Impressive Video - Worth a Look

If you have a moment to to look at a video - a friend forwarded this to me and it is pretty impressive.

Take a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VUo8OuFaiI

Tips from the Pro

Scott McClinton - the Head Golf Professional at Eldorado Country Club has offered his insights to the holes on the course. Check it out and see how the big boys play the holes.

Eldorado Golf Course Tips

This course plays longer than the actual yardage.  Every fairway is lined with several beautiful trees; Greens are small and have lots of slope, and they are guarded by strategically placed bunkers.  The tournament will be played from a mixture of back and middle tees that will be a yardage of approximately 6,500 yards.

Following is a brief description of each hole with suggestions on strategy and course management.

#1 A slight dogleg right where tee shots should be placed on the left side of the fairway to allow roll to the right.  The approach is to an elevated green so please allow at least one
extra club in your selection.  Above the hole location is difficult as the green severely slopes from back to front.

#2 One of the narrowest holes on the course; being in the fairway on your tee shot is a
premium.  Shots will roll significantly to the left on both tee shot and lay up shot. 
The big tree in the right middle of the fairway is approximately 130 yards to the center of the green.  This is the toughest hole on the course and a 3 shot par 5.

#3 This is a good birdie opportunity.  A tee shot in the middle of the fairway will allow you to be aggressive with your approach.  Green is deep from front to back, so club selection is paramount.

#4 There is a little room to bail out on the right with your tee shot, but beware of the hazard that runs the entire length of the hole.  Another uphill approach that demands proper club selection.  Approach shots should be left and below the hole location.

#5 One of the most picturesque holes on the course.  Down hill to a narrow green, this hole provides tough up and downs if you miss left or right.  Avoid the front bunkers.

#6 This par 5 could be reached by the big hitters.   You must be on the left side of the fairway to have a chance.  If you are laying up, place your approach just to the right of the big tree in the fairway.  This green slopes severely from back to front and left to right.  Leaving this green with a 2 putt par is an accomplishment.

#7 This par 3 plays a little longer than the yardage.  The tree just off the tee box does not favor a fade.  Missing the green right or left poses one of the toughest up and down saves on the course.

#8 Another good birdie opportunity.  This straight hole allows you to be aggressive if your tee shot finds the fairway.  The green is very tricky to read, so make sure to look at your putt from all angles.

Eldorado Golf Course Tips (continued)

#9 This slight dogleg left puts a premium on being on the right hand side of the fairway.  Watch out for the two “Cousin Its”, they seem to attract lots of tee shots.  The green angles back left so watch the club selection.  Approach shots over this green are unfortunately out of bounds.

#10 Definitely a reachable par 5.  Not much risk and lots of reward.  Fairway doglegs slightly right and after the tee shot, is down hill.  The front of the green is guarded by two bunkers, one right and one left, but there is an opening that will accept a run up.

#11 This hole demands a straight tee shot.  The fairway slopes from left to right, and the
approach is to a slight uphill dogleg left.  Approaches should be below the hole, and
downhill putts are very fast.

#12 One of the toughest holes on the course.  Keep your tee shot left of the trees and obviously the hazard on the right.  If you get into trouble off the tee and are forced to lay up, the ideal yardage to hit from is 100 yards.  The green is elevated so at least an extra club is
advisable.  Again, it is very important to be below the hole.

#13 The conservative golfer only needs to hit a fairway wood or long iron off the tee.  This short par 4 does not require length; it puts premium on accuracy.  Approach again should be below the hole.  Anything long and good luck getting it up and down.

#14 Tee shot is all carry over the water.  Trees on the right pose lots of problems too. 
Approach to elevated green is at least one and a half extra clubs.  This hole requires two of your best shots just to reach the green.  And the green requires good touch to make putts.

#15 Off the elevated tee, favor the right side of the dogleg.  Even a small miss to the right will still give you an opportunity to reach the green.  Left is jail.  There is much more slope to this green than appears.  Don’t get too aggressive; the bunkers front and back pose difficult recovery.

#16 This is a medium length par 3 where club selection is the key.  A back hole location is the most difficult.    Par is a good score.

