The Dream Course
10/16/2009 (updated 05/22/2011)
Here is my dream golf course and my ideal golfing day…
My eyes open despite the fact that darkness fills the room and the aroma of freshly brewing coffee fills the air. Upon fully
gathering my senses, I gingerly roll out of bed and head towards the kitchen without disturbing my still sleeping wife. AH!!
I love mornings. After pouring myself a fresh cup of Joe, I sneak out to the liana to enjoy the early morning bird calls and
the peace and serenity of Mother Nature awakening. Since this is a dream day, I do not need to take any pain or anti-
inflammatory medication to handle the issues that usually affect my legs…you see on this day my legs work just like new.
And after the first cup of the magical java is drained, I head in for a quick shower and then it is off to the course.
As I pull into the hallowed grounds of East Lake, I am greeted at the bag drop and valet stand by the warm and inviting
staff and then head to the grill for some breakfast. Of course, along the way from the bag drop to the grill I pass all Bobby
Jones’ trophies, awards, and pictures. The history and aura of this place is incredible and it really sets the perfect tone
for this surreal golfing day. After another cup of Joe, some toast, eggs, and conversation with Martin and it is off to the
practice facility.
On this magical day, East Lake morphs into the opulent luxury that is Cascata. As we walk past the raging river that cuts
through the marbled floors inside this Tuscan-style 37,000 square foot clubhouse, we make our way downstairs to our golf
cart. As we get seated in our cart we begin to accelerate on the brick path that leads towards a pair of Old World style
wooden doors that automatically open as we approach. As these doors give way, the stunning view of the practice facility
is revealed. The lush greens of the putting green and driving range turf is immaculate. Not one divot or ball mark is
anywhere to be seen and the beginning of the river, that we initially saw inside the clubhouse, can be seen high upon the
peak of the 3,600 foot Red Mountains that form the backdrop as we hit our warm up shots. The mind-numbing beauty of
the Cascata practice facility is only enhanced as that river continues to run off the mountains, down through our warm up
area, and, of course, into the clubhouse. So far this morning, we have been treated to the history and ambiance of East
Lake and the stunning beauty of Cascata…and we haven’t even approached the first tee.
As we conclude our warm ups our cart disappears and we walk as we approach the first tee. The Nevada Mountains give
way to the Sandhills of North Carolina as we now stand on the first tee at Pinehurst #2. As we peer out into the distance,
nothing distracts our eye from the wonderful fairway that lies in front of us. In the distance we can see the ominous domed
green and the greenside bunkers, but despite the aura and history that surrounds this course we need to be focused on
our game. The green lies 391 yards away with no terrifying trouble in the fairway, but that green...oh how it looms.
Pinehurst #2 is golf at its best and the first hole sets the tone and tempo for the entire course. Strategic decisions
surround every shot and what may seem like a minor miss at first, just might make all the difference to our score as the
degree of difficulty to holding the green grows exponentially if we are out of position.
Heading to the second hole, we are out of the mountains and onto the beach. In fact, we now stand on the second hole at
the infamous Kiawah Ocean Course. This one is another par 5, this time a 543 yard hole with two forced carries. Despite
the beauty of this hole, you need to be locked into your strategy. First you must decide how much of a hero you want to
be off the tee…cut the corner with a draw or play to the middle of the fairway. Lay up on your second or challenge the
creek. Next you must fade your approach, but make sure you get on the correct tier of the green or look out the potential
3 putt. Mr. Dye’s Kiawah Ocean course will test your entire game…in fact, hole #2 of the course just might test your entire
game all by itself.
Moving away from the ocean breeze, we find our self in Southampton, NY at the historic National Golf Links of America.
Rather than the par 5 monster we just played, this hole is a 430 yard par 4. The tee shot requires you to carry a cross
bunker that covers darn near the entire width of the fairway, but this isn't the tough part of the hole. The approach
requires you to go up and over or around a huge hill/mound that completely blocks the view of the green. However,
memories of that green should still be fresh in your head since you could see it, just barely, at the tee box. The green is
defended by large bunkers and the green slopes dramatically at its edges.. Once on the green, there are several ridges
that we need to be conscience of as we attempt to read our greens. However, hopefully the caddie can add some
valuable assistance as we line up our putts.
Walking off the 3rd at The National, we head to the 4th at the same course. This hole is the famous Redan. Once again,
we can see a little bit of the top of the pin...but that is all. The front edge of the green blocks view of the green on this
wonderful mid-range par 3. We can elect to bump it into the front edge of this green and try to trickle it down or we can
shoot right for the pin. Either way, we will need come luck on our side as this hole is perhaps the most strategic par 3 the
game has ever seen.
