Post by chipsthedog89 on Apr 30, 2021 18:28:51 GMT -5
Tucked away in the Hollywood hills, Hollywood National is a golden era classic that has long been a favourite amongst golfers and A-listers alike. Dating to 1929, this 7399 yard par 72 with narrow fairways and well-protected greens is host to the 2028 US Open.
Often lined with thick oak forests or sprawling scrub areas, Hollywood National puts a premium on accuracy off the tee. However, even after finding the fairway, the challenging and well-guarded green complexes force golfers to play with a great deal of creativity. Small bunkers, large slopes, and plentiful run-off chipping areas are the trademark of this gem. The greens themselves are slick, so a good touch is an absolute must. Plentiful birdie opportunities are offset by the ever-present threat of a large number, which is sure to make for some colourful scorecards.
Enjoy your round at Hollywood National!
imgur.com/a/fl5JUsb
First Hole – The opening hole begins in the shadow of the clubhouse and features a downhill tee shot into a gentle dogleg left. Golfers can tee off with a fairway wood to take trouble out of play, or a driver to leave a wedge into this fairly receptive green. Not a bad opportunity to start with a birdie provided you stay in position.
Second Hole – This shorter par four is one of the more deceptively tricky holes on the course. The fairway has two sections broken up by bunkers, and the hole location and risk tolerance should dictate your choice. Pin two is guarded by a central bunker, and pins three and four are guarded by a steep run-off long and right. Be very mindful with any approaches to the right side of the green, it has a tendency to deflect the ball into some unpleasant locations.
Third Hole – A welcome reprieve after the tricky second hole, this par five represents one of the easiest holes on the course. The hole is slight dogleg right, and a drive of approximately 300 yards should give golfers a good look at the green in two. The fairway is guarded by some bunkers on the left, and a large oak to obscure your view on the right, so positioning is key. The green is quite receptive to approaches, although the deep front bunkers can make for a tricky escape. The only way to make a big number on this hole is to send one or more shots into the front pond.
Fourth Hole – The par four fourth hole kindly asks golfers to return the birdie they picked up on hole three. Tucked away in the far corner of this property, the hole begins with a narrow and imposing straightaway tee shot between trees left and right. A solid drive should leave a mid-iron approach to a well-protected two-tier green. Missing right will open provide a more open look at the green, and some interesting short game options.
Fifth Hole – After taking your lumps on the fourth hole, the player must trudge up the hill to the tee of this perched par three. A wedge shot from an elevated tee, number five features the smallest green on the course well-guarded by bunkers and a steep drop off on the left. Precision is the name of the game here. The green itself is a pseud-redan, but a well struck wedge can still set the player up for a birdie. Enjoy the views before you make your way down to the sixth tee.
Sixth Hole – Another mid-length par four provides some visual intimidation with the gorge running along the left. A trio of bunkers will guard tee shots missed too far to the right, and players in them will find themselves with a long approach to the green. This green is very wide with three clear tiers left to right, and while open at the front is guarded by a large, deep bunker on the right. A birdie opportunity as the hole locations are all accessible with a good drive, but another chance at a large number if you’re out of position.
Seventh Hole – A long par three once again well-guarded by a series of bunkers. A knob in the back-middle of the green can funnel the ball towards (or away) from the intended target. Despite the length, this hole is fairly benign once you’re near the green, a par should be in the cards.
Eighth Hole – A blind tee shot can be an awkward look for golfers, as they are asked to peel a draw off the right bunkers or be in an awkward position approaching the green. A drive of 290-300 yards should get the golfer clear of the impeding trees and leave a ~250 yard look up the hill into this par five. Loosely inspired by the eighth at Augusta, missing left of this green can leave a challenging up-and-down from the series of high fairway moguls. A good birdie opportunity, but as is becoming a theme, staying in position is key.
Ninth Hole – The front nine ends with a shorter par four back towards clubhouse. The ideal approach would be to tee off with a fairway wood or long iron and remain level with the green, setting up a short iron or wedge approach. A couple large slopes, and a runoff long and right, are the primary defenses in this otherwise gettable par four. Finish the front nine strong.
