Over the next three weeks we can enjoy our golf at comfortably cool temperatures and take in the color that comes with the season. Our rainy summer should provide a great display of foliage and up north the leaves are already changing. While the leaves stay on the trees golf has a spectacular setting, but when they fall leaves become one more problem for those whose shots miss

the fairway.

Did you know that you may be entitled to relief without penalty if your shot is lost in a pile of leaves. It’s up to the course whether to invoke a local rule labeling piles of leaves “ground under repair”. Check with the course or the tournament officials about this one. I’m not sure whether this

includes leaves blown into piles along the rough or those raked up by course workers. I do know that informal groups I play with usually agree that balls disappearing into accumulated leaves allow a drop without penalty. It’s nice to know this is actually permissible under the rules.

It should be a few weeks before we see a really heavy accumulation on the ground, so now is a great time to get out and check the foliage. The best bet is to start up north and work south with the changing color. Most Maine golf courses have great foliage displays and those with high elevations giving us panoramic vistas. There are too many to list here, so pick your favorite and

enjoy the final rounds of the season.

This past week’s single outing was to a course that is going get rave reviews for foliage. Sunday River now has nine holes open, and with the Mahoosuc Range across the valley there will be an unmatched foliage spread next weekend. Color is already evident but that’s not why we were there. I had ridden a cart around the course earlier this summer, but to truly appreciate any course, you have to play it.

Wednesday I did just that and found a course that fits the description I received from designer Robert Trent Jones Jr., who told me the layout would be challenging but more player-friendly than Sugarloaf. While the elevation changes are dramatic, the landing areas are generous on most holes with bail out areas where needed. I actually hit driver on all but the two par threes, something I do on very few courses.

Four sets of tees range from 3494 at the back down to 2400 from the front. The whites will suit most players at 2915. The slope and course ratings are not yet available, but it’s apparent the three back sets of tees will have above average ratings. The bunkers have been filled with a very good sand and play well. There are risk reward holes such as No. 5. At 401 yards from the white tees, this par four has a visually intimidating drive. The drop from tee to green shortens the hole making it reachable for medium length hitters, but fairway bunkers on the left and another straight out to the right leave a narrow landing zone. Play shorter and right and there’s plenty of room.

There are a lot of holes where good course management gives a good shot at par. Going a for a birdie and missing can result in a big number. Playing the new layout is an invitation to return and if the calendar permits that will happen during peak foliage.

Another course great for foliage, and on the must play list in the next week or two is Belgrade. GM Kyle Evans told me it was a great summer and they will be open as long as people keep coming. The course is five years old now, and moving along on the original five year plan. The woods are being cleaned, out and six or seven new tees allow the course to be stretched to 6700 yards.

Evans was happy to report that Golf Magazine has ranked the layout No. 77 in its top 100 list, one more high ranking for Belgrade.

We also checked to see how the summer went at some older courses under new owners. At Apple Valley, Gard Craw echoed what we have been hearing all over. The rain slowed things down, but play was busy when the weather was good.

A lot of plans are in the works with a new nine eventually turning the club into a full 18 hole layout. Next up will be adding drainage to the first and second holes. As to closing date, that’s “up to Mother Nature.”

New owner Georges Gendron said Prospect Hill completed their full irrigation project In June and reported a lot new faces and members happy with the changes. On how long play will continue he said, “When the greenskeeper says it’s time, we’ll close. The front nine close early to work on the cart paths.”

Turner Highlands will stay open until the weather shuts things down, and after that golfers will still be able to hit balls. The club house is being renovated to add a virtual golf setup for winter. New owner George Chiasson said they had a good summer with a lot of course improvements and we’ll have more about winter plans as we get closer to the end of the season.

Obviously, there is plenty of golf ahead. Some courses will close this month while others in the southern part of the state will go until the snow is here to stay.

So get out and enjoy it.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook.