Lake Placid – The game of golf is difficult enough, but add the distraction of spectacular fall foliage in Upstate New York, and well, the sport has become even more difficult.
Of course, we’re jesting, but more than one player has told us that with such amazing colors surrounding the Whiteface Club and Resort Golf Course, how is it possible to concentrate on the shot at hand?
This unforgettable Adirondack golf experience has recently been named one of the top 10 destinations for fall golf in North America by USA Today 10Best. Just play a round on the par 71 layout and you’ll understand the plaudits.
The Whiteface Club is sister property to the Mirror Lake Inn. Together, they offer a luxurious stay and play package that is unrivaled. The Mirror Lake Inn is AAA Four Diamond rated the past 38 straight years with the accompanying The View Restaurant, also Four Diamond listed.
The Whiteface Club and Resort is the quintessential resident community in the Adirondacks, adjacent to the lake from which Lake Placid draws its name. In addition to challenging and scenic golf, it is complete with custom-made luxury homes, condos, two restaurants, beautiful wedding gardens, beach, marina, tennis and cross-country skiing on the golf course in winter.
For foliage lovers, when you step onto the first green, just turn around and look at the hillside in the background. Then reach for your iPhone and snap the first of many photos.
Later in the round, you’ll reach the sixth tee where your opening shot is aimed at Whiteface Mountain. Be prepared – you could see some snow at its highest reaches.
The par 3 eighth and 11th holes are bordered with the colors of the season. Again, these photo opportunities are iPhone worthy.
The remainder of the round presents similar photo ops. But in the midst of all this, the course asks you to manage your game as you negotiate your way through this colorful landscape. Primarily, focus on keeping the ball in play, take no risks, and try to leave your ball in positions where you can make a score on each hole. Once you reach the greens, players will deal with pure and quick putting surfaces that members and guests have raged about all summer and fall.
If your game is in good form entering the final three holes, then you can take advantage of the short par four 16th, followed by the closing par fives at 17 and 18.
On 17, hit your second shot to the right center of the fairway to make the approach a bit easier.
The closing 18th presents a dilemma for long hitters as ponds left and right come into play 200 yards from the green. For these players, it’s the risk/reward temptation that could make or break the round. Will you putt for eagle, or hang your head after a double bogey?
In years ahead, you may not recall how that decision-making worked out. But what you will remember is that you stood there and pondered your shot selection in a fall foliage environment that you will never forget.