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On November 3, 2009, Zane of Pittsburgh (9 handicap) posted:
Greens still showing some signs of the aeration, Course was yet showing some signs of past rains and the leave made is tough to find the ball in a lot of areas. Us usual the staff was very welcoming. We played in three and a half hours despite the fact that the course was busy. Had the upstairs lounge closed but we were able to get food and beverages from the pro shop.
1
On October 7, 2009, threeputt of Pittsburgh (12 handicap) posted:
Fall rates were now in effect. The course was booked and we played in less than 5 hours which is great for a course that can be difficult. It was windy and cool out there so it's always best to be prepared for cooler weather out here. The greens are still in real nice shape and the rough is still rough.. Sand traps were in excellent condition as usual
2
On August 23, 2009, threeputt of Pittsburgh (11 handicap) posted:
Played again 8/23 on an email special that the club sent out. 49 bucks and a free Hot dog and Pop at the turn.
This was the first time we played under the GPS Cart time. By 15 minutes).Teeing off at 9:30 definitely made a difference. The greens were fairly fast as usual and they definitely have the best cart GPS i've seen yet.
This course plays longer than the card even from the whites.
3
On August 2, 2009, threeputt of Pittsburgh (12 handicap) posted:
We played August 2nd and the course was in great condition considering the amount of play it gets and the greens were carrying pretty good speed as usual.
It was golfer appreciation weekend and greens fees were 45 and merchandise in the pro shop and the restaurant prices were discounted as well.
We saw the course ranger and the beverage cart at least a couple times on each nine. Quicksilver has a great staff all the way around.
4
On August 1, 2009, Gina of Pittsburgh (24 handicap) posted:
Played today for at a player appreciation rate of 45 dollars which is a great rate for a course of this caliber. Due to the amount of rain we had recently carts were limited to either side of the fairway with no crossing. The greens still played great and the course seemed longer because of the wetness. But, as usual we had a great time even though it took five hours to play as a result of the limitations. The service we received was exceptional as usual and the driving rang and putting greens made our warm-up easy. It was well worth our visit today.
5
On July 12, 2009, Matt of Pittsburgh (19 handicap) posted:
Played Quicksilver June 21 for the first time. I had somewhat mixed feeling about the course. The conditions of the course were superb . . . equivalent to those at the many of the local country clubs I've played. I saw at least a few grounds crew members working on the course during play. Fairways were gorgeous and lush. Greens were very good and much better than any of the other public courses I've played in Pittsburgh this season.
I was looking forward to playing Quicksilver (from the tips) as it's the hardest rated public course closer than Mystic Rock in Nemacolin. With such a high rating and slope (75.7/145), I was really expecting tight, heavily bunkers, undulating fairways that make you really appreciate the design that went into them. What I found was a decent but unspectacular layout. There were plenty of fairway bunkers, but nothing all that worrisome, even for this wild driver). From tees to greens, there are more challenging and interesting (and cheaper) courses in the Pittsburgh area. The real challenge of Quicksilver is in the greens. (I should add that the 7083 yards of Quicksilver didn't really add any extra difficulty for me, as I hit the ball far . . . and not very straight. This course never made me club down and lay up like, say, Grandview does. There was usually a lot of extra space for sloppy drives).
The greens here are small, sloping, very fast, and hard. I usually stick my high irons within a couple feet of the ball mark, and I had a hard time holding these greens with my usual approach shots (ball marks were very shallow, confirming the hardness). Though the greens are admirable (and usually well bunkered), the difficulty of this course is drastically imbalanced. If these greens were comparable to those of the other good public courses in the area, I think the slope rating would be more like high 120s. The imbalance of difficulty between tees/fairways and greens really stood out to me. To be fair, I have a weak short game and much prefer fairway play. If you love short game and especially putting, this is a great course for you.
But I found the course layouts/fairway designs much more interesting and challenging at Birdsfoot and (just played today) the back nine of Butler's Lakeside.
Also a bit odd was the fact that Quicksilver has this enormous swanky clubhouse, but when I went in at the turn to get a drink, it was primarily empty and the bar was nothing special (hot dogs and basic canned beer). Maybe I missed something else, but it contributed to the impression that Quicksilver was a little more facade than soul.
