Just a week after my last visit, I was back at Hockley Valley Resort for another round of golf. They've got a pretty good spring deal and this was the last weekend to take advantage of it.
It was cold and an early morning tee time didn't help things. I recorded a pair of triple-bogeys on the first two holes, as I struggled to get comfortable with the weather conditions. My tee shot on the second hole was particularly atrocious, as I pull hooked a wicked shot half way up the nearby ski hill.
Pull hooked a wicked tee shot. I seem to be using that phrase far too frequently these days. I have to remind myself to keep my right elbow tucked near the body when using the driver. Another good thought is to finish down the line. Those two things should prevent me from coming over the top, which is normally the prime contributor to those wicked pull shots.
I played pretty well on hole #3 through hole #6, a mini stretch which included two bogeys and a par. Unfortunately, after hitting two perfect shots to start #6, some bizarre flurries impeded my progress. For a couple of minutes, there was actually some wet snow falling. I flubbed two approach shots en route to a double-bogey.
The dreaded valley in front of the seventh green claimed my approach shot, and I needed a chip-in from off the green to save double-bogey. A big drive off the eighth tee cleared the trees on the left side of the fairway, but the ball came to rest in a drainage ditch. With the ball half submerged, I hit a great 9-iron to just in front of the green. It was perhaps the shot of the day. After a poor chip, a decent chip, and a good putt, I had a bogey.
The ninth hole wreaked its usual havoc. My tee shot drifted too far right and rather than taking a blind shot over the dreaded gorge, I took the long route following the fairway. After an imperfect approach, decent chip, putt that lipped out, and tap-in, the result was double-bogey. The twelfth hole also caused some pain, but not nearly as bad as the last time I played it. Standing on the tee, I believe this is the most intimidating hole on the golf course. My 3-iron drifted way right and the ball hit the side of the hill. I found the ball, but it was unplayable behind a bush. I took some relief and the accompanying penalty en route to another double-bogey.
The back nine included a very impressive par on the eleventh hole, a par-5 measuring 497 yards. The key was a monstrous and straight second shot with the 3-wood, which set me up for a little pitch shot and two putts. I wish the putting had been so straightforward on hole #15, a 331-yard par-4. After hitting the green in regulation, I needed four putts to hole out. My first putt actually rolled off the green to the fringe. Yikes!
It may sound like I was having lots of trouble, but in fact I was having some success too. Going into the last three holes, I had some breathing room to emerge with a sub-100 round - something I haven't had at Hockley Valley in three previous visits. Bogeys on hole #16 and hole #17 preserved that breathing room. Unfortunately, I blew up on the very last hole, slicing a tee shot into the woods. When I re-teed for my third shot, I duffed it. At that point, I had to be perfect in order to save a score of 99. I was OK, but not perfect, ending at 100 even.
So I shaved a few strokes off my previous best at Hockley, which I guess isn't bad.
Score: 100
Par: 71
Putts: 34
Fairways: 5
Greens: 4
May 19, 2008
May 12, 2008
Duffer's Dream Begins at Pen Lakes
I'll have more to say later on, but here are my results from the first round of the Duffer's Dream Tour, which was played at Peninsula Lakes Golf Club.
Score: 91
Par: 70
Putts: 39
Fairways: 6
Greens: 5
Joining a league is a convenient and fun way to maximize the number of golf rounds played in a season. First of all, you don't have to worry about booking tee times, rounding up playing partners, or accomodating all their preferences. Secondly, the group aspect of a league makes for good camaraderie and competition.
In addition to the Deepwoods Golf Association Tour, which I am participating in for the third consecutive year, I decided to join the Duffer's Dream Tour this year. The opening round of the Duffer's Dream season was held at Peninsula Lakes, a course that I'm familiar with from my Deepwoods experience.
Pen Lakes features three sets of nine holes, known respectively as Hillside, Orchard, and Quarry. Orchard and Quarry, in that order, were the scene of my Duffer's debut. I had played each of them once before.
Things got off to a bit of a shaky start, with double-bogeys on Orchard #1 and #3. On the first hole, the problem was a mis-hit second shot from a group of trees that border the fairway on the left side. On the third hole, the problem was a 3-putt, courtesy of a poor lag putt from considerable distance. Sandwiched between these two holes was a very nice par on hole #2, a modest 136-yard par-3.