#17 Don’t let the short yardage fool you.  This narrow par 4 can yield plenty of birdies, but get too greedy and you could be looking at big numbers.  The only bail out for those that hit driver is just left of the fairway behind 18 tee.

#18 This slight dogleg right looks timid, but don’t let down your guard.  There is OB right, and lots of trouble in the trees left.  Keep your tee shot in the fairway.  This green is very
difficult to read, so make sure you view your putts from all angles.

Wow what a day.

 It looks like the weather is breaking and it is time to get the clubs out and get some swings in. Try swinging three quarters the first time out. You will find that you will not give up much distance and you will keep the ball in play. But the most important thing to remember....... have fun, you are outside and doing something you enjoy.

Try to Hole Your Chips

A simple change in attitude can improve your chipping dramatically. Rather than simply looking to get the ball close to the hole, think about holing the shot instead. This improves your focus and concentration and narrows your margin of error. Simply trying to get the ball fairly close can lead to a sloppy execution of the shot.

The Back Nine

Earlier I shared my thoughts on each hole on the front nine. Here is similar information on the back nine. I hope you will enjoy this.


Back Nine

Hole #10: Okay you long hitters. This is your hole. (ha,ha,ha) 529 yards down hill. Slight dogleg right. Play the tee shot to the fairway left - or if you are long off the tee shave off the tree line that guards the right side of the fairway. Second shot is all down hill to a green guarded by two bunkers. Aim at the bunker on the left and hope for a roll onto the green. Green is actually fairly level but appears to slope from back to front. This is a good hole to help build your confidence as we start the back nine.

Hole #11: 358 yards of nothing to it. play the ball to the right side of the fairway off the tee. A shot of 200 yards will place you in perfect position to attack the green. The second shot I recommend playing to the left side of the green to avoid the bunker guarding the front and right side of the green. You will be greeted with a sloping green from left to right (remember I said sloping). A two putt is good on this green unless you are putting uphill to the hole be careful.

Hole #12: Can you say water? Watch the water on the right. The hole plays 379 yards, the tee shot should be played at least 225 yards to the fairway which is LEFT of the lake. This will leave you under 150 yards over the lake to an uphill green guarded by two bunkers. The green is generous but does slope severely from back to front. A par will most often win this hole. And it is possible that a bogey will as well. I recommend you play this hole with great caution. Oh yes, the club does have a few players who try to drive the green. it play just over 320 yards as a crow flies. If you want to try this - please do it when you are playing against me --- I may need the point.

Hole #13: Downhill tee shot. to a narrow fairway. The a slightly uphill shot into the green. The hole plays 359 yards and is the 16th hardest hole on the course. So it should be an easy one. The secret is keep the ball in play off the tee. Big hitters will try to drive the ball close to the green. The rest of us can take an easy 3 or 4 iron and put the ball about 120 yards off from the green. The green slopes from back to front - unless you have a red flag you will have an uphill putt. Just try to avoid the dreaded putt across the green. make sure you are in line with the hole.

Hole #14: 364 yards - over water - up hill - avoid water on the left and trees on the right. The tee ball is everything on this hole. In play and you will most likely win the hole. You will notice three bunkers near the green. The first bunker is about 20 yards in front of the green. Best to miss long. As this is an uphill hole an extra club just may put you hole high. Play this hole with caution.

Hole #15: Ok if the match is still alive the pressure begins here! 403 yards, a slight dogleg left. Play the ball to fairway right. second shot you will want to split the bunkers at the green and try to make a two putt to continue. This is not a difficult hole unless you decide to play it down the lefthand side. Not many birdies are pars from over there. So I would recommend you not go that way!

Hole #16: Par three 179 yards. Uphill so take an extra club. Large green and it will play three different clubs depending on the flag color. Red- front, White to the middle and Blue is back. Several different slopes on this green so pay attention. The pressure will be on and you should try to ask your partner to help you read this one.

Hole #17: 336 yards, fairway straight and the green at the other end. Small green easy to miss on the second shot. Trees line a creek on the right side of the fairway so it is best to play this one fairway left. This will leave you a short shot into the green. I think this is where many matches may end. this is the time to be aggressive if you need to be.

