Palm Springs begins with a non-drivable par 4. The fairway doglegs softly to the right, leading up to a huge, flat green with a very large bunker protecting the right side. Since it’s not reachable in one, here are the things I look for: Can I get a straight wind approach to the green? If not I consider which side of the fairway will leave me with a better angle to approach the green? Remember, straight wind + flat green = a hole out if you can thumb the ball straight (no pullback) with the appropriate speed. With a favorable out wind, An A-1 type shot will leave you a medium-range chip shot for eagle. Worst cast, an easy birdie.

Poor Sobe… All your formulas, theories and pontification trouble me. It’s the first hole! Just put the ball in the cup, take your birdie move on ladies and gentlemen!

#2 is a par 5 with a couple different ways to reach the green in two. Water splits the straight-ahead fairway into two sections with a large, elevated bunker cleverly separating them. Your first question should be, “can I clear the bunker to the second fairway?” A C-3 (ish) type of shot works at times and will often roll through the bunker to the fairway. If you decide it’s not possible, layback and place your tee shot on the edge of the first fairway avoiding the deep rough or bunker that lies just behind. From here, the pin is offset but the green is still reachable at approximately 325 yards. A shallow bunker guards the front of the green but luckily anything that hits this trap will often roll though. This one’s easy unless a big wind is in your face.

I tell you what; the lay up shot on the edge of the first fairway is a tough one so I almost always try to drive over or through the sand. Normally, I never recommend that duffers try hitting C-3’s off the tee, but in this case the wild angle might just help you blast through the trap. And before you consider this, I’ll just tell you – no, you CAN NOT drive the green from the sand. Don’t be lured in by that sneaky pointer on the screen, a wood will not clear the lip of the bunker.

The third hole is a par 3 with a small, but manageable, green that is surrounded mostly by water. A thin, circular bunker curls around the entire green. It’s real simple - hit the green or you’ll be in the bunker. Just don’t miss short, so you can at least have a chance to chip for birdie.

Ah, the doughnut hole! Just aim for the center and avoid the temptation to dunk…

The second par 5 leaves players of all skill levels with an easy opportunity to make eagle. Your tee shot placement is the key for success and it’s relatively simple. Turn left in the tee box and hit an A-1 (ish) type of shot with roll to get out to the left side of the fairway as far as possible. If your tee shot ends up too far right, a troublesome tree will come into play on your approach. If executed properly, you’ll be left with a clean look at the pin, albeit with a long approach shot over the water. It’s very doable, just remember that the edges of the green are made of rock and they slope down into the water. The approach shot is downhill so it tends to play shorter than normal. This is as easy as it gets.

#4 is a pretty simple eagle opportunity but if you’re a neophyte shot-shaper, I recommend an easier approach. Instead of hitting a perfect A-1 off the tee, I just click left once and hit a drive angled to the right. This is a lot safer and will leave you with plenty of distance to the green – just stay away from the bank of trees. And be cognizant of the left-breaking green on your approach shot. You don’t want to be the guy that waters his second shot, it’s not a good feeling – trust me…

Another par 4 that’s relatively easy if you make the correct choice off the tee. The hole doglegs slightly left with trees positioned on both sides of the fairway leaving a slim window to the green. An aggravating bunker lines the left side with a tree stuck right in the middle of it. Before teeing off, a decision must be made to lie back short of the bunker or try to get over the bunker and around the corner with a C-3. Be smart; don’t take an unnecessary chance because this hole is just as simple lying back for a 3 or 5 wood. A shallow bunker lies in front of the green and water blankets the entire left side. Hit a good tee shot and you will have a clean look to the green and an easy birdie.

Sometimes when you suck, you’re forced to make do with mediocrity. This hole is a perfect example of that for a duffer like me. I’ve become so used to screwing up the tee-shot that I actually learned how to play from the sand! And honestly, it’s pretty effective! I almost always aim for the fat part of the bunker, which leaves plenty of room to approach the green. A wood will usually suffice out of the trap but just remember that your ball-spin will be less effective. It may not be pretty but this tactic almost guarantees birdie. Life is good…

Here’s a mid-range par 3 with a huge green, heavily guarded by water and a deep X-shaped bunker in front. The green slopes down 6° so backspin is often needed unless a huge wind is into your face. Stick it, get your birdie and move on to #7.

Usually “X” marks the spot. Here, hitting the “X’ will only mean more marks on your scorecard.

#7 is a short drivable par 4 that plays more like a par 3. Turn left a few clicks and you’ll notice a desert-style house with a tall peak lies between you and the green. Pull out an iron – somewhere between a 4 and 7, depending on your tee box – and hit the ball directly over the house to the oddly shaped green. Just make sure you swing hard enough to clear the peak or your ball will awkwardly ricochet and land in a potentially harmful spot. Always consider a higher-lofted iron off of the tee; it’s a much safer choice than a lower one. Another important point to consider is that you’re not lined up directly to the pin so carefully consider the line before taking your swing. And don’t forget to use backspin.

