Blue Hill Golf Course, Pearl River, NY

A nice, well-maintained nine holes.

Played the Pines 9 holes at Blue Hill golf course on a clear and comfortable Thursday afternoon. The area has experienced plenty of rain and that has really helped out the conditions of courses in the area, including this one.

The course features rolling hills. The first and last holes are the most difficult. You start off with a 450 yard par 4 (from the white tees) and end with a 390 yard rolling hill par 4 to an uphill finish and a very sloped green. Speaking of the greens, most of them are quite large and many contain significant breaks in them. There is a two tier green featuring a sharp dropoff on one of the holes (#6 if I recall correctly). The two par 3s are each 150 yards from the whites and involve a carry over water. Two of the par 4s are short at under 300 yards. So it is a nice mix of harder and easier holes. The course and slope rating folks do not agree, as the Pines 9 holes currently sports a slope rating of 115. In my opinion, the slopey-ness of the course and the greens make these nine holes play tougher than that rating.

The cost for a non-resident is a bit on the steep side. If you are an Orangetown resident, the greens fees are significantly cheaper.

In summary, a nice course and a recommended play, especially if you can get the resident discount.

This course is definitely on the upswing. They replaced the "old guard" that used to work and run this place who at times were pretty unfriendly and brusque. They said "sir" a lot but it was almost like they said it to qualify their rudeness with a polite intro. The new folks in the clubhouse are warm and friendly and genuinely glad to have you play the course. It makes a difference. Also this season we're seeing a marked improvement in course conditions. The course was in great shape, lush and green, and their was a real consistency in the maintenance throughout the course. They're in the middle of a reno on the clubhouse (pro shop is pretty much done) and the restaurant as well. This course has always been my "I just need to get out and play SOMEWHERE" because of its close proximity to NYC and ease to get to right up the Palisades Parkway. They keep doing what they're doing out there and this place will become very appealing. Non-resident rate is up to $48 now. $40 seems like a more appropriate rate, but they're working their way to earning the $48. As far as the course, it's pretty forgiving if you're spraying the ball for the most part. Quite a few holes run back and forth so if you're spraying it be prepared to ask the guys in the other fairway if they picked up your ball! Some nice vistas from high tee boxes. If you're a single digit handicapper, it's a a short, fun course to get your golf jones. For the general hacker, a good place to play that is forgiving with not a lot of water. If they continue with what they're doing my overall will certainly go to 3 stars.