Tenth Hole – The back nine begins with a long par five that runs parallel to the first hole and next to the driving range. While the fairway is wide, it is broken up with a large string of centre-line bunkers. Aiming right is the easier fairway to hit, but guarantees a three-shot hole. If the golfer challenges the tree-line on the left and finds the narrow sliver of fairway, a fairway wood can be used to approach this largest green on the course. The fairway is bisected by a creek, making the lay-up challenging especially for a tee ball that gets caught in the left hand trees. Aside from a large knob and some run-offs, the green itself is fairly tame and again presents a good birdie opportunity.
Eleventh Hole – Golfers who pick up shots at eight, nine, and ten have been known to give them all back at this very difficult par four. A sharp dogleg right, the tee shot is guarded long and right by a creek, and left by another string of bunkers. A great tee shot that challenges all of the water can leave a short iron to this very difficult green, but conservative golfers can often be faced with 200 yards for their approach. Guarded by bunkers short and run-off surrounding most of the rest, this green has several large slopes making even finding the right tier a challenge on approach. Water, bunkers, and heavily breaking putts. Take your par and run.
Twelfth Hole – The only driveable par four on the course, it is important for the golfer to be mindful of the hole location before setting on a strategy for the hole. The largest slope on the course divides the green, and another central bunker can swallow approaches. The lay-up area is generous, and there is a large pitching area long and right of the green which can be a sensible play in many conditions. Tip: Avoid the water left.
Thirteenth Hole – This links-inspired long par three will typically be a hybrid or fairway wood for most players, but a series of mounds and slopes and a modified punchbowl green make most hole locations surprisingly accessible. Avoid both of the large bunkers guarding the front of the green, and try not to three-putt if you’re out of position, and this represents another long par three that can play surprisingly easy and even provide a birdie opportunity.
Fourteenth Hole – The last par five on this course is fairly easily reachable in two with a good tee shot. If the golfer can split the staggered bunkers guarding the left and right sides of the fairway, there is a considerably chute that will carry the ball close to 350 yards off the tee. From there, golfers will have a long iron or fairway wood to a green that is once again well protected with bunkers and run-off chipping areas. This green is partially inspired by the third green at Augusta, so players must be careful to not be too aggressive with any long putts or pitches. Another good birdie opportunity before we turn back towards the homestretch.
Fifteenth Hole – A straightforward, uphill, mid-length par four. The first task will be to find the fairway that snakes around a trio of left bunkers, while avoiding going too far right to block out a view of the green. After a good drive, approaches will typically be a short iron or wedge, and golfers must be careful to not come up short and down the false front. Missing long is also challenging, as the green slopes hard from back to front, which overall just places a premium on distance control with the approach. No tricks with this hole, players in control of their ball will be rewarded.
Sixteenth Hole – Right from the tee, this shorter par four asks the player to make a big decision. A driver can cut off the entire corner and leave just a pitch to this uphill green. A fairway wood can challenge the corner of the sharp dogleg left and give a direct line, or a long iron can find a wider fairway and a mid-iron approach. The green is quite receptive, but once again places a premium on distance control due to a large false front, so being in the fairway or having a good lie in the rough is at a premium. Small bunkers left and back guard the green, but the primary defense is a series of small internal undulations and the aforementioned large false front.
Seventeenth Hole – The last par three on the course plays significantly downhill and has two distinct slopes on the green loosely inspired by number six at Augusta. Club selection is key to find the correct tier and set up a birdie opportunity. The primary defenses on this hole are two front bunkers, and a large fairway mound short and right. There is a waste area long of the green, but this shouldn’t be in play unless wildly mis-clubbing.
