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. 5

Something tells me you’ve hit the ball over this green before.

Call it a hunch, or call it experience. For whatever reason, the ball really seems to carry on Shady Acres No. 5, which can make the round’s first drivable par-4 a rather tricky one to handle. The shape of the green will add to this complexity as well, and pins tucked deep in the left or right cutouts will require a finer shot with precision distance.

The shot itself is completely straightforward: Use a fairway wood or a driver to get your ball to stick on the green. Don’t be long—the worst place you can possibly be—and manage your spin accordingly.

The bunkers in front of the green should be considered your safe zone. You’d like to avoid them when possible, although ending up in the sand beats the “splash” sound you’ll hear when you miss deep. The difference will likely be a birdie—maybe an eagle if you have a reasonable chip—versus a par (or worse) for the penalty shot tacked on.

Success on the tee shot boils down to two related items: distance control and spin control, which really are intertwined depending on your shot.

Obviously backspin can work to give you desire results, especially if you need the ball to kick back in a hurry. When the pin is tucked on the left or right side, this is a solid strategy to take.

But Bite shouldn’t be dismissed here, either. And this is a hole that can really maximize the spin feature to its fullest.

If the pin is nestled near the back of the green and you’re hoping to give yourself a chance at a hole-in-one, Bite will offer up just the right amount of spin to allow this ball to trickle down toward—or maybe in—the cup.

Of course, the spin on a given shot will also depend on wind and also the pin placement. Figuring out which to use round to round will come from experience.

What works for you here?