Doing the Slooooow Shuffle at Bensalem

Bensalem Township Country Club
Bensalem, Pa
Yards: 2759/3049 - 5808
Par: 35/35 - 70
Rating: 66.6, Slope: 114
Score: 48/50 = 98
Date: July 13, 2008

Impressed with the conditions at Bensalem Township Country Club last October, I decided to return for another round. Built in 1960 as a private club, it has long been open to the public. But since Bensalem Township acquired the facility a few years ago, conditions have dramatically improved. One thing that has remained a constant, however, is its legacy of slow play. On Sunday, teeing off at 2:30 p.m., it took me and my two playing companions five-and-a-half hours to complete our round! It is very difficult to get into any type of rhythm with your game and keep your mental focus when you are continuously waiting for one or two groups ahead of you on every hole. The starter does a more than adequate job of making sure the group ahead of you is practically on the green before sending you off the first tee, and the first two holes play with very little delay, but at the 3rd Hole, a straightaway 487-yard Par 5 that has trees all the way down the right side and sloping terrain to the left of the fairway, the backup always begins. From that point on, it is a looooong, sloooow trek around the course. Overlooking the slow pace of play, Bensalem is well maintained for a municipal course. And it is challenging enough to keep your attention.

Bensalem Township Country Club Scorecard

I didn't exactly bring my "A" game to Bensalem. My swing tempo was short and fast and I pull-hooked a lot of my tee shots. The crisp ball-striking that has been a hallmark of my game recently was also AWOL. But, despite five 7s and a "snowman," I managed my game well enough -- especially my short game -- to get around in 98; the first time I've broken 100 at this course.

As I stated earlier, Bensalem offers enough challenges for even the best golfer. Several fairways are tight and tree-lined, with large to medium-sized, quick greens. Here's my hole-by-hole description:

1st Hole, 311 Yards, Par 4 -- Bensalem starts off rather mildly with a short 311yard Par 4 that doglegs right. After a blind tee shot, a short wedge is all that is left to the green, but don't go long or left.

2nd Hole, 334 Yards, Par 4 -- An uphill tee shot on this slight dogleg right. Approach shots must find their way through a chute of trees to an undulating green.

3rd Hole, 487 Yards, Par 5 -- A straightaway Par 5 with tree along the right and terrain that slopes away from the fairway on the left. A long narrow green is protected bunkers. Missing the green left or right is not advisable.

4th Hole, 146 Yards, Par 3 -- This green juts out of the side of a hill. Miss the green on the left or long and ball travels down an embankment and bogey becomes a very good score.

The 4th Hole, a 146 Yard Par 3

5th Hole, 309 Yards, Par 4 -- This short Par 4 runs parallel to #3. Trees protect the right side, while the left has trees, bushes and terrain that slopes away from the fairway. The hole doglegs left about 40 yards from the green.

6th Hole, 183 Yards, Par 3 -- This hole provides a slight breather. A straightaway tee shot to a large green that slopes right to left. I hit the green and two-putted from distance for a par.

The Green at the 6th Hole

7th Hole, 317 Yards, Par 4 -- The hole doglegs left at a 90-degree angle 200 yards off the tee and the fairway slopes away from incoming tee shots. The short approach shot is downhill. Run through the fairway too much and trees can block second shots. I hit a hybrid off the tee and had a gap wedge from the right rough. Two-putted from 12 feet for par.

8th Hole, 316 Yards, Par 4 -- This hole demands that your tee shot find the fairway, but if you take too much club you could find yourself in the rough, or worse yet, the creek that crosses about 40 yards in front of the green. Second shot is slightly uphill to a sloping green.

The 8th Green Looking Back Across to the Fairway

9th Hole, 356 Yards, Par 4 -- Uphill blind tee shot has a generous landing area, but trees on the right and O.B. on the left. Second shots are to a large, relatively flat green with bunkers on either side.

10th Hole, 361 Yards, Par 4 -- Slightly uphill tee shot to a wide fairway that doglegs left. Stay to the right side, however, as trees can block approaches from the left side. The green is wide open and udulating.

11th Hole, 144 Yards, Par 3 -- A large deep bunker guards the front left portion of the green. Bail out short right and you could find another deep bunker. The green slopes right to left.

A Deep Bunker Protects the Par 3 11th Hole

12th Hole, 335 Yards, Par 4 -- This Par 4 features a wide fairway that doglegs left. A good tee shot will leave a mid-to short iron for your approach to a sloping green.

The Approach Shot to the 12th Green

13th Hole, 390 Yards, Par 4 -- Blind downhill tee shot with O.B. left and trees right. Don't miss the green long or right on your approach shot.

14th Hole, 205 Yards, Par 3 -- Your long uphill tee shot is over a ravine and creek to a green that slopes from back to front. Bunkers guard the left front and right side.

The Intimidating Tee Shot at the Par 3 14th Hole

15th Hole, 383 Yards, Par 4 -- Your slightly uphill tee shot goes back over the ravine and creek to a fairway that is open on the left, but has tree down the right. A mid-iron approach is left to one of the largest greens on the course. I hit driver to the left side of the fairway, but hit my gap wedge about 20 yards short and pitched to six foot. Putted for par.

16th Hole, 475 Yards, Par 5 -- The tight fairway is tree-lined and doglegs left before going downhill into a ravine and creek. A lay-up, usually from a slightly downhill lie, over the ravine is almost required. Your third shot is uphill and doglegs right to a sloping, bunker-protected green.

17th Hole, 377 Yards, Par 4 -- Another slightly uphill blind tee shot over the creek to a fairway that doglegs slightly right. The green is open and undulating.

18th Hole, 379 Yards, Par 4 -- A generous fairway that doglegs right and begins to slope down to the creek. Approach shots must clear the creek to a green that slopes from back-to-front and is guarded by bunkers on the left and right. If a banquet is taking place in the clubhouse, trying playing this hole with a gallery!

Photos by The Muni Golfer