Battered and bruised from the first four holes, we head to hole #5 at Cuscowilla. This time it is another short par 4.
Thank God, right? Wrong!!! Right from the start you have to make a key decision…be a hero or play it safe. You see
the green is only 305 yards away as the crow flies, but you have to carry the ball 250 uphill off the tee or be caught in a
NASTY waste bunker and staring down a double bogey. However, you could play to the right of the waste bunker and
play it safer. But either way you go you will have to deal with the severely shell-backed green that has led more than one
of my playing partners to exclaim, “THIS HOLE IS JUST NOT FAIR!!!!!”, as they chip right to the pin but down the other
side of the green again and again and again.
After finally holing out on the 5th, we find ourselves back on Long Island. This time it is Maidstone and we stand on the
6th hole at this magnificent links course. The hole starts out a bit mundane, but there is nothing mundane about this
green. Multiple shelves and layers add excitement not only to the putting, put also to the strategy on how to approach this
wonderful and subtle par 4.
Walking off the 6th, we find ourselves in Northwest Ohio…Toledo to be exact. We walk up a slight hill to an elevated tee
box that overlooks the 7th hole at the historic Inverness. The variety of options available on this 481 yard par 4 can be
overwhelming. You can go up the right or left or choose to bomb it down the middle. However, whatever you choose you
will have to carry the meandering creek that runs across this fairway and then up the right side. The green is elevated
with a couple of shelves to deal with and some severe slopes. As is atypical of Mr. Donald Ross’ designs this hole has no
bunkers. But to be frank, if it did the hole might be entirely unplayable.
The 8th hole brings us across the Atlantic to Muirfield, the home of the Honorary Company of Edinburgh Golfers. This
hole has history and some sharp teeth. Due to Walter Hagen trying to short cut the architects intent of the hole, trees
were added to cut off his short-cut. This leaves us with really only one decision off the tee, challenge the bunkers to the
right of the fairway or take the long way home down the fairway. Either way, we've got to deal with the cross bunkers just
short of the green. Great hole...great decisions.
Continue to the next hole...
10/16/2009 (updated 05/22/2011)
Here is my dream golf course and my ideal golfing day…
My eyes open despite the fact that darkness fills the room and the aroma of freshly brewing coffee fills the air. Upon fully
gathering my senses, I gingerly roll out of bed and head towards the kitchen without disturbing my still sleeping wife. AH!!
I love mornings. After pouring myself a fresh cup of Joe, I sneak out to the liana to enjoy the early morning bird calls and
the peace and serenity of Mother Nature awakening. Since this is a dream day, I do not need to take any pain or anti-
inflammatory medication to handle the issues that usually affect my legs…you see on this day my legs work just like new.
And after the first cup of the magical java is drained, I head in for a quick shower and then it is off to the course.
As I pull into the hallowed grounds of East Lake, I am greeted at the bag drop and valet stand by the warm and inviting
staff and then head to the grill for some breakfast. Of course, along the way from the bag drop to the grill I pass all Bobby
Jones’ trophies, awards, and pictures. The history and aura of this place is incredible and it really sets the perfect tone
for this surreal golfing day. After another cup of Joe, some toast, eggs, and conversation with Martin and it is off to the
practice facility.
On this magical day, East Lake morphs into the opulent luxury that is Cascata. As we walk past the raging river that cuts
through the marbled floors inside this Tuscan-style 37,000 square foot clubhouse, we make our way downstairs to our golf
cart. As we get seated in our cart we begin to accelerate on the brick path that leads towards a pair of Old World style
wooden doors that automatically open as we approach. As these doors give way, the stunning view of the practice facility
is revealed. The lush greens of the putting green and driving range turf is immaculate. Not one divot or ball mark is
anywhere to be seen and the beginning of the river, that we initially saw inside the clubhouse, can be seen high upon the
peak of the 3,600 foot Red Mountains that form the backdrop as we hit our warm up shots. The mind-numbing beauty of
the Cascata practice facility is only enhanced as that river continues to run off the mountains, down through our warm up
area, and, of course, into the clubhouse. So far this morning, we have been treated to the history and ambiance of East
Lake and the stunning beauty of Cascata…and we haven’t even approached the first tee.
