Post by jhs on Jul 19, 2021 8:15:13 GMT -5
Hi All,
I just released my third published course called Robyn's Run Country Club. I really appreciated WhatAboutAmeobi feedback from my second published course and tried to incorporate that into this course. I typed up a little bit about the course below. I'd love feedback and appreciate those who give it a play. I hope you won't be disappointed!
Robyn’s Run Country Club-
Recommended Settings: Greens: Fast to Very Fast
Winds: Players choice
Backstory: This was actually the first course I ever designed back in TGC2019. It was, admittedly, a disaster as I was new to the designer and all but I remember spending a ton of time on the routing and making good use of the land. I felt with my improved skills in the designer I could make this a great course. I know this version( which uses the same routing with some changes to the hole design) is a vastly improved version of the course. The course is named after my Niece who, just this year decided she “wanted to take up golf.”
Course description: This par 71 7,433 yard course is meant to resemble a classic US open type course with a country club feel. It should play like an authentic parkland golf course The course does not have much in the way of eye candy( although the clubhouse area and surrounding environment does for those who like that) Just good solid golf holes await those who tee it up here. The course features a great blend of holes. Real thought went into the number of doglegs and the direction they bend, the variety of shots required, the direction of the par 3’s and the blend of uphill and downhill shots. The result is, hopefully, a course that will challenge every shot the golfer may take on and reward those well hit shots while appropriately punishing the missed ones.
Hoel by hole
Hole 1- Par 4 435 yards
The first hole is a nice welcome to the overall feel of the course. The tee shot plays downhill to a fairly generous fairway. The ideal tee shot hug the bunkers on the left to get the best angle into the hole locations on the right. The green slopes right to left and has a false front so be sure to carry your ball into the middle of this green.
Hole 2- Par 3 183 yards
This uphill par 3 is one that is tricky. The player cannot miss left here as a steep slope will send the ball down and make a tough recovery. The proper shot here is a high fade that will land softly into the green which slopes right to left. Hole locations of the left side of this green can be gotten at as the ball will filter towards them. The green is protected by two bunkers, one short right and one long right- both of which are easy to recover from.
Hole 3- Par 4 322 yards
One of my favorite holes and one that changed a bit from the original version of this hole. A drivable par 4 under the proper conditions that requires some thought. Players can of course opt to lay up to a generous fairway that is protected on the left by two bunkers. Those wishing to go for the green can carry those two bunkers but will likely have to deal with a slope in the fairway to the right which can aid in getting the ball onto the green. A bunker short right of the green will likely catch any shot pushed to the right of the tee. A 4 bunker, bunker complex guards the extreme right side of the green and will create a mess for a poorly hit shot out to the right. The green here is a lot of fun. It has a false front and ridge that extends about a third of the way onto the green. Well played pitch shots into the slope will stop the ball around the cup. A definite birdie hole.
Hole 4- Par 5 555 yards
The first of the par 5’s is reachable under almost all conditions. The tee shot favors a fade off the tee and must avoid the 4 bunkers in the landing area. The second shot plays downhill to a green located in a valley. The green has a false right side and this slope will serve to throw balls away from the green into a low area. The green is fairly wide open and tempts the player to take on the challenge. Don’t miss this green over the back as getting up and down will be a real challenge.
Hole 5- Par 4 452 yards
One of the nicer looking par 4’s on the course, the 5th is also one of the most scorable. The tee shot is the most protected on the course with 7 bunkers awaiting a missed hit down hill tee shot. The ideal tee shot is just right of center as anything left of the fairway will result in a partially obscured by a ridge second shot. One bunker guards this interesting green. The green filters the ball towards the middle and back portion of the green. Birdies are very likely here with two well played shots.
Hole 6- Par 4 520 yards
After the easiest 3 hole stretch on the course, the player now faces a strong group of holes. The 6th is a real risk reward par 4. The fairway is blind to the players as the ridge on the right blocks the view of the safer route which does not take on the bunkers to the left. Those electing that route will face a very long second shot into the green. The proper shot is to take on the visible bunkers off the tee and try and cut off as much of the corner as you can with a draw. The second shot plays to a large green that is well guarded by water on the right. This green is relatively flat so it is possible to make putts here.
Hole 7- Par 4 511 yards
This is another tough hole. The fairway slopes towards the water and the proper tee shot is up the right side. Don’t get too greedy here as any tee shot hitting in the left third of the fairway runs the risk of kicking into the water. The second shot is one of the nicest on the course. The shot is guarded by water on the left and a small bunker. Players MUST keep their ball below the pin here. Take your par and move to the next.