Hole #18: A good finishing hole. 337 yards light dogleg right. Driving range is out of bounds and runs the entire length of the hole. so best to leave yourself in the fairway on the left hand side. Pick out a spot on the clubhouse as your target and let her rip. For long hitters - you will notice a tree that sticks our on the right side of the fairway. Go over that tree and you will leave yourself less that 100 yards to the green. The green has two bunkers guarding the front side. Split the bunkers if you are playing a pitch and run or carry the right side bunker if you are coming in high. Everything runs to the driving range so pay attention. Play the ball left of the pin and you may find the perfect shot. On  putts - you guessed it - the break runs to the driving range.

If you made it this far in your match no matter who wins it will be deemed a great match.   Take your hat off and shake your opponents hand. And say “Well done!”

Good luck and I hope you find the hints helpful.

Watch out Sout - the North started practicing today!

Ben Fair, a rookie to this year's event, is already practicing.

Please take the poll when you have a moment.

Thanks,

John

Thoughts on the front nine at Eldorado.

Eldorado Country Club

Hole by Hole description

Hole #1: The Hole plays 342 yards. Slight dogleg right and the second shot plays uphill.  My advice is to leave yourself 125 yards into the green on your second shot. The tee ball needs to be played left of the big tree guarding the right side of the fairway. Green is protected by 2 bunkers. For Blue pin placement - play the ball to the center of the green - (left of the hole) to avoid a small landing area near the pin. Safest miss is left or long of the green. Avoid the bunkers protecting the front of the green. Green slopes from right to left and from back to front. Par is a good score here.

Hole #2: This is a 556 yard par 5. A bogey may win this hole. Left is OB and also has a creek running alongside the hole. The green is guarded by a small pond the is in front and running alongside the right side of the green. tee shot should be played just left of the right tree line. You will find a tree in the middle of the fairway as your target for your second shot. This tree is about 130 yards from the green. On your third shot the hole plays slightly downhill - so one club shorter. Green slopes from left to right - towards the water. Good Luck and do not let this hole ruin your round.

Hole#3: A 411 yard hole that plays downhill. Ok an easy hole for you. Just watch out for the out of bounds on the right. The tee box sets up to push you right so pay attention. Best to play the ball just right of the left tree line. Green is typically soft in the front so you will need to carry the second shot on to the green. This may prove to be the best shot at birdie.

Hole #4: 331 yards of fun! Narrow tee shot to a generous landing area if you keep the ball in the middle. A creek runs the entire length of the hole. Second shot will play uphill to a smallish green. the green runs from Left to right and slopes from back to front. Another situation with a soft front. No bunkers on this hole. So swing away.

Hole #5: 158 yards - down hill. Bunkers guard the front right and left of the green. With a red flag the best area to miss would be long on the green. Take advantage of the downhill shot. One less club than normal.

Hole # 6: Talk about fun! 503 yard par 5. Every shot slopes from left to right. Best play off the tee is fairway left. On your second shot you will notice a tree on the far left side of the fairway. This tree is about 100 yards from the green. Good spot to come in from. The green is guarded by a bunker on the left. It does not even look like it is in play. But beware of this bunker it is sure to help you to a high number. The green slopes severely from left to right. I recommend no matter where the pin is play your shot to the left side of the green. Any shot to the middle or right will not stay on the green.

Hole #7: 175 yard par 3. Slightly uphill to a severely sloping green from left to right. The right side is guarded by 2 bunkers - one visible from the tee box. Right of these bunkers will cost you a golf ball. Pay attention to the green. Can be very quick at times and will generally have a severe hook to the putt as the ball slows down near the hole. Bogey may win this hole.

Hole #8: 370 yards straight as an arrow. OB on both sides and a slight uphill tee shot. Small green with not much to be concerned about. The player that takes care off the tee to put the ball in the fairway will win this hole.

Hole # 9: A great finishing hole for the front side. 380 yards - slight dogleg left. Watch the tee box area - it sets up to push you right towards out of bounds. Best tee shot will be fairway right. Second shot to the green - do not go long as this is out of bounds. A bunker guards the green and if you are concerned about carrying the bunker play short right of the green and take you chances with an up and down. This hole requires four good shots for a par. If your tee shot is on the course but not in the fairway - hang in there this is a difficult hole and a bogey will keep you in the hole most of the time.