Bear Creek Golf Course – Winthrop, Washington
Starting just outside the club house, the 1st hole tee box is on the hill looking down toward the fairway. This is a short par 4 and with a good drive can set up an easy birdie putt. There is out of bounds on the left and the fairway for hole 3 on the right. Overall, a good starting hole. This leads you to Hole 2, a short par 3 that is almost 100% carry over trouble to an elevated green. If you miss the green short, you will need to re-tee. If you just miss the green either right or left short, your ball will roll off of the green down towards rough, which is actually a pond with high grass around it. The best play here is to hit the ball just past the flag and let the hill take you back on the green, or if you are like me, hit it to the far right, even off of the green a little, to set up a straight chip back to the green at tee level. Take a par and move on. Hole 3 is a par four that is a dogleg to the left. If you draw the ball, you are in luck, as a good drive will set you up in the middle of the fairway for your second shot. If you fade the ball, you will face a narrow shot as you will have to miss the trees on the left and hope to stay in the fairway right. This sets up a longer second shot, but it is doable. The green is elevated slightly, but allows for you to play it a little long to have a down hill putt. Moving on to hole 4, a par 5 that is pretty wide open, you will tee up from just above the 4th green. This is a deceiving hole, in that you can reach the green in regulation, but the green is a two-tier green with a sever ridge running through the middle. If the flag is on the upper back, make sure to take enough club to get there on your second or third shot as anything short will roll all the way off of the green. If the flag is in the front, play your approach shot to land short and tumble on. If you go long, and end up on the back of the green, the downhill putt will more that likely set you up for a chip shot back to the green. Take a par and move forward. The next hole, hole 5, is an uphill par 4. Your drive needs to clear a hill in the middle of the fairway or it will leave you with an uphill blind shot for your second shot to the green. If you drive the ball left, you will have to play out to the right of the green, which is hidden. The green is usually fairly hard and any ball landing on the green may go all the way to the back of the green. Play your second shot to tumble onto the green setting up a good chance for a birdie putt. Hole 6 is a fun short par 4 that is downhill to a small green. The green is protected on the left by trees and on the right by a couple of hills. Go for the green if you like, or play it safe with a shorter club that lands in the middle of the fairway short, providing you with a pretty simple chip to reach the green setting up a birdie putt. Hole 7 is a copy of hole 5 in that it is uphill the entire way to the top, with a blind shot to the green a very good possibility. Just remember to play your second shot short of the elevated green as is runs somewhat front to back and will tumble on. However, if you play it too short, or too long, you will be chipping uphill to the green. A par is a good score on this hole. Hole 8 is a downhill short par 4 that allows you to make up any shots you may have lost on the last three holes. If is short and the green is flat. Safe play is to hit your drive with a shorter club to the middle of the fairway and play a short iron to the green. Don’t go long or right and you will have a great opportunity to birdie this hole. Hole 9’s tee box is just to the right of hole 8 green. It is a par 5 that heads you back to the clubhouse. It is wide open and with a good tee shot and second shot, you are set up for an eagle or birdie putt to finish off the front.
Turning to the back nine, you will be playing the same holes from different tee boxes. Hole 10 tee box is just to the right of hole 9 green. If you play a fade, you are in luck as you will be able to fly the ball to the middle of the fairway. If you play a draw, you can still hit the fairway, but will have to miss the trees that run down the right side and separate hole 10 (1) from hole 12 (3). Once in the fairway, it will play pretty much as outlined for hole 1. Hole 11 tee box is back in the trees making the hole longer than when you played it as hole 2. This increases the carry, but once over the junk, again it will play the same as it did when playing it as hole 2. Hole 12 plays a little easier for those hitting a fade as the tee box is down the hill from when you played it at hole 3. Hole 13 tee box is now to the right of hole 12. If is pretty much a straight-away par 5 with the exception of the two-tiered green. Hole 14 allows for the shorter hitters to clear the hill in the middle of the uphill par 4 which allows you to see the green for your second shot. Remember to play your second shot short of the green to allow the ball to tumble onto the green setting up a birdie putt. Hole 15 is now played as a par 3 and is fairly long. A good tee shot will allow you to putt for birdie. Remember this hole, played as a par 4 when it was hole 6, that the green is guarded on the left by trees and on the right by hills. Hole 16, is pretty much a carbon copy of hole 7, which is uphill with the potential for a blind second shot into the green. Don’t go long or short left as you will have a hard chip shot up to the green. Best play is to keep it right if not on the green and chip on for a par putt. Hole 17, or hole 8, is now played as a dogleg left from back in the trees. It still allows for a straight or drawer of the ball to hit the fairway, but a fader of the ball will have to either play the hole from the far right off of the tee box and fairway, or hit it over trees on the left off of the tee to play it from the middle of the fairway. Not an easy task but doable. Once there, it will play fairly easy. The final hole, hole 18, is similar to 17 in that the tee box is now way back in the woods. It still allows for a good driver of the ball to reach the green in regulation but creates some stress due to it being a dogleg to the left. Again, you should be able to hit the fairway and set yourself up for a birdie putt to end your round.
Eagle Creek Golf Course – Lake Nona, Florida
The first tee is a pretty straight away par 4 with a green that runs from back to front. If you are a long ball hitter off the tee, say maybe 250 – 275 yards, just bomb away and you will have a short iron into the green. If shorter than 250 yards drive, play to the left middle of the fairway to position your next shot into the green. As already stated, the green runs back to front so a nice iron shot to the middle will more than likely not run off the back. Regardless of where they put the flag, which is always either middle or back, play it a little short to give yourself and uphill putt. Hole 2 is a shortish par 4 that doglegs to the right. Make sure to play your tee shot to middle left of the fairway. Hitting it long straight will get you into trouble due to water being on the left side, which you won’t be able to see until you get up there. Far right is OB, and many have hit a fade that veers to far right and comes into contact with the condominiums that run along the right. Your second shot is a short wedge into a green that has a couple of levels, but mostly runs again back to front. A long approach shot will leave you with a difficult downhill breaking putt, so better to play it a little short and putt uphill. Hole 3 is probably one of my favorite holes on the course. The hole is a dogleg right, with a very wide fairway out in front of you as you stand on the tee box. You will not be able to see the flag, however, a good tee shot down the middle, to middle right, will leave you again with an iron into the green. Take note, the green is fronted by a small hill that makes you think your approach shot hit the front of the green only to get to your ball and find that you have missed the green and come up short. The green is kind of deep and is shaped a little like a dome. The flag is usually middle to front, so a middle of the green shot is your best bet for a chance at a birdie. Hole 4 is a fairly long, up to 570 yards, par 5 that is snake shaped. From the tee box, it is best to hit a long fade to the top of the rise in the middle of the fairway. Your next shot will be a long approach shot that you will need to keep to the right of the rough that runs along the left. Left is not good. You will either end up in deep rough, or find the water. Once you have hit your second shot to the right, you will have a nice wedge or short iron into a fairly small green, which is guarded by mounds on the right, sand in front, and water left. The entry to the green is about 10 to 15 feet wide, if you plan to run it on, good luck. Most of the green runs back to front, with some slight breaks from left to right. Best bet is to again play it short and putt uphill. Hole 5 is a long par 3. I have hit anything from a 3 hybrid to a 6 iron on this hole. From the tips it is over 200 yards. The green is fairly large, but it is guarded by multiple bunkers left and mounds on the right. Long is no good as it will end up in a wild land area with very little hope of finding the ball. The green is fairly flat but there is some rise from front to back allowing for the ball to hit and roll out a little. However, if you are like me and hit a long iron or a hybrid, if you don’t get enough height on it, it may run off the back. If the flag is in the back, take enough club to get to the middle, if up front or middle, land up front if possible. This will allow you to putt or chip uphill for your second shot. Take a par and move on. Hole 6 is a somewhat long par 4 that plays uphill the entire way, (as if there are hills in central Florida – okay, it is an incline). Your tee shot should be middle left, however, there is a bunker on the left that catches a lot of golf balls making reaching the green in regulation impossible. Your second shot will be a long iron or hybrid for most. The green is somewhat a small target and is protected by bunkers and mounds on the right, mounds on the left that will force your ball towards the water that is just behind the green. This is a tricky green with many undulations, so if you can get a par, feel good about your game and move on. Hole 7 is a short, fun, par 4. It is a dogleg to the right. A good tee shot will leave you a short iron or wedge into the green, which is one of the largest on the course. Have fun on this hole and go for a birdie if possible. Note, there is some trouble, mostly with landscape features causing you to play it too safe, but don’t. Just hit it long to the middle right of the fairway and go for it. Hole 8 is one of my least favorite holes. It is pretty, but it can ruin a good front 9. It is a longish par 3, with OB left, water and cart path right, bunkers on both sides, with a two tiered green. This is a tough par 3. If you are on green, you have a good chance of making a birdie, if on the right tier, or at least par. However, it is a tough par 3, so be happy with a par. Hole 9 is a long fairly straight away par 5. Two good shots, one from the tee box to the middle of the wide fairway, the second to the middle left of the fairway, will leave you with a wedge to the green. The approach to the green is actually from the left and the green sits a little to the right of how the fairway was laid out. If the flag is in the front, you can play to the middle and let the ball take the slope in the middle to a front bowl, leaving you with a fantastic chance at a birdie, for long hitters an eagle. If the flag is in the back, take enough club to reach the middle or even upper level of the green. This will leave you with an uphill, or potentially, a flat putt. Great hole to finish the front on.
