While taking a nice long ride on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, I decided to drive up to the Mohonk Mountain House near New Paltz to view and talk to management about their 121-year-old Scottish inspired 9-hole golf course.

They were very hospitable and talked to me over half an hour and even gave me a little tour of this unique layout. Took a few shots and as noted the course is only nine holes and is 2,797 yards long with the ninth hole being the longest, a par-5 at 478 yards.Their shortest hole is No. 5, a par-3 at 118 yards. Bob Bamba is listed as general manager with Adam Mahler as superintendent.

We can describe this 9-hole course as beautiful, hilly, well maintained. You must be prepared for hills as the course is built into the mountainside and everything is sidehill, up hill and downhill lies. The greens are indeed rolling and a ball can easily roll off the greens. You can score well if you are careful. Been invited back to give the full nine a good try.

The Mohonk Golf Course management is very excited about their facility but are cautious with opening the course during this period of time we are all facing. They are happy to welcome golfers back to Mohonk. They noted that the course is taking every precaution to ensure the safety of their guests. It is of the utmost importance that all visitors to the golf course follow their set of rules laid out below.

Their special rates on the 121-year-old Scottish inspired golf course includes $29 per person for nine holes, $15 golf cart for nine holes and $20 golf cart rental on 18 holes. They also offer special offers, midweek coupons, twilight rates and senior discounts.

Tee time reservations are required in advance. To make your tee time, please call the Golf Shop at (845) 256-2154.

You will not be permitted to play golf or be on their property if you are exhibiting a temperature of 100 degrees or greater, exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 based on the CDC standards (fever, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, headache, loss of taste/smell, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pains, chills, nausea, muscle aches) or have been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days.

Call the golf course for hours of operation. Last daily tee time is 6 p.m. No walk-ins will be allowed to play. Tee time will now be spaced 15 minutes apart.

The dress code is collared shirts and proper footwear are required. Cut off shorts and flip flops are prohibited.

Management asks that when you arrive at the golf course to please arrive no earlier than 15 minutes prior to your tee time.

Mohonk noted that Golf cart rentals are available, with single rider only per NY State guidelines. Please check-in on the front porch of the Pro Shop. Be prepared to show confirmation to shop staff. Please follow instructions provided by their staff—especially their Starters in telling you when you can tee off. They also ask golfers to maintain distance and respect distancing barriers and signage on the golf course. Please sanitize hands before and after play. Restrooms are available in the Gatehouse parking lot. Practice green is not available for use at this time.

During your round of golf management asks that you maintain six feet between yourself, fellow patrons and the club staff at all times and all must wear a mask while on course and around pro shop area. No more than four players per group. Do not touch flag pins at any time. They have taken measures so your ball can be collected safely. Beverages/Snacks will not be available at the course, garbage receptacles have been removed. It is Carry In / Carry Out. Rakes have been removed from all bunkers. Local rule allows for you to take relief. Once you hit your shot, they ask that you smooth the sand surface with your foot and ball washers have been removed.

Golf course guests do not have access to the Mountain House.

Ed's Outlook

Was talking to Tom Graves on the phone the other day as he was staging a demonstration on Facebook about Moe Norman, the inventor of the Single Plane Golf Swing and he requested call in questions.

Many indicate that Moe's golf swing was called weird, unorthodox and different but that his genius for striking a golf ball can never be denied.

Todd talked about how he teaches an effortless and repeatable golf swing and that the conventional address position, “has you holding the club with your arms below the shoulders,” and “automatically this position creates a dual plane. “

Norman's skills as a ball striker are legendary ... Sam Snead described Norman as the greatest striker of the ball.

The Norman swing included rigid arms extended from his body, a very wide stance and minimal knee bend, a shorter than usual back-swing and extended follow through with minimal hand action which produced amazingly accurate ball placement.

We don't make any endorsement of any golf equipment or teaching methods but, if you desire to look further into this Single Plane golf swing style of golf, you can simply go online at GravesGolfAcademy.com

Golf Tip

By Bob Menges

Scoring is all about getting the ball in the hole with the least amount of strokes. And the short game is a key component to accomplishing this.

One of the ways to improve the short game is to work on distance control.

In this drill, I set up four targets....whether it's buckets or whatever visual object you can find...with distances ranging from 10 to 40 yards.

After the targets are in place you then hit one ball at each target in sequence. By hitting at different targets in sequence, you once again will prevent yourself from locking in to one distance. In the long run, this will help you develop better feel for your distance control. As far as club selection, I suggest you start with a 50-degree wedge for this drill and then experiment with your other wedges.

The key here is to develop your touch for the different distances.

Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available when the course opens in mid-May. If you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 845-292-0323, 845-866-5567 or via email at bobmenges22@gmail.com

Putting Tip

By Geoff Walsh

We have watched top contenders in the World Putting Championship, and I have always known that if golfers want to score well, they must learn to putt well.

An area that is so important in scoring well is the speed of the putt.

You “feel” the speed with your eyes, mind and hands.

It's imperative that you look at the distance between the ball and the hole six to nine times before you putt during the pre-putt routine.

It's a triangle. Your eyes see the distance....a signal is sent to your mind....your mind sends a signal to the muscles in your right fingers (left fingers for lefty's) for the amount of acceleration needed.

Then you pull the trigger. Get the ball nearest the hole ....no-stress two putt........three putting is not.

Two putting is hot.....three putting is not.

Geoff Walsh is a Class A PGA Professional at the Tarry Brae Golf Course at 387 Pleasant Valley Road, South Fallsburg. At this time private lessons are not available. If you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached by telephone at 845-434-2620.

Ed Townsend is a Public Relations Consultant to the sport of golf and brings over 60-years of sports journalism experience in writing and compiling the information for this column. When leagues and courses are fully in operation send your league or tournament information to Ed at 845-439-8177, email to bghtnews@aol.com or fax to 845-205-4474. View this column and Ed's photos at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.