Those are some tough questions. I definitely think it's better to wait to see a course until someone has said it's good to go. Case in point, I golfed at "The Keep", which is the new at McLemore, and it definitely wasn't ready based on turf condition. We still had a ton of fun Oh and I just golfed at Wolf River Golf Park thanks to the fried egg which has newish greens. We had a lot of fun for 60$.

New courses and renovations often come with highly polished promotional messaging it seems to justify the significant investments behind them. Early adopters frequently echo these sentiments, praising the architects and designers for their work. I find more value in messages that offer thoughtful observations, ones that prompt you to consider whether the design choices are truly well executed as not all can be home runs.

One of the most impressive things about Shoreacres agronomically, is how well presented the mow lines are. There's seemingly not another inch of fairway, green or surround expansion that could be done or is needed. Anywhere there is short grass, it is pushed out all the way to the bunker edge creating an amazing aesthetic while also creating terrific playability in regard to width and angles. Props the them, this type of maintenance throughout the course is not easy by any means.

I think the fundamental problem with this is that so many new builds are now high-end private clubs with limited membership, so there are not really opportunities to go see them except after hearing from folks like you all, the YouTubers, and the Instagram photographers who usually get the first looks. However, to the extent there are new things in New England that I can go see, I try to get there including maybe not new builds of something someone recommends I haven't heard of before. I will try to get to Stowe Country Club's renovation hopefully next year when it re-opens to see for myself what Beau Welling has done, and that's about the extent I can do.

A Pacific Grove fan here!

I will echo just about everything that you said. I have played quite a few places I think are better for a single round, but very few that I would rather play every day. I also fully expected 3 eggs. Holes 10-15 are on my short list of best extended stretches in golf.

I was lucky to play Shoreacres in June of this year. Really fun to read this review after playing. I had a great caddie that really helped me score by not over clubbing into the very firm green complexes. I played from the correct tees for my distance challenged game and was able to break 80. I had a blast and literally wanted to play again immediately. One of my most enjoyable rounds ever due to the brilliant course and great caddie. Thanks for this insightful profile.

This is an amazing golf course. I have been lucky to play a lot of great golf courses and I agree, there are only 1 or 2 places I would play ahead of Shoreacres. It's a great course that you can play everyday, be challenged, but not always overwhelmed. It's also the best turf conditions I have ever played. So fast, so firm. I am bit disappointed that it didn't get a full 3 Eggs.

Amending my first reply as I spoke with my dad who played Lac La Belle member guest last week about hole #2. He said he accidentally push/popped his drive over the tree chute to the far right side of the fairway and was able to hit a good wedge shot close to the hole on the front tier (same angle Ben's comment references). From his angle he did watch his other playing partner's decent shots bounce hard forward down to the back tier. So I'm even more torn on the quirky vs. fair because the average golfer isn't able to get over to that right side consistently without tempting total disaster of hitting into the tree chute.

Thanks Sweeney for slowing the game down. Are golfers in such poor condition that they have to use this crutch for 2-3 foot putts.