The rest of Orchard was a thing of beauty. I tallied five consecutive bogeys, followed by my first birdie of the season. I hit a fantastic second shot from the fairway bunker on hole #4, and recovered smartly from a poor second shot on hole #5. I hit greens in regulation on hole #6 and hole #7. My drives were a little hit and miss, but my short irons were working superbly. Prior to the round, I spent some time on the practice range, reminding myself to hit down on the ball with my irons and it really paid off.
On Orchard #9, a par-4 measuring 356 yards, I hit a short but straight drive, leaving the ball 148 yards from the green. Next, I hit a beautiful 7-iron directly at the flag. I thought it had rolled ten feet or so behind the pin, but as I got closer, I saw that in fact it was less than two feet from the cup. It was a textbook birdie as I made the easy tap-in.
On Quarry, my game began to falter a little bit. I was still making good shots, but my putting let me down. A series of 3-putts on holes 1, 4, and 5 shook my confidence. One of the missed putts on hole #4 was less than two feet! I actually had a similar number of 3-putts on Orchard, but those resulted in bogeys. On Quarry, they resulted in double-bogeys.
The last three holes of the round were played with some trepidation. I felt as though I was holding on, which is not the ideal state of mind. On hole #7, a par-5, I pull hooked a wicked drive out of bounds. After re-teeing, I actually played the hole in par, but the original drive and penalty stroke meant it went down as a double-bogey on the scorecard. On hole #8, yet another par-5, I recovered from a poor drive right of the fairway with a beautiful blind 3-wood that carried the ball right to the 150-yard marker. Unfortunately, I wasted it with a bad approach and even worse chip attempt from a bad lie. The end result was another double-bogey.
Overall, it was a good start to the Duffer's Dream Tour. I feel like I'm beginning to straighten out my drives, and my short irons (6-iron and above) are really in the groove. I'm not completely in the zone with lower irons (5-iron to 3-iron), but they feel adequate. Chipping was fine, while putting was not. The putting seems to come and go, as it depends so closely on the different green types at all the different courses.
Can't wait to see what happens next.
Score: 91
Par: 70
Putts: 39
Fairways: 6
Greens: 5
Joining a league is a convenient and fun way to maximize the number of golf rounds played in a season. First of all, you don't have to worry about booking tee times, rounding up playing partners, or accomodating all their preferences. Secondly, the group aspect of a league makes for good camaraderie and competition.
In addition to the Deepwoods Golf Association Tour, which I am participating in for the third consecutive year, I decided to join the Duffer's Dream Tour this year. The opening round of the Duffer's Dream season was held at Peninsula Lakes, a course that I'm familiar with from my Deepwoods experience.
Pen Lakes features three sets of nine holes, known respectively as Hillside, Orchard, and Quarry. Orchard and Quarry, in that order, were the scene of my Duffer's debut. I had played each of them once before.
Things got off to a bit of a shaky start, with double-bogeys on Orchard #1 and #3. On the first hole, the problem was a mis-hit second shot from a group of trees that border the fairway on the left side. On the third hole, the problem was a 3-putt, courtesy of a poor lag putt from considerable distance. Sandwiched between these two holes was a very nice par on hole #2, a modest 136-yard par-3.
The rest of Orchard was a thing of beauty. I tallied five consecutive bogeys, followed by my first birdie of the season. I hit a fantastic second shot from the fairway bunker on hole #4, and recovered smartly from a poor second shot on hole #5. I hit greens in regulation on hole #6 and hole #7. My drives were a little hit and miss, but my short irons were working superbly. Prior to the round, I spent some time on the practice range, reminding myself to hit down on the ball with my irons and it really paid off.
On Orchard #9, a par-4 measuring 356 yards, I hit a short but straight drive, leaving the ball 148 yards from the green. Next, I hit a beautiful 7-iron directly at the flag. I thought it had rolled ten feet or so behind the pin, but as I got closer, I saw that in fact it was less than two feet from the cup. It was a textbook birdie as I made the easy tap-in.
