Hello all. Caddyshack
Carl here. I am thrilled to be taking
over the writing and reporting duties for the Bushwood Blog. There was a lot of talk about what my first
blog should be about. Some said that I
should offer golf tips, while others suggested that I should write about
two-time Master’s champion Bubba being a fan of playing and practicing at
Bushwood. Yes, the coming posts will
feature all of that stuff and more but after a lot of debate, it was decided
that the Bushwood course itself should be the star of Caddyshack Carl’s first
entry. Starting today, I’m going post
the first of a series of eighteen entries, each one describing each hole and
how different Bushwood golfers like to play that hole. We’ll look at the hole from a pro’s
perspective as well as through the minds of mid-to high handicappers. Let’s get down to it…
Hole #1: Par 4
Tees = Red: 300 yards, White: 357 yards, Blue: 389 yards Gold: 400 yards
I love this opening hole.
It is a fair opening test but can put you into bogey trouble early in
your round if you’re not careful. The
first hole provides golfers with the chance to score well early provided they
keep their tee shot in the fairway.
Despite the sand trap, there is a little room for error left but all of
the rain this year has made the rough deep and thick so a shot at the green
will require some strength and smart club selection. Don’t miss right!!! The large pine and
shorter trees can wreak havoc with a second shot and will often take away your
chances of making par.
Keep in mind that the hole often plays shorter than it
appears as it’s downhill and the prevailing winds are often at your back. Long hitters playing the whites might want to
consider a 3 wood or even an iron off the tee (like Andrew from men’s league does)
as the creek might be in play for them if they choose driver. Even long drivers playing Blues and Golds
should consider the conditions carefully before they pull out the big dog. In dry conditions, I’ve seen the creek and
surrounding long grass swallow long running drives. Red tee hitters should focus on keeping the
ball on the right side of the fairway, cutting the distance to the green on
their second shot.
The second shot for Blue and Gold golfers should be an easy
wedge or low iron to the green if you’ve struck your tee shot well. Depending on your strength and distance, Red
tee hitters or White tee hitters might have the creek to contend with. Low to mid handicappers shouldn’t be afraid
of going for the pin here. This green is
generally soft and receptive to any high flight shot. High handicappers should aim for the centre
of the green, knowing that long putts on this hole are makeable. For all levels, chose your second club
carefully—I would rather be short and chipping/putting from the front of the
green, than trying to lob a ball close from a bad lie behind the green.
Once you’re on the dancefloor, recall the speed of the
practice green and consider the back to front slope. This green generally has very little break
but often plays faster than its soft surface suggests. It’s not lightning, but even after a rain,
I’m usually long on most putts over 15 feet.
Pro Tip: Pro Scotty
says, “High off the tee. I don’t want
any roll into trouble or into the rough.
Even if you’re short, fairway, fairway, fairway.”
Proshop Robby and Sean both say, “Driver off the tee
(Golds)”.
Red Tee Tip: Bushwood regular Lucy says, “I don’t have the
strength to hit the green in two so I lay up at the creek and go for the green
in three. My third shot is usually a low
loft shot that runs off the fairway onto the green. This is one of the easier greens so I have a
chance to make a putt for par. If not, a
two putt still gives me bogey and that’s not a bad start me.”
Mind Blowing Fact:
Bubba hit an iron from the Gold tees and flew the creek. He is able to generate a ball speed of 194mph
(312km/h).
Thanks for reading.
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