Lakes Course at Twin Lakes

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Lakes Course at Twin Lakes

In golf, a course consists of eighteen holes with a division by two making up a "front" and "back" nine. With most courses this division bears no meaning or distinguishing difference between the two nines other than a convenient way to route golfers back to the clubhouse at the turn.

Well if you'd like to make the turn and play a round where each nine feels like two entirely different courses, then no course exemplifies this feeling better than the Lakes Course at Twin Lakes in Fairfax Virginia.

After writing a spotlight article on the Oaks Course last year we knew we had to return and check out the facilities other course. The Lakes Course is the original course of the 36-hole facility and first opened in 1967. The combination of both courses makes for a very diverse pair fitting for every level of golfing ability.

To me the duality of the front and back nine is what makes the Lakes Course such a fun and unique play. The front nine is very open and forgiving. If you're driving the ball well then you'll be happy to know there are many opportunities to score.

For example the two Par 5s on the front nine are both green light birdie holes. With a good drive both are reachable in two or at worst a wedge into two very receptive greens. Next you have two Par 4s, the 380-yard No. 3 and 373-yard No. 5; two short straightforward holes with no trouble around the fairway. Again a good drive will leave a short approach to stick a good shot for more birdie opportunities.

At the turn however the Lakes course does its best "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"; impersonation. The open friendly scoring frenzied front nine turns into a relatively tight tree lined parkland style course with ample hazards and hardwood trees to navigate. Don't get us wrong it's not an overbearingly tougher nine than the font but the difference is enough to promote a feel of playing an entirely different course.

When I play the Lakes that different feeling from "front" to "back" nine makes me feel as if the course was just saving its best for last. The hole that puts the icing-on-the-cake is the tight tree lined Par- 5 No. 17. This short par 5 demands an accurate tee shot and requires a second shot from the fairway that crosses a steep downward and again upward sloped fairway to the green. Again...a reachable in two Par-5, but the practical play is a three shot green in regulation.

After my round our scorecard said it best; a few birdies on the front and proceeded to give them all back on the back nine. All in all...a good round and a fun course to play!

Amigos Favorite Hole: At the Lakes Course we choose the 195-yard Par-3 11th as our favorite.

At the tee tall reeds frame the lake and hardwood trees surround the green creating the most scenic view anywhere on the course. Your tee shot is one of the most demanding anywhere on the course with a forced carry across the lake to the green.

On the large green and depending on pin position a score of par is a great score. If the pin is back right, remember to add one club at the tee but be wary of the downward slope just off the right side of the green. A wayward pushed or sliced shot right will likely lead to a watery grave.

From the 11th hole on the remaining holes are classic parkland style with hardwoods framing each hole putting a greater emphasis on accuracy with your tee shot. There is plenty of scoring on the front any plenty of opportunities to give strokes back on the back nine at the Lakes Course at Twin Lakes.

Review Date: 05/30/2009

Course review ratings are conducted on a five point scale. ( 1 = Double Bogey 3 = Par 5 = Eagle)

Tees: 4 Flag Rating, Very Good

At just under 6,700 yards this classic Par 72 course might be considered short but has plenty of distance to challenge most amateur golfers.

With 4 sets of tees with and a variety of varying distances the course is accommodating for all skill levels. Everyone from the seasoned golfer to beginner can have a great time on the Lakes Course.

With the recent rains the grass on the tee was a bit longer than expected but in overall decent condition.

Fairways: 5 Flag Rating, Excellent

The fairways are large and inviting which allow you to really take a good rip at the ball on the tee. This makes for some great scoring opportunities if you can keep the ball in the fairway.

The fairways were in great shape except for some dampness still lingering for the heavy rain the night before. Being an older course there were a couple of spots where drainage was an issue but not to a negative point.

Rough: 4 Flag Rating, Very Good

There are two cuts of rough on the course. A primary cut just off the fairway which was fairly easy to navigate then a thicker and trickier cut beyond that area.

Like many courses this spring rough is really "rough' for a change and can and will affect your approach shots. Lucky for us the greens were soft and receptive so we didn't have too many miscues on approach shots.

Traps: 2 Flag Rating, Below Average

The course is well bunkered both on the fairway and around the green. It doesn't overwhelm you visually but protects adequately in both areas. The bunkers around the green are especially well placed to protect the obvious bail out areas over aggressive play.

With a deluge of rain the night before and a minimal amount of sand in the traps, they played very firm and difficult. There was a couple with some standing water where a free drop was a great call. I applaud they effort from the staff for running a rake through the bunkers earlier in the day but with the minimal amount of sand it didn't make much of a difference.

Greens: 4 Flag Rating, Very Good

The greens were in good condition on the Lakes Course. The greens range from a medium size to large with subtle breaks. A classic design at its best!

With the recent rain the greens were running slow. You had to chip directly to the hole and there was little break. This was great for scoring but made any reading of the break and slope tricky. Your brain would tell you to play break or slope there and the reaction of the ball once rolled would not roll out or break. It was a hard adjustment to make at times.

Amenities: 5 Flag Rating, Excellent

For a county run facility at Twin Lakes does not lack any detail. The clubhouse is expansive yet unassuming with grill and snack bar. They also have a large banquet room, the "Oaks Room" used for tournaments and outings.

Very nice full service range with both mats and grass tees. There is a large short game practice area just to the left of the starting tee.

Staff Services: 4 Flag Rating, Very Good

The entire staff at Twin Lakes was polite and accommodating. This is a very busy place and they have the check-in process down to a science. There is a starter just outside the pro shop where you first check-in prior to paying and then another starter at the first tee to assist you when teeing off. In theory it seems like a redundant process but they make it work somehow.

On the course, there was a fully stocked beverage cart making rounds. The only complaint would be the course doesn't loop back to the clubhouse at the turn. This always makes it tough on those who always need lunch or a hot dog at the turn.

On the course the Marshal was making rounds minding pace and on a busy Saturday it was needed.

Pace of Play: 4 Flag Rating, Very Good

On a beautiful pristine afternoon we were waiting a bit for the group in front of us. Due to the great location and quality course for price you can see why the tee sheet is always full.

We did play in just over 4.5 hours on a weekend which is the usual norm for most courses for weekend play but it seemed like a much longer wait at times.

Overall Average: 3.9, Birdie Course
Good Course, worth a play

We would like to thank General Manager Barbara Cosgrove for having us out to visit and spotlight the Lakes Course at Twin Lakes.

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Location: 6201 Union Mill Road, Clifton VA 20124
Tee Time Phone: 877-776-3272
Course Type: Public

*The opinions expressed in this course review are those of the individual reviewer(s) and do not reflect the editorial opinion of www.GolfinAmigos.com