On Quarry, my game began to falter a little bit. I was still making good shots, but my putting let me down. A series of 3-putts on holes 1, 4, and 5 shook my confidence. One of the missed putts on hole #4 was less than two feet! I actually had a similar number of 3-putts on Orchard, but those resulted in bogeys. On Quarry, they resulted in double-bogeys.
The last three holes of the round were played with some trepidation. I felt as though I was holding on, which is not the ideal state of mind. On hole #7, a par-5, I pull hooked a wicked drive out of bounds. After re-teeing, I actually played the hole in par, but the original drive and penalty stroke meant it went down as a double-bogey on the scorecard. On hole #8, yet another par-5, I recovered from a poor drive right of the fairway with a beautiful blind 3-wood that carried the ball right to the 150-yard marker. Unfortunately, I wasted it with a bad approach and even worse chip attempt from a bad lie. The end result was another double-bogey.
Overall, it was a good start to the Duffer's Dream Tour. I feel like I'm beginning to straighten out my drives, and my short irons (6-iron and above) are really in the groove. I'm not completely in the zone with lower irons (5-iron to 3-iron), but they feel adequate. Chipping was fine, while putting was not. The putting seems to come and go, as it depends so closely on the different green types at all the different courses.
Can't wait to see what happens next.
May 11, 2008
Baby Steps at Hockley Valley
In my last post, I outlined the key holes, and what I thought it would take to achieve golf success at Hockley Valley Resort. Here's what I said before the round, and how I actually performed.
I called it, and played it, absolutely perfectly. I took aim at the left edge of the fairway, and that's exactly where my drive landed. The ball caught the slope as expected and stopped in the centre of the fairway, 130 yards away from the green. Next, I hit an 8-iron to the back of the green. Unfortunately, the pin was at the front of the green; I should have used a 9-iron on the approach. However, I made a fantastic lag putt, leaving an easy tap-in for par.
I hit an atrocious drive, pulling the ball severely into the 13th fairway. Visibility was surprisingly good from there; I could see the grassy wall in its entirety. After deciding my pre-round advice didn't apply because it was predicated on approaching the grassy wall from somewhere near the fairway, I elected to try clearing the wall. I completely mis-hit the ball with the 3-wood, sending it dribbling back to the 4th fairway, some distance in front of the wall. I hadn't planned the layup, but that was the result. My third shot, with a 4-iron, was a little thin, and the ball clipped the top of the wall before stopping just above it. My fourth shot, with a 9-iron, was also thin, sending the ball skidding across the back of the green. I was shocked when I could not find the ball after that shot. I had seen the path perfectly, and a hill would have prevented the ball from going very far. The ball must have been in the long grass right where I was searching, but it remained hidden. Since the group behind mine was waiting in the fairway to hit their approaches, I dropped a ball nearby and continued. After a chip and two putts, the result was a nasty triple-bogey.
My drives have been fading more than I would like, causing me to start the ball left of my intended target. Every once in a while, this approach backfires as the ball travels dead-straight. That's exactly what happened on this hole. I struck the ball well, but it landed left of the fairway among some shrubbery. I tried to muscle the ball back into the fairway, but it went almost nowhere. In fact, I was in a worse position because the ball came to rest directly behind a bush. I had to declare it unplayable and get a club's length of relief. After I pitched onto the fairway, I made a good approach, chip and couple of putts, but the damage had already been done - a quadruple bogey. Yech!
I hit a 6-iron off the tee on the perfect line. It came up a little short, so I had to hit my second shot from the rough. However, I had a clear view of the flag, and went right after it with a pitching wedge. The ball landed safely on the front of the green. I followed that up with a solid lag putt and a little more than a tap-in to finish up. Par, you say? Ummm, no. All of the shots I described were preceded by a wickedly pulled 5-iron off the tee. I mean, it was a completely wild shot. Lord knows where it went. As a result, my score on this hole was double-bogey.
I have to take a deep breath before I describe what transpired on this hole. I said that golfers pay the price for errant tee shots on this hole, and boy was I right. Here's how it went down. Wickedly pulled 3-iron off the tee. Gone-zo! Re-teed the ball and duffed it. Made it to the long grass just in front of the ladies' tee box. Tried to muscle the ball out with a pitching wedge. Travelled about twelve feet to another grassy area. Repeated the last shot, this time successfully. Managed to get the ball to the rough at the bottom of the hill. Hit a nice blind shot with the sand wedge about 75 yards. Ball landed safely on the green. Made one of only two bad putts on the day, as this uphill putt was surprisingly fast. Needed two more putts to hole out for - I have to make up my own lingo here - triple par! Stick a fork in me, this round was done.