The prime time prices are high ($70 on weekends). After 1pm it goes down to $50 ($45 on weekdays), which is reasonable for a course kept in such fine condition. But it's no bargain. Most weekend afternoon rates in this area are below $40. If the conditions of Quicksilver deteriorated, it would definitely not be worth the extra expense. If Quicksilver cost mid $40s prime time and was mid $30s in the afternoon, it would be a great deal and receive a very high recommendation from me. But at the current prices, it doesn't deliver enough.
Still, I think I'll go back once or twice this season. I like a challenge.
6
On July 11, 2009, Gina of Pittsburgh (24 handicap) posted:
If you have never played QS now is the time. During July fees have been reduced and its Easy to get to just off of rt 22.
The rough here is tough and its sometimes very difficult to get a good shot to the green.The course is surrounded by rolling hills and no houses are within sight. The challenging greens are fast and there are many different undulations providing for some tricky pin placements.
The well stocked pro shop is worth checking out and the employees are all friendly with the customers.
7
On March 29, 2009, Walter Z of Pittsburgh (12 handicap) posted:
We always enjoy our trips to Quicksilver. They run a very well organized operation there, the clubhouse is great and the employees are very helpful.
The carts are all equipped with GPS which is a big help when dealing with the courses undulations and variety of shots.
The greens are always consistent and usually roll fast so with the many breaks on the greens you don't want to be above the hole.
The spring/fall and afternoon rates make it a fair bargain as we havent paid the regular rate. The course would be a great addition to the LMG Pittsburgh List
8
On February 4, 2009, jeff of Pittsburgh posted:
Off season and early morning rates are second to none!! Most certainly best bang for the buck. Course is most certainly a risk/reward setup.
9
On October 20, 2008, hobo of Pittsburgh (16 handicap) posted:
Played Fri. Oct.17th,at 10:00Am.Exceptional bargain for $40.Made the mistake of putting on the practice green,fast,fast,fast.Pin high to the left on the 1st hole,downhill 30 foot putt.Hit putt came up 15 ft. short,Greens were that inconsistant all day,Almost had the course to ourselves,had a three-some push us and let them play thru at the turn.No leaves in the fairway a blessing. Dan
10
On October 14, 2008, christopher of Pittsburgh posted:
played on Sunday 10/12/08 Was my first time playing as winter rates are in effect at 45 dollars on the weekend it was a beautiful day near 80 degrees. First off expect a long round at this course on the weekends as it took almost 5 hours to play the round due to the groups ahead of us having no idea how to keep pace. There is a difference between being bad and playing a good pace and being bad and holding up everyone. This course had a few beautifully scenic holes especially number 9 where they have added a new pond onto the right side so they have two ponds going uphill on a 290yd par 4 which is a difficult hole. I enjoyed the course overall but my only complaints are that there is WAY too many doglegs and blind shots where u hit your drive and have to hope to be able to find it. This course it is necessary to have the GPS tracking they have. Also some of the tee boxes and greens were extremely beat up. I will give this course another chance now for the winter rate price since i know where to hit but i would never pay 75 dollars to play this. Also make sure u check out the clubhouse as they have some very nice pictures of past PGA Senior tourney that were held there.
11
On August 27, 2008, Ken of Pittsburgh (26 handicap) posted:
I played this course in April, 2008 and the value for the dollar was excellent (winter rates). As had been mentioned in other reviews, greens are fast and tricky. Course is in good shape but some of the holes aren't what you expect at a course of this type (no. 12 for example). I enjoy playing this course at a discounted rate but can't say that it is a good value at the regular price. Nice clubhouse (great pictures) and bar.
12
On August 18, 2008, Tim of Pittsburgh (13 handicap) posted:
Maybe starting to lean into the pricey range considering the economy but its easy to see the money is being spent on the course. Greens are their lightning fast selves and the bunker issues of the last several years have been largely resolved (doesn't anyone use white sand anymore??). Course rewards good shots and penalizes bad ones, just like a good golf course should. #4 still a monster of a hole and #11 might be the trickiest par 3 in the state. Even with the prices I will be back.
Greens still showing some signs of the aeration, Course was yet showing some signs of past rains and the leave made is tough to find the ball in a lot of areas. Us usual the staff was very welcoming. We played in three and a half hours despite the fact that the course was busy. Had the upstairs lounge closed but we were able to get food and beverages from the pro shop.
