Emmet built incredible putting surfaces at Leatherstocking (a name that came to the course later in the 20th century). A wonderful hole may be rendered forgettable by a boring green, while the worth of an average golf hole is always elevated by a thoughtful and challenging putting surface. From the first to the last, the golf greens in Cooperstown demand attention and respect from each player. Many who have reached the par fives in two here end up with a par or worse after three and four jabs on these greens.

Emmet paid close attention to the framing holes of the golf course and his par 3's (3, 9, and 12) require different shot shapes and lengths. 12 is the most memorable, a wee drop shot from a hill down to a valley with a green this is protected on all sides by sand bunkers. Two clubs less are typically required, not that this makes the shot any less fraught with nervous peril. Number 9 is the only short hole which plays uphill with the entire right side lined with pines and a small green that is protected on the right by a cavernous bunker. As a result, all shots must come in from the left. It is a shame that Bob Cupp was unable to relocate the tees about ten yards left, opening the hole up for the right-to-left player.

Emmet included long and short par fours in his course routing. The driveable 13th and 14th holes afford all players an opportunity to go at the green with their tee balls. Calamity lurks greenside, unseen, in the form of vast and deep pits of sand on both holes, but that's the price you pay for daring greatness. Numbers 4 and 17 play around and across principal hazards (mounds and sand on the former, an inlet of Lake Otsego on the later) to distances of 200 yards.

The long holes at Leatherstocking complement the one-shooters appropriately, in terms of challenge and acclamation. 15 is a tiny hole where all but the shortest hitter should get home in two. The fairway rises briefly to a balance point some 240 yards from the tee then descends gradually to a green situated in a dell, 460 yards in total. 4 and 11 are two mid-length holes where proper tee positioning and fairway play are key to scoring well.

The finishing hole, a par 5, is one of the memorable holes because of its island tee that is connected by two bridges to the mainland, the specious turn of the shore that you have to navigate across and awe struck sighting of the green and resort across the lake. Having never played from an island tee and having rarely played such a daunting hole, I bit off more than and I could chew and ended up wet on my first attempt. The safe play is to the right, allowing for a lay-up and final approach to a two-tiered putting surface.