I launched a really long drive, but pulled it left to the ladies' tee box on hole #15. Next, I tried an easy 8-iron, just to put the ball back in the proper fairway. I completely mis-hit the ball, and it skidded along the ground to the edge of the hill that leads down toward the green. The ball rolled nicely down the hill, but it was too close to the left edge of the fairway and came to rest in some leaves and branches. It took two shots to get out of the leaves and branches. I followed that up with a poor approach shot, then a good one. After some solid putting, I had another triple-bogey on my scorecard. It was only when I marked my score that I realized this was a par-5, not a par-4. Duh!
I smoked a 3-wood off the tee, but it landed well left of the fairway. I had two trees framing my approach shot to the green. To be successful, I had to go between them, while carrying a creek and a pond. The approach clipped the top of the right tree, scrubbing any momentum the ball had, and causing it to land in the creek. I took a penalty stroke and dropped in front of the creek. From there, I hit a nice pitching wedge to the green and made a couple of nice putts for double-bogey.
I guess you could say the holes I worried about were the ones that killed me. Hole #2 was the only exception. The slope from the gold tees at Hockley Valley is 126, which seems too low to me. This is a course that punishes you severely for mistakes. Errant shots are usually lost, which means a penalty of stroke and distance. If you do manage to find an errant ball, you will probably be hitting out of long grass or other various shrubs. I tallied six penalty strokes on the day, which is really what pushed me over the 100 mark. 104 was my final score - a disappointment for sure, but better than my two previous visits to this course, when I scored 124 and 112 respectively.
On the positive side, my putting was great. I'm really liking the Odyssey putter I picked up a couple of weeks ago.
Score: 104
Par: 71
Putts: 35
Fairways: 5
Greens: 4
Hole # 2 - Don't be fooled by the "gentle" slope of this fairway from left to right. Last year, I hit a drive to the left centre of the fairway, only to watch the ball careen all the way into the right rough, behind a tree. Aim for the very left edge of the fairway. The left rough is a better spot than the right.
I called it, and played it, absolutely perfectly. I took aim at the left edge of the fairway, and that's exactly where my drive landed. The ball caught the slope as expected and stopped in the centre of the fairway, 130 yards away from the green. Next, I hit an 8-iron to the back of the green. Unfortunately, the pin was at the front of the green; I should have used a 9-iron on the approach. However, I made a fantastic lag putt, leaving an easy tap-in for par.
Hole # 4 - This par-5 is not reachable in two, so don't even think about trying to clear the fescue-covered wall that crosses the fairway 125 yards in front of the green. Lay up and go for the green with a short iron. The approach will be completely blind, but trust your distance and you should be fine.
I hit an atrocious drive, pulling the ball severely into the 13th fairway. Visibility was surprisingly good from there; I could see the grassy wall in its entirety. After deciding my pre-round advice didn't apply because it was predicated on approaching the grassy wall from somewhere near the fairway, I elected to try clearing the wall. I completely mis-hit the ball with the 3-wood, sending it dribbling back to the 4th fairway, some distance in front of the wall. I hadn't planned the layup, but that was the result. My third shot, with a 4-iron, was a little thin, and the ball clipped the top of the wall before stopping just above it. My fourth shot, with a 9-iron, was also thin, sending the ball skidding across the back of the green. I was shocked when I could not find the ball after that shot. I had seen the path perfectly, and a hill would have prevented the ball from going very far. The ball must have been in the long grass right where I was searching, but it remained hidden. Since the group behind mine was waiting in the fairway to hit their approaches, I dropped a ball nearby and continued. After a chip and two putts, the result was a nasty triple-bogey.
Hole # 7 - Aim to the left side of the fairway, and stay on the left side on your approach to the green. The hole is long, and the right front of the green is protected by a massive valley. An approach shot aimed to the left will be safe, whether it is short or long - short shots will stay in the fairway, while long ones will be collected by the hill behind the green.
