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| - Just played the Links course at the Biltmore for the first time. If there were a 3.5 star rating, I would have chosen that.
Great service from the time you get there. Very much has the feel of a country club including bag boys, a nice restaurant and a decent pro shop. The only downside is the awful beers they offer on the course and at the turn. (Some of us have slightly more refined tastes than Budweiser and the like.)
The course is enjoyable, although there are less than obvious hazards and layouts. For instance, on #2 there is water down the left side in three separate lakes. While the first is plainly visible, you can easily drive the second lake yet not know it's there. Get a yardage guide or ask a local for help. The layout is very typical of a resort as it is strung out over a huge distance and doesn't flow very well. I wouldn't reccomend trying to walk. In fact, I'm not sure they would let you if you wanted to.
The pace of play was a PUNISHING 5 hours. According to the locals and the starter, they use 5 minute separations which causes this backup virtually everyday. In all my experience, I don't know of another course in the world that uses separations that tight. Management should be ashamed of themselves. We were backed up 3 groups deep on every Par 3 and many of the Par 4s. There is no excuse for this. On top of that, the group in front of us was playing from the blue tees and had no business doing so. People, please check your ego. If you can't shoot below 90 on a regular basis, move up to the White tee box.
Good deals can be had on golfnow.com. I certainly wouldn't pay full price.
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