Pimlico

Par 29 - Level 2 - 77 Slope Rating

Plays from 991 – 1,539 yards

Map

 

Following in the hoof steps of its sister courses, Belmont and Churchill Greens, the Pimlico executive course completes The Villages’ own Triple Crown of horse-racing–themed golf. Three racetracks. Three courses. And just like in real racing, each one has its own personality.

 

Pimlico, of course, is home to the Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, run each May in Baltimore. Only 13 horses have ever won all three legs. Pimlico knows something about pressure - and about timing.

 

Because here, there’s another line that matters just as much as the finish line: Belvedere Boulevard.

 

That road divides Pimlico into two very different halves. South of Belvedere, the opening holes feel a bit like a horse stumbling out of the gate. North of it, the course finds its stride and finishes strong. And that, as it turns out, is a pretty good metaphor for the round.

 

The scorecard lists the first three holes - all south of Belvedere - as 108 yards from the gold tees. Redundant and a bit bleak. To be fair, the first hole is fine. The second and third? Less so. Pull down the blinkers, tee off, chip, putt, repeat. Three times. Then cross Belvedere (looking both ways, of course) and things will improve.

 

The fourth hole welcomes you to the other side with an immediate change in scenery. It’s still a short shot, but at least now you’re hitting toward an attractive backdrop of sand, trees, and homes. The green features a rolling knoll in the back that makes putting far more interesting than anything you’ve seen so far. This is Pimlico finally stretching its legs.

 

Next comes a fun Daily Double of par fours. The fifth is tantalizingly short - just 232 yards from the golds - and offers a legitimate birdie chance. The sixth is Pimlico’s toughest hole and the real test of the day. It doglegs right around water, with drop-offs waiting for careless shots. The fairway itself is split into two tiers: an upper, wider route favored by smart players, and a lower, narrower line that offers a more direct - but riskier - path to the green that studs may choose.  Either way you’re rewarded with a paddock-wide putting surface.

 

The seventh begins the final stretch for home. It’s under 100 yards, but with sand guarding the left and a steep drop on the right, accuracy matters. You’ll need to be Exacta here.

 

Then comes what many consider the toughest green in The Villages: Pimlico 8. A long, two-tiered surface with a three-foot drop that turns putting into a strategic exercise. When the pin is placed on the upper tier near the break, it’s equal parts challenge and amusement. It’s one of the nine hardest putting greens in The Villages.  Click that link and try to play all those courses this month!

 

You cross Belvedere once more to reach the ninth, but this time the story doesn’t repeat itself. Pimlico 9 is nothing like the first three holes south of the road. There’s always an exception - just like when Seabiscuit beat War Admiral. At 125 yards, it plays to a gently sloped green framed by a bunker on the right and mounds on the left. In fully redemptive fashion, this horse finishes well.

 

Pimlico reminds me that life is made up of both bleak and beauty, but it's up to us to decide which we want to race toward!  For sure I’ll be coming back to Pimlico to race over Belvedere! 

 

Toughest to Easiest

6, 8, 7, 9, 1, 5, 2, 4, 3 – toughest green 8