Golf Course Review: The Gimmie & Snake Acre at The Concession Club, Bradenton, Florida


 THE GIMMIE & SNAKE ACRE

Bradenton, Florida

January 27, 2022


OVERVIEW

FACILITY TYPE: Private

YEAR OPENED: 2019/2020

ARCHITECT: Chris Cochran & Jack Nicklaus

PAR (The Gimmie): 27

PAR (Snake Acre): 36

WEBSITE: https://theconcession.com/par-3/

PHONE: (941) 322-1922

 

The only thing I love more than an incredible championship golf course is a world-class short course. The Gimmie & Snake Acre at The Concession Club in Bradenton, Florida, live up to world-class standards and were nothing shy of an absolute treat to play.


[Link to my review of The Concession Club, the 18-hole Championship course that hosted the 2021 WGC Workday Championship won by Collin Morikawa]


There’s a trend right now at some of the best facilities in the world to build incredible short course experiences and I’m loving every minute of it. One of the courses I grew up playing was an executive course which is why I’m so fond of them. (And maybe why I love irons so much…)


A typical championship golf course will have 18 holes, with par ranging from 70-73 playing at 6,600-7,400 yards from the back tees. There are of course exceptions outside this range but as a general rule, most championship courses will fit that template. Not all championship courses will host professional tournaments but all professional tournaments will be on championship golf courses.


Executive courses tend to lack the longer par 5’s and instead opt for a mix of par 3’s and 4’s, typically having more 3’s than 4’s. These courses are great for beginners learning the game as it gives them an opportunity to hit all the clubs in their bag without being overly penal, while seasoned golfers can hone their skills and get comfortable posting low numbers.


Par 3 courses are all par 3’s. The Gimmie, ranked one of the Top 25 short courses in the world by GOLF Magazine, is a 9-hole par 3 course with each hole replicating some of the most famous holes in the world including the island green 17th hole from TPC Sawgrass, the legendary 17th Road Hole from St. Andrews, and even a replica of hole 6 from Riviera which has a bunker in the middle of the green.


Putting courses like Snake Acre, The Thistle at Pinehurst, or the Punchbowl at Bandon Dunes typically contain 18 different hole locations on an expansive putting green with thrilling slopes and undulations. The superintendent is able to change the routing each day offering a unique experience.



COURSE CONDITIONS RATINGS

GREENS: 4.5

BUNKERS: 5

SCENERY: 5

LAYOUT: 5

–

OVERALL: 4.63


Out of 60+ rounds played this year, including multiple Top 100 courses like The Plantation Course at Kapalua, and The Ocean Course at Kiawah, The Gimmie & Snake Acre win the award for highest-ranked courses played in 2022!! 


It was the combination of nearly perfect conditions, a really fun layout, being alone on the course with just myself and my caddy, an incredible sunset at the end of the day, oh and a few birdies didn’t hurt either.



ACCESSIBILITY

COURSE DIFFICULTY: 3

WALKABILITY: 5


Both courses are meant to be walked. The gimmie only plays to around 1,000 yards and Snake Acre is an acre-sized putting green. Having a caddy on my bag was a real pleasure as well. I played The Gimmie before my round on the Championship course and got to spend that time warming up and getting to know my caddy. He knew the course well, knew how to get at hole locations, and knew the greens. 


The whole round took just about 30 minutes if you don’t count getting snacks at the concession house. The longest hole was still under 120 yards so all you’ll need are some wedges, a putter, a ball or two, and a couple of tees. 


After my round on the championship course, I said bye to my caddy and went over to play Snake Acre. I was able to watch the sunset, alone on the putting green, seeing each time around if I could beat my prior score. 


After the sun went down, the LED lighting system turned on. I could’ve stayed there all night, and members of the club often do. The concession house is the perfect place to stock up on snacks and drinks, there are seats and tables outside overlooking the putting green and short course, places to hold your beverages, and toilets for when nature calls.




SUMMARY

While you may not find yourself at The Gimmie or Snake Acre anytime soon, I encourage you to find a short course nearest to you. The best facilities in the world understand how much fun it is to play great short courses and by supporting your local short course, you can help them stay alive. 


Short courses get bad reputations. People don’t consider them real golf courses. And unfortunately, most of them don’t have the budgets to compete with the bigger players. I believe the world needs more short courses. So get out there and play. And comment down below your favorite short courses 👇




MOVE BETTER - PLAY BETTER

COACH BLAINE ⛳🏌️‍♂️

👉 For more, visit www.TourShotGolf.com



Location: 7700 Lindrick Ln, Bradenton, FL 34202, USA

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