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MOUNTAIN COURSE
Our Mountain Course was laid out in 1910 by Alexander ("Alex") H. Findlay, who immigrated to the U.S. from Scotland in the early 1880's and became one of the pioneers of golf in America. He is said to have played almost 2,400 courses in his lifetime, setting course records at many of them. Findlay was dedicated to the sport of golf and in 1926 tried (unsuccessfully) to create a six hole golf course at the Vatican.
 In 1931 our Mountain Course was remodeled by Alister MacKenzie,
(pictured right), perhaps the most famous architect of the Golden Age of Golf Design. Dr. MacKenzie was the consulting architect for the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland. Among the principal courses planned and laid out by him were Cypress Point, and Augusta National, home of "The Masters".
The Mountain Course is shorter than the Links Course but begs for the straight shot. With smaller greens and more tree-lined fairways, this course will appeal particularly to the strong player. Par fives give good players the chance to go for the green in two, but if you miss, you're apt to bogey the hole. With more hills and blind shots than the Links Course, the Mountain Course will nonetheless impress players of all levels with its scenic views and engaging design.
There are five par threes, and on several the approach to the green is blind. But well struck shots will give good results. Bunkers and mounds continue to test the golfer, and placement of tee shots is key to giving the best angle to the hole. At the 4th you can see Mt. Marcy from the tee.
Par fours offer some of the best golf on the course, with the 3rd especially demanding. For a strong driver off the tee, perhaps using a three-wood, 200 yards is a substantial distance to carry. The fairway then turns left with a 175-yard uphill shot towards the severely sloping green.
Three par fives all call out for sharp straight drives. The 10th, Jack Nicklaus's favorite on the course, is 502 yards of fairway, completely bordered on the right by woods; while the 7th, the longest hole on the course at 516 yards, presents mounds similar to those on the Links Course, plus spectacular views of the Sentinel Range.
Among par fours, the 6th is deceptive. While there are no bunkers or blind shots, this 296-yard hole slopes entirely towards the woods, requiring a strong drive to the left and careful shooting to a postage-stamp green. The 14th, by contrast, is easy and forgiving, providing the golfer to shore up confidence before striking out towards the demanding 15th and 16th.
As on the Links Course, a challenging finish awaits at 17 and 18. A nearly blind tee shot uphill begins the 17th, but it compensates with a larger green. Par is possible for the well played shot. On the 18th, a strong tee shot must be followed with a long second shot, culminating in an uphill green guarded by bunkers on three sides, a rewarding ending to classic golf surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
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LINKS COURSE
Our Links Course was designed in 1909 by themaster Scottish golf instructor and club maker, Seymour Dunn. Though settled in the U.S. at the age of twelve, Dunn designed golf courses in both America and Europe. Among his best known European designs are the private courses of King Leopold of Belgium (1906), the Rothschild Estate in France (1908), and King Emmanuel of Italy (1908).
Dunn remained true to his origins, and the Links Course of the Lake Placid Resort is laid out in true links style, with wide open fairways and large undulating greens. True links golf requires guile and cunning more than strength, and the Links Course of the Lake Placid Resort is a classic example of such a challenge. Both men and women golfers will enjoy this course.
The Links Course has six testing par three holes. Dunn's forte was par threes, and these demand well struck shots to each, of medium to long carry. The 9th and 11th are the shortest, and they are among the prettiest par threes any golfer will play. The 11th is well guarded by bunkers on three sides, and a mis-struck shot to the right will result in a pitch to a green 30 feet above.
The 8th, a 337-yard par four, offers the most spectacular view from the tee, while the 10th is true Adirondack terrain, a 445-yard hole requiring a blind uphill tee shot into the wind.
The 5th, a par five, might well be in Scotland, with two mounds to be carried on the fairway but fairer greens as compensation. The 6th, a par four, double dips, calls for a great drive, and will delight a long-ball hitter, who can reach the green in two.
The 18th is perhaps the best hole of all, deceptively long, it has the smallest green of the course, with the lie of the land its sole but substantial obstacle. A par here is well earned, and a birdie hard to come by.
The Links Course is Scottish-style golf at its best, links design set in the spectacular scenery of the Adirondack Mountains. It will challenge and delight golfers at all levels.
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