My drives have been fading more than I would like, causing me to start the ball left of my intended target. Every once in a while, this approach backfires as the ball travels dead-straight. That's exactly what happened on this hole. I struck the ball well, but it landed left of the fairway among some shrubbery. I tried to muscle the ball back into the fairway, but it went almost nowhere. In fact, I was in a worse position because the ball came to rest directly behind a bush. I had to declare it unplayable and get a club's length of relief. After I pitched onto the fairway, I made a good approach, chip and couple of putts, but the damage had already been done - a quadruple bogey. Yech!
Hole # 9 - If there's one Mickey Mouse hole on this course, it's this one. Keep your driver, 3-wood, and even your low irons in the bag when you tee off. A mid iron is all it takes to set up your approach on this short par-4. And for God's sake, aim your tee shot to the left side of the fairway. A shot to the centre of the fairway forces you to take a blind shot over a scary gorge, and it's hard to know the correct distance. Should you find the gorge between you and the green, follow the fairway instead. It will cost an extra stroke to reach the green, but if you make a good approach, you have a chance to 1-putt for par.
I hit a 6-iron off the tee on the perfect line. It came up a little short, so I had to hit my second shot from the rough. However, I had a clear view of the flag, and went right after it with a pitching wedge. The ball landed safely on the front of the green. I followed that up with a solid lag putt and a little more than a tap-in to finish up. Par, you say? Ummm, no. All of the shots I described were preceded by a wickedly pulled 5-iron off the tee. I mean, it was a completely wild shot. Lord knows where it went. As a result, my score on this hole was double-bogey.
Hole # 12 - One of four par-3 holes on the back nine, and at 201 yards, the longest of all par-3 holes on the course. If you hit your tee shot straight, this hole will cause no problem at all. However, if your tee shot is errant, you're going to pay the price. Don't overswing on your tee shot. Line is more important than distance on this hole.
I have to take a deep breath before I describe what transpired on this hole. I said that golfers pay the price for errant tee shots on this hole, and boy was I right. Here's how it went down. Wickedly pulled 3-iron off the tee. Gone-zo! Re-teed the ball and duffed it. Made it to the long grass just in front of the ladies' tee box. Tried to muscle the ball out with a pitching wedge. Travelled about twelve feet to another grassy area. Repeated the last shot, this time successfully. Managed to get the ball to the rough at the bottom of the hill. Hit a nice blind shot with the sand wedge about 75 yards. Ball landed safely on the green. Made one of only two bad putts on the day, as this uphill putt was surprisingly fast. Needed two more putts to hole out for - I have to make up my own lingo here - triple par! Stick a fork in me, this round was done.
Hole # 16 - If you're not hitting it long and straight on the day, resign yourself to the fact that you will need three shots to reach the flag on this 476-yard par-4. Sure, it plays downhill, but the fairway tightens dramatically as you near the green. Bogey is a great score on this hole. Take it and run.
I launched a really long drive, but pulled it left to the ladies' tee box on hole #15. Next, I tried an easy 8-iron, just to put the ball back in the proper fairway. I completely mis-hit the ball, and it skidded along the ground to the edge of the hill that leads down toward the green. The ball rolled nicely down the hill, but it was too close to the left edge of the fairway and came to rest in some leaves and branches. It took two shots to get out of the leaves and branches. I followed that up with a poor approach shot, then a good one. After some solid putting, I had another triple-bogey on my scorecard. It was only when I marked my score that I realized this was a par-5, not a par-4. Duh!
Hole # 18 - The only water on the course is saved for the last hole. Golfers must carry a stream with their approach shot, as well as a pond that guards the front right of the green. Take your time with the approach shot, as a mistake here can add some unwanted penalty strokes.
I smoked a 3-wood off the tee, but it landed well left of the fairway. I had two trees framing my approach shot to the green. To be successful, I had to go between them, while carrying a creek and a pond. The approach clipped the top of the right tree, scrubbing any momentum the ball had, and causing it to land in the creek. I took a penalty stroke and dropped in front of the creek. From there, I hit a nice pitching wedge to the green and made a couple of nice putts for double-bogey.