This is a cool shortcut hole that’s easy enough for a duffer like me to eagle almost every time. Like Sobe says, if it’s between a hard-swung, high iron and a softly swung, low iron, go high or go home! Or should I say, go high or hit a home? Hmmm… Either way, the high-lofted iron is the best play since your only risk is hitting it too hard and into the sand. At least from there you can chip! Hit the roof and you’ll be frolicking in the flowers.

The final par 3 on the front side, #8 ‘s difficulty lies in the green. It’s long, narrow and has holes cut out of it on both sides. Water protects the front and right sides, while a bunker lines most of back. And last but not least, the green has a wicked break to the right! Brutal… Check the pin placement and decide whether or not you want to use backspin. Just remember that going long is better than short here.

I hate holes like these. They appear simple, yet somehow I always make a bonehead mistake and lose a stroke. Like Sobe says, it all boils down to your putt. The break on this green is just strong enough to goof up the majority of GT hacks. Do your best to leave your ball near the pin to guarantee a birdie here. Don’t be the guy that loses a stroke on a relatively easy hole. It’s hard to sleep at night…

The ninth hole is a challenging and fun par 5 that takes a bit of your imagination. Turn left from the tee box and you’ll see a playground set in a sea of pavement. Obviously, this is the shortcut to the green in two! There are generally two sections of the playground that offer a good look to the green. The first is directly underneath the swing sets along the right. But be warned if it’s not placed precisely, your approach to the green can ricochet off the swing set for an unwanted out-of-bounds penalty. To make it worse, your drop is right back in the same exact spot! The second option is safer, aiming smack-dab at the center of the playground near the sandbox. Use the sandbox to help aim. You’d like to be just short, of the box to leave the most space between you and the playground equipment. I tend to use this option the most because I’d rather make at least a birdie instead of bringing the potentially harmful swings into the picture. Always use backspin when approaching the playground and don’t be afraid to bounce your ball off the pavement. Just don’t get stuck there! From the playground you’ll have to maneuver a 3 or 5-wood between two overhanging trees to a huge green. Practice makes perfect.

You gotta’ love Sobe. While he’s aiming to hit particular parts of the playground from 300-yards away, I’m just hoping I hit on the green stuff! Even from a duffer’s point of view, this is a shortcut-hole that has to be played. Going the long way around can only hurt you and the possibility of hitting the green in two from the playground isn’t all that slim. Just don’t forget to use backspin off of the tee and consider hitting something with your thumbs – it will give you enough distance and better control. From there, just play it smart. A driver will stay underneath most of the playground obstacles and a wood may get over some of the others. Use your head and wear a helmet (just incase you do bounce one off of the slide).

The backside leads off with a par 4 that doglegs sharply to the right, leaving the area between the tee and the green cluttered with trees. You’ll notice that it’s possible to reach the green in one by threading the needle through the trees, but it’s not easy. In fact, it’s a very low percentage choice. So forget the eagle, play the fairway and look at #10 as an easy bird. Keep your ball out of the water that lies beyond the fairway and almost anywhere it lands will guarantee an easy look at the square-shaped green. If you elect to cut the corner for a shorter approach, use a A-1 type of shot (w/backspin), but remember that pulling the ball back with a the full cut will increase your distance. Consider clubbing down to stay out of the water if you decide to take this approach.

I love it when Sobe says, “forget the eagle”. Lay up? Can do, boss! As long as the wind isn’t blowing right-to-left, this is indeed an “easy bird” like Sobe says. If the wind is howling, consider using a 2-iron off the tee since it’s easier to cut through breeze.

A long, 620-yard par 5 that is unusually straight forward, #11’s bark is louder than its bite. Hit a powerful tee shot straight ahead or turn left and play an A-1 type of shot for maximum distance. From the fairway, you’ll be looking at hitting a wood into a large, round green that’s surrounded by three pools of water. There’s not much to tell you, other than the green has a tough 7° break to the left, so consider combating it on your approach shot by applying some slice. Otherwise, #11 is easy pickin’ for an eagle. Jim Z. must have wanted to pump us up before he tears us down on the finishing holes.

Man, in real life this hole would be hell. In Golden Tee land it’s an easy eagle, baby! But let me clear something up here - just hit it straight! OK?! That’s it! You’ll still eagle it if you hit a solid, straight drive off the tee. Sobe shouldn’t be encouraging you duffers to venture into the uncharted territory of A-1 distance shots. If you stink, listen to me. I would never want you to look like a boob…

Here is an unassuming par 3 that doesn’t look difficult at first glance. It’s really not too bad but it can hurt if you’re careless. A thin stream of water wraps around the entire green and large bunkers guard the water’s perimeter. The green is medium-sized and backspin friendly. The right side of the putting surface is much more shallow than left, so be careful when the pin is on the right. You’re usually better off to play for the center of this one since it will most often leave a short putt for birdie. You aren’t going to want to screw up here.

