The Golf Course Loop is commonly run by Vassar runners in the winter months because of the amount of road on the route. The Short version of this loop offers an alternative for the snow-free months that cuts through the Vassar Farm trails. Below is a detailed description of the route and an interactive map. We suggest you take notes and carry them with you on the run to avoid getting lost.
From the corner of Ballantine Field near the storage shed, proceed straight briefly before following the road to the right down to Sunset Lake. After you cross the bridge, bear left on the gravel path, and run along the west side of the lake. Follow the gravel path as it bears right and over a wood bridge onto pavement. Follow this sidewalk up the hill to South Lot. Turn left to run on the sidewalk in front of Shipping & Receiving, and continue past the SoCos. Once into the Security Parking Lot, turn right and cross Hooker Avenue. Jog down Hooker Avenue to the Vassar Farm entrance, and head down the Farm Road. Follow the Farm road for about a mile until, at the bottom of a big downhill, the road turns sharply left. Without taking this sharp turn, veer straight off the road onto the trail ahead. Follow along with the pond on your right, and bear right when the trail splits. Follow the trail through a clearing to the Squirrel Statue T-intersection. Turn left at this intersection, and follow the rocky, uphill trail until it ends at a road (Cedar Ave). Turn left on Cedar, and then right when it ends at Spackenkill Road. Follow along Spackenkill Rd past the high school, and turn right on Laffin Lane. Laffin curves around a bit, but eventually ends at Wilbur Blvd. Turn right on Wilbur, and follow along for quite a while. You'll see the public golf course on your right - the namesake of this loop. After about 2 miles, Wilbur Blvd will end at Hooker Ave. Turn right on Hooker, and left on Raymond. Then, enter South Lot and head back to Ballantine Field.
For an interactive map powered by Gmap-Pedometer and Google Maps, click here (map will open in new window). Please note that this map follows the above directions in reverse order.