Sunday got you thinking two things: poor Phil. And: you’d love to play a course like that. Yeah, a not-exactly-public one. So while we’d never encourage you to sneak onto a private course and have your way with a hole or two, we wouldn’t want to be unhelpful, either. If anyone asks, you don’t know us.
Degree of Difficulty: One sand wedge.
The Approach: First, find the
Lansdowne Office Park. Park the car. Across the street: you’ll see the tee box of the monstrous
580-yard, par-5 11th hole on the resort’s top course. Run to it.
Hazard: Stray golf shots from corporate outings.
Degree of Difficulty: Two sand wedges.
The Approach: Here, at the site of several PGA Tour tourneys, you’ll bypass the main
entrance and head down Beman Woods Way. Park among the townhouses. There, just up a slight hill, is your
quarry: the long, uphill par-4 18th hole. Yes, the 18th.
Hazard: Acting like you belong once you get up to the clubhouse.
Degree of Difficulty: Three sand wedges.
The Approach: This 100-year-old course, with a few USGA championships to its name, is long
on history—and fences. Start at the dead end of South Chelsea Lane. There’s the par-5 fifth tee guarded by only a
short fence.
Hazard: It’s getting back off the course you have to worry about.
Degree of Difficulty: Four sand wedges.
The Approach: Ditch the car in the office park at Silver King Court. Cross Pickett Road. You’ll find a gate, which is sometimes wide
open. On the other side: the quaint par-3 third hole.
Hazard: The active-duty and retired officers who comprise most of the membership—and
might want to put you in the brig.
Degree of Difficulty: Five sand wedges.
The Approach: Our most decorated course, home to US Opens and Tiger’s tourney later this
month. So at least wait till that’s over. Then park on Congressional Court and cross Bradley Boulevard to be face-to-face with the tough,
dogleg par-4 fifth hole.
Hazard: Tall fences. With barbed wire. We’ll leave it at that.