Hole 8 Par 3- 203 yards
This hole plays to a green that is protected to the left by water which will only catch the most off line shots. The ridge to the right of the green provides a great spot to watch the action from. The green here slopes from front right to back left and will aid in the players quest to get the ball close. The bunker back right are not a good spot to be but this large green will tend to yield some close birdie putts.
Hole 9 Par 4- 439 yards
A real solid par 4 closes the front 9. The tee shot plays to a ample size fairway that is protected by some deep bunkers to the left and right. A valley short of the green and a strong uphill second shot to one of the smallest greens on the course means the player will have to be precise. The green is fairly flat but don’t miss short and left as your ball will roll back down the hill. Another hole that a par will make you happy!
Hole 10- Par 4- 352 yards
After a tough stretch of holes we reach the 10th hole which is very scorable. The downhill tee shot does not need to contend with the water right as the target bunkers provide the best aim point for the tee shots. The second shot will be a pitch to a wide green that is fairly sloped. This is definitely a great birdie chance!
Hole 11- Par 3- 227 yards
Probably the hardest of the par 3’s, the 11th is an all carry long par 3 of vintage US open caliber! The water should only catch the worst hit shots but the gaping bunkers short forces the players to carry the ball onto the green. A grass bunker to the right of the green will catch those shots missed right. The significant slope on the back of this green can be used to get the ball close to many of the pins. This hole looks really tough from the tee but birdies are not out of the question.
Hole 12- Par 4- 444 yards
This is another favorite hole of mine. This dogleg right forces the player to play close to the bunkers on the right of the fairway as the fairway slopes opposite the dogleg. A well hit tee shot will stay in the fairway but you must know your line off this tee. Your second shot will be played from the left side of the fairway with a short iron over a cluster of 3 bunkers. This green is also a fun one as the ball will filter towards the hole locations on the left side. This hole is another birdie chance but requires two well played shots and will appropriately punish those who miss hit any of the shots.
Hole 13- Par 5- 524 yards
The shortest of the par 5’s could play as a par 4 under true US open conditions. The tee shot plays to an angled fairway and players who chew off more of the dogleg will be rewarded. The second shot plays all uphill to a tiny green guarded by several bunkers. This green is flat and should yield some good looks. Eagles and birdies should abound here as this hole, if played as a par 5, will be fairly straightforward.
Hole 14- Par 5- 653 yards
Another really nice hole, this one begins with the most downhill tee shot on the course! The tee shot favors a draw as the fairway angle that way. A creek to the right of the fairway will catch those balls hit without concern for the line. The 4 bunkers left of the fairway provide just enough of a thought that the player will again have to choose the line off the tee. As this is a true 3 shot hole the player will now be left with a choice. The second shot can either be played to the fairway just short of the lake on the right or, a real bold player can try and go over the bunker on the left of the lake down to the second fairway. The conservative play out to the right will leave a third shot over water to a small green. The green is sloped towards the water on the right but will yield a good birdie chance.
Hole 15- Par 4 - 516 yards
From the furthest point away from the clubhouse, the long trek back home begins with this stout par 4. The tee shot is beautifully situated into a subtle uphill right to left sloping fairway with 3 bunkers to the right and one deep bunker to the left waiting to catch a missed tee shot. The ideal line is up the right side to allow for the best angle into the green. The second shot plays downhill to a punchbowl green. The 4 bunkers short are there to frame the hole and a wise player will just carry them. Shots that land short of this green will roll on and could leave a nice birdie putt. This hole looks tough but is a scorable par 4.
Hole 16- Par 4- 436 yards
Possibly my favorite hole on the course, the 16th is a mid length par 4 with water guarding the inside of this dogleg left. Players need not carry the water and may elect to layup to the right. Those who elect that route will need to contend with the 3 bunkers right of this fairway. The second shot is one in which everything just came together. The 3 bunkers on the right of the green sit nicely and will catch a miss hit shot. The main challenge here is the green which has two distinct sections cut in two by a distinct tier. It’s a real birdie chance is two well played shots are strung together!
Hole 17- Par 3- 166 yards
Hole 17 is a short par 3 that has an “infinity” look to the green. The green is the ultimate challenge and the most slopped on the course. A false front will catch any shot hit short and the 4 bunkers left and long of this green should be avoided. The player can bail out short and right and that will allow for a pretty easy up and down.
Hole 18- Par 4- 493 yards
The toughest tee shot on the course awaits the player on this closing hole. Two bunkers to the right side and water left of this fairway mean you must hit it straight. Players who bail out off the tee will need to contend with two central bunkers down the fairway if they miss the fairway. Those who hug the water will be rewarded with the best angle into this huge green that is divided by a ridge through the center. This ridge can either be your friend or your enemy as it can be used to move shots close to pins on the left side of this hole. This closer will leave you with either the feeling of great accomplishment, or a sense of frustration as you make your way back to the clubhouse!