of nearly every hole are bunkers placed in front of the greens. Thus approach shots must be flown to the greens in order to carry the waiting trouble.

This course is indeed a pleasure to play. Its demanding nature is more than compensated for by its natural beauty and excellent conditioning.

Cutline: Number 15 on the Mountain View course