#81 - Hudson National - Fall Golf At Its Finest

Completing The Quest to play the top 100 golf courses in America requires a combination of determination, timing, and good luck. As autumn in the Northeast ticks by, the shrinking window for play is countered by the blanket of changing colors that beset the courses. At Hudson National, architect Tom Fazio seemingly designed the course to shine brightest in October and a confluence of factors place The Quest in the right place at the right time.

The course begins climbing to the second highest point in Westchester County almost immediately. The uphill par-4, 4th hole climbs to two-tiered green at the highest point on the course, overlooking a sea of red, orange, and yellow, interrupted only by the dark blue of the Hudson River, which stretches so wide it could easily be confused with a lake. The natural beauty of the course took our minds off the fact that Hudson National was kicking our butts. Here is the hole-by-hole breakdown:

Hole #1 - Par 4 - 460 Yards

The first hole sets the tone for the difficulty of the course. Fairway bunkers on the left and right make for a challenging drive, and with a long approach, finding the sand spells trouble.

The real difficulty on this hole lies on the approach. A thin area to roll up onto the green makes an opening par a great start. Joe and Matt both 2-putted from just short of the green to make pars.

Hole #3 - Par 4 - 431 Yards

The downhill par 4 plays shorter than its distance if you can find the fairway. Aim right of the electrical tower to catch the downslope.

A precise approach shot is required to the long, diagonal green with a spectacular backdrop.

Hole #4 - Par 4 - 356 Yards

The uphill par 4 climbs to the top of the property where the foundation from an old manor remain. The green slopes dramatically back to front.

Myers putting for par. Only Joe was able to convert a par, while the rest of us made bogey.

Hole #5 - Par 4 - 431 Yards

Often called the signature hole at Hudson National, the 5th requires a big carry off the tee to have a clean approach at the downhill green.

The green must be hit with an aerial approach, but from a good position the green is easy to hit, and a par or better is expected.

Joe, Matt, and I took different paths to bogey. Taylor made his second par of the day.

Hole #6 - Par 5 - 530 Yards

An incredible par 5, and one of my favorite holes on the course, despite the fact that I made a double bogey. The drive requires a carry over the water, but it must head down the right side to avoid bringing the trees on the left side into play. Matt and I found the bunker on the right which is a major penalty.

The second shot is blind, up and over the hill, making this into a 3 shot hole.

The green is not too complicated, and you could have under 100 yards in on the approach. Double bogeys for Matt and I and pars for Joe and Taylor show that this hole rewards and punishes effectively.

Hole #7 - Par 4 - 385 Yards

The fairway slopes downhill about 240 yards from the tee. Hitting the fairway sets up for a straightforward high iron or wedge into a platform green.

The approach shot is everything on this hole as the green is elevated and well protected.

Hole #8 - Par 3 - 161 Yards

The straightforward par 3 can stretch as far back as 256 yards. The challenge is found on the green where multiple ridges run across.

Hole #9 - Par 5 - 554 Yards

The front 9 closes on a sweeping dogleg left. A big hitter might take a very aggressive line by cutting the corner over the tree line, but for us the goal was to keep the ball right and out of trouble.

Unless you really challenge the left side with your drive, the second shot is straight away to a fairway that narrows the further you hit the ball.

The approach takes you over a front-left greenside bunker to a back left pin. Distance is crucial on another 2-tiered green. Taylor and I worked out pars, while Matt and Joe closed with bogeys.

Every round of golf has a hole that you walk away from already thinking about when you will get a chance for redemption. For 3 of us, the 10th hole brought us to our knees. The stunning hole runs away from the halfway house, curling gently to the right, framed by trees and the Hudson River beyond. Bunkers come into play on both sides off the tee, and almost guarantee a bogey. On this day, that would be a welcome score, since the front-left pin placement sat on a thin ledge. First, Taylor pulled his approach left into the deep swale and putted the ball 3/4 of the way up the hill, and back down to his feet. Then, my greenside chip landed hole high and rolled off the green. Even after watching Taylor come up short, my first attempt rolled back to my feet. Worst of all, Matt putted the ball past the hole and down into the swale, turning a birdie opportunity into a double bogey. Joe’s bogey won the hole. This comedy of errors was not the way any of us wanted to start the back 9.

Hole #10 - Par 4 - 370 Yards

Hole #11 - Par 3 - 174 Yards

The par 3 is all carry to get the ball onto the second tier of the green. The amount of variety on the 5 par-3’s is the mark of a world class golf course.

Hole #12 - Par 5 - 503 Yards

Another 3-shot par 5, the true test on this hole is the second shot which cuts the corner of the hole depending on how far you drive the ball and how far of an approach shot you want to leave. A strategic hole with a green that is no bargain.

Hole #13 - Par 3 - 193 Yards

A strikingly beautiful par 3 with options to take aim at the hole or play it safe away from the bunkers in front of the flag. Joe made his second birdie of the day after putting his tee shot to 20 feet.

Hole #14 - Par 5 - 530 Yards

After carrying the fescue, the 14th has danger all over the approach.

Nothing more that an iron on the 2nd shot with water taking the green out of play.

Hole #15 - Par 4 - 443 Yards

After the 14th hole plunges downhill, the 15th hole shoots back up the hillside.

The approach on the dogleg right is mostly blind, but you can run the ball up to the green.

Taylor putts for par.

Hole #16 - Par 3 - 224 Yards

The downhill par 3 is a slightly tamer version of the 9th hole at Merion. Joe made a long birdie putt, extending his streak of 30+ foot putts during rounds at top 100 courses.

Hole #17 - Par 4 - 325 Yards

A great, short, uphill par-4 leading into the closing hole. The more distance off the tee, the smaller the landing area.

Looking back from the green reveals the truly special setting of Hudson National.

Hole #18 - Par 4 - 437 Yards

A long, narrow 18th hole brings the round to a close.

Overall, Hudson National is a delightful golf course. Walking the course during peak foliage was such a treat, and the variety of holes allows me to mentally reconstruct every shot even weeks later. While the course may have lacked that awe-inspiring feeling that other rounds have left me with, Hudson National was a joy to play.