Some words about my design:
The course was inspired by courses like Pinehurst no 4 and Ekerum GK with my own twist.
Hole 1 - My idea was to have a slow start to the round but still have the hole be tricky enough to provide some first tee jitters. The left side green bunker is not meant to really threaten the approach from the middle of the fairway, but to pull some attention from the golfer to the left side of the green which is harder to hit.
Hole 2 - The elevation change to the green is meant to provide an added challenge to the choice of shot yardage. I've added a small "bump" at the front of the green to make it trickier to land it short, and to provide an extra challenge if the shot is placed at the wrong end of the green. The hole is open enough to let wind play a big part in shot selection off the tee.
Hole 3 - This hole design was inspired by many courses I have played in Sweden. Narrow, double dogleg, trees in the middle of the fairway. This hole is all about the first two shots. Can you place your tee shot where you have a gap to go for the green?
What is the wind direction? The wide part of the fairway can be hard to reach with the driver into wind.
Hole 4 - The turning of the fairway is closely followed by the waste bunkers. Can you hit it over the waste area to make the hole shorter? The greenside bunker is not very deep, but should make it harder to get a short putt for par.
Hole 5 - This hole is wide open. The green area looks big from the tee but don't be fooled. You need to be very precise to leave this hole with a score of par or better.
The fairway kicks away from the green, and the bunker plays harder than it looks.
Hole 6 - This is the longest hole on the course. From the tee and the length of the hole, the player may be thinking "grip it and rip it" is the obvious choice...
Play your shots and your yardages wisely to give yourself a short birdie putt.
Hole 7 - This is my favourite hole on this course. The bunker in the middle of the fairway may scare off a shorter shot from the tee (have an extra look in the yardage book). The two greenside bunkers provide an illusion that the green starts earlier than it does (they are only meant to protect the green from players who hit iron off the tee).
Hole 8 - The name of the hole "Sound Of A Bird" is made clear when the player is trying to focus and hears all the different types of birds in the trees next to the tee.
It may also add an extra thought into the players head, trying to leave the hole with a birdie...
Hole 9 - A sectioned fairway connected by a wooden bridge crossing the waste bunkers. It plays very narrow from the tee if the player is hitting driver. The raised green with the deep bunker may prove to be a big challenge.
Hole 10 - The name High And Low comes from the green not being being protected by a bunker. This may have the player thinking to run it onto the green with a low shot. Pay attention to the aggressive shaping of the fairway short of the green.
Hole 11 - This is one of the trickier holes on the course. The green plays much smaller than it looks. Use the shape of the land to your advantage. A par on this hole is a good result.
Hole 12 - Have an extra look towards the green before hitting your tee shot.
Hole 13 - A narrow fairway with a strong turn to the left. Pay attention to where you want your approach to be played from. A hidden bunker is in play if the player hits the wrong yardage on the approach. Is this the hole where your score starts to run away from you? Or the hole where you show off your greatness?
Hole 14 - This is meant to be the hardest par 4 on the course. It plays very long and has a tricky green surrounded by a big waste bunker area. Pick your approach wisely.
Hole 15 - This area died after a forest fire... but we tried to restore it as good as possible. A fairway sloping from left to right with a tree protecting the green from the left side. Pay attention to the slopes on the green before playing your approach.
Hole 16 - A long downhill par 5 with a fairway protected by many bunkers. A ball strikers dream, the wild golfer's worst nightmare.
Hole 17 - A very long par 3. The green is split into two parts by using a big slope from left to right. Be sure to hit your approach to the correct side. Landing it short of the green may be an option.
Hole 18 - The King Of The Forest is keeping his eyes on you. This hole is just as deadly as the moose who is watching your every move. Free beers to the group if one makes birdie. The restaurant/bar "Hole 19" is placed just steps from the 18th green.
I hope you guys enjoy playing my course, just as much as I enjoyed making it for you all. / Matt
