Golf
The narrow, nine-hole walking golf course at Meadowood includes 5 par-3 holes and 4 par-4 holes and, at nine holes, is short enough to allow time in the day to enjoy other resort activities (the average round clocks in at about one hour and forty-five minutes). Look for the luxury of a challenge on the course at Hole 2, a 177-yard par 3: over two ponds; then pause for a moment at Hole 6 to enjoy the dramatic views as you tee-off one-hundred feet above the earlier fairways.Fair Fairways
Decades before the scenic fairways of Meadowood's nine-hole golf course were built, these pristine meadows and hillsides were home to a Christmas tree farm. Their wooded character remains, replete with fragrant firs and stately pines hugging narrow greens.
"The course has small greens and lots of trees, so it's quite challenging," explains Meadowood Resident Golf Professional Doug Pike. "But because it's not long, less-experienced players don't feel intimidated."
For those looking to improve their game, Pike offers a unique teaching approach. He starts by talking with students to find out which aspects of their game they are most keen to improve. "Everything is focused on what guests want," he explains. "I watch them hit some balls to figure out why a particular shot isn't working for them. Then I look at how their body types are affecting their swing. Do they have limitations like flexibility issues? If so, we find methods to overcome those and improve their swing. We always see a change in their game."
Pike, a 23-year golf veteran who has been at Meadowood for 13 years, has devoted much of his life to studying different swings, analyzing the mechanics of 110 pro golfers' swings. "When I get someone who follows a certain method, I'm able to step in and help with it," he says.
At Meadowood, private and semi-private lessons as well as group clinics and outings can be arranged for golfers of every age and skill level. Lessons typically last an hour, but 30-minute sessions are also available, as is playing the golf course with Pike or one of his assistant pros.
Another unique experience resort guests may enjoy at Meadowood is hickory golf, played with authentic hickory wood–shafted clubs dating from the early 1900s and specialized golf balls that replicate old-fashioned tree-sap versions. "We thought, 'People love playing croquet here and that has so much tradition. Golf has a rich history, too. What if we could give golfers a chance to play the old-fashioned way?'" Pike says. He found a collector who travels the world in search of antique hickory clubs and now procures them for Meadowood.
Hickory golf presents challenges even for the most experienced linksman. "It's an entirely different game," Pike explains. "Today's equipment, including a wide variety of clubs made of lightweight titanium, causes a ball to go a hundred yards farther. Back then players had only six wooden clubs and no yardage markers. Hickory golf takes away the formatted approach to the game. Therefore players have to calculate angles and position more closely than when playing modern golf. Now it's more about power."
Pike introduces players to the clubs then shares stories about golf's history and evolution during a round. "Every person who has played with a hickory club raves about it," says Pike. "It's an absolute must-do at least once in your life."
Traditional golf attire is required. For men, this includes collared shirts and walking shorts or pants. For women, collared shirts or shirts with sleeves, and walking shorts or pants are required. Blue jeans are not permitted. Golf shoes or tennis shoes are required.
Doug Pike is Meadwoood's Resident Golf Professional
Meadowood is nestled into a private two hundred fifty-acre valley with forested hillsides sloping to the cool green of the resort's nine-hole, walking golf course. Presiding over the tranquil fairways is the estate's resident golf professional, Doug Pike.
Meadowood · Napa Valley 900 Meadowood Lane · St. Helena, CA 94574 · Telephone (800) 458-8080
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