I guess you could say the holes I worried about were the ones that killed me. Hole #2 was the only exception. The slope from the gold tees at Hockley Valley is 126, which seems too low to me. This is a course that punishes you severely for mistakes. Errant shots are usually lost, which means a penalty of stroke and distance. If you do manage to find an errant ball, you will probably be hitting out of long grass or other various shrubs. I tallied six penalty strokes on the day, which is really what pushed me over the 100 mark. 104 was my final score - a disappointment for sure, but better than my two previous visits to this course, when I scored 124 and 112 respectively.
On the positive side, my putting was great. I'm really liking the Odyssey putter I picked up a couple of weeks ago.
Score: 104
Par: 71
Putts: 35
Fairways: 5
Greens: 4
May 09, 2008
Hockley Valley Preview
Normally, I blog about my golf rounds after they've been played. This time, I thought it might be instructive to document my thoughts before a round. The idea is to analyze my pre-game psychology and degree of preparation.
I have a mid-morning tee time reserved for tomorrow at Hockley Valley Resort. This is a course I have played twice before - once at the beginning of the 2006 season, and again in early 2007. That's not a whole lot of experience, but it should serve me in good stead. Playing a course for the first time is a huge disadvantage; having just a couple of rounds under your belt makes a big difference.
For evidence, just look at my first ever round at this particular course, which I recounted in an entry titled Hockley Valley Massacre. Reading that account, it's clear that a lack of familiarity with the course was a large factor in my undoing. Playing an unfamiliar course is like playing blindly - you don't know how much the ball is going to react on sloped fairways or greens, what trouble spots to avoid, which holes to attack, or which ones to play conservatively. You don't know if yardages are marked accurately, how elevation changes affect club selection, and so on. The first time I played at Hockley Valley, it didn't help that the wind was howling and that I had a sore shoulder.
My second round at Hockley was a bit better, but nothing to write home about. Here then, are my thoughts on the holes that will make or break my round tomorrow. Along with each hole, I include what I believe to be the keys to success. Click on the hole number to view a helicopter tour of the hole in question.
Hole # 2 - Don't be fooled by the "gentle" slope of this fairway from left to right. Last year, I hit a drive to the left centre of the fairway, only to watch the ball careen all the way into the right rough, behind a tree. Aim for the very left edge of the fairway. The left rough is a better spot than the right.
Hole # 4 - This par-5 is not reachable in two, so don't even think about trying to clear the fescue-covered wall that crosses the fairway 125 yards in front of the green. Lay up and go for the green with a short iron. The approach will be completely blind, but trust your distance and you should be fine.
Hole # 7 - Aim to the left side of the fairway, and stay on the left side on your approach to the green. The hole is long, and the right front of the green is protected by a massive valley. An approach shot aimed to the left will be safe, whether it is short or long - short shots will stay in the fairway, while long ones will be collected by the hill behind the green.
Hole # 9 - If there's one Mickey Mouse hole on this course, it's this one. Keep your driver, 3-wood, and even your low irons in the bag when you tee off. A mid iron is all it takes to set up your approach on this short par-4. And for God's sake, aim your tee shot to the left side of the fairway. A shot to the centre of the fairway forces you to take a blind shot over a scary gorge, and it's hard to know the correct distance. Should you find the gorge between you and the green, follow the fairway instead. It will cost an extra stroke to reach the green, but if you make a good approach, you have a chance to 1-putt for par.
Hole # 12 - One of four par-3 holes on the back nine, and at 201 yards, the longest of all par-3 holes on the course. If you hit your tee shot straight, this hole will cause no problem at all. However, if your tee shot is errant, you're going to pay the price. Don't overswing on your tee shot. Line is more important than distance on this hole.
Hole # 16 - If you're not hitting it long and straight on the day, resign yourself to the fact that you will need three shots to reach the flag on this 476-yard par-4. Sure, it plays downhill, but the fairway tightens dramatically as you near the green. Bogey is a great score on this hole. Take it and run.
Hole # 18 - The only water on the course is saved for the last hole. Golfers must carry a stream with their approach shot, as well as a pond that guards the front right of the green. Take your time with the approach shot, as a mistake here can add some unwanted penalty strokes.
So if I follow my own advice, I should end up with a score of about 95. I guess we'll see. You know what they say about best laid plans...