As we conclude our warm ups our cart disappears and we walk as we approach the first tee. The Nevada Mountains give
way to the Sandhills of North Carolina as we now stand on the first tee at Pinehurst #2. As we peer out into the distance,
nothing distracts our eye from the wonderful fairway that lies in front of us. In the distance we can see the ominous domed
green and the greenside bunkers, but despite the aura and history that surrounds this course we need to be focused on
our game. The green lies 391 yards away with no terrifying trouble in the fairway, but that green...oh how it looms.
Pinehurst #2 is golf at its best and the first hole sets the tone and tempo for the entire course. Strategic decisions
surround every shot and what may seem like a minor miss at first, just might make all the difference to our score as the
degree of difficulty to holding the green grows exponentially if we are out of position.
Heading to the second hole, we are out of the mountains and onto the beach. In fact, we now stand on the second hole at
the infamous Kiawah Ocean Course. This one is another par 5, this time a 543 yard hole with two forced carries. Despite
the beauty of this hole, you need to be locked into your strategy. First you must decide how much of a hero you want to
be off the tee…cut the corner with a draw or play to the middle of the fairway. Lay up on your second or challenge the
creek. Next you must fade your approach, but make sure you get on the correct tier of the green or look out the potential
3 putt. Mr. Dye’s Kiawah Ocean course will test your entire game…in fact, hole #2 of the course just might test your entire
game all by itself.
Moving away from the ocean breeze, we find our self in Southampton, NY at the historic National Golf Links of America.
Rather than the par 5 monster we just played, this hole is a 430 yard par 4. The tee shot requires you to carry a cross
bunker that covers darn near the entire width of the fairway, but this isn't the tough part of the hole. The approach
requires you to go up and over or around a huge hill/mound that completely blocks the view of the green. However,
memories of that green should still be fresh in your head since you could see it, just barely, at the tee box. The green is
defended by large bunkers and the green slopes dramatically at its edges.. Once on the green, there are several ridges
that we need to be conscience of as we attempt to read our greens. However, hopefully the caddie can add some
valuable assistance as we line up our putts.
Walking off the 3rd at The National, we head to the 4th at the same course. This hole is the famous Redan. Once again,
we can see a little bit of the top of the pin...but that is all. The front edge of the green blocks view of the green on this
wonderful mid-range par 3. We can elect to bump it into the front edge of this green and try to trickle it down or we can
shoot right for the pin. Either way, we will need come luck on our side as this hole is perhaps the most strategic par 3 the
game has ever seen.
Battered and bruised from the first four holes, we head to hole #5 at Cuscowilla. This time it is another short par 4.
Thank God, right? Wrong!!! Right from the start you have to make a key decision…be a hero or play it safe. You see
the green is only 305 yards away as the crow flies, but you have to carry the ball 250 uphill off the tee or be caught in a
NASTY waste bunker and staring down a double bogey. However, you could play to the right of the waste bunker and
play it safer. But either way you go you will have to deal with the severely shell-backed green that has led more than one
of my playing partners to exclaim, “THIS HOLE IS JUST NOT FAIR!!!!!”, as they chip right to the pin but down the other
side of the green again and again and again.
After finally holing out on the 5th, we find ourselves back on Long Island. This time it is Maidstone and we stand on the
6th hole at this magnificent links course. The hole starts out a bit mundane, but there is nothing mundane about this
green. Multiple shelves and layers add excitement not only to the putting, put also to the strategy on how to approach this
wonderful and subtle par 4.
Walking off the 6th, we find ourselves in Northwest Ohio…Toledo to be exact. We walk up a slight hill to an elevated tee
box that overlooks the 7th hole at the historic Inverness. The variety of options available on this 481 yard par 4 can be
overwhelming. You can go up the right or left or choose to bomb it down the middle. However, whatever you choose you
will have to carry the meandering creek that runs across this fairway and then up the right side. The green is elevated
with a couple of shelves to deal with and some severe slopes. As is atypical of Mr. Donald Ross’ designs this hole has no
bunkers. But to be frank, if it did the hole might be entirely unplayable.
The 8th hole brings us across the Atlantic to Muirfield, the home of the Honorary Company of Edinburgh Golfers. This
hole has history and some sharp teeth. Due to Walter Hagen trying to short cut the architects intent of the hole, trees
were added to cut off his short-cut. This leaves us with really only one decision off the tee, challenge the bunkers to the
right of the fairway or take the long way home down the fairway. Either way, we've got to deal with the cross bunkers just
short of the green. Great hole...great decisions.
Continue to the next hole...
