ArborLinks Review and Highlights
OffTheDeckGolf.com
RUNDOWN: ArborLinks was the first course acquired by the newly formed Dormie Network. The Dormie Network is comprised of high end facilities that cater to a national and business style membership. Currently The Dormie Network has 6 clubs and each member is truly a member at all of them. Their goal is to provide a high end experience to all their members and guests, no matter where they visit. They go above and beyond to make sure you feel welcome at any of the clubs. The let no small detail go unnoticed so they can ensure that you have a fantastic experience wherever you may be teeing it up.
Our experience was nothing short of amazing here. We attended the grand opening of their brand new clubhouse and it didn't disappoint. What a wonderful space for their members and guests to enjoy when they aren't out on the course. They have on property cottages for stay that consist of two to four bedrooms. You really do not have to leave this place once you arrive, we definitely didn't. With the golf, food and accommodations being so fantastic, we found our rental car stayed exactly where we parked it upon arrival.
The course, as we will show you, is no slouch when it comes to play. It is set up as a course that demands accuracy off the tee. The fairways can be somewhat narrow at times and the rough can be outright nasty! Keep it in the short grass so your wrists don't hurt as bad as your scores can.
This Arnold Palmer design is very well thought out and provides the every player, no matter skill level, the chance to enjoy themselves. Blind shots off the tee will only add to the excitement of what sits just beyond your view. It sits northwest of Arbor Day Farms, and the course is high on conserving and furthering the development of the habitat it sits in. You will enjoy views of rolling hills and natural grasses, all while knowing the course was planned out and executed in a way to conserve this area.
COURSE INFO AND DIRECTIONS
Designed by Arnold Palmer in 2002.
Currently Ranked #9 in the State of Nebraska on the Golf Digest Best in State Courses.
Private golf course, part of the Dormie Network.
5 sets of tees ranging from 5,136 to 7,222 yards.
https://www.dormienetwork.com/arborlinks
402.873.4334
6038 H Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410
REVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS
Hole 2 "National Tree Trail" Par 4 - 347 Yards
Most people will take an iron out on this hole and layup short of the crossing stream. If that is your play, keep it right, but short of the bunkers. If you happen to pull it left then you will block yourself from seeing the green on the approach. However, if you are feeling confident in the long game, pull out the big stick and let it fly! It will require a high tee ball that can find a relatively small landing area near the the green. There is no room for error if you go for the green, so the layup will generally yield a better chance at birdie here. The green has a ridge running through the middle of it that separates the back and front of the green. Ultimately, get on in two and birdie is a definite possibility here.
Hole 3 “Plum Thicket” Par 3 - 167 Yards
Welcome to the first par 3 on the course and just an overall enjoyable hole. After a reachable par 5 on the 1st hole and a short par 4 on the second, this is a hole that can keep your momentum going. You should have a wedge or short iron in your hands that will allow for a scoring opportunity. However, don't sleep on the shot as the front bunker may come into play depending on pin position. It is a deep bunker, I experienced it first hand, and will require a solid up and down to get away without losing a shot. The green is separated by a ridge that runs through the middle of it. Get on the wrong side and you can be left with quite the putt. We loved the par three's here because we actually played them very well. Each of us walked away with a couple of birdies on this gettable par 3!
Hole #7 "Baldcypress Bay" Par 4 - 414 Yards
This fairly straightforward par 4 had my number over the multiple rounds we played it. I struggle with pulling my tee shot or over hooking the hell out of. As you can see, that doesn't lead to good things on this hole. The thick rough is the only thing that helped me out on a couple drives, but then I was just in the thick rough. We did have a couple rounds where the wind was ripping at our back though. We each sent a couple of bombs down the middle and ended up just short of the green. However, most of the time when hitting out of the thick rough, I ended up long or in the bunker. With approach shots like those, this hole can really bump that score up. Play the tee game well and it is a decently easy par 4 that can help your score.
Hole #11 "Hickory Hollow" Par 3 - 139 Yards
My favorite par 3 on the property! It probably helps that I nearly flew it in for an ace on my first go around here. I ended up about a foot from the cup with a tap in birdie. The second round was no different as Kevin placed his shot to about 2 feet and rolled in an easy birdie. That by no means makes this short hole easy, it just happened to suit our eye and play well into our yardages. We each experienced missing short and right several times. When missing this green you better hope you have practiced your chipping game since an up and down will test your skills! If the hole plays to a comfortable yardage for you then this hole can be one of your favorites, like ours. If the hole plays in-between clubs for you, get ready for a true test on a short hole.
Hole #12 "Planetree Place" Par 4 - 425 Yards
This hole played as one of the tougher par 4's for us on the property. However, it was great to look at! The large waste area framed the right side and provided a decent challenge off the tee. While a tee shot into the bunker could provide a shorter approach shot, waste bunkers are never the play haha. The approach shot we faced from the bunker resulted in a large carry that included an uphill shot with a deep green-side bunker. So, it goes without saying, but get in the fairway here! The thick rough on the left will result in a layup if the the pin sits on the right side of the green. Playing from the fairway requires a well placed shot over the bunker to a green that will kick your ball to the back quickly. Par is the score that you will want here as bogey and higher can creep in quickly!
Hole #16 "Walnut Way" Par 5 - 574 Yards
The image above will give you a peek of the par 5 10th hole as well (on the right). You can see just how much the fairway pinches down in the driving area. We seemed to go right almost every single time there. My advice, hit it far left of where you think you should, that still may not be enough! So, to hole #16. This par 5 is a beast and will be reachable only with a wind at your back, or if you move up a couple of tee boxes. A solid drive can cut the corner slightly, but make sure you get all of your drive or you will be in some fescue that will kill any chance of a good score here. A long approach shot will prove tough with this well guarded green. We played from the bunkers numerous times as we came up short of the mark. This par 5 is long, but birdie is definitely in play on this one.
Hole #18 "Cottonwood Creek" Par 4 - 426 Yards
What a wonderful finishing hole! Make sure to pull out the correct club here as a drive that sails too far will run through the fairway and into the brush. Although it is not visible from the tee, you do have room to miss to the right. There is a large hill that slopes down to a flat area that will collect wayward shots. You will however be hitting an approach from the rough with trees potentially blocking your view of the green. Avoid the large fairway bunkers on the left and place a long iron or wood into the wide landing zone. Your approach here is key! The green sits diagonal from left to right and slopes away in the middle. Avoid the deep bunker on the right if you would like a chance at par here. Any shot coming out of there will quickly run away from you. Overall, this hole will play like the rest of the course, a true test of your ball striking. Keep it in the short grass and hit your spots and you can score well. However, you will run your score up if you get in the rough or the trouble spots on this hole. Enjoy the view of the brand new clubhouse that has a large area to view this fantastic finishing hole. Better yet, make sure you enjoy the view from the clubhouse after your round going over the shots you made and missed out there.
Original article published by OffTheDeckGolf.com.
