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4.5
77 Reviews (77)
5 Stars
51
4 Stars
18
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
3.9
Amenities
4.2
96.1%
Recommend this course
74 out of 77 reviews
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About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Par 72
Length 7331 yards
Slope 144
Rating 76.4

Timber Banks Golf Club in Baldwinsville boasts the only Nicklaus Design course in upstate New York. The golf course rambles through ancient forests and across lush grassy meadows. The tranquil environment is the perfect setting for a round of golf. Nicklaus incorporated his signature features into the design including a variety of interesting risk-reward opportunities. The challenging layout features tight landing areas and undulating, uniquely shaped greens. The putting surfaces are known for playing fast and true. It seems as though there are hazards at every turn on this challenging golf course, including Nicklaus' trademark fairway bunkers. The abundant wetlands also come into play throughout. Timber Banks Golf Club already measures to a whopping 7,330 yards but it can feel even longer thanks to all of the tricky spots you're sure to encounter.

Course Details

Year Built 2010
Golf Season Year round
Architect Nicklaus (2010) Troy Vincent (2010)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - $20
Clubs Yes
Pull-carts Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Yes
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Fivesomes Allowed No
Single Allowed No
Dress code Proper golf attire.

Food & Beverage

Grill, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Lounge, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in New York (2015 #17)
  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Course Conditions in the U.S. (2014 #13)

Reviews

4.5
77 Reviews (77)

What Golfers Are Saying

Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 26
Undulating Greens 26
Forced Carries 17
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 24
A Weekend Splurge 15
Entertaining Clients 13
This Course's Location is:
In the 'Burbs 15
Convenient to the City 14
Worth the Drive 14

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 30
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Walked

Improved a lot recently

This course is one of the top courses in CNY, it is a pretty expensive but the conditions are worth it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 26
3.0

Too Bad, the place could be great, but its not

A great layout designed by Jack... doubt he knows how bad it has become now. Terrible green and tee conditions. No bar/ restaurant... way to expensive for the poor condition its in. It used to be really nice and they ran it into the ground.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing

Sad Sight/Site

Played this course in the fall and being from upstate ny, I understand Fall golf up here. I think Jack would be very disappointed to see what has happened to this beautiful piece of property and layout. First off, we paid and they were nice enough to give us a token for the ball machine. Went to the range to warm up and....no balls. Ok, when over to the chipping area to try to warm up and there were more balls cut in half by the mower than available to chip, yikes.
I will state that they had Just aerated so Im taking that into acount but the course was just tore up. If you were within 50 yards of tje green, there was barely a piece of grass to hit off of. Tire marks everywhere. Bunkers had not been raked in days....you could tell the grounds crew threw all the rakes in the middle of the bunkers for mowing and never took them out. Also, many many fairways were not visible from the tee boxes due to overgrown weeds. This lack of visibility was disappointing and frustrating.
Greens were painfully slow but the ball rolled ok but a few greens had damage that effected putts.
I told my buddies, this looks like a course that is a great design amd layout but was just let to go to s@&t.....

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing

The good, the bad and the ugly

The Good

Played without many golfers on a weekday. The course conditions are fairly good and green speeds moderate but true.
We plyed a fast round. I like some of the holes especially hles 9 and 18. I liked hole 15 a short par 4.

The Bad

Too many forced carries off the tee with tall vegatation so you can't see where to play the ball off the tee as the fairway can't be seen. There are many other forced acrries to the greens and par 5 s. The greens are also tricked up. There really are some unfair greens that are concave shape no way to hold ball with a good shot. Jack Nicklaus loves tricked up golf courses.
I am not a fan of his designs.

The Ugly

The grounds crew was told to mow the greens while we were playing the course. We play the couse starting on 10th hole.
On the 18th hole our 9th hole. One of the crew drive his mower on green pulled the pin while we waited on our approach shots. I had to drive up to green and ask him to move and put flag back in and he would not at first. He told me he had right to mow green while we wait. I told him we paid the money to play and he would not budge. He was extremely rude. I told mgr and he made excuses saying he was a kid. He was over 21 I know not a kid and he was not trained. He then stared me down in a threatening way later after we finished he saw us. Very unprofeesional. We then had to wait on the next 9 for them to mow greens. we played from 1030 to about 3 pm. The mgr begged me not write a bad review and he tried to buy me off buying me a gatorade. I said I am rating my experience not him personally. They need to train the manager and the staff.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

bad experiance

played the course for the first time today.very disappointed, the course has very bad fungus or some disease on almost all the tee boxes and a lot of the fairways. The extream slow play only exaggerated the poor course conditions.i was very impressed by the course layout,and the greens were in good condition and challenging. When we were walking off the course well after two in the afternoon,we noticed the drink cart girl just getting going for the day,could have really used a few during a five and a half hour round.The fall rate of 60 bucks was still not worth the very poor conditions,all though i should say the whole staff was very nice and helpful and nice to all.also i was very suprised that there was no club house bar or restaurant at all,we did have to go somewhere else for lunch

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Amazing course

just simply a beautiful course

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 57
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing

Worth a play...

