COURSE CADDIES :: Shady Acres :: Hole 4 :: PAR 5


Welcome to the Course Caddy, a look at each and every hole in Golden Tee 2014. Over the next few months, we will spend each day looking at a different design, starting with Hole 1 on the first course and ending with the final hole on the final design.

We want—no, NEED—your help in this process!

How do you play a particular design? Share your thoughts on strategy and YouTube uploads in the comment section. Your feedback is integral in the complete understanding of the design.

All holes will then be available for reference on the Course Caddy page—a bookmark must for the entire encyclopedia! Enjoy.

 

Shady Acres No. 4


Our mentality on par-5s is pretty simple: Hit it as far out as you can and hopefully you’ll be able to get to the green in two. On Hole 4 on tree-filled Shady Acres, however, this mentality should be tucked away in the back pocket. This shot isn’t about distance; it’s about placement, especially off the tee.

Your ideal landing spot with your tee shot should be under—or just left of—the trees almost straight head, guarding the right side of the fairway. You won’t want to be stuck behind them, but there’s a decent-sized window to land that will provide a nice shot at the green.

While focusing on the trees in the distance, be wary of the trees just in front of the tee box. These leaves, overhanging on the left, can come into play if you aren’t careful. Once you get past them, you’ve cleared a major obstacle.

The next major obstacle comes on the approach, and the difficulty of the shot depends a great deal on where the pin is located. If the pin is in the middle or right side of the green, the shot is pretty straight forward.

Use Bite or Backspin, and the results could be favorable.

When the pin is tucked on the left side of the green, this becomes a much more difficult hole. Obviously some cut will be necessary, although the trees hanging over the water can again come into play. If they do, you’re looking at a trip to the hazard.

With just the right amount of cut and Bite, however, this shot can be tamed. It will make the hole a bit tougher, but you can play it safe by avoiding the trouble and ending up with a putt.

Or, well, better.

 

What works for you here? Share your thoughts below.