I have a mid-morning tee time reserved for tomorrow at Hockley Valley Resort. This is a course I have played twice before - once at the beginning of the 2006 season, and again in early 2007. That's not a whole lot of experience, but it should serve me in good stead. Playing a course for the first time is a huge disadvantage; having just a couple of rounds under your belt makes a big difference.
For evidence, just look at my first ever round at this particular course, which I recounted in an entry titled Hockley Valley Massacre. Reading that account, it's clear that a lack of familiarity with the course was a large factor in my undoing. Playing an unfamiliar course is like playing blindly - you don't know how much the ball is going to react on sloped fairways or greens, what trouble spots to avoid, which holes to attack, or which ones to play conservatively. You don't know if yardages are marked accurately, how elevation changes affect club selection, and so on. The first time I played at Hockley Valley, it didn't help that the wind was howling and that I had a sore shoulder.
My second round at Hockley was a bit better, but nothing to write home about. Here then, are my thoughts on the holes that will make or break my round tomorrow. Along with each hole, I include what I believe to be the keys to success. Click on the hole number to view a helicopter tour of the hole in question.
Hole # 2 - Don't be fooled by the "gentle" slope of this fairway from left to right. Last year, I hit a drive to the left centre of the fairway, only to watch the ball careen all the way into the right rough, behind a tree. Aim for the very left edge of the fairway. The left rough is a better spot than the right.
Hole # 4 - This par-5 is not reachable in two, so don't even think about trying to clear the fescue-covered wall that crosses the fairway 125 yards in front of the green. Lay up and go for the green with a short iron. The approach will be completely blind, but trust your distance and you should be fine.
Hole # 7 - Aim to the left side of the fairway, and stay on the left side on your approach to the green. The hole is long, and the right front of the green is protected by a massive valley. An approach shot aimed to the left will be safe, whether it is short or long - short shots will stay in the fairway, while long ones will be collected by the hill behind the green.
Hole # 9 - If there's one Mickey Mouse hole on this course, it's this one. Keep your driver, 3-wood, and even your low irons in the bag when you tee off. A mid iron is all it takes to set up your approach on this short par-4. And for God's sake, aim your tee shot to the left side of the fairway. A shot to the centre of the fairway forces you to take a blind shot over a scary gorge, and it's hard to know the correct distance. Should you find the gorge between you and the green, follow the fairway instead. It will cost an extra stroke to reach the green, but if you make a good approach, you have a chance to 1-putt for par.
Hole # 12 - One of four par-3 holes on the back nine, and at 201 yards, the longest of all par-3 holes on the course. If you hit your tee shot straight, this hole will cause no problem at all. However, if your tee shot is errant, you're going to pay the price. Don't overswing on your tee shot. Line is more important than distance on this hole.
Hole # 16 - If you're not hitting it long and straight on the day, resign yourself to the fact that you will need three shots to reach the flag on this 476-yard par-4. Sure, it plays downhill, but the fairway tightens dramatically as you near the green. Bogey is a great score on this hole. Take it and run.
Hole # 18 - The only water on the course is saved for the last hole. Golfers must carry a stream with their approach shot, as well as a pond that guards the front right of the green. Take your time with the approach shot, as a mistake here can add some unwanted penalty strokes.
So if I follow my own advice, I should end up with a score of about 95. I guess we'll see. You know what they say about best laid plans...
May 03, 2008
Top 10 GTA Public Golf Courses
Toronto Star's Bogeyman Disappoints with "Top 10" List
Rain destroyed any chance of playing golf this weekend, so instead of the usual post-game account, I decided to discuss something that's been on my mind for a few weeks.
Not long ago, the Toronto Star published the most recent version of its annual golf magazine. Like versions of years past, Golf 2008 offers fantastic listings of golf courses, both public and private, covering all of Southern Ontario. It's an indispensable resource, especially for public course players like me, who enjoy playing a wide variety of courses.
