Verdict Ridge Golf & Country Club – Played April 2012
- Rankings: None of the four lists
- Location: 7332 Kidville Road, Denver, North Carolina
- Year: 1999
- Architect: Ed Schweitzer
- Course Access: Public
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Black: 6,926 yards, Par 72, 74.4 Rating/144 Slope
- Blue: 6,320 yards, Par 72, 71.2 Rating/141 Slope
- White: 5,739 yards, Par 72, 68.6 Rating/128 Slope (Men’s), 74.3 Rating/139 Slope (Women’s)
- Gold: 5,074 yards, Par 72, 65.8 Rating/114 Slope (Men’s), 70.3 Rating/133 Slope (Women’s)
- Green: 4,771 yards, Par 72, 68.6 Rating/126 Slope
I remember the day I played Verdict Ridge Golf & Country Club distinctly. It was right after the end of tax season and I went up with a couple of buddies to tee it up and catch the Celtics who were in town to play the then Charlotte Bobcats. As an aside, the decision to go back to Hornets was obviously a great one.
I couldn’t find much history on the website, but as you will see the course is typical of many Southern residential daily-fee tracks. It is fun, with some good holes, and had good conditions when we played.
All yardages are from the blue tees. Thanks to Brian @virginiagolfguy on Instagram for the photos. Check out his page!
Hole 1 – 324 yards – Par 4
The first hole is straightaway. Water down the left and a fairway bunker on the same side provide the main hazards. The green is quite deep with multiple tiers.
Hole 2 – 194 yards – Par 3
At this length, this one-shot hole will be plenty difficult. The tee shot should favor the left side of the green. The right side is guarded by a hazard.
Hole 3 – 509 yards – Par 5
A tee shot up the right side will give you the best angle into the green. Fairway bunkers need to be avoided on the second shot.
The photo below shows the view of the second shot. If you can bounce it short and left the ball should kick toward the green.
Hole 4 – 390 yards – Par 4
There is water down the left that can scare you on the tee shot. The best line is to flirt with that water, but there is room to the right for a safe shot.
This green is deep but narrows the farther you go. Be aware of the pin position.
Hole 5 – 331 yards – Par 4
This one is short but not necessarily sweet. Many will tee shots will go over the fairway bunker for a short approach.
Below is a look at the approach. The green is long and narrow. It also features a ridge in the middle.
Hole 6 – 499 yards – Par 5
This par five is reachable in two for many players. A good line is to the left-center of the fairway.
On the approach, you will need to consider the water on the right. Lay-ups can play short of that to ease stress and allow for a full shot into the green.
Hole 7 – 340 yards – Par 4
This is definitely a risk/reward decision. The fairway slopes from left to right and runs downhill past 230 yards. Drives to the top of the slope are a popular play. The longer you go off the tee the closer to the hazard you will be.
Below is the view of the second shot. The green has some undulation around its perimeter.
Hole 8 – 195 yards – Par 3
This is a tough green to hit. There is a collection area on the left that will guide balls away from the putting surface. This one is all about club selection.
Hole 9 – 321 yards – Par 4
The trouble here is to the right as can be seen below. Due to the length, you can club down for increased accuracy.
You can see the green slopes severely from back to front in the photo below. Also, be aware of the small pond short, left.
Hole 10 – 374 yards – Par 4
A straight tee shot is needed on this one. Trees all down the right provide a challenge. Too far left though and you will run out of real estate.
The green has multiple levels. Front pin positions will offer more opportunities for birdies.
Hole 11 – 178 yards – Par 3
There are no surprises on this one. The wetlands force a carry to the green. The only areas to miss are long or right. Focus on a solid shot here.
Hole 12 – 403 yards – Par 4
This hole demands a good drive. It needs to be long and straight. The green is one of largest on the course. It is guarded by bunkers on the right and is elevated.
Hole 13 – 141 yards – Par 3
This is the shortest of the one-shot holes. It is quite flat as well. A good shot with a short club is the goal here. Not too much intrigue.
You may not be able to tell below, but the green is 50 yards deep. This can make the club selection off the tee vary widely.
Hole 14 – 367 yards – Par 4
Doglegs to the left are rare here, but this is one. The line and length of your drive are crucial. Playing down the right-center is recommended. The left side of the fairway is blocked by trees.
Once you pass the corner you are faced with this approach over a creek.
This look back down the hole gives you a different perspective.
Hole 15 – 369 yards – Par 4
Tee shots should always favor the right side here. Even if you go at the cart path the ball will most likely feed back to the left.
The approach plays over the hazard you can see below. The green is two-tiered with a large bunker on the left.
Hole 16 – 489 yards – Par 5
This is a short hole that is fraught with danger. OB is on both sides of this fairway. The landing area is sloped toward the tee and will kill roll. The third shot plays uphill as well.
Below is a look at the green and the rock formation next to it.
Hole 17 – 381 yards – Par 4
This one is a sharp dogleg right. It favors a power fade from the tee, but there is OB to the right.
The approach is uphill to the green. The slope in the middle of the green will funnel shots to the left side of the green.
Hole 18 – 515 yards – Par 5
The final hole is one of the most difficult on the course. The fairway slopes left to right quite a bit. A hazard is at the end of the fairway and may make you second guess hitting driver.
The view around the corner reveals the rest of the hole. Hazards are on the right. A good layup area is at the 100-yard mark.
Verdict Ridge Golf & Country Club is a fun track. As a former resident of Charlotte, I can say that public golf as a whole left something to be desired. This course is a good counter to that. At least when I played the price was right and the conditions were solid. If you are in the Queen City or find yourself passing through give Verdict Ridge golf a go.