Quail Valley Golf Course (Littlestown, PA on 10/09/16)

I got done with my first round a bit after 2pm and knew that if I wanted to play another round, then I’d need to hustle! I called over to Quail Valley and was told that they were wide open. The proshop warned me that it was very windy and while I normally wouldn’t play in this much wind, I’ll play in about any conditions when out of town! Plus, it was windy during my morning round and I hit it pretty well! I couldn’t pass up a chance to add a course to my list, especially a course in Pennsylvania since it is one of my favorite states to golf in.

Quail Valley is located to the east of U.S. Route 15, the main road to and from nearby Gettysburg. The course is out in the country so you’ll have to take some back roads in order to get there, no matter where you are coming from. Carroll Valley is pretty much due west of Quail Valley but there isn’t a main road connecting the areas so it took about a half hour to get there. However, Quail Valley is only about 20 minutes from Gettysburg so that would make it convenient for those taking in the sites while in town!

Much of my drive was through farmland and when I arrived I discovered that Quail Valley is set in a small, country community. I paid my $30 super twilight rate and headed over to the 1st tee. I skipped around around a bit because of a group that I caught up to on the 8th hole. So, I played the 1st through the 7th, a couple holes on the back nine, and then came back around to play the rest that I missed. All in all I made it around in 3 hours, just as the sun was setting!

Most of the holes at Quail Valley run north and south! There are a few doglegs, but the only hole that doesn’t run north and south (for its entirety) is the 2nd. I don’t think that takes away from the course as there were enough other features to keep my interest. There are five ponds, a creek that comes into play, an island green, and nice mix of open and tree lined holes. There is even a barn behind the 14th green that adds some extra charm to the course!

The front nine is off to the right of the clubhouse and maybe a dozen homes, which are located in the middle of the property. The 1st hole is out in the open before much of the remaining holes on the front have some trees in play. You are going to want to play from the fairway on the 3rd, 6th, and 8th holes! These are all par 4’s where just the slightest error can result in a pitch back to the fairway. Trust me, I know! From the tees that I played (the blacks) there are some layup tee shots that you’ll want to be mindful of. The 9th, a par 5 that doglegs right close to the green, is one of the best birdie chances! I hit a good drive and from where I was in the fairway, a line at the green considerably shortened my second shot.

The back nine is the better nine in my opinion. It plays a bit longer, is more open, and features the course’s signature hole! The 13th is a 155 yard par 3 with an island green. The green is decent size, but it sets up best for a baby draw. I’m sure that’s fine for some folks, but I like to fade the ball and the wind was whipping from the left! I did manage to find some land, but I had some nervous moments on the tee. The 15th and 17th are other holes of note on the back nine. The 15th is a monster par 5 that was 560 yards from my tees (626 from the tips!) and doglegs left. It also has a skinny layup area and a creek short of the green so par is an excellent score! The 17th is a mid-length par 3 with a large pond short of the two-tiered green.

From the black tees, the course is 72.1/135/6585 and much of that yardage is in the par 5’s. Besides the water hazards, there isn’t a lot of lost ball trouble at Quail Valley. You generally have places to bail too, except on the 13th. The course’s difficulty came from all the angles and the contour of the greens. Quail Valley is a sneaky position course, almost one where you have to know where the flag is and hit the tee shot to a yardage on the proper side of the fairway. There are trees that encroach fairways, a couple odd doglegs, and greens with small tongues which means you’ll have to be hitting laser approaches and high flop shots to get anything close. After getting on the greens, there are tiers and ridges which made it tough to make anything over 15 or 20 feet.

As I’ve come to expect from Pennsylvania courses, Quail Valley was in very good condition. The tees were lush and the greens were firm and fast. If you like speedy, pure greens then don’t miss a round here! I blew all my lag putts past the hole, but somehow managed to make the come-backers. The fairways were full, just a touch long. There were spots of soft and firm ground, so once the fairways dry out they will be super nice!

Overall, Quail Valley is another good option in South Central Pennsylvania. Sure, it has a few odd holes and it is a bit more involved of a course to play than I prefer. But, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend that someone check it out if vacationing in Gettysburg!

#1 (385 yard par 4):

1-1 1-2

#2 (167 yard par 3):

2-1 2-2

#3 (387 yard par 4):

3-1

#4 (555 yard par 5):

4-1 4-2 4-3

#5 (375 yard par 4):

5-1 5-2

#6 (339 yard par 4):

6-1

#7 (170 yard par 3):

7-1

#8 (375 yard par 4):

8-1

#9 (523 yard par 5):

9-1

#10 (351 yard par 4):

10-1 10-2

#11 (416 yard par 4):

11-1

#12 (382 yard par 4):

12-1 12-2

#13 (155 yard par 3):

13-1 13-2

#14 (387 yard par 4):

14-1

#15 (560 yard par 5):

15-1 15-3

#16 (359 yard par 4):

16-1 16-2

#17 (161 yard par 3):

17-1 17-2

#18 (538 yard par 5):

18-1 18-2 18-3

 

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