Anchorage, Alaska Golf Summary

So during a recent trip to Alaska, the writers here played six courses, five 18 hole courses and one 9 hole course. Those six are added to another played a few years ago means that seven of the ten courses in close proximity Anchorage (close being defined by normal distances, not Alaska Distance; to some in Alaska, Fairbanks is "just up the road" from Anchorage...yet it's 6 1/2 hours and 360 miles away) Of these seven, all six of the 18 hole courses in the area are included. These courses are generally of fair quality.

Ranked from top to bottom, in this writers opinion, the courses played are:

Eagleglen GC: 6

Anchorage GC: 6

Moose Run (Creek): 5

Settlers Bay GC: 4

Palmer GC: 4

Moose Run (Hill): 3

Fishhook [9 holes]: 2

Those numbers are certainly respectable for a city of nearly 300,000 residents, plus more in the metro area. In fact, they may be just as good as most comparable metro areas in the United States, especially if only considering public courses. After all, what is the level of quality of golf in places like Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York when all the private clubs are thrown out? No, truth be told, the residents of this part of Alaska have a great selection of courses to play. Anchorage is not exactly a golf travel destination like Myrtle Beach or Pinehurst by any means, but the courses are of fairly high quality for locals and visitors.

All the reviews for courses played are linked above.

This area has some very unique features with which it must struggle. On top of the inhospitable winter weather, the courses also must deal with the fact that they get virtually no play from non-local golfers. And the courses certainly have no national members such as courses in places like Park City, Utah that have similar weather conditions. But overall, the Anchorage metro area has a solid selection of golf courses and those courses are good enough to hold the interest of golfers.

Moose Run Golf Course (Creek)-Fort Richardson, AK

This is one of the newer courses in the State of Alaska and it shows. The creek crossings have significant buffer areas unlike Eagleglen where the golf course butts directly up to the same creek. The course is also longer than other courses in the state, playing 7,324 yards from the back markers. That yardage, coupled with the normal cooler temperatures in Alaska, make this course a formidable challenge for all golfers. In fact, this course seems to be the only course in Alaska ever ranked in a national ranking produced by a major publication, being ranked in the Top 50 Most Difficult Courses from Golf Digest. As a whole, this course comes together quite well and gives the golfer a nice up and down ride through a round.

Holes to Note

Hole #6: Par 3, 222 yards
This long par 3 plays over an old quarry in a stunning setting. As with many holes in Alaska, it is very difficult to judge distance and feel comfortable hitting a shot. Playing slightly downhill from tee to green gives the player some help given that a running approach is not possible. The modern bunker shapes are easily seen in this image.

Hole #11: Par 5, 640 yards
This hole is the longest hole in Alaska and certainly plays as such. From the tee the hole plays downhill to a rather flat landing area. The player is offered two lines off the tee. Playing close to the bunkers on the right will give the player a clear line on the second shot, but a less desired line to the green. Playing closer to the tree line on the left will force the player to carry a set of fairway bunkers in order to go to the green, or lay up short of them, but from there he will have the best angle into the green. This is one of the rare three shot par 5's that has interest on the second shot and is a fine hole because of that.

 From the tee, the player can see the bunkers lying in wait. He must choose to play towards the bunkers or away, depending on his skills and how aggressive he wishes to be.

 From the right side of the fairway, the green is only slightly in view. The bunkers on the left side can be seen here. The player can either play around them, leaving a poor angle to the green or test his luck going over them, given the preferred line to the green.

 Looking back from the green, the elevation change on this hole can be seen.

This course is very solid. No holes are very weak, but few are strong. One would be led to believe that the designer did the best he could given the site limitations with the creek. 5 out of 10