Crystal Springs Golf Club, Hamburg

I love this course (Crystal Springs) but they pack tee times pretty thick. Playing yesterday they were splitting tees and there was still backup everywhere. I get making money but it detracts heavily from the experience. The club has no control over the impatience of the golfers but they can do a better job to avoid exacerbating the situation with overbooking

It gets 4 stars because of the $25 cost to play it. Don't get me wrong, it's an amazing course and about the most difficult anyone will ever play. The layout is simply incredible and diabolical at the same time. I guess my biggest complaint is the condition of the course itself. I'm not talking about the aerated greens, that's a necessary evil all courses must go through. And, Crystal Springs does the right thing by advertising that fact that the greens were aerated on such n such date, and then offers a reduced rate; hence the $25. I'm talking about the tee boxes, sand-less bunkers, and areas around the greens. Correct me if I'm wrong but it just seems like the course isn't maintained to the levels it used to be. The workers are all top notch and treat guests like private country club members and the clubhouse is world class. Maybe (hopefully) the conditions will improve as spring turns to summer, but still for the price you won't find a better deal or more challenging course.