Eighteenth Hole – The final hole is a long, uphill par four that makes its way back to the clubhouse. Aiming over the two right bunkers off the tee opens up the best angle into another well-guarded greens. All the course hallmarks are there, a central bunker, steep false front, and ample pitching area makes for some creative up-and-down options. The main portion of the green is otherwise largely flat, meaning birdie is gettable to finish the round provided – once again – that the golfer is able to stay in po
Often lined with thick oak forests or sprawling scrub areas, Hollywood National puts a premium on accuracy off the tee. However, even after finding the fairway, the challenging and well-guarded green complexes force golfers to play with a great deal of creativity. Small bunkers, large slopes, and plentiful run-off chipping areas are the trademark of this gem. The greens themselves are slick, so a good touch is an absolute must. Plentiful birdie opportunities are offset by the ever-present threat of a large number, which is sure to make for some colourful scorecards.
Enjoy your round at Hollywood National!
imgur.com/a/fl5JUsb
First Hole – The opening hole begins in the shadow of the clubhouse and features a downhill tee shot into a gentle dogleg left. Golfers can tee off with a fairway wood to take trouble out of play, or a driver to leave a wedge into this fairly receptive green. Not a bad opportunity to start with a birdie provided you stay in position.
Second Hole – This shorter par four is one of the more deceptively tricky holes on the course. The fairway has two sections broken up by bunkers, and the hole location and risk tolerance should dictate your choice. Pin two is guarded by a central bunker, and pins three and four are guarded by a steep run-off long and right. Be very mindful with any approaches to the right side of the green, it has a tendency to deflect the ball into some unpleasant locations.
Third Hole – A welcome reprieve after the tricky second hole, this par five represents one of the easiest holes on the course. The hole is slight dogleg right, and a drive of approximately 300 yards should give golfers a good look at the green in two. The fairway is guarded by some bunkers on the left, and a large oak to obscure your view on the right, so positioning is key. The green is quite receptive to approaches, although the deep front bunkers can make for a tricky escape. The only way to make a big number on this hole is to send one or more shots into the front pond.
Fourth Hole – The par four fourth hole kindly asks golfers to return the birdie they picked up on hole three. Tucked away in the far corner of this property, the hole begins with a narrow and imposing straightaway tee shot between trees left and right. A solid drive should leave a mid-iron approach to a well-protected two-tier green. Missing right will open provide a more open look at the green, and some interesting short game options.
Fifth Hole – After taking your lumps on the fourth hole, the player must trudge up the hill to the tee of this perched par three. A wedge shot from an elevated tee, number five features the smallest green on the course well-guarded by bunkers and a steep drop off on the left. Precision is the name of the game here. The green itself is a pseud-redan, but a well struck wedge can still set the player up for a birdie. Enjoy the views before you make your way down to the sixth tee.
Sixth Hole – Another mid-length par four provides some visual intimidation with the gorge running along the left. A trio of bunkers will guard tee shots missed too far to the right, and players in them will find themselves with a long approach to the green. This green is very wide with three clear tiers left to right, and while open at the front is guarded by a large, deep bunker on the right. A birdie opportunity as the hole locations are all accessible with a good drive, but another chance at a large number if you’re out of position.
Seventh Hole – A long par three once again well-guarded by a series of bunkers. A knob in the back-middle of the green can funnel the ball towards (or away) from the intended target. Despite the length, this hole is fairly benign once you’re near the green, a par should be in the cards.
Eighth Hole – A blind tee shot can be an awkward look for golfers, as they are asked to peel a draw off the right bunkers or be in an awkward position approaching the green. A drive of 290-300 yards should get the golfer clear of the impeding trees and leave a ~250 yard look up the hill into this par five. Loosely inspired by the eighth at Augusta, missing left of this green can leave a challenging up-and-down from the series of high fairway moguls. A good birdie opportunity, but as is becoming a theme, staying in position is key.
Ninth Hole – The front nine ends with a shorter par four back towards clubhouse. The ideal approach would be to tee off with a fairway wood or long iron and remain level with the green, setting up a short iron or wedge approach. A couple large slopes, and a runoff long and right, are the primary defenses in this otherwise gettable par four. Finish the front nine strong.
