The Golf Club at Ballantyne:

The Short and the Long of the Back 9

Posted by Alistair Orr

The Golf Club at Ballantyne is situated on a beautifully rolling park like setting on property at the Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge just minutes from downtown Charlotte. With four sets of tees ranging from 4760 to 6740 yards the design is set up to appeal to players of all skill levels. Those of novice and intermediate playing ability will find this course enjoyable while the skilled low handicapper will face a stern test from the back tees.  Even though the course is located in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the surrounding Ballantyne Business Park a superb blend of luxury and nature has been achieved. Always well conditioned, the course flows naturally over rolling terrain with well placed stands of trees, mounding, ponds and great use of meandering creeks creating a serene parkland ambience while it must be noted that the on course restroom facilities are the height of extravagance. If you find yourself in Charlotte make an effort to add The Club at Ballantyne to your itinerary –the experience will not disappoint.

Course Stats:

Par 71, 4760 - 6740 yards 71.7 / 132

Public play

Location:

Charlotte, North Carolina

 

Editor's Shot Makers Picks:

 

Featured Holes Description:

There are three par 3’s and three par 5’s on the back side at Ballantyne. Surviving the 3’s and conquering the 5’s is the key to posting a good score on the homeward nine.  All are worthy candidates for signature hole status but holes 10 and 14 are a cut above.

 

The back nine opening hole may be the shortest of the 3’s measuring 120 to 160 but it is by no means a pushover. The approach is all carry over a fronting pond and bunker to a slopey green complex.  Anything short or right will have you reaching for the ball scoop or the rake.  Proper club selection and steely putting nerves are required. The par 5 14th is a wonderful risk /reward shotmakers hole. A drive long down the left center, avoiding two right side fairway bunkers, is required to take advantage of the downhill left to right cant of the fairway to maximize driving distance. The fairway continues to flow downhill then back up to an elevated green complex perched on the side of a hill on the banks of a large right side pond. A precise second is needed to set up the eagle putt. An approach shot short right will find one of two green side bunkers while the long right mistake will find the pond. A bail out left will leave a very tricky downhill chip to green surface that slope away.

Contact:

The Golf Club at Ballantyne   

10,000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway   

Charlotte, NC. 28277

(704) 248-4383

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