The golf course is a par 71 challenge designed by the legendary A.W. Tillinghast. This highly regarded architect has a portfolio of notable courses which include among others, Baltusrol, Winged Foot, Ridgewood, Alpine, and Beth Page Black. The Forest Hill course is a well maintained rolling venue with fast, well bunkered and contoured greens that provide a wide variety of putting challenges. A new irrigation system was installed in 2007. Over the years, the greens became somewhat smaller due to the economic and manpower pressures of the 1930’s and 1940’s. Subsequently, a program to return to the original Tillinghast as defined by the course blue prints was initiated and the greens have been enlarged to reflect the original in every way.

As was Tillinghast’s trademark, each of the 18 holes is unique, taking advantage of the natural topography and bringing all elements of the game into play. Course management can really enhance your enjoyment of the round. Forest Hill has its own version of “amen corner” beginning at the long uphill 7th which requires a long accurate drive followed by an equally accurate approach shot to a large very well bunkered green. The 8th hole is a 200 yard par three bunkered front, left and right. The 9th is another uphill par 4 with out of bounds right and a significant tree line on the left. The fairway cants to the right, taking shots that appear to be in the center of the fairway into rough and moguls. If your approach shot does not make the middle of the green you may be watching it roll off the front of this elevated green which also features a false front.. The 10th is a short par four requiring an accurate shot to a narrow fairway. There is out of bounds and large oak trees to the right and another line of trees on the left. Hole number 11 is arguably the most difficult hole on the golf course. A severe uphill tee shot requires length with an accurate drive as the fairway is bounded on the left by extreme rough and on the right by “non-negotiable” trees. The 11th green slopes back to front severely, creating some very fast and hard breaking putts. Water comes into play on 4 holes; the three par 5’s and the long dogleg 13th, a par 4.

The grand finale to the golf day is what has become our signature hole. The par three 18th hole. It is unusual to finish your round with a par three but this is no ordinary three shot hole. It can play up to 200+ yards, uphill to a two tiered severely contoured green which is guarded by deep bunkers on both sides and protected in front by severe rough of about 40 yards in length on the hill in front of the green. There are many unique pin positions available. One in particular is a challenge. A top right position where the uphill putt that finishes on the front edge of the hole will hang up momentarily and can roll back (depending on the speed of the green that day, some forty feet to the collar and sometimes beyond.

Watch The Video: Walk The Course - A Tour of Forest Hill's 18 Holes