Moving to the back 9. Hole 10 is a dogleg left. Play your tee shot over the fairway bunker on the left or aim directly to the middle of the fairway to the right of this bunker. If you hit it long here, you will get rewarded with a downhill run off that will leave you with a wedge or short iron into the green. If, like some of us, you fade the ball, you will be middle right of the fairway, missing this downhill run off, leaving you with a mid to long iron for your approach shot. The green is guarded by mounds on both of the sides and back, while also a sand bunker on the left and a grass bunker on the right. This green is fairly large and has a couple of tiers on it. The upper back is hard to get to, so, if the flag is back make sure to take enough club to reach the upper level. If the flag is middle front, play it short to give yourself an uphill putt. Hole 11 is a great little par 3 hole that can play pretty long, up to 215 yards. It is guarded by two very deep bunkers, think St. Andrews, on the left, which if you land in either you will be playing your sand shot backwards or sideways. Better to leave your tee shot short or right if you are to miss the green. The hole is tougher than it looks, but a par is a good score. Hole 12, is a slight dogleg to the left that plays fairly long. There are some big trees down the lefthand side so aim your tee shot to the middle left. The left side can cause issues if you don’t hit the fairway as there is a fairway bunker about 220 yards out, and if landing in the rough, there are multiple mounds so you more than likely will not have a level stance. If there is wind, it will usually be blowing directly into your face. This will cause your drive to come up short, leaving you a long iron or hybrid for your approach shot. The green is mounded in the middle, so your approach shot will be determined by where they have placed the flag. If the flag is in the back, be careful to hit the middle from a high approach shot. If too far, it will run off into the rough. If too short, it might roll back to the front of the green, leaving a very long putt for birdie. A 2 putt par is good on this hole. Moving to Hole 13 you are faced with a fairly long, 545 yards, dogleg left, par 5. You are also faced with a decision from the tee box. There is a penalty area that runs along the entire left side of the fairway. If you think you can cut the corner of the penalty and get the ball in the fairway, you might actually be able to get to the green in 2. However, if you are short on your tee shot, it can really cost you some strokes, even if you play out of the penalty area, as it is really steep and you will not have a secure stance. Also, if you don’t clear the penalty area, under the rules, you would have to play your third shot after taking a drop, from approximately 75 to 100 yards from the tee box. Not a good start on this par 5. Additionally, if the wind is blowing it will more than likely be blowing in from your left, causing any fade shot to really fade (i.e. slice). You may still find the fairway but it will take 2 really good shots from there to hit the green in regulation. The green is pretty large, runs front to back uphill, with a smallish runoff area to the back right. It is best to get your approach shot to the middle of the green to have any chance at a birdie or par. Hole 14 is an interesting hole. Standing on the tee box, you will see the fairway that runs out in front of you, a little to the left. On the right you will see bunkers and on the left you will see rough. If you are a long hitter, you will want to go just left of the bunkers with your tee shot as if you clear the incline your ball may run all the way to the bottom leaving you with a wedge to the green. If you land middle or middle left in the fairway, not clearing the incline you will be able to see the green, but it will leave you with a long to mid iron into the green. The green runs uphill from front to back and is guarded by bunkers left and mounds right. Overall, an interesting hole due to the incline in the middle of the fairway. Should be a fairly easy par for most. Hole 15 is a short par 4 that doglegs to the right. A good tee shot to the middle or middle right will leave a short iron, or maybe even a wedge, into the green. The green is deep, but not really wide. It is protected front left with a bunker and front right and back with mounds. This should be an easy par, however, beware, that if your tee shot is to far right, you will be in trouble with rough, fairway bunkers, and a tough approach angle to the green. Better to stay middle or middle left. Hole 16 is a straightaway par 5 that is a birdie hole if the wind is calm, and can be a bogey or maybe worse if the wind is blowing. However, 2 good shots will leave you with a doable approach shot with a wedge or short iron. The green is pretty large and has bunkers front left and right, with mounds around the back. This is a fairly flat green which is easy to read. It runs a little uphill front to back, but again, there is not a lot of trouble to read breaks on this green. Great way to get an eagle or a birdie, which is great as hole 17 is a tough little par 3 that is just begging to take more shots than suggested. Hole 17 is a daunting par 3 that is long, up to 195 yards, pretty much 100% over water. It is additionally guarded by bunkers left and right, with mounds in the back. However, if you go over, the ball is gone. Play your tee shot to the middle of the green and 2 putt for par. Anything less than par is icing on the cake. Hole 18, some people’s least favorite hole as it can ruin a good round, is a very challenging par 5 that is pretty much straight away and only 540 yards. But the hole provides some challenges. First, there are fairway bunkers in your sight from the tee box. Most everyone can clear these however, as they were put there to cause you to think too much, don’t over think it and play your tee shot to the right. As there is rough and water all the way down on the right side, your tee shot should be to fly the bunkers in your view and stay middle to middle left. You will need to make a decision on your second shot. Most of us normal duffers hit our tee shot roughly 200-230 yards. If that is you, the decision is to lay up for your third shot. If you are a long ball driver, say 275-300, you might be able to go for the green. However, although the green is large, it is fronted by a pond that seems to catch a lot of balls. So, when contemplating your third shot, try to land you shot in the middle of the fairway to a yardage that you feel comfortable hitting. For me, that is anything around 120 – 100 yards. Stock shot with a wedge. Don’t try to push it too far up as the ground gets hard, or so it seems, and the ball may run all the way to the pond. Your third shot, being a short iron or a wedge will leave you feeling pretty good, however, there is the water. Again, it is put there to make you think too much about it. Just play your third shot to the green, 2 putt for par, or if you are lucky, get a birdie and call it a round.