I played the course on 10/26/15 under sunny skies and cool temps (low 50's). I got a phenomenal hot rate and Golf Now also sent me an additional 30% off coupon, which made the round $22.50-total. This was exactly the excuse I needed to make the drive from Binghamton to play there. This course has been on my wish list to play for about 2 years now. The course was pretty much empty, as I would expect on a Monday afternoon. The pro shop attendant was cordial and the check in process smooth. Carts are gas powered and in ok shape, but a course this flat really lends itself to electric carts (particularly at its normal price). I had no trouble finding the first tee as everything seemed well marked. I encountered a twosome in the fairway, who graciously waved me thru, and continued down the line. Everything was is PRISTINE CONDITION. Tee boxes were level, bunkers were raked and loamy, and everything that's supposed to be green was. All of the greens seemed to be elevated and most were heavily bunkered. The overall layout is typical Nicklaus. The course winds it's way thru adjacent famland, and most of the OB is crop fields. Some of the home development comes into view, but never really into play. There are a few forced carries, so if you're chunking or spraying it, expect to lose some balls in the wetlands and woods. I wasn't playing very well this day and the course showed little mercy. You have to be on your game to score and do well here. You can't get away with alot, and if you play as I do (I miss a lot of greens and rely on my short game to make pars), then you find out just how insidious the greens are. All in all a great play if you're in the area.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Wow

Course in great shape. Fairways were amazing. The greens were true, fast and undulating. Greens need to be hit to the corrects levels in order to have a chance to get down in two. Recommendations would move up from regulars teens or the course will eat you up. PICK UP THE COURSE GUIDE IN THE PRO SHOP, a must have in order to play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
c59ad01c-248f-5a53-a75d-ac46b7bf1c2d
Commented on 09/02/2015

HobGolf - thank you so much for taking the time to give us such a fantastic review! We agree that the course guide is a must! Thanks for the tip to our other potential golfers! We hope to see you back at the course soon! Thank you again!

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Pristine

The Logo and Website was a little weak so I was skeptical about playing this course but was overly surprised. A must in Syracuse area. Well worth the pricey price because it is that good. Pristine fairways, tee box and greens. Sand is like powder in traps. Staff was helpful and friendly. Tournament was going on but did not affect us. An easy short drive from Syracuse.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
c59ad01c-248f-5a53-a75d-ac46b7bf1c2d
Commented on 08/14/2015

Claudia - thank you for your feedback regarding the website and logo. We appreciate any and all feedback. We also appreciate your amazing review and that you enjoyed your round with us so much! We look forward to having you back again!

Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Challenging but fun to play

Timber Banks is not much to look at upon entering. There is no clubhouse and the food shack is a walk away. But the course is a great challenge designed for better than average golfers with some of the best greens and tricky pin placements around. While difficult, the course allows full use of the driver with mostly generous fairways. Its difficulty lies mostly with the large and undulating greens. these are some of the best in the County for sure. I put Timber Banks only slightly below Kahulyat and Shenendoah. While those course are perfectly manicured, Timber Banks makes up for it with interesting and diverse holes. Plus it is 1/2 the price.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
c59ad01c-248f-5a53-a75d-ac46b7bf1c2d
Commented on 08/05/2015

Harryh - thank you so much for the excellent review! We really appreciate you taking the time to let us know how much you enjoyed the course. As the only Nicklaus designed golf course in upstate New York, we feel like we do have something a little more special to offer! We hope to see you back sooner than later!

Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Must Play Course

If you are in CNY you need to put this on your short list of courses to play. Great layout, modestly challenging to get to the green. Putting can be the greatest challenge to par. Great value!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
c59ad01c-248f-5a53-a75d-ac46b7bf1c2d
Commented on 07/14/2015

Thanks MVR for your outstanding review! We're so happy to hear that you had a great time and enjoyed the course so much. Bring your friends out next time you play with us!

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Challenges but repetative

Things you will need: Bug spray, a strong putting game.

Staff very friendly, course in good condition even for how much it has rained, greens rolled true but a lack of player attention ( ball marks not fixed) was surprising. If you hit it straight, and can putt you will do well. +20 handicappers might not enjoy it as much

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
c59ad01c-248f-5a53-a75d-ac46b7bf1c2d
Commented on 07/14/2015

Bucks - Thanks for the great review. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the staff and our course conditions! We also wish all of our golfers cared enough about our course to fix their ball marks, we can dream right? Thanks again! We hope to see you back soon!