That toothpick-width stream probably has more golf balls in it than a swimming pool at a driving range! Be careful! I always try to aim for the upper-right side of the green no matter where the pin is located – it’s the safest landing area. But use caution on your putt, too. You don’t want it to zoom into the water…

#13 is a par 5 that doglegs to the left. The key here is to get your tee shot beyond the group of trees that reside at the apex of the dogleg. Either an A-1 or C-3 will work but there are a few factors to consider for each before making your decision. A C-3 will cut around the corner more to leave a shorter approach to the green. The problem with this approach is that you can end up tight against the trees if it’s not hit appropriately. An A-1 is a safer bet since you’ll at least be along the right side of the fairway and be left with much more room to get around the trees. The only downfall to an A-1 is that it’s possible to drive through the fairway and into the deep rough, making it very difficult to reach the green. A third option that I rarely use is to layback short of the trees, along the left edge of the fairway. The caveat here is that you MUST avoid the deep rough. You’re going to need all the distance possible to reach from here. The green is big and has water along the right side. Whatever you do, avoid the water and you’ll make birdie at least…

I almost always play for Sobe’s least favorite option, #3. Option 3 is the safest route for the talent-challenged like myself. Worst-case scenario will leave you looking at a birdie, short of the green in the sand. Life could be worse, right? It’s this willingness to accept mediocrity that separates guys like Sobe and me. I may be weak, but I’m the wuss with a birdie and not a bogey!

I like to refer to #14 as a “breather hole”. This is a guaranteed birdie! The fairway doglegs to the right then straightens, with water separating it from the green. Turn once (twice rarely) to the left and hit some form of an A-1 shot to get a perfect look at the green. Avoid coming up short of this large green, unless you’re thirsty.

This is where I take a deep breath and contemplate how the next three holes are going to chew me up. Ahhhhhh…

Here’s a cool par 3 that has 3 separate greens that vary in distance. You don’t know which green will hold the pin until you step up to the tee box. All 3 greens are completely surrounded by water so that pretty much sums it up. Stick the green or you’re wet. Unless of course you’re like Duffer Dan who has enough “skill” to get his ball to stop on the bridge...

It aint easy bein’ this bad, Sobe. It takes hours of practice and loads of determination. Someday you may understand. Keep pluggin’, sport!

This is a challenging par 5 with a double-dogleg that runs left, then right. Like many other holes at Palm Springs, the tee shot is crucial. At the first dogleg, the left side of the fairway banks down to a dirt area where a few large boulders are scattered nearby. The right side is guarded by a group of trees that have small openings that lead towards the green. With a strong tailwind, look to drive the ball straight over the dirt area. Otherwise you’ll need to turn right (wind dependant) and hit some form of a C-3 shot. Another option is to place your tee shot directly at the base of these trees and try to maneuver through with a low iron on your second shot. I usually stick with the first option, but it’s certainly not an easy shot. Luckily the green is large but it does come with some trouble along the left side. Just take your time and play it smart and be confident.

A huge tailwind makes a world of difference here but life never seems to work out that perfectly. As a bad player, I often find my mistakes leaving me on the fairway near the first dogleg. The 2-iron shot isn’t all that bad from there, since worst-case will usually leave you with a chip for eagle. Unless you’re totally confident, don’t play through the trees. Hitting one will destroy your chance at birdie and maybe even par.

Here’s a short par 3 that can have you begging for mercy when the wind creeps into the double-digits. The green has a nasty up-11° break and is surrounded by hazards galore. The bunkers are magnetic and the water is worse. With a big wind in your face, it’s almost impossible to hold the green so you’re forced to chip it on using a mid to low iron (I prefer a 4). Practice makes perfect. And honestly it’s not all that bad chipping once you get used to it. Hell, I even saw Duffer hit hole-in-one chip shot at the Frozen Open in 2007. I must say, it was sweet. Unless you’re chipping, I don’t recommend backspin. Good luck!

This hole is tough, there’s no doubt about it. The best part about me hitting the HIO at the Frozen Open was that the entire room assumed it was my competitor that made the shot – it couldn’t have been the Duffer! Well, yep… You know what they say about a sun shinin’ on a dog, or a donkey, or something that…

The finishing hole at Palm Springs is a drivable par 4 over water to a very wide, but shallow green. It’s steep, 10° uphill slope doesn’t help either. A rock faced ledge guards the entire left side of the green and trouble looms behind the putting surface as well. Pick your poison. Short is wet, long is trouble but at least a chance to get back up on the green. #18 is all about distance control. Only consider backspin when a large tailwind is at your back, otherwise it’s not necessary. I repeat myself - distance control is a must!

I just like to pretend like this green has no pin. Aim simply to hit the fattest part of the green and pray that your ball will stay on the putting surface. Just use extra caution with your putt. A long putt will roll off into the Palm Springs abyss.