Gamble Sands Golf Course – Brewster, Washington
The course is definitely a links style course and you will find that immediately off of the first tee box. The 1st hole is a dogleg left with the green sitting up between two mounds and guarded by bunkers on the front right. A good drive to the middle right of the fairway will set up a good shot to the green, putting you in place to birdie right out of the gate. Hole 2 is a short par 4 that runs downhill. Those with accuracy off of the tee can drive the green. However, there is a large bunker front right and waste areas to the left. The smart play is to hit something that sails 200-yards or so, leaving you a wedge into the green. Play to the right of the green and let the hill funnel your ball towards the green in true links fashion. This will set you up for a birdie birdie start. Hole 3 is a par 5 that snakes right to left to start and left to right towards a smallish green. The best play off the tee box is down the left side, which may leave you with a view of the green to the right. The visuals here are tough if you have never played the course before and are on the far right off of the tee box. You won’t be able to see the green from there and you will have to vision a high fade to get around the corner leaving you with a third shot to the green. For us mire mortals, we play to the middle left of the fairway, play a 200-yard shot up the fairway with a baby fade, and use a wedge to the green for a birdie putt. Moving on, hole 4 is a short par 3 that looks very inviting. Be careful as you don’t want to go long. The best play is landing short and letting it run to the green or hit your shot to the left of the green and let the slope take your ball to the green. Hole 5 is a pretty straight away par 4 that plays longer than you think. A good shot to the middle of the fairway leaving you with a short iron into the green. The green is guarded on the right by a bunker and farther right by waste areas. The green runs back to front, so be aggressive but leave the ball short of the flag to allow for an uphill putt. Hole 6 is a fun little par 3 hole that if you play it short it will leave you a little chip and a putt. Do yourself a favor and don’t go long. The par 5 7th hole plays short and a good drive over the right waste area will leave you a long iron or hybrid into the green. However, there is a bunker just short of the green that if you find yourself in it, it will take a very good shot to clear the lip and move your ball forward. Advice – stay left of the marking stick that is placed in the fairway to escape the bunker and ensure yourself a potential eagle putt. Hole 8 is a dogleg to the right so play to the middle right of the fairway to put yourself in position to hit the green with a short iron to allow for a birdie putt. Hole 9, is a pretty straight par 4 that helps you finish the front 9 with a birdie or a par that gets you motivated for the back 9.
When heading into the back 9, hole 10 is a shortish par 3 that sits down in a hole that lets you get a good start on the backside. Note, that when going to the green to putt, take your driver as you will go beyond the green to hit your tee shot on the 11th hole. Also, there is a halfway house here, the Outpost, were you can get drinks or something to eat. Moving on to hole 11, which is a par 4 that will present you with 2 options off of the tee. You can go left to a wide area in the fairway, or go left to a slot between a bunker and the waste area that will help your ball run down towards the green. The safe play is to the left with a mid to short iron into the green. Hole 12, plays as a par 4 with bunker middle right off of the tee box and bunker left near the green. The safe play is to hit your tee shot to the middle right of the fairway missing the bunker. This will allow a short iron shot into the green setting you up for a birdie putt. Hole 13 is a long par 5 that makes you stay to the left the entire way. You need to avoid the bunker in the middle of the fairway off of the tee box, as well as, the bunker that is right just off the green to score well here. Hole 14 is another par 4 that provides you with an option on how you want to get to the green. There is a wide fairway on the right, but if you can carry 230 – 270 with your driver, the you can clear the waste area and sand on the left, leaving you with a wedge to the green. If you cannot carry 230-270, hit your tee shot to the right to set up a mid to long iron into the green. The green has a backstop on it, so you can be aggressive on your approach shot. Either way, you are setting your self up for a birdie, it not an eagle. Hole 15 looks pretty straight away, however, be aware that although the fairway looks flat, it actually runs right to left. Any tee shot middle left may end up in a giant bunker on the left, which brings a high number into play. Smart play is to the middle right of the fairway and a mid to long iron into a green that is uphill. This will leave you with a birdie putt, but take a par and be happy. Hole 16 is a fun par 3. Regardless of where they put the flag, play to the right, up on the hill, and let the ball travel left to the green. The green runs right to left allowing your ball to travel to either a flag on the right, middle, or lower left. An alternative, if the flag is on the lower left of the green, is to play at the flag, being aggressive as there is a backstop that will force the ball down towards the flag. The green is protected left with a vast waste area. On the right, it is a hill, but again, playing over the hill right will force the ball to the green. Hole 17 is an uphill par 4 that is fairly narrow. If you go right and end up in the waste or sand area it is very deep and virtually impossible to hit the green with your second shot. Play your tee shot to the middle of the fairway and hit a mid-iron to the green setting yourself up for a birdie putt. Heading into the 18th hole, prepare yourself to hit is downhill. You have a choice of going left or right. I prefer right setting up a shot towards the green without any bunkers. If you play it right, you bring a bunker into play on your second shot that is trouble getting out of – I know as I hit it day 1. This is a very scorable par 5 if played well as you can get to the green with your second shot. The green complex is large so just go for it and finish strong.
