Escambia
Par 27 - Level 3 - 79 Slope Rating
Plays from 757 – 1,337 yards
E is for Escambia.
E is also for Exotic, Engaging, and Enlightened.
Those descriptors might seem a tad Excessive - even a bit Exaggerated - for a golf course. But Escambia is anything but ordinary. It feels like we’ve wandered into a Sesame Street episode brought to you by the letter E. Even Elmo would love this Executive gem.
This isn’t your typical exec course. Escambia is carved into one of the most intriguing pieces of land in town, featuring dramatic Elevation changes, one of the tallest tee boxes around, and a spot on my Hardest Holes list. It’s also one of the shortest tracks in The Villages, with all par threes - only two of them longer than 130 yards from the gold tees. But what it lacks in length, it more than makes up for in Elevation and Endangering greens.
The course is wide open to the east, leaving many shots at the mercy of a prevailing crosswind. Rated a Level 3, this compact track still delivers plenty of daunting challenges. Expect twists, turns, and thrills - it’s going to be a round to Enjoy. So, let’s get going, Elmo....
My golf game has a lot of ups and downs. So does Escambia - we’re a perfect match. That becomes Evident the moment you step onto the first tee. The opening green sits distinctly downhill, with a center swale running left to right, making it hard to stick your opening drive. The second hole is just as demanding - an uphill shot to an Elevated green designed to funnel anything short into a bunker. Factor in the left-to-right wind and you’ll need to aim for the trap and let the gusts do the rest. Easy… right?
Now the climb begins toward Escambia’s upper Echelon, bringing better views and even tougher shots. On the third hole, you’re hitting uphill again, this time with the wind pushing from the right. The green features a central valley that turns putting into an Enjoyable puzzle.
Escambia #4 earns its place on my Hardest Holes list. Pictured above, it’s an Electrician’s delight, with high wires overhead adding visual drama. At 178 yards, club selection alone makes this challenging. The shot plays downhill, guarded by two front traps that virtually Eliminate any chance of rolling the ball onto the green. You’ll have to decide whether to carry it or lay up. For me, downhill approaches always feel like they’re about to skip long. Add in the crosswind and chaos Ensues - easily the toughest shot of the day. Before teeing off, glance left and you’ll spot the landfill flying the American flag. Salute, shoot, and hope for bogey on your most difficult test of the round.
Continuing downhill brings you to a deceptively tricky green and two fun surprises. The fifth looks more Easygoing at just 100 yards, but it still demands an Exact drop shot to avoid the front trap. Go long and you’ll uncover the first surprise - an Exasperatingly large hidden bunker behind the green. The second surprise is far more Enjoyable: peek inside the hollow of a nearby tree where carts park and you’ll spot a stash of golf balls. Elmo clearly has a playful side.
Turn west on the sixth with the wind now at your back. Club up to clear the trap Employed to guard the front right - it’s much better to miss left on this uphill, generous green.
If you’re playing near Evening, the seventh rewards you with a sunset view looking west. In the ongoing up-and-down derby, you’re shooting downhill again to a wild double-dipper green. When the pin is back, it’s pure Emotional overload.
Turning back to the east puts the wind in your face again, but Escambia #8 offers relief with a perfectly flat putting surface - your best birdie chance of the day.
Finally, we reach the End. The ninth is Escambia’s only water hole, saving its splash of excitement for last. At 112 yards, the challenge lies in an elongated green sloping from back to front. With undulating rolls and the wind still in play, this finishing hole provides plenty of Entertainment to close out the round.
Sesame Street is an iconic educational program we all grew up with, emphasizing that learning can be a part of child’s play. If the producers ever saw my golf game, they would question their thesis! Anyway, thank you to the letter E for bringing us Escambia.
Toughest to Easiest:
4, 6, 5, 2, 7, 3, 9, 1, 8 – toughest green 7
From the blacks!
Yes. Just Yes. I played nearly every club in my bag playing from the back tees. Obviously #4 is even harder at 200+ yards. And #6 playing up hill feels like it’s 200 yards! #5 is fun because the black tees are even more elevated than the gold - you’ll have to equip your ball with a parachute on this downhill flight! I promise that you’ll have more ups than downs playing from blacks!
Go Green!
With only par threes, Escambia’s layout is ideal for Green Tee Hitters. The average length off the box is just 84 yards and you don’t lose any of the challenge brought from the terrain and rolling greens. Your biggest benefit comes on the 4th hole, one of the hardest shots in town, now playing just 112! Be Elated!
What’s nearby?
A Wal-Mart is not that Exciting, but sometimes Essential is more important – and the Wal-Mart nearby Escambia is Easily reached by golf cart. It’s located on Moyer Loop just west of the golf course (bet you thought I was going to say East). So, after a golf game of trying to lower your score, you can fill up your cart with supplies and lower your Expenditures! Ok, Enough with the E's!
Epilogue in Pictures
The 9th hole is vying for the Postcard List with this picture. It was taken from the Starter Shack parking lot. It's good we don't have to hit over that wall!
The 4th at Escambia is one of the hardest holes in The Villages. A narrow approach, two flanking traps and a serious cross wind - and it's over 170 from the golds. There's no Easy way out!
This is the downhill beginning - Escambia 1 looking south
My impressions are based on playing from the Gold tee boxes. The Black and the Green tee boxes pose different challenges or benefits described as well. The rankings of the toughest to easiest holes are just my opinions - yours will be far different, as will your favorite courses and most difficult and attractive holes. I welcome your opinions or thoughts on any of this - click to leave a comment.
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