Saratoga Spa State Park, Championship Golf Course

Saratoga Spa State Park, Championship Golf Course is a Public, 18 hole golf course located in Saratoga Springs, New York.

The original holes were opened in 1936. In the late 1950's, golf course architect William Mitchell designed the course enjoyed today.

Shortly after that, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player played a commemorative round to celebrate the reopening of the course. Set in a pine forest, the course derives much of its character from the majestic pines that frame several holes, creating a feeling of seclusion.

Par for the course is 72. From the back tees, the course plays to 7,145 yards. From the forward tees, the course measures 4,351 yards. The longest hole on the course is # 17, a par-5 that plays to 559 yards. The shortest hole on the course is # 3, a par-8 that plays to 180 yards from the back tees.

Watch out for # 3, a 493-yard par-5 challenge and the #1 handicap hole on the course. The easiest hole at Sarasota Championship Golf Course is # 11, a 212 yard par-3.

This course is both challenging and golfer friendly. They offer five sets of tees, and strongly encourage all golfers, regardless of gender, to choose the tees most appropriate for their golf game. While the course can be quite long, and there are numerous trees and bunkers, landing areas are ample, and the greens are large with moderate pace. The terrain is generally firm and flat, and the rough moderate. Much of the wooded area is kept clear of underbrush, and there are only a couple of water hazards. In addition to taking some of the strain out of the game, this helps to keep play flowing.

The play is very carefully monitored to maintain a pace of just less than 15 minutes per hole.