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.