Golf at The Olde Farm
The Orchard
Course
Nine imaginative holes. Endless ways to play. A short-course experience rooted in the traditions and natural character of Appalachian farmland.
The Art of the Short Game
Informal by design.
Unforgettable by nature.
A creative nine-hole par-3 course where tradition, imagination and the landscape shape every round.
Constructed in 2014, The Orchard Course offers a relaxed yet challenging golf experience on holes generally ranging from 50 to 130 yards. Designed by course architect and Olde Farm Member Bobby Weed, the layout reflects the same rustic authenticity, thoughtful strategy and playing surfaces found throughout the main course.
With no formal teeing grounds, players are free to choose their own starting points, alter the direction of play or create an entirely new cross-country route. Carry a few favorite clubs, follow your imagination and enjoy a spirited short-game test in less than an hour.
A Different Kind of Round
Choose a few clubs.
Then choose your own way.
Smaller golf bags are provided near the first hole, allowing players to carry only the clubs they need. From there, the experience can be as traditional or unconventional as the group desires.
Begin each hole from a position selected by the players, recalling the informal origins of the game.
Play clockwise, counter-clockwise or select any visible green for an imaginative cross-country route.
Encounter uphill, downhill, sidehill, semi-blind and even optional bunker shots.
Small greens, close-cut surrounds and strategically placed bunkers reward precision and imagination.
A Course Without Boundaries
Every visit can become a completely different round.
The natural contours of the former practice range create a compact collection of memorable golf shots. A double green, a ball-splitter green, rolling terrain and small putting surfaces invite players to see the property differently each time they step onto it.
“The Orchard Course encourages a carefree imagination when playing.”
The Designer’s Perspective
A word from Bobby Weed, ASGCA
“The sharp, condensed topography lent itself to creating a series of exciting, shorter shots.”
Commissioned by founder Jim McGlothlin, the innovative nine-hole Orchard Course was fashioned one feature at a time, much like the original course. The objective was to create an informal, on-property golf amenity that would complement the full-scale layout.
When the Club’s practice facility was relocated to a larger, more comprehensive site, the original seven-acre range was left open for a new purpose. Its compact, rolling terrain proved ideally suited for a collection of engaging short holes.
The Orchard Course moves lightly across the undulating land, preserving the rustic character of The Olde Farm. Locust posts and fencerows frame the same blend of bentgrass, turf-type tall fescue and fine fescue found elsewhere on the property.
Groves of cherry, apple and plum trees sit among the holes, while blueberries and blackberries define the perimeter. The result is a lively short course shaped by the sights, textures and traditions of Appalachian farmland.
Its nine greens average approximately 2,000 square feet. Scattered bunkers add interest and strategy, while closely mown surrounds offer countless options for imaginative recovery shots.
Course Character
Small in scale.
Rich in possibility.
The Orchard Course combines the strategic interest of a championship course with the relaxed spirit of an afternoon walk through the countryside.
Intimate Greens
Nine compact putting surfaces average approximately 2,000 square feet.
Varied Elevation
Uphill, downhill, sidehill and semi-blind shots change with every chosen route.
Creative Routing
Traditional and cross-country options create nearly limitless combinations.
Natural Setting
Orchards, berries, fencerows and native textures connect the course to the surrounding farm.
Explore the Course
The Orchard in view
A course designed to be walked, discovered and played differently with every visit.
Experience the Orchard
Bring a few clubs.
Leave the traditional routing behind.
For additional information about The Orchard Course, contact the Golf Shop at The Olde Farm.
Call the Golf Shop