COURSE CADDIES :: Shady Acres :: Hole 9 :: PAR 4


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 Hole No. 9


The path to the green is pretty simple. Executing it is a different story.

Before you make the turn, you gave a drivable par-4 to tend to, one that will vary greatly depending on the location of the pin.

There are two obstacles you need to avoid, and they are connected in many ways. The trees guarding the left side of the fairway are the root of the challenge, and you’ll have to hit a substantial cut shot around them. The small river in front of the green—the same one you can find if you clip a tree branch—can do the most damage.

How much cut you put on your tee shot will depend on a few factors. Wind and tee box looms large here, but so does the placement of the pin. If the pin is on the right side of the green, the shot becomes a lot easier.

Your ball can land on the green, and the bite or backspin will propel it toward the cup. Or, perhaps a little closer.

When the pin is tucked on the left side of the green—perhaps behind the perfectly placed bunker—the shot becomes a little more complicated. Obviously getting close will require a creative shot, and there are a variety of ways to do it.

Like bouncing your ball near the top of the bunker.

Or skipping the bunker entirely.

 

If running into the pin doesn’t work out, hopefully you’re able to give yourself a putt or a makeable chip. Given some of the setups you’ll be dealt, this will be the ideal outcome. Birdie seems like a likely outcome if you play it safe, but eagle is anything but.

What approach works for you here?