Gamble Sands, Scarecrow Course – Brewster, Washington
Hole 1 starts you off with a par 4 downhill. From the tee box you will only need hit your tee shot approximately 170 to 180 yards to reach the extreme downhill. The line is over the right side of the bunker in the middle of the fairway that can be viewed from the tee box. If you successfully clear the bunker and reach the downhill, you second shot will be a short iron and or a wedge to the green. Stay to the right side of the green as the green is protected by a large waste area front and to the left. The green is somewhat small and has a couple of tiers. Take your par or birdie and move on. Hole 2 is a short par 3 that has a large green but once again you will need to stay right with your tee shot as there is waste areas front and left. A tee shot that lands right will work its way left but should stay on the green. Hole 3 is a longish par 5 uphill. Keep your tee shot left of the fairway bunker on the right. Your second shot should end up on the green or just short leaving you with a pitch shot to reach the green. The green has a couple of tiers to it, make sure to get to the right tier to secure a par. Hole 4 is a long downhill par 3. Play it 20 or 30 yards short with your tee shot. It will bounce and run out. Anything on the green will run off and leave you with a tough chip or sand shot to get a par. Hole 5 is a drivable, for some, uphill par 4. There is a waste area that runs along the entire right side of the hole so your tee shot should be middle to middle-left to reach the green or leave you with a short iron or wedge to the green. The green is large with undulations and is protected by bunkers back left and right. Hole 6 is a par 5 that is straight out in front of you. The best tee shot is middle to middle-right. A second shot should be towards the right side of the green as the green is protected front and front left with a deep bunker. Anything short on the second shot right leaves you with a view of the entire green and sets up a direct chip towards the flag. Hole 7 is a par 4 that doglegs to the right. A good tee shot to the middle will leave you with an iron to the green. The green is protected short with a bunker in the fairway, as well as a bunker on the right. Hole 8 is a par 4 that is straight away. There is waste areas left and right and fairway bunkers that need to be missed. A good tee shot up the middle or middle-right will set you up for a good second shot towards the green. The green is protected by an elevated area right and a bunker front left. There are plenty of undulations in the green, so get the ball on the right level, if possible, with your second shot. Hole 9 is a short par 3. Take notice of the tee box as it is just off the back of the green on hole 8. The green is protected by a large bunker that is left, with 2 smaller bunkers front and right. There is a ridge behind the hole, so if you go a little long on your tee shot it may roll back to the green. Hole 10 is a fun hole in that a good tee shot that reaches the downhill portion will run out towards the green leaving you with a short iron or wedge into the green. The green is a little elevated and is protected by waste area right, a run off area left, with a bunker back left. Hole 11 is a downhill par 3 that looks a little scary. There is large waste area and bunker left, hill and waste area off to the right. Once past the hill on the right, it opens up a little so a short shot left will leave you with the ability to chip and put. The best play is to the middle of the green, take 2 putts and your par and move on. Don’t forget to take in the views from the 11th green. Hole 12 is a dogleg right par 4. A good tee shot to the middle of the fairway works. If you are a long hitter, take on some of the bunker / waste area right. If successful, it will leave you with a short iron or even a wedge to the green. The green is protected by bunkers left, right and long. The green is not wide but is somewhat long. Once on the green, it should be a good chance for birdie or par. Hole 13 is a par 4 slightly uphill and the fairway is in an S shape. There is a large waste area right. A good tee shot is to the middle or middle-left. The green is protected front and back right by bunkers and is narrow but long. Hole 14 is a long par 4. You cannot see the green from the tee box, but your tee shot should be middle to right. A tee shot to the right and long can potentially run all the way down the hill towards the green. There is a bunker on the right side of the fairway that hopefully you will miss. If your tee shot is left, there is a high probability that you will find the waste area or junk as the fairway runs pretty severely right to left. The green is small and is protected front left by a pot bunker. This should be a birdie or at least a par. Hole 15 is a long par 5. Although the green is out to the right, your tee shot should be middle to middle-left to set up a good second shot. The fairway takes a right hand turn towards the green so if you cannot reach on your second shot, the aim is left to middle for your second shot. This will leave you with a short iron or even a chip to the green. The green is protected by a large hill left and bunkers right. Hole 16 is a short downhill par 3. You should play this one maybe 2 clubs shorter. There is a large waste area right and long is no good as it is the cart path, or maybe even the group that is teeing off on 17. A good tee shot to the middle of the green will secure a par with a 2 putt. Hole 17 is a short par 4. The fairway runs pretty severely left to right. A good tee shot is middle-left as it will run to the right leaving you a good view of the green and setting you up for a short iron or wedge to the green. The green is protected back left and right. The green is also fairly small, but accessible. Hole 18 is a short downhill par 4. Long hitters can reach the green, while the rest will play out to the left as there is a large waste area that runs along the entire right side. The green is protected by two bunkers on the front and right side, with a bunker on the left side back. Your approach shot has to land softly to set up a possible birdie as if you played to the left, the green is narrow for the approach. Take your eagle, birdie, or par and revel in the thrill of playing a fun course.
Graysburg Hills Golf Course – Chucky, Tennessee
Starting with Knobs 9. Hole 1 is a straight away par 5, that is a great way to start your round. There are a few bunkers on the right, along with trees and the driving range that you need to miss when teeing off. A good tee shot is middle to middle left, providing you with a good view for your second shot. If laying up, put the ball in a spot that has the distance you prefer. If taking a shot to reach in two, just note that there is rough usually in the front of the green. The green has a couple of ridges that can cause your approach shot to roll away from the hole, especially if you miss left. The green is protected by bunkers front, right and left, as well as behind. Usually, a par is attainable. Hole 2, a par 4, is a dogleg right that is fun to play. A good drive will leave you with a short iron or wedge into a green. Be careful as the green likes to run right to left with a ridge that runs through the middle from right to left. Any approach shot to the green needs to be a high shot that lands softly, otherwise you may be putting from a long way off or chipping back onto the green. Hole 3, a par 4, is a dogleg left. You cannot see the green from the tee box, but you will notice a large hill with bunkers on the left side of the fairway. If you can hit your driver well, you can clear this hill and hit the down slope toward an elevated green. Otherwise, you should play to the right of the hill and find a flat area to hit your second shot. If you clear the hill, you will have a wedge or short iron into the green. If you play it right, you will have a 200 yard shot to the green. Club selection is important as the green is elevated and protected by bunkers on the right and left. The green has a couple of tiers, with the front half being one tier and the back half being the second. Hole 4, a par 4, is a dogleg right. You will want to keep your tee shot middle to middle right to have a clear shot to the green utilizing a short iron or even a wedge. If you are too far right or left, you may be blocked out by trees, forcing a low shot to a well-protected green with bunkers front and right. The green is narrow, but wide. Playing a high shot with a soft landing near the pen is the proper play. Hole 5, a par 3, is fairly straight away. However, there is a lot going on here with hills right and left creating a canyon feeling at the green. From tee to green, is a low area that is made up of high grass. Any ball in there and you are more than likely hitting from the tee again. The green is deep with a ridge that runs across the green about the midpoint. It plays pretty flat or maybe a little up. Hole 6, a par 5, is a dogleg right with a wide landing area for your tee shot. A good tee shot can provide a possible long second shot to the green, setting up an eagle putt. If you don’t have the length to hit the green in 2, you can pick a good distance for your second and third shots. The green is elevated and protected by bunkers right. We always come away from this hole wondering why we did not get a birdie and are carding a boogie or double in some cases. Hole 7, a par 4, is a dogleg to the right with sand traps right, along with trees. Your second shot is uphill to a large green that is separated by a ridge that runs from right to left. Shoot for the flag on this hole as it is usually on one of the flat areas, back right or front left. Be aware of the bunkers on the right as you approach the green as they are not visible uphill. Hole 8, a par 3, plays downhill. The green is protected left by bunkers and a pond, pond in the back, and bunkers right. The green is pretty large and easily hit if you can get all of the trouble out of your mind. Get your par and walk to the ninth tee box. Hole 9, a par 4, is a dogleg left with a wide landing area right for your tee shot. Left is a bunker complex that can catch your tee shot if you are not able to fly it. A good tee shot will leave you with a short iron or wedge into the green. The green is fairly large with a couple of tiers and it is protected left by bunkers, both sand and grass, and right by a bunker and the pond.
