Favorite Hole
No. 2, Par 3, 141 yards
With a front-left bowl and a back-right shelf, the second hole at Schoolhouse Nine is one of the most enjoyable holes and also the most thought-provoking. A fronting bunker protects the bowl on the green, and shots long of the back tier will have trouble, but well-executed shots have great chances at birdie.
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Overall Thoughts
The Shenandoah Valley offers a scenic retreat from the hustle and bustle of Washington, D.C. City streets become winding country roads and a different, slower world emerges. Small towns dominate the area and remind us of a simpler way of life. Schoolhouse Nine embodies that ethos in every way. There’s nothing fussy or pretentious, no Instagramable tee markers or flags. Hell, even the sign for the course is lost amongst a sea of other businesses on the directory. Find a parking spot, pay your greens fee, and have fun. There isn’t anything else to it.
This simple mindset extends to the golf course itself, too. Set on just a few acres, the course is routed straight out, does a loop on the far end, and turns home. This execution not only provides a seamless walk but also maximizes the minimal landforms. The property is entirely flat except for a ridge and modest depression in the northeast corner. In this area, McCartin put the three shortest holes in succession, playing down, in, and up the depression. My guess is that the seventh hole was an early decision, as its green sits right on top of the ridgeline and makes for a daring shot to all pin positions.
Where many par 3 courses fall apart is their repetition. At Schoolhouse Nine, you can hit every club from lob wedge to long iron in short order. Its longest holes, Nos. 8 and 9, occupy the flattest ground along the road and use visual deception to create intrigue. The bunker short and right of the eighth green obscures the view of the green’s central knob, and the bunkers short of the ninth hole make it tough to see the undulations that break up the green into multiple sections.
In addition to the holes’ varied length, McCartin infused plenty of interest in the greens. Nos. 1, 2, 4, and 7 feature bowl sections, but they are all used in different ways. The low area on the seventh is particularly interesting as it sits at the back of the green, leaving a high tier up front. The bowls on Nos. 1, 2, and 4 are more accessible but visibly obscured. Should the course want to challenge the player, there are also tucked pins aplenty that could put a high demand on approach play.
What really gives Schoolhouse Nine its added flair are the features that aren’t always obvious to the casual observer. On the third hole, you’ll find a Principal’s Nose bunker obscuring the line to the green. On the ninth, you’ll find a green that is shaped like a Road Hole green in the front that turns into a Redan in the back. There really is something for everyone.
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(How We Rate Courses)
A community asset, Schoolhouse Nine doesn’t try to be anything it isn’t. It’s a concept that achieves what it sets out to achieve while providing an affordable chance to play golf. A lot of golf if you want to. The course won’t blow you away with its land, conditioning, or features, but it isn’t trying to. It’s playable and can also be challenging in spots. If you find yourself in the area, you should make an effort to see Schoolhouse Nine. Everyone can always use a refresher course.
Course Tour
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