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Course Caddy: Turtle Island No. 16
Is This Where Your Scorecard Explodes? Nope, Not If You're Careful


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.

 

Turtle Island Hole No. 16


Welcome to your potential blow-up hole! Now, there’s no need to panic—put down that chair you were about to throw through that window—let’s talk this through.

Hole 16 on Turtle Island should have a familiar look to it. Not the lava or dried lava, but rather a late par-3 that provides the potential for trouble. Let’s avoid that trouble, shall we?

The layout is simple: Lava in the front, dried lava on the side—that has led to some rather hilarious holes-in-ones—and a green.

Here’s an example.

Now, that looks like a lot fun. It’s certainly fun to watch. But ideally you should never bank on aiming for the surrounding area and hoping for the best. It’s inevitable that you’ll come in contact with this from time to time, although you never quite know how the ball will respond.

For that reason, keep the uncertainty in your own hands.

Spin control here is vital, and Backspin on the hard downslope could send your ball motorin’ toward the lava. While Backspin is an option for certain pins and winds, Bite should become a popular selection here.

It will do more than simply stop near the pin; it will give you an opportunity to get close —or even in—the cup.

For pins near the back or middle part of the green, the shot becomes a bit more complicated. Landing long could send your ball, well, anywhere, so ideally you can land at (or around) the cup and let the slope do the work.

Bite is certainly an option here as well, although going at this one with nothing at all—aiming for a short birdie putt—is the proper approach. And yes, there’s always the possibility of more.

 

Manage your distance and spin accordingly and the term “blow-up hole” will never enter the equation. Obviously you'll have to account for the elevation as well, and don't be surprised when your ball carries further than you think it will.

Aim for the green, play safe enough and you should be in great shape.

How do you play?

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