Fodderstack 9, is one of the two choices you have for your second 9 holes. After crossing the road from the club house, you go straight up the path to the 1st tee box. Hole 1, a par 5, is a dogleg left. From the back tees, black, white, and even gold, you have to pay attention to the trees on the left, and also notice that the fairway, although wide in the landing area, runs from left to right. I prefer to challenge the trees on the left, landing middle left in the fairway. If accomplished you will end up middle or middle right in the fairway for your second shot. This is a tough hole to reach in two for middle to high handicappers, but a good second shot can leave you with a wedge to a low iron into the green. Once again, the green is elevated and the false front will push you ball back down to the fairway if you don’t cover it. The green is two tiered, front and back, and protected by bunkers right. Hole 2, is a funky little par 4 that doglegs to the left. The view from the tee box is a little confusing. On the left is a complex of rolling mounds and trees, the cart path runs through them, and the fairway looks narrow to the right with water further right. If you hit driver, you may end up in the water right as the fairway tends to run left to right, so pick your landing area wisely. Once in the fairway, for your second shot, you are looking at a green that is just across the water that is built into a hill and runs back to front pretty severely. There is a bunker to the top back and to the right side of the green. Depending upon where the flag is located, your shot may run back down the green towards the rough and water, or to the left and down. Take a par if you can and move on. Hole 3, a par 4, is a dogleg left. The fairway is pretty much straight out from the tee box. There is trouble on the left with trees and mounds. You will need to clear the corner to get a look at the green. A good tee shot here will be in the middle to middle right in the fairway. Looking at the green, which has two tiers, one front and the other back, is fairly large. It is protect on the right by bunkers and on the left by the cart path and trees. A good approach shot will leave you with a great chance at a birdie. Hole 4, a par 4, is straight away, uphill all the way. The fairway is pretty wide with tress left and right. Your second shot will play at least 1 if not 2 clubs longer than you think, so make sure to take enough club. If your shot is just a bit short, it may run all the way back down in the fairway. The green is somewhat narrow, but wide from left to right. It has a valley in the middle that may collect your approach shot leaving you with an interesting putt. There is a bunker left, but it rarely comes into play. Hole 5, a par 3, is downhill. The green is large and it is protected left and right by bunkers. This should be a fairly easy par or birdie if you hit the green. Hole 6, a par 4, runs straight, a little downhill. The fairway has a wide landing area. A good drive will leave you with a second shot with a middle to low iron, or for longer hitters, maybe a wedge. The green is protected back, left and right by bunkers. The green also runs a little right to back left with a slope in the middle. If the flag is in the front, the best approach is from the right front. If the flag is in the back left, middle to back right is safe. Hole 7, a par 5, that is similar to hole 6, but longer. The green is reachable in two for long hitters, as it runs a little downhill all the way. The green is large and it is angled from right to back left. There are bunkers on both sides and the back right. A good approach is middle right to set up an eagle or birdie putt. Hole 8, a par 3, is kind of a signature hole in that you have to go over water to a large green. There are mounds to the right with hidden bunkers, and on the left is high grass that runs out from the pond. There is a huge false front. A good shot will take you to the center of the green, which runs back to front. Best to leave your shot a little short of the flag to allow for an uphill putt. Hole 9, a par 4, runs back up the hill towards the first tee box. It is a slight dogleg left so make sure to drive your ball middle to middle right for the best approach. As it runs uphill, take enough club to reach the green. If you land short your ball will run back down the fairway. The green is two tiered from front to back and it is protected by a steep drop and bunker left. If you go long on your approach, you could lose your ball as the back runs steeply downhill into an area that is not maintained. Best approach is middle to front of the green. It may leave you with a long putt if the flag is in the back, but better safe than sorry.
Chimney Top 9. This nine hole course provides you with some variety with regards to the layout of the holes. Hole 1, a par 4, runs gently uphill all the way to the green. As the fairway seems to run a little right to left, your tee shot should be middle to middle right. A good tee shot will leave you with a mid to low iron for your second shot. The green is flat, but is protected front left, left, and right with bunkers which leave you will a narrow opening if running the ball up to the green. As the green is flat, any shot to the flag position should leave you with a birdie putt. Hole 2, a par 5, is similar to the first hole, but much longer. Your tee shot needs to be middle to middle right. If left, there are steep hills that may push your ball into high grass leaving you with a tough second shot. Your second shot, if not able to reach the green, should be laid up to a preferred distance for a good approach. The green is also similarly protected as the first hole, as it is protected by bunkers on both sides. A good approach could leave you with a birdie putt, but on this hole, a par is good. Hole 3, a par 3, is all uphill so it plays much longer than you would expect. Take enough club to get to the green, which is elongated from front right to back left. There is a ridge in the middle of the green separating the front from the back. Depending upon where they put the flag will help you on deciding which club to hit. The green is protected left by mounds and a bunker, while the right side has mounds and the cart path. Long straight will leave you potentially with a lost ball if it crosses the cart path. Again, make sure to take enough club, but not too much club. Hole 4, a par 5, that is pretty interesting. The fairway runs downhill towards a pond, that is not really reachable from the tee. A good drive will leave you with a short iron or wedge for your layup, or for long hitters, a hybrid or high iron if not laying up. The green is across a pond, with a large mound behind it that can be used to have your ball roll back towards the green. If your approach shot is spiny, your ball may run back into the pond as the green runs back to front. A high approach with a soft landing will allow for a birdie putt, but a par here is good so be happy and move on. Hole 5, a par 4, is another interesting hole. The tee box is back in the woods and provides you with a view of the roller coaster look to the fairway. You cannot see the green but you will see a large hill out in front of you. If you can clear the hill with your drive, it will run downhill leaving you with a short iron or wedge back up to the green. The green is small and is surrounded by mounds. A middle of the green approach is the best to secure a birdie or par. Hole 6, a par 5, is initially a little uphill with the reaming fairway a gently downslope to an elevated green. A good drive to middle or middle right will leave you with a view of the green. Your second shot, for those laying up, should be to a preferred distance. Long hitters might be able to get to the green in two. The green is probably one of the largest on the entire course and is relatively flat. There isn’t really much of a slope to the green, but at times it seems to run front to back and gently to the back left. This hole is a good hole to get par or better. Hole 7, a par 4, is a very interesting dogleg to the left. Your tee shot is out to the right for safety. If you drive the ball too far to the left you will hit a downhill area that could send your ball into a pond. If you hit it to the right you will be on a flat surface hitting downhill, over a pond, towards the green. There is a large mound behind the green that can help stop your ball if you hit it long. Sometimes it will actually allow your ball to roll back towards the green. This green is wide left to right but not very deep. It is very similar to hole 4, in that a high soft second shot, that is not spiny, is preferred. If your second shot is spiny, it could spin back into the pond as the green runs a little downhill back to front. Take a par and move on. Hole 8, a par 4, provides you with some interesting choices. It is a dogleg left, or maybe more of a snake shaped fairway, with the fairway running right to left. The best drive is the to top right, even a little into the rough, as the ball will travel from right to left. If it catches the steep slope, your ball may run all the way down to the front of the green leaving you with a little pitch shot to the putting surface. If you are middle or middle left, you ball may roll into a bowl around the large tree that is left of the fairway, or it could roll all the way down the hill to a green side bunker. Again, this is an interesting hole that follows the contour of the landscape. Hit it right from the start, possible birdie. Hit is left and you are facing boogie to worse, if you don’t lose your ball. Hole 9, a par 3, runs downhill to a large green that is fairly flat. It plays at least 1 club down. Right off the tee box will result in a lost ball, left will be playable. A good tee shot and a birdie is a good finish to your round.
