Skyline Country Club, Lanesborough, MA

I have played most, if not all, of the Berkshire courses which are open to the public. Skyline is by far the best value up here.

The course is fun! All courses are challenging. Not all are fun. This course has variety. It has several long, relatively straight up-hill and downhill holes. The 4th, 6th, and 16th are blind holes.

The 4th is a sharp dog-leg left over one high grass gully and then a deep roughed and streamy gully. A good first, set-up shot can get can you on in 2. Stray shots could easily make this a hated hole.

The fifth is a par 3 downhill hoot. Too far left, you are lost in a wooded ravine. Too far right, you are up-hill on a ledge with a chip over some bushes and a 15 foot drop to the green.

The sixth looks more fearsome than it really is. Although it is blind, the distant trees serve as a "goal post" for your drive. Hit a decent 1st shot and you can be on in two.

The 7th is a deceptive par 3 protected by sand The green looks like it is going left when it's really going right and vice versa. Careful or your buddies will chant "good read, Big Bird!"

The 15th is a steep uphill par 3 with a small green. Fear not. It is do-able


There are no lakes or ponds. The woods and streams offer their own challenge.

It is a hilly course. So, most of the greens require watchful downhill shots.

The hills offer spectacular view of the Berkshires and Northern mountains. My wife does not play golf. I want her to come with me just to catch the sights.

Every year, the course is increasingly better maintained. In 2011, I did not have a round where the conditions were wanting. I cannot wait for 2012.

This is not a luxurious course. However, the bar is stocked and the food is good. I remember having an incredible barbecue beef sandwich. When the outdoor grill is open, there are free home-made potato and macaroni salad sides. Drinking water is provided in jugs around the course. I have never known a course that could not use water at every hole. Nevertheless, I have never suffered from a mirage of an oasis here.

The staff and members are welcoming and accommodating.

If you are playing the Berkshire courses and you do not play Skyline, you are doing yourself a disservice. However, that will leave one less person to grab my tee time.

nice course, great views all around, sand traps need some work, its still early in the season but they were like a rock. people were working on the course so im not saying they dont take care of it. pro shop was nice. value was great. only $13 for 9 holes due to the early season.