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Course Caddies: Sparkling Waters No. 4
The First Par-5 of the Round Debuts With a Bang


Golden Tee Course Caddies are back, and we’re examining all 90 holes in Golden Tee 2015. Each day we'll examine a different design until all five courses have been covered.

This year’s breakdowns now include video of each hole being played, although your feedback is most appreciated on these designs. How do you play? Share your strategy or Golden Tee Great Shots in the comments below.

All holes will then be available for reference on the Course Caddies page—a bookmark must for the entire encyclopedia! Enjoy, and stay tuned for plenty more.

 

Sparkling Waters No. 4


Thing get real rather quickly on Sparkling, and the first par-5 will provide your first real test if you wish to hit the green in two.

Of course you do. Eagles, after all, are pretty great.

The tee shot here is most critical of all, and you have options in this department. There are two separate landing areas out in the middle of the blue abyss—one that is identified with fairway, the other covered in rough and guarded by trees.

You can reach the green from either of these landing areas, although both shots come with a fair amount of risk. Given the layout of the hole, you know precisely what happens if/when you’re off the mark.

The small fairway island most right can be hit with a bend around the trees. It’s not a full A-1, but it’s a tee shot that will require some planning and practice. Both a 3 and 5-wood will work depending on the wind, but again, there is plenty of risk involved here. (See: Video below)

Also, if you do go this route, by mindful of where the fairway ends and where the rough begins. While landing this area should be priority No. 1, landing in the middle (or even) back portion of this area should be a focus once you center in the shot. This is how you will be left with an actual shot—likely a driver—to the green.

 

The other option isn’t nearly as defined. A 3-wood and a high tee can propel you over (or through) the trees guarding the rough-covered landing area, but the trees make this a dicey proposition as well. You can stick this landing area, but the trees complicate matters a great deal.

Regardless of which path you take, your approach shot should take on the same strategy: Don’t be short. You absolutely, positively cannot be short. This will result in a likely visit to the hazard, which would be a shame after getting through the most difficult hurdle.

There is also, of course, the option to lay up. Some looks will be more difficult than others—especially with difficult winds and tee boxes—and settling for birdie isn’t the worst situation.

It also isn’t the most fun, either.

Find a tee shot that works for you and give it a try. It will get easier and more manageable in time, I can promise you that, and you’ll be eagling this hole with regularity in no time.

How do you play?

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