Harmony Golf Preserve — Harmony, Florida
Within holes 1-9, it is best to play your tee shots to the middle of the fairways. This allows for better approach shots into the greens. The first hole is a straightaway par 4 that can play a little downhill on your second shot. The green is fairly large and is protected by a bunker front right. There is a ridge in the middle of the green, so if the flag is in the back, take enough club to get it back to the pin. The 2nd hole is a fun, short par 4, that has a little risk – reward to it. If you hit your drive over 230 yards, you can absolutely go over the water towards the green. If there is any wind, or if you are not able to hit your drive 230 yards, then play over the water toward the fairway. Note, you cannot see all of the fairway if not going short left or at the green, but it is fairly wide, so just for it. The 3rd hole is a par 3 that requires a good shot to clear the pond. Watch for a resident alligator that likes to watch golfers 😉. Short left is okay as it is a pretty good place for an up and down. Over or short of the green will be trouble. If over, there are humps that will cause you to play a delicate shot back towards the green. If short, it may roll back towards the pond and you might be dropping and hitting your third shot. The 4th hole is a longish par 4. It runs along a body of water pretty much from tee to green on the left. I usually play this hole as a par 5 conceding a bogey and taking a par as a birdie. The best way to make par is to go up the left-hand side of the fairway (not getting into the water), which leave you a shorter shot into the green over the water. If you play it out right, it will play longer potentially causing a layup to the right front of the green. The green is fairly long and wide and is protected by a bunker front right and humps on the sides and back. Hole 5 is a long par 5 that runs along water right but should be a pretty easy par if you hit a good tee shot and second shot. Your tee shot should be placed over the bunkers you can see on the right side of the fairway. Clearing these bunkers will allow you to be middle left and to have a good run off adding yards to your drive. Your second shot should be to the middle left of the fairway, which will allow you to have a great look at the green for your approach. The green runs a little left to right, so coming in with your approach shot is better from the left side of the fairway. Hole 6, is a straightaway par 3 that runs along water on the right and high grass on the left, just over the cart path. The green here runs front to back, so the play is short not long of the green. The green is protected by a bunker on the lower right side and humps and bumps left and back. Hole 7 is a dogleg right that seems to always play long. You have a choice to either play out right of the bunkers in the middle of the fairway, over the bunkers if you are a long hitter, or, to make the hole shorter, play to the right of the bunkers and left of the trees that guard hole 7’s tee box. It might leave you in the rough, but it will definitely be a shorter route to the green. The green is elevated and is protected on the left by bunkers and right by a grass bunker. Long is no good as it is steep past the green onto the cart path and then deep weeds and water. Hole 8 is a great par 5 is shaped like a snake. Straight off of the tee will leave you the ability to play over some fairway bunkers on the left to the fairway leaving you will a short iron into the green. The green is large and has a ridge that runs right to left. If the flag is in the back, play enough club to get the ball to roll up to the back. The green is protected by bunkers left and front right. Hole 9 is a par 4 that has my number. It isn’t terribly long if you hit a good tee shot, but there is water left and a hill right about half way up the fairway. The green runs up from front to back and is protected by bunkers front left and water right.
When making the turn to the back nine, hole 10 is a short par 4 dogleg to the left that is a great hole to get a par or birdie to start the back nine. Hole 11 is a straight-away par 4 that again goes along water on the right. (Note: if you slice the ball, better to aim left and catch the fairway). The green is large and usually plays faster than the others as it seems to be exposed to more sun for most of the day. The green is protected by a bunker on the front right, and deep grass bunkers on the left. Hole 12 is a par 3 that is straight with very little trouble. Long is no good and neither is left. The green is protected by bunkers front right and left. The green runs a little up from front to back, but usually you are putting across the slope. Hole 13 which is a par 4 dogleg to the right. A good drive up the middle will leave a mid to long-iron into the green. The green is flat and is protected by bunker left and humps left and behind. Hole 14 is a very well laid out par 5 that will leave you wondering why you did not get at least a birdie. A good drive and a good second could put you on the green, or leave you with a wedge into the green. The green slopes up from front to back. However, there is a ridge that runs across the green and can push your approach shot to the left. The green is protected by bunkers front left and right. Note that this hole also follows water all the way down the right side, so best to be middle right the entire way. Hole 15 is a tough little par 4 that goes a little left to right. There is a bunker on the left and just past that is the woods. Any ball going into the woods may not be found and probably should be just left for the animals. Make sure to hit your tee shot to the left. A good drive will leave you with a short iron into the green. Again, the green is protected by bunker left front, grass bunker front right. Long is over the hill and will leave a tough shot to get back on the green. Hole 16 is a long par 5 dogleg right at the beginning. Your tee shot needs to be middle of the fairway to allow for a good second shot to travel towards the hole. If you are a long hitter, greater than 250 off the tee box, you might be able to cut the corner of the dogleg, but beware, it is not an easy shot and can leave you teeing up your third shot. The green is elevated and there is trouble left, back, and right, so short is the conservative play. Hole 17 is a par 3 pretty much over water. The green runs initially front to back, but it does run middle to back downhill, so be careful if they put the flay middle back when you play. There is a bunker short left of the hole, and short is okay. Hole 18 is my nemesis. As I hit a high cut (some might say slice 😉), there are trees just off the tee box that I have to miss with a left to right shot. However, if you aim to far right with a left to right shot shape, you will lose your ball in the woods that are about 210 yards out. So, it is a tough finishing hole that shot shapers like me have a little trouble with. However, a good tee shot to the right side allows for a long iron or hybrid into the green. Note that the green is front to middle and middle to back, so depending on where they put the flag, be cautious and play your approach shot a little conservative.
Kissimmee Bay Golf Club – Kissimmee, Florida
High-level caddie notes about the course. There are about 4 holes that need to be navigated and course management needs to be deployed. Hole 1 is a par 5 that goes right to left. Your tee shot needs to be played well right to set up a second shot towards the green and to eliminate all of the trees on the left. Hole 2 is a short dogleg right, so play your tee shot to the left to set up a short iron shot into the green. Hole 3 is a longish par 4. It always seems to play longer than it is. A good tee shot to the middle or middle-right will leave you will a iron or hybrid to the green. The green is elevated and runs front to back. It is also protected by bunkers right and left. Hole 4 is another short dogleg right, so play your tee shot over the corner to be within a short iron shot to the green. Hole 5 is a par 4 that runs pretty much straight out in front of you. The green is protected with bunkers front and left. Hole 6 is a mid-range par 3. There is plenty of room right, but not left. don’t go long or you will be in the junk. Hole 7 is a dogleg left. A good tee shot will put you in play for a mid-iron shot to the green. If you are a long hitter, go over the corner and you will have a short iron to the green. Hole 9 is very challenging par 5. It is a double dogleg left. The tee shot needs to be in the fairway, not too long as it will reach the water on the right side of the fairway. The second shot is up the fairway to the middle of the fairway leaving you a short iron into the green. As you go to the back nine, you are met on hole 10 with a short par 4 and then a straight away. Hole 11 is a par 5 that requires a good tee shot and a good second shot to leave yourself with a nice wedge to the green. There is water front and left of the green. The green is narrow but fairly long right to left. Hole 12 is a par 4 that is very short. Your tee shot should be around 200 yards to miss water left, right, and long. This will leave you a short iron into a green. The green is protected by bunkers front right and left. Long is over and potentially in water. There is also water short right and right. Get a par an move on. Hole 13 a par 3 that is pretty much over water all the way to the green. Hole 14 is another hole that you must manage well. Your tee shot is a 200 to 230 yard shot which will leave you a mid to short iron into the green. Hole 15 is a short straight away par 4, easy birdie hole if your tee shot is good. Hole 16 is a short part 3 followed by hole 17 a nice little challenging par 4 that doglegs to the right. Far right is OB. When you get to hole 18 tee box, you will see a well laid out par 4 that runs a little uphill and usually lets you finish well. A good tee shot up the middle to start will leave you with an iron to the green. The green is large and slightly elevated. Should be an easy par.
