Golf Course Review: Bulle Rock, Havre De Grace, Maryland


 BULLE ROCK

Havre De Grace, Maryland

October 17 & November 7


OVERVIEW

YEAR OPENED: 1998

ARCHITECT: Pete Dye

COURSE LENGTH: 4,133 - 7,375

COURSE RATING: 65.3 - 75.6

COURSE SLOPE: 119 - 147

TEE OPTIONS: 9

LOCATION: Havre De Grace, Maryland

FACILITY TYPE: Semi-Private


There’s a reason why Bulle Rock has been voted the #1 daily fee course in Maryland since it opened in 1998. One of only three golf courses Pete Dye designed in Maryland, it is the only one of the three west of the Chesapeake Bay. Though not directly on the bay, it is affected by it. What I feel most people fail to realize about Bulle Rock is how close to the Chesapeake you really are and once your ball flies above the trees, it’s at the mercy of winds you may not be able to feel from the ground. 


Paired with beautifully classic rolling Maryland hills, thick woods, and tall grass, you have yourself a championship-worthy course. This is precisely why the LPGA played there from 2005-2009. Unlike some of Dye’s other infamously difficult designs like The Ocean Course, Whistling Straits, or TPC Sawgrass, Bulle Rock is a bit more tame and accessible to a wide variety of skill levels. With 9 tee box options to choose from, everyone can have a great time.




COURSE CONDITIONS RATINGS

FAIRWAYS: 3.5

GREENS: 4

BUNKERS: 3.5

PRACTICE FACILITIES: 4.5

SCENERY: 4

LAYOUT: 4


I’ve been fortunate to play Bulle Rock nearly a dozen times over the year and can honestly say it’s always in good condition. Unless you’re playing around the time of aeration, you’re likely going to find good conditions. During my most recent two rounds, the course was in great shape. Fall golf in Maryland is one of the best times to play. The grass is typically very healthy and the leaves are changing colors.


One of my favorite parts about Bulle Rock is getting there early to warm up and practice. They have a really fun short game area near the first and tenth tees to work on wedges and putting. The wedge area has 6 different mats hitting to 4 different holes all within 100 yards. This is the perfect way to get your wedges dialed in before the round. I could spend all day right there hitting balls. They also have 2 putting greens, one near the wedge area, the other near the 1st tee, and a driving range a short drive down the road with an expansive grass-hitting area


What Pete Dye does so well at Bulle Rock is he uses the natural slopes and contours of the land to his advantage. Catch the right spot and your ball can trundle down the fairway. Catch the wrong spot and you could have a tricky up and down. Knowing where to miss and leaving the ball below the hole are important for managing your way around.




ACCESSIBILITY

COURSE DIFFICULTY: 4

WALKABILITY: 4

PACE OF PLAY: 4.5


Bulle Rock can be a very challenging course if you find yourself out of position. It offers more generous fairways than it may seem standing on the tee box but once you get out there you realize there’s more room than you thought. Pete Dye is a brilliant architect in that way. He’s very good at deceiving the eye and making you challenge what it is you’re looking at. 


Driving the ball well at Bulle Rock is most certainly important as the green complexes are subtle and you must miss in the correct places to have a chance of saving par. Find yourself short-sided on one of Dye’s small contoured greens and you may have a challenging leave for par. That’s because Dye is notorious for creating slopes and mounds and various contours around elevated green complexes. This means you are rarely able to bump and run the ball and often find yourself needing to throw the ball in the air to give yourself a chance


I’m not going to argue with the fact that some of the holes at Bulle Rock are long. From the tips, it stretches nearly 7,400 yards. But it also has 9 tee box options and I highly suggest playing one up from where you may normally play, at least your first time getting around the course. With multiple combo tees to choose from, this is often the best way to go.




SUMMARY

OVERALL RATING: 3.92


Bulle Rock is and will continue to be one of my favorite courses in Maryland. It’s a great track, consistently in good condition, has a great restaurant and brunch, and there’s friendly people on their staff. There’s a fantastically fun short game practice area and putting green near the first and tenth tees, and the landscape is classic Maryland Americana. 


Bulle Rock is a course everyone in the area or even just driving along i95 should play. With a name like Pete Dye on the scorecard you know it’s going to be a great time



MOVE BETTER - PLAY BETTER

COACH BLAINE ⛳🏌️‍♂️


For more, visit www.TourShotGolf.com





Location: 320 Blenheim Ln, Havre De Grace, MD 21078, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Service Review: Dr. Mike Fitzsimmons | ProActive Spine and Movement, Carrollton, TX

Image
  SERVICE REVIEW:  DR. MIKE FITZSIMMONS ProActive Spine and Movement 2761 E Trinity Mills Rd; Suite #100, Carrollton, TX 75006 As a PGA Golf Professional, it’s important my body is able to move properly. Whether it’s playing the game I love, or helping others through coaching or club fitting, I’m constantly on my feet, moving, bending, twisting, and loading high levels of force on my body. With a minor herniation in my lower back, I’ve had a history of back injuries that creep in from time to time and take me away from what I love doing most. Over the years I’ve gone to see a handful of Chiropractors and have usually had less than desirable experiences. Dr. Mike Fitzsimmons of ProActive Spine and Movement, however, is different. Dr. Mike’s approach is more than just a “rack n’ crack.” While manipulations are part of his toolbox of techniques for improving the way you move, it’s only one of the many tools he uses. Blending traditional chiropractic techniques with physical therapy and re
Read more

Up and Down: A PGA Professional's Perspective on Golf and Philosophy

Image
  Up and Down: A PGA Professional’s Perspective on Golf and Philosophy As a PGA Professional, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how golf transcends being just a sport and evolves into a profound metaphor for life. The rhythmic sound of a well-struck ball, the lush greens stretching out before us - it’s more than just a game; it’s a philosophical journey through the ups and downs of existence. 1. Guiding the Trajectory: In golf, much like in life, the trajectory of the ball represents our journey. From the initial drive off the tee to navigating hazards and undulating greens, every shot mirrors the twists and turns life throws our way. As a PGA Professional, I find joy in guiding golfers to embrace the unpredictability, emphasizing adaptability, persistence, and strategic thinking on their golfing and existential journeys. 2. Pursuit of Excellence: One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is witnessing golfers’ relentless pursuit of perfection in a game that cannot be b
Read more

Golf Course Review: Stewart Peninsula Golf Course, The Colony, Texas

Image
  STEWART PENINSULA GOLF COURSE The Colony, TX OVERVIEW FACILITY TYPE: Public ARCHITECT: Tripp Davis PAR: 66 LENGTH: 4,000 - 5,325 USGA RATING: 60.7 - 65.9 USGA SLOPE: 102 - 124 TEE OPTIONS: 3 WEBSITE: www.stewartpeninsulagolf.com PHONE: (972) 625-8700   It’s not often I get to play a course that bends the rules and creates an experience unique to anything else I’ve ever played. Everything about Stewart Peninsula is unique and creates an experience you won’t soon forget. This hidden gem in North Texas has views of Lake Lewisville on every hole and has a clever routing reminiscent of St. Andrews and other old links courses with its shared greens. Stewart Peninsula is a 9/18 hole golf course. What makes it so unique is its 10 greens… Each hole at Stewart Peninsula, except hole 18 which has two separate greens, has a shared green with two holes; one for the red flag and one for the yellow flag. Each hole has two sets of tees, red tees, and yellow tees. For the first nine holes, y
Read more