September 19, 2006 - Recently we played River Hills Golf and Country Club in Little River, just a short drive North on route 17 over the inland waterway bridge to the entrance, next to River Hills Medical Center. The attractive sign bespeaks the quality of the course.

River Hills is situated in a very picturesque residential area, and the drive to the clubhouse from route 17 is quite a way, so enjoy the scenery as you approach the course.

I thought River Hills was a private or semi-private course simply because we, as a group have not played it before. Two thoughts come to mind. It has the look of a private club, in that it is well kept. The fairways are smooth and green and the greens are near perfect. There isn't a bare spot on the greens so that old excuse that "I could have made that putt- but that bare spot blew it off line" just will not hold up.

The greens are in superb condition, and fast. The other reason I thought it was private was the course is deceptively tough. Throughout the day the phrase "tough hole" was often repeated.

Our group has two golfers playing from the white tees and two from the yellow (only, at River Hills, the yellow tees are actually green.) River Hills did a great job balancing the yardage difference between the white and yellow tees.

This is especially true on the par threes. On the 3, 6, and 15 tees the difference between the white and green is 25-yards. On the 12th, all over water, the difference is 74-yard (185 vs. 111). On the remainder of the course the tee box difference consistently equaled the tee shot distance nicely.

My advice would be if you qualify for the green tees, handicap or age, take advantage of it, you will enjoy the round much more.

The first hole, 305 yards from the white tees and 246 yards from the green tees, is a great confidence builder. Just an average tee shot will place you well inside the 150 yard pole. A well place second shot will have you looking at a birdie to begin.

Two is a fairly easy par five and three is a long but straight par 3. This hacker went into the forth at one over par for the first three holes.

Then number four brought me back to reality. Hit a good tee shot the decide if your going to lay up or go for the green over water This hole can be disaster if you try to do more than you are capable of doing. This hole brought me back to reality

Yep! There is your ball. For a short hitter like me getting on and close in three and one putt is my par. I missed more than I made.

By the time we made the turn to the 10th hole we realized the golf spelled backwards is flog. And there was some flogging of one-self.

The 10th a short par four, starts off next to a water fountain that really has a relaxing effect on you. Makes you forget the "flog shots" on the front nine.

The 12th is what our group considered the most difficult par 3 on the course - 185 yards over water for the white tees and 111 for the green. The white tee is obvious in its difficulty. The green tee shot must be accurate or water, bushes and sand traps will come into play. No one pared this hole we were happy to get away with fours all around.

Seventeen is a par 5, and the number one handicap and rightly so. 491 white 454 green dog leg left, a couple of shots over water, well placed sand traps and a smooth fast green, make this a real number one handicap hole.

Finishing up on 18th is a very make-able par four that will leave you with a good feeling. It did for me. River Hills is an excellent course to play. It rewards good shots, and keeps your head in the game. It is very attractive and well maintained. Our group will be back.

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