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4.6
32 Reviews (32)
5 Stars
23
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.5
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.2
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.8
93.8%
Recommend this course
30 out of 32 reviews
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0
Value
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Layout
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0
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Amenities
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0%
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About

Holes 18
Type Municipal
Par 72
Length 6857 yards
Slope 130
Rating 73.6

Course Details

Year Built 1937
Architect Donald Ross (1937)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Accolades

Reviews

4.6
32 Reviews (32)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Mark Twain

Very good course with very well kept fairway, tee boxes, and greens. While the greens are tricky and challenging they are very fun to play. Would definitely recommend this course to any golfer who like a challenge

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
First Time Playing

Great course and bad golf

Mark Twain is a solid course, not easy and well maintained. Why did I rate a “2”overall?
First of all when we checked in there were about 8 players ahead of us, not a problem. The problem was that there was no suggestion to social distance (such as markers on the floor or signs) and the individual checking people in did not wear a mask. Come on!
Secondly it took a bit over 2 hours to play 7 holes. There was no attempt that we could see of anyone trying to speed up play. In today’s world of encouraging faster play and the fact that most golfers were riding in individual carts this is way to slow and no fun. We left after 7 holes and if anything play appeared to get slower.

Conditions Excellent
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

Stupidly Good Value

In terms of design, Mark Twain is solid, if unspectacular. There are a few fun greens and in general the course will test your irons, but there isn't anything here that will set the golf world on fire. But it doesn't need to. What Mark Twain provides is fun golf at an incredible price. It was a Tuesday afternoon, which isn't exactly prime time, but to pay only $15 per person to play a legitimate Donald Ross course is a ridiculous bargain. Don't go out of your way, but if you're in the area, Mark Twain is absolutely worth a round. It's the sort of municipal golf course every town should have.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great challenge, pace and proce

Donald Ross Course with multi tier greens
Challenge for all levels
A little wet following the rains but only 4-5 holes affected
18 hole in under 3 1/2 hours

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Ed

Greens were very nice
Tough and very fast compared ri my greens in florida

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 61
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Florida Golfer’s Point of View

I grew up in Elmira. I live in Orlando and play Central Florida 2x a week. I have played everything from PGA Tour stops (Bay Hill, Sawgrass, Doral, etc) to resort courses (Disney, Championsgate, etc) to neighborhood courses in Florida.

The classic layout of Mark Twain is phenomenal. For a city run course, the conditions are impeccable. I can honestly say I would rather play Mark Twain than the courses I listed above. This course was more than just bomb it around course — false front greens, high backside greens, sloping and pitching fairways, and well placed trees. The courses doesn’t rely on trickery to protect itself, the course uses positioning as its defense (go long on greens — no way you can get up and down, hit the wrong spot of the fairway — the slope will give you an unlevel stance, failure to shape your tee shot — trees to give an uncomfortable approach shot).

Positives of the course: great course conditions, well kept receptive and speedy greens, able to play in 2h45m (granted we were an 8am tee), challenging yet fair layout, and scenic views

Negatives of the course: the clubhouse is pretty dated and on the dirty side, minimal driving range, and some confusing locations on where to park the cart (this is designed to be a walking course).

If you want to play a great, hidden Donald Ross gem, this is a must play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

My home course, but not biased!

Absolutely great public course. Twain provides a Donald Ross design that truly brings a challenging, yet rewarding round for any player. Fast and professionally maintained greens and fairways reward the straight tee shot. Fantastic views as you work your way up and down the course. Jay and staff are always welcoming and ready to assist you with any of your needs. From the fully stocked, exceptional pro shop, to the "snack bar" that entirely puts snack bar to shame, you will not be disappointed.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Putting greens

If you watched this past weekends US open and how poor the putting conditions are... this is exactly what you'll get with Mark Twain.

Don't get me wrong the course itself is very nice. Something just has to be done about the putting greens.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The Mecca of the Southern Tier

I grew up in Elmira, so this Donald Ross course used to be a 20 minute drive for me. I now live 3 hours away, and anytime I go back home I have to play it. It will challenge every aspect of your game. I’ve played Ross’ famous Pinehurst #2, and Twain doesn’t pale in comparison.

P.S. Don’t be above the hole.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Well worth playing

A great layout. Maintenance is good, pace of play can be a little slow when your behind a walking foursome.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course that's fun to play

We got an excellent deal through a Golf Now hot deal. Fairways & greens are in excellent condition. My only complaint about the greens is the very large number of unrepaired ball marks. The regulars should take more pride in this gem of a course. Carts are new or nearly new with windshields & club rain covers. Staff are friendly & helpful. Pro shop is well stocked.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

It was OK

In the middle of no where and I would not play again. Muck better values exist for $20pp rounds.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 57
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

A great course...and they know it

I live about an hour east of Elmira, and make the trek to the area about 3 times a season to play Mark Twain, Soaring Eagles and Willowcreek. Mark Twain is always in fabulous shape and you really get what you pay for. The day we played was likely the last day of the season, and the course was loaded with people skipping work to take advantage of the great weather. We had to wait for more carts to come in, so we could play (yeah, THAT busy). Much to my chagrin, the guy in the pro shop advised me that our $25 hot rate didn't include a cart. Now that was a first for me and I'm a seasoned Golfnow user. It's also bs for a course built into the side of a mountain...particularly in mid November.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

For a public course you cannot go wrong

I really enjoyed this golf course. It's the best in the Twin tiers NY area. The greens were great (other than other golfers not repairimg thier pitch marks.) The rough was great and fun to play out of. The fairways were also pretty amazing. Alot of bunkers that really come into play, and the bunkers were also in good condition. For a public course you can't get much better in the NY twin tiers area.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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