Tenth Hole – The back nine begins with a long par five that runs parallel to the first hole and next to the driving range. While the fairway is wide, it is broken up with a large string of centre-line bunkers. Aiming right is the easier fairway to hit, but guarantees a three-shot hole. If the golfer challenges the tree-line on the left and finds the narrow sliver of fairway, a fairway wood can be used to approach this largest green on the course. The fairway is bisected by a creek, making the lay-up challenging especially for a tee ball that gets caught in the left hand trees. Aside from a large knob and some run-offs, the green itself is fairly tame and again presents a good birdie opportunity.
Eleventh Hole – Golfers who pick up shots at eight, nine, and ten have been known to give them all back at this very difficult par four. A sharp dogleg right, the tee shot is guarded long and right by a creek, and left by another string of bunkers. A great tee shot that challenges all of the water can leave a short iron to this very difficult green, but conservative golfers can often be faced with 200 yards for their approach. Guarded by bunkers short and run-off surrounding most of the rest, this green has several large slopes making even finding the right tier a challenge on approach. Water, bunkers, and heavily breaking putts. Take your par and run.
Twelfth Hole – The only driveable par four on the course, it is important for the golfer to be mindful of the hole location before setting on a strategy for the hole. The largest slope on the course divides the green, and another central bunker can swallow approaches. The lay-up area is generous, and there is a large pitching area long and right of the green which can be a sensible play in many conditions. Tip: Avoid the water left.
Thirteenth Hole – This links-inspired long par three will typically be a hybrid or fairway wood for most players, but a series of mounds and slopes and a modified punchbowl green make most hole locations surprisingly accessible. Avoid both of the large bunkers guarding the front of the green, and try not to three-putt if you’re out of position, and this represents another long par three that can play surprisingly easy and even provide a birdie opportunity.
Fourteenth Hole – The last par five on this course is fairly easily reachable in two with a good tee shot. If the golfer can split the staggered bunkers guarding the left and right sides of the fairway, there is a considerably chute that will carry the ball close to 350 yards off the tee. From there, golfers will have a long iron or fairway wood to a green that is once again well protected with bunkers and run-off chipping areas. This green is partially inspired by the third green at Augusta, so players must be careful to not be too aggressive with any long putts or pitches. Another good birdie opportunity before we turn back towards the homestretch.
Fifteenth Hole – A straightforward, uphill, mid-length par four. The first task will be to find the fairway that snakes around a trio of left bunkers, while avoiding going too far right to block out a view of the green. After a good drive, approaches will typically be a short iron or wedge, and golfers must be careful to not come up short and down the false front. Missing long is also challenging, as the green slopes hard from back to front, which overall just places a premium on distance control with the approach. No tricks with this hole, players in control of their ball will be rewarded.
Sixteenth Hole – Right from the tee, this shorter par four asks the player to make a big decision. A driver can cut off the entire corner and leave just a pitch to this uphill green. A fairway wood can challenge the corner of the sharp dogleg left and give a direct line, or a long iron can find a wider fairway and a mid-iron approach. The green is quite receptive, but once again places a premium on distance control due to a large false front, so being in the fairway or having a good lie in the rough is at a premium. Small bunkers left and back guard the green, but the primary defense is a series of small internal undulations and the aforementioned large false front.
Seventeenth Hole – The last par three on the course plays significantly downhill and has two distinct slopes on the green loosely inspired by number six at Augusta. Club selection is key to find the correct tier and set up a birdie opportunity. The primary defenses on this hole are two front bunkers, and a large fairway mound short and right. There is a waste area long of the green, but this shouldn’t be in play unless wildly mis-clubbing.
Eighteenth Hole – The final hole is a long, uphill par four that makes its way back to the clubhouse. Aiming over the two right bunkers off the tee opens up the best angle into another well-guarded greens. All the course hallmarks are there, a central bunker, steep false front, and ample pitching area makes for some creative up-and-down options. The main portion of the green is otherwise largely flat, meaning birdie is gettable to finish the round provided – once again – that the golfer is able to stay in po