Aside from the course listings and accompanying maps, I was very interested in one of the feature articles - a ranking of the Top 10 Greater Toronto Area public golf courses by the Bogeyman (a.k.a Bob Marshall). Here's his list:
BOGEYMAN'S TOP 10: GTA PUBLIC COURSES
1. Bond Head North
2. Eagles Nest
3. Copper Creek
4. Wooden Sticks
5. Glen Abbey
6. Lionhead Legends
7. Angus Glen South
8. Woodington Lake
9. Osprey Valley
10.Royal Ontario
Just for comparison, consider the next list - a ranking of the GTA public courses with the most expensive green fees (2008 prime rates, excluding taxes):
PARCHASER'S MOST EXPENSIVE: GTA PUBLIC COURSES
1. Glen Abbey - $235
2. Wooden Sticks - $220
3. Eagles Nest - $185
4. Angus Glen - $175
5. Lionhead - $175
6. Bond Head - $165
7. Copper Creek - $165
8. Royal Ontario - $109
9. Nobleton Lakes - $100
10.Royal Woodbine - $100
11.Osprey Valley - $95
12.Woodington Lake - $94.28
Did you notice anything? The Bogeyman's Top 10 are among the twelve most expensive courses in the GTA. If "top" meant "priciest" then the Bogeyman would be right on the money. However, I think most people equate "top" with "best". By this definition, Mr. Marshall's list is troubling.
It seems highly coincidental that the priciest courses make up the entire Top 10. Wouldn't you expect more moderately priced courses to occupy at least a spot or two on the list? Wouldn't you expect at least one highly priced course to miss the cut?
I would, and I'm not alone. Rob Thompson writes a golf column for the National Post and has contributed to various other publications. In an article at OntGolf.ca, he describes the Bogeyman's list as "gag-inducing". He also suggests that the Bogeyman should go back into retirement.
I'm not sure that "gag-inducing" is accurate, but I know one thing. If the Bogeyman intends to golf at his Top 10 during retirement, he better have a sizable nest-egg set aside. Then again, maybe the courses will be kind enough to waive his green fees as a show of thanks for his endorsement.
Rain destroyed any chance of playing golf this weekend, so instead of the usual post-game account, I decided to discuss something that's been on my mind for a few weeks.
Not long ago, the Toronto Star published the most recent version of its annual golf magazine. Like versions of years past, Golf 2008 offers fantastic listings of golf courses, both public and private, covering all of Southern Ontario. It's an indispensable resource, especially for public course players like me, who enjoy playing a wide variety of courses.
Aside from the course listings and accompanying maps, I was very interested in one of the feature articles - a ranking of the Top 10 Greater Toronto Area public golf courses by the Bogeyman (a.k.a Bob Marshall). Here's his list:
BOGEYMAN'S TOP 10: GTA PUBLIC COURSES
1. Bond Head North
2. Eagles Nest
3. Copper Creek
4. Wooden Sticks
5. Glen Abbey
6. Lionhead Legends
7. Angus Glen South
8. Woodington Lake
9. Osprey Valley
10.Royal Ontario
Just for comparison, consider the next list - a ranking of the GTA public courses with the most expensive green fees (2008 prime rates, excluding taxes):
PARCHASER'S MOST EXPENSIVE: GTA PUBLIC COURSES
1. Glen Abbey - $235
2. Wooden Sticks - $220
3. Eagles Nest - $185
4. Angus Glen - $175
5. Lionhead - $175
6. Bond Head - $165
7. Copper Creek - $165
8. Royal Ontario - $109
9. Nobleton Lakes - $100
10.Royal Woodbine - $100
11.Osprey Valley - $95
12.Woodington Lake - $94.28
Did you notice anything? The Bogeyman's Top 10 are among the twelve most expensive courses in the GTA. If "top" meant "priciest" then the Bogeyman would be right on the money. However, I think most people equate "top" with "best". By this definition, Mr. Marshall's list is troubling.
It seems highly coincidental that the priciest courses make up the entire Top 10. Wouldn't you expect more moderately priced courses to occupy at least a spot or two on the list? Wouldn't you expect at least one highly priced course to miss the cut?
I would, and I'm not alone. Rob Thompson writes a golf column for the National Post and has contributed to various other publications. In an article at OntGolf.ca, he describes the Bogeyman's list as "gag-inducing". He also suggests that the Bogeyman should go back into retirement.
I'm not sure that "gag-inducing" is accurate, but I know one thing. If the Bogeyman intends to golf at his Top 10 during retirement, he better have a sizable nest-egg set aside. Then again, maybe the courses will be kind enough to waive his green fees as a show of thanks for his endorsement.
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