
Salem Municipal Golf Course dates to 1919 and occupies a 46-acre site just a few blocks from the center of the city. The nine-hole layout plays to a par of 34 over roughly 2,400 yards, making it a manageable setting for newcomers to the game.
One of the course's distinguishing features is its sand greens. Artificial turf putting surfaces were in use from 2001 to 2008, but as they grew slick and difficult, city crews removed them and restored the sand greens that had been the course's hallmark in earlier decades.
The greens combine sand and clay, giving them a texture comparable to a baseball infield. A synthetic, organic bonding agent called Durasoil holds the mixture together, keeping the surfaces firm and the roll consistent.
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