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.

Celtic Shores No. 12

Before we begin, please check your bag.

Do you have Golden Tees? Not the game, of course, but actual tees available for purchase in the game? You do? Good. You’re going to need one.

Hole 12 on Celtic Shores is challenge you absolutely need to take seriously. A drivable par-4 with the kind of variables capable of destroying scorecards—headlined by the water just right of the green—you will often times have your work cut out here.

Toss in high winds, long distances (on occasion) and the cliff making your tee shot somewhat uncomfortable, and you have yourself a fine design with teeth.

Now, to reach this green you don’t have to utilize a Golden Tee. As seen below, weaving in and out of the cliffs with a fairway wood—likely a 3-wood—is possible. It takes just the right amount of cut to make this work, but it can work.

Example, ahoy.

If we’re being honest, however, this is a really impressive and difficult shot. And while I don’t doubt your trackball skills, there are a lot of ways to butcher this attempt.

Instead, what has worked wonders is a high tee. While it won’t make the shot superbly easy, it will give your flexibility.

1)      You’ll have more options with distance

2)      You’ll be able to hit the ball further

3)      You’ll clear the front cliff far more comfortably

You’ll lose spin on this shot—and the wind will have time to do more with your ball with increased loft—but those are things you can deal with. A high tee isn’t mandatory to eagle, although goodness will it help you.

Another important strategy note on this hole is the importance of staying dry. Well, duh. While there are instances where you can get close to the hole, finding the green and, on a more basic level, avoiding the water should be priority No. 1.

You’ll find that the ball carries well here. You’ll also find that the slope of the green can do some serious damage if you aren’t careful. Play safe, play for a putt and get those eagles when you can.

How do you play?