First time playing Carlisle, played the 'Blue' course. Although short in length, just under 2,800 yards for the white tees, it can be a challenging course. I love that it has many mounds mostly on the sides in the rough area. This keeps it from being a totally flat course and can help a wayward ball kick back near the fairway. Greens were in great condition (very few ball marks) and what I consider fast, although cut a little short so several did have some dried out areas on the edges, not uncommon though for this time of year. Signage at each hole is well done. No sand traps, let's face it what weekend golfer enjoys sand traps. Separate women/senior tee boxes with nice distancing from the white tees. Weekday and weekend pricing is among the lowest you will find. Reason for that may be due to what I list below.
Now for the bad: Cash only, no credit cards, there is an ATM. The carts are not good. Looking inside numerous carts they are filthy, mold on the bodies of most, leaves all over, and dirty. I can almost guarantee they are not sanitized carts during this Covid crisis. If you're playing the Blue course it is a long hike to the 1st hole if you're walking. The men's (white tee) 9th hole is 372 yards and listed as a par 5, a straight away 372 yard hole. This length for a straight hole is not a par 5. Tee boxes are mostly weeds, as are the fairways. You will get no 'fluff' lie on the fairways as you would on most courses that actually have grass on the fairways since the weeds here are ground hugging, it's like hitting off dirt. The greens are small and all are the same shape- turtle shell/domed, no imagination was put into making some distinctive greens. Cart paths end at the 3rd hole. I'm surprised there weren't more cart ruts, especially near the tees. Along the right side of the first hole is a long stretch of cut tree limbs and trunks stacked for around 40 yards and looks like they've been there for years. Along the side near the 2nd green is an old fire truck which when you get closer is in bad shape, a rusting white van (open window) and what appears to be a non functional utility company type truck. Now maybe the worst: Between the 1st and 2nd hole is a host of discarded junk, a graveyard of old cart parts and everything but the kitchen sink (although it may be in there). I really thought for awhile I was in a salvage yard, it really had me wondering if the owners really have any pride.
With some cleanup and investment this could be a really nice place. Maybe the other 18 holes are in better shape, someday I will check it out. I'll likely return and try to ignore the bad vistas and other drawbacks. read more