Langdon Farms Golf Course – Aurora, Oregon
The course starts off with the 1st hole a straight away par four with very little trouble. The 2nd hole is a par 4 dogleg to the left. Play your tee shot out to the right to get a better look at the green for your second shot. Beware, the green slopes from front to back, so landing on the green may cause you to fall off the back of the green making it difficult to get up and down. The 3rd hole is a downhill (doesn’t seem to play that way) par 3 that is guarded by bunkers right and trees left. Fairly simple par 3 that can turn into a 6 very quickly. The 4th and 5th holes are pretty straight away par 4’s. On both holes keep your drive to the middle right of the fairway. This will allow you to view the greens and select the right club for your second shot. The 6th hole is a short par 3 that plays a little uphill into a mounded green. Tee shots that hit the green on the right or left will trickle off into valleys that will make getting up and down difficult for par. Hole 7 is a long par 5 that requires a good tee shot and a second shot decision on whether to lay up right or cross the creek to the left. Either will leave you with a nice view of the green for your third shot. The green slopes middle to back right so if the flag is in the back, play to the middle to catch the slope to leave you a short put for birdie. Holes 8 and 9 are long par 4’s that requires a nice tee shot to the middle or right side of the fairway. This will leave you a long iron or hybrid shot into the green. Beware of this green on hole 8 as it has a false front and has a large hump in the middle that pushes your ball either way right or left if landing on the green. The green on 9 runs along the water left, but is relatively receptive to a good second shot. The green runs front to back uphill so leaving it short is a good strategy.
The back nine is fun to play and can be challenging, especially the last few holes. Hole 10 is a straight-away par 4 that leads you to a green that runs front to back. Hole 11 is a challenging par 5 as you really cannot see the green until your third shot. You need to get a good tee shot to improve your odds of clearing a large mound on your second shot. If you do clear the mound, you will be able to see the green, which is somewhat downhill and protected by bunkers on the left and a hill with rough on the right. Overall, a pretty easy par five, depending upon our first two shots. Hole 12 is a long par 4 that plays a little uphill. Don’t be afraid to take a little more club to reach the green on your second shot. The green is guarded by bunkers right and a berm running from left to the back of the green. Hole 13 is a longish par 3 that protected by a pond on the left and hills and trees on the right. Additionally, if the flag is in the back of the green, you may feel like you are hitting into the group in front of you on hold 14 as the tee box is directly behind the green. The green on 13 is pretty flat so fairly easy to get up and down if you miss the green. The safe shot here is short right. Hole 14 is s straight-away par 4 that always seems to play longer than it is. Stay middle to left side of the fairway on your tee shot as it will open the green to a better second shot. Hole 15 has always been interesting to play. Although it is fairly straight-away, it plays to an uphill green that is protected on the right by bunkers, and left by a fallaway area that will require some skills to get it up and down. As you enter the last three holes, you cross back under the road to hole 16 which is a par 4 that plays long. The green has as false front so make sure to have enough club to get to the back of the green. If you reach the back of the green you will be rewarded as the ball will drift back as the green slopes pretty good from back to front. Hole 17 is a long par 3 that depending upon flag placement is either a hybrid, or a long iron. The green is positioned left to right, guarded by a deep bunker left front and has a ridge in the middle that can cause issues if putting across the green. The final hole, hole 18, is a beautiful par 5 that plays a little downhill into a large green. However, the green is narrow in the front, protected by bunkers and valleys on the left and a pond on the right. The best strategy for us normal hitters, is to play it as a three-shot par 5 to the green and hope for a birdie putt.
McNary Golf Course – Keizer, Oregon
Front Nine Notes:
Hole 1 is a par 5 that is pretty much straight away, maybe a little dogleg left. Your tee shot should be middle left to set up a potential second shot to the green. The fairway is lined on both sides by trees, so a straight drive is good. Your second shot should be more right than left as the left side of the fairway nearer the hole is protected by a small pond. The right side of the green is protected by a bunker. The green is large and receptive to most shot shapes. Should be a good hole to start off with a birdie. Hole 2 a par 4 that is straight away. However, be careful as this is one of those shot making holes. Trees left with homes on the right side of the fairway. The best tee shot is middle or middle right to allow for a good second shot to the green. The green is small and elevated a little from front to back, and it is protected by a bunker right and a runoff left. Over is no good as you will be in the bushes or street. The green is a little elevated and runs up from front to back. Take a par and move on. Hole 3 is a par four that plays fairly long at just under 400 yards. There are some trees on the left with water and the cart path and homes on the right side of the fairway. Again, a little fade that falls middle to middle right is great and sets you up for a good second shot. A bunker protects the left side of the elevated green but the green is fairly large and receptive. Par is good. Hole 4 is the first par 3 of 5 that dot the course. Make sure to take enough club to get to the middle of the green as short shots will run off into a deep valley and long will be met with a couple of traps that could leave you with a score of double or more. Take a par and move on. Hole 5 is a tough little par 4 that is hard for faders to play. There are trees just off the tee box down the left side of the fairway, and a pond to the right side of the fairway making a narrow landing area. If you draw the ball, you will find this a perfect little par 4. The best tee shot is down the middle to middle right. This will set you up for a short iron into the green. The green is however guarded by a pond on the right side, with steep banks on that same side causing any shot short to run into the water. It is a possible birdie hole with a good tee shot and approach shot. Hole 6 helps to make those who fade their tee shot a little happier after number 5. It is a slight dogleg to the right off the tee shot. There is water on the left just off the tee box and water again on the right side of the fairway. Placing a tee shot into the middle to middle right of the fairway will allow you to see the green. The green is pretty large and if you land short of the green on your approach, the ball may run up the green giving you a good look at birdie. Hole 7 is the second of the five par 3’s on the course. It is short by most standards, however, once again the green is a little elevated with a bunker strategically placed on the left front. A tee shot short will find it’s way back off the green into a low area. Take enough club to reach the middle and get your par the old fashion way. Hole 8 is a longish par 5 that doglegs to the left as you approach the green. The tee box set you up for a narrow launching area, so if you fade the ball you will need to be careful not to hit the trees that are down the left hand side of the fairway, as well as not to fade too far right as there are more trees in the tee shot landing area. Two good shots will leave you either on the green or with a short iron shot into the green from the fairway. If laying up, put the ball left of the green to avoid the bunker and tree guarding the green right. A par is a good score for this hole for most of us. Hole 9 is a good finishing par 4 hole for the front. There is water left that runs along hole 18 and tree right but the tee shot is pretty open for either a drawer or fader of the ball. A tee shot to the middle of the fairway will leave you with a great opportunity to get it close on your approach shot. Although the green is deep from front to back, don’t go long as it will more than likely end up in trouble. The green also runs from back to front and is receptive to a good high approach shot. Take a par, but desire a birdie on this hole to set you up for the back 9.