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Pretty good course

Tee time was at 7am and nobody showed up until 7. Free lunch with your tee time but nobody was working the concession while I played so I never received that. Good course but bring bug spray!! Front 9 has tons of mesquitos. It's a fun challenging course that I'd play again. I prefer the front 9 over the back. Overall the golf is worth it and that's why you are there!!

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
c59ad01c-248f-5a53-a75d-ac46b7bf1c2d
Commented on 06/25/2015

Yikes Brad, we're sorry you experienced some hiccups at the golf course! We're especially upset to hear you didn't get your lunch. Please feel free to reach out to me directly at timberbanksgolfclub@gmail.com so we can try to rectify that!. Thank you for your feedback, we are always trying to improve!

Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

try to review holes before you hit your shots

Course was very challenging. I wish my son and I had checked where the next shot would end up, as there was quite a few blind shots. Overall the greens were very challenging and it was a good time. We will be back, when and if we leave Binghamton again.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
c59ad01c-248f-5a53-a75d-ac46b7bf1c2d
Commented on 06/25/2015

Thanks for your review and we're happy to hear you had a good time. The greens are challenging but what a great way to work on your game! We hope we can get you out of Binghamton more often and out at Timber Banks!

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Best in the area.

Course conditions are second to none. Greens are the hardest around here. Only thing that could make this course better is time to mature and a real clubhouse/pro shop.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
c59ad01c-248f-5a53-a75d-ac46b7bf1c2d
Commented on 06/25/2015

Jim - we appreciate your excellent review! We are looking to build a real clubhouse in the future so stay tuned! We hope to see you out on the course again soon!

Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Used cart

tough greens

Was very impressed with the course, nice layout, easy to play until you get to the greens. we played on a day when they were very hard, very dry, very fast, and very undulating , I suppose their the way the pros like them, but I'm not a pro ....
The price is way out of line for the area, even the golf now prices. I only paid the price to use up rewards ........

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
c59ad01c-248f-5a53-a75d-ac46b7bf1c2d
Commented on 06/25/2015

We're always happy to hear that our golfers enjoy our course but we know the greens can be tough. We're running specials regularly so check out our website booking engine for special pricing! Thank you again for your review!

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Needs better food and beverage service

No cart service for an entire Sunday morning round and a full course of golfers. No one at the snack shack at the turn though it looked like it was open just not staffed. This course does not have a true clubhouse using a pro shop for checking in and a snack shack for drinks and limited food menu. Without the clubhouse having cart service and a staffed snack shack should be a must.

The greens border on unfair as they are quite contoured and still hard and unreceptive even after years of maturing. I've learned to try and run the ball on the greens which is a challenge when they are protected by traps. It is very difficult to stick them

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
c59ad01c-248f-5a53-a75d-ac46b7bf1c2d
Commented on 06/25/2015

CMcNeil - thank you for taking the time to let us know what we can improve on. We are continually striving to provide a better experience and we are sorry that yours didn't involve a great food & beverage experience. We will pass along this information! We hope you come back and give us and our greens and food and beverage service another try.

Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Featured
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great golf

First time playing and will definitely go back. Got a great deal on GN which always makes the rounds just that much better. We followed a tournament and didn't see anyone out on the course the whole time. Finished in about 3 1/2 hours as a twosome, which I assume was lucky looking at other reviews. Fairways were soft, rough was thick and greens were certainly challenging.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
c59ad01c-248f-5a53-a75d-ac46b7bf1c2d
Commented on 06/17/2015

Timothy - we're so glad to hear you enjoyed your round with us! Thank you so much for your review!

Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Superb

Timber Banks is a jewel in CNY. It is a challenging course, but fair. The condition of the course was outstanding and my partners and I love playing at Timber Banks as often as we can. As retirees, the cost is somewhat prohibitive therefore we don't play it as often as we would like so without a good deal on Golf Now, we often are forced to play elsewhere more often than not.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
c59ad01c-248f-5a53-a75d-ac46b7bf1c2d
Commented on 06/17/2015

Thank you so much for the incredible review! We really appreciate that! We have some great senior specials on Mondays currently so please check those out and come back out soon!

Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

worth the trip

Course was in great shape, worth the trip. There was no food available, but not sure if it was because it was a Monday.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
c59ad01c-248f-5a53-a75d-ac46b7bf1c2d
Commented on 06/17/2015

Thank you for taking the time to review our course! There is food available now so come back soon!

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