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.

Highland Links Hole No. 1

Don’t hit it in the rough. Let’s start there.

Take this bit of advice—which you’re already well aware of—and use it here and everywhere. This isn’t just a Hole 1 problem; it’s a Highland Links problem. And again, it’s one you’re likely quite familiar with.

The round at Highland Links begins with a two-shot par-4. Ripe with sand traps—and perhaps a bigger than you’re accustomed to this early on—you can easily drop a shot here if you’re not careful.

The pot bunkers (yep, those are here) can serve as a penalty shot if you happen to find them, which means aiming for the fairway is critical. While you can pretty close to the green with the right setup and wind, put your ball in the fairway and play for the second shot.

From here, you have options. The right option will likely be decided for you depending on pin placement. You can attack the cup with Backspin if the pin is up front, as seen here…

Or you can choose to go at the pin with no spin at all, trusting your distance control and allowing your ball to release, as seen here…

Both work. Bite can also be an option if the pin is tucked in the back left and you’re looking to play it safe. There’s nothing wrong with that.

While Hole 1 gives you opportunities to be aggressive, don’t miss the green and land in the rough. There are no guarantees—even this early on—if you do.

Let’s get it going right. How do you play this hole?