Back Nine Notes:
Hole 10 is a par 3. There is a lot going on here for a par 3. From the tee box there is a large tree guarding the left side of the green, and nothing but a large waste area leading from the tee box to just short of the green. There is a bunker right as well. Having played this hole multiple times, a par is like an eagle in my mind. If you are one of the lucky and can hit the green, take your par and run to the 11th hole. Hole 11 a par 4 is one of those shot makers holes in that it requires a good tee shot to the middle or middle left that will set you up for a second shot over water to an elevated green that is protected on the right side by a bunker. This is the top rated hole on the course, so play it smartly to allow yourself to get a par at best. Note that this hole, after the tough par 3 to start the back, can make your score climb fast. Hole 12 is a long par 5 that runs straight out in front of you from the tee box. There are homes and trees left and out of bounds right with power lines. Be careful as there is a large tree down the right side that seems to act like a magnet and attracts golf balls. If you can play your tee shot and second shot down the middle, you are set up to reach the green in regulation. The green is somewhat elevated and has a couple of levels or humps that make your putt a little tougher. Par is a good score here. Hole 13 is a short par 4 that provides you with a great opportunity to get a birdie, which may help recoup some of what was given to the course earlier on the back 9. There is trees and water left, also the tee box for hole 14. On the right side there is out of bounds. The fairway on the right is banked somewhat steeply and lined with trees here and there so a good shot to the middle of the fairway is a must to get that birdie. The green is pretty large and runs back to front. A good approach to the green will set you up for that birdie. Hole 14 is a par 4 that has water on both sides of the fairway. The water on the left is mostly out of play, but a fade or a slice will bring the water on the right into play. The best tee shot is middle to middle left to set up a good approach shot with a mid to long iron. The green runs back to front making it receptive to a long iron approach. Left of the green is no good as there are trees, cart path, and a large mound that would need to be navigated to get your ball back on the green. Plays a little longer than you might expect. Hole 15 is a tough little par 3 that is protected by bunkers left and right. Once again, take enough club to get to the middle of the green. If short, your tee shot will run down away from the green into a low area, brining bogey into play for sure. Take a par and move on. Hole 16 a par 4 is short but difficult little dogleg right. Most low handicappers will shoot over the trees and out of bounds areas on the right hoping to land short of the green. However, the sensible play (😊) is to play to the middle or middle left off of the tee box and make a good approach shot to the green. Note however that there is out of bounds left as well so choose your club correctly. The green is protected by bunkers and some water or waste area right. The green is multiple tiered and requires a good touch with the speed and direction when putting. Hole 17 is a long par 3 for most players. There usually is wind that cannot be really felt from the tee box. The green is large, but it is wider than deep. There are bunkers left and the green runs back to front which makes is receptive to long irons or a hybrid from the tee. Hitting the green will allow for an opportunity for a birdie, but a par is a good score. Hole 18 a par 5 is a tough finishing hole. There are trees on the left side requiring faders of the ball to play chicken with the water right. However, if you can hit your tee shot to the middle or middle right, your second shot will allow you to set yourself up for a short iron or wedge into a large green that runs back to front. Note that there is a waste area, actually a ditch, that runs across the front of the green that catches shots that come up short. The green is pretty manageable and if on in regulation should allow for a birdie putt. However, like most golf holes, a par is good.
- For more information there is a course tour here: https://www.mcnarygolfclub.com/course-tour/
The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club (North Course) – Beaverton, Oregon
This course is a semi-private course. The members switch back and forth between the North Course and the South Course. Frankly, I prefer the South Course with its bunkers over the North Course grassy areas. Also, the North Course has a few holes that to me are a little gimmicky, i.e. hard for me to play. Additionally, the South Course is a little longer for the big hitters, which I am not one, but it does make the course more wide open. This week we had to play the North Course as the members had the South Course. We teed off on the 1st hole into the fog. We could kind of see what direction the ball was going but had to hunt along the way down the fairway to find our balls. Somewhere along the lines I felt like I should have a bright orange hunting jacket on as I was the hunter and it would allow those behind us to see us so as not to hit into us. By about hole 5 or 6, the fog began to lift but the cold air stayed.
Some thought about the North Course – the 1st hole is a par 5 that plays pretty much straight-away. Hole 2 is a par 4 that you must keep your tee shot to the left to have a second shot into the green, unless you can play a big slice around the woods on the right. There is a creek that runs through the fairway about 80 yards from the green. Doesn’t come into play for most, but long hitters could potentially reach it if they spray their tee shot to the right and long. Hole 3 and 5 are par threes, 3 is over water and 5 is pretty straight with very little trouble. Hole 4 is a par 4 that seems to play long However, a good tee shot will leave you with a short iron to the green. The green is small and it has a ridge that runs through the middle, so make sure to get your approach on the right level. Hole 6 is where the fun begins. It is a par 5 that requires a good 3rd shot over water to a fairly big green. However, your tee shot needs to be somewhat left and your second shot is a layup of about 140-160 yards. This will leave you with about 100 or so yards to the green. Hole 7 is another fun little hole that is short, doglegged to the left, over a creek to a very small green. Best to use a fairway wood or hybrid to tee off – keeping your shot to the right. This will allow for a short iron approach to the green. Long or left of the green and you are pulling another ball out of your bag. Hole 8 is a long par 5 that runs along the creek and pond on the right, with hills and rough along the left. Tee shot to the middle will allow for a second shot up the left side. If you have successfully pulled those two shots off, it will leave you with an iron shot into the green. The green is protected by a berm long the left and back of the green, with the pond on the right. The green has a large hump in the middle that pushes everything down and right, so if the flag is in the back, hit it to the upper left side of the green and allow the contour to push your ball towards the flag. Hole 9 is a straight-away par 4 that plays long due to the elevated green. Make sure to take enough club to clear the false front and give you a put for birdie.
Turning to the back nine, hole 10 is a straight par 4 that has an elevated green. Any tee shot to the middle or middle left will provide a good chance of getting on the green. The green is once again elevated with fall offs right and left and it runs front to back. Hole 11 is a short par 3. The green is large so anything on or around the green allows for a good chance at birdie or par. Hole 12 is a long par 5 that is fairly easy. However, during the summer there is a creek that runs across the fairway that you will need to navigate on your second shot. Additionally, the green is small and guarded front and left by bunkers. Be careful not to go over the green as it will lead downhill to the 13th tee box. Hole 13 is the worse hole on the entire golf course from my point of view. It is a hole that is a short par 4, that requires a long tee shot to the far right to allow you to even have a remote chance of hitting the green in regulation. Anything to the left will create a second shot that must be bounced off of a hill to allow your ball to trickle down to the green. Any shot over the hill will produce a run off of your ball to a low area that will make if very difficult to get a bogey. This hole, again my POV, should be completely redesigned as it is a travesty to the course. Hole 14 is a mid-range par 3 that plays to an elevated green and has a false front. Make sure to club up to get to the large green and provide an opportunity for a birdie putt. Hole 15, which is a par 4, runs parallel to the par 5 6th on the front nine. A good tee shot will provide you with a long iron to the green which is located across the creek and up the hill. The green is guarded by bunkers on the right. Hole 16 is a short par 4. A hybrid off of the tee is probably enough as there is a creek that runs across the fairway at about 250 yards or so. A good tee shot will leave you on the right side of the fairway and a wedge or short iron to the green. Don’t go long or left as you will end up in the junk. Hole 17 is a great hole in that it is a dogleg to the left in which you cannot see the green from the tee box. A good shot to the right of the big tree on the left will leave you with a long iron or hybrid into the green. Be careful not to go left of the tree as your ball will find water. The last half of the fairway runs alongside the pond on the left and narrows at the beginning of the green. Ensure you take enough club to hit the green, even traveling to the back of the green is not bad. The final hole, hole 18, is a very nice hole as well, as it plays pretty much straight with a little left to right just at the green. A good tee shot to the middle of the fairway will allow for a second shot to the left, which puts you in the prime position of hitting into the green and not having to go over any of the water on the right.