After an absolutely brutal winter – yes northern friends, it
sucked down south as well – I think we’ve finally turned the corner and will
have steady heat and prolonged sunshine for the next few months. That can only
mean one thing: golf season is officially here.
For readers in and around the Statesboro area, you might
soon be making your first trip to Georgia Southern’s new track. The
course opened up in October, but – since many of us are sane and don’t try to
golf when it’s 50 or below – many area golfers are just now getting their first
crack at what is a pretty challenging 18 holes of play.
Seeing as how the course underwent a complete overhaul from
its previous existence as Southern Links, one of my only complaints about the
course is the lack of some sort of strategy guide. With fast, undulating
greens, tons of deep bunkers, and water on two-thirds of the holes, it would be
great for people to have some crib notes on how to attack the course.
But there’s also a bit of a challenge to laying out such a
battle plan. I’ve played plenty of nice courses that offer tips on the
scorecard. Some even have a GPS screen on the cart that will help you
strategize given your location. That’s all well and good, but – without fail –
every one of these guides I have come across has tailored its advice to the
abilities of a pro-level golfer, of which I rarely see whilst hacking my way to
a gentleman’s 92 at a random public course.
Now I’m gong to do the GSU course a favor. No… Two favors.
After playing the course a handful of times and shooting both good scores and
embarrassingly bad ones, I’m here to offer up some tips for the best and the
worst of us.
So dust off the clubs, put a few sleeves of balls in the
bag, and get ready to experience 18 holes of fun at Georgia Southern University
Golf Course at University Park.
Hole distances listed from both White and Navy tees. All other distances
(probably poorly) estimated. Perceived ease or difficulty of some holes heavily
influenced by my own glorious triumphs and/or tears of unfathomable sadness.
No. 1
Par 5
488/527
Good Golfer
I’ve always enjoyed opening with a par 5. As a sometimes
straight and usually long driver of the ball, there’s nothing like a par 5 to
potentially jump start a good round with a birdie or par. Trees line both sides
of a wide fairway, with a pond short and right off the tee box that won’t
factor into play. Much more threatening is a fairway bunker at the corner of
the slight dogleg right. The bunker is a long ways from the tips, but is
reachable from closer tees and makes reaching the green in two out of the
question if you should find yourself in it. Shorter hitters can still create a
great birdie opportunity with a straight drive and a solid second shot short of
the green. The approach requires accuracy as bunkers and steep slopes make a
missed green a very tough par save.
Bad Golfer
Hey. Remember how you read the ‘Good Golfer’ post first? (I
know you did. It’s good to have goals and dreams) Anyways. Remember how that
pond off the first tee isn’t in play? Well it is for you. It’s a cruel joke
played by the groundskeeper. It literally couldn’t be in a more perfect spot
for the weak right-handed slice that so many golfers battle. The good news is
that the rest of the hole is still quite manageable. Even a water ball can
still be turned into an acceptable score for a high handicapper.
No. 2
Par 4
367/396
Good Golfer
As inviting as No. 1 is, the second hole throws you into a
challenge that is far more representative of the day you’re in for. The fairway
isn’t as inviting as the first hole and tee shots breaching the tree line on
either side will likely be unplayable, if not lost forever. Another fairway
bunker challenges drives up the right side, but favoring that side of the
fairway provides the optimal angle for run-up shots into a very undulating
green.
Bad Golfer
The tee at No. 2 provides plenty of great views. That will
come in hand as a fun distraction while you and your playing partners spray
plenty of unplayable tee shots into a fairway that is harder to hit than it
seems. Things get no easier after that as a slight uphill approach will likely
end in discovering greenside bunkers. Be careful in blasting out of these
traps. Solid contact is what you’re usually lacking, but if you accidentally find
it out of a bunker, you’ll likely be in a backyard somewhere.
No. 3
Par 4
327/368
Good Golfer
A classic risk/reward hole. Three fairway bunkers begin on
the right side and jut out into the middle of the hole’s natural path. End up
in any of them and you can pretty much eliminate any birdie (and most par)
thoughts. A fairway wood or hybrid tee shot just left of the middle bunker will
still be plenty to leave a short – but uphill – approach. No. 3 is the first of
many holes where knowledge of pin placement is crucial. The two fall-lines that
separate the green’s three tiers are both extreme and ending up on the wrong
level can easily lead to a three-putt or worse.
Bad Golfer
For the second consecutive hole, there aren’t any inviting
places to aim a tee shot. In addition to the fairway bunkers, OB
guards the right side. Short and left is safe, but also lengthens the hole
considerably. It really doesn’t matter how you get yourself to the green. Given
the severe breaks and the ability to turn a 3-fott putt into an ensuing
12-footter, it’s entirely likely that you’ll register more putts than full
shots on this hole.
No. 4
Par 3
132/157
Good Golfer
The first short hole on the course – under the right
conditions – is a prime candidate for a birdie. No matter what tees you’re
playing from, a 40-foot drop from tee to green will require no more than a
9-iron or wedge to reach. Even shots landing short are helped by a hardpan in
front of the green that will funnel high shots onto the putting surface. The
one defense of this hole is a windy day. Tall pines on three sides of the tee
box might minimize effects of any wind, but the elevated tee also ensures that
all tee shots will rise above the trees and be subjected to unforeseen gusts.
Bad Golfer
Two brutal tee shots give way to a friendly one as even
miss-hits should be able to bounce downhill toward the green. The course’s
generosity continues at this green is larger and flatter than most you’ll see
all day. It’s entirely possible that a bad tee shot and an iffy chip could
still lead to par. If that happens, you’ll probably have the urge to call it a
day and end on a good note. Bad news. You’re now a good half-mile from the
clubhouse. Might as well keep on grinding.
No. 5
Par 4
340/387
Good Golfer
The top-rated handicap hole on the course doesn’t offer many
options to even the most skilled golfers. Another downhill tee shot requires a
carry of at least 200-ish yards to clear a pond that is fed by a stream which
continues further up the hole along the right side. The water again branches
out into a wide hazard at about 260 yards and will prevent big hitters from
going with the driver off of the tee. The landing area of the fairway is
completely boxed in by OB running all the way
up the left side. A well-placed tee shot is only half the battle as the
approach shot must be played over the second pond while also carrying a large
upslope to an elevated green with a false front. Another challenging green with
many subtle breaks makes every shot on this hole a thought-provoking one.
Bad Golfer
Upon reaching the tee to No. 5, take two balls out of your
bag and mail them to the blog. (Pre-paid return boxes delivered upon
request!!!) since you’ll just lose them forever if you try to challenge any of
the obstacles impeding your first shot. Go ahead and just walk up to the edge
of the first pond and fire away. While the landing area just over the second
pond does nothing for birdie and par seekers, this is a solid bailout spot
since a 200-plus yard shot, uphill and with bunkers, slopes, and water
everywhere, isn’t really in your bag of tricks. If you do better than a bogey
on this hole, go ahead and save the scorecard.
No. 6
Par 4
317/377
Good Golfer
The toughest hole on the course gives way to a much more
manageable one with this short par 4. Well… it’s manageable so long as you get
off the tee. A huge lake runs the entirety of the left side of the hole with
little rough to slow shots rolling close to the water. Trees and OB also line the right side, but both can be avoided
without too much trouble by a straight drive. Just about any ball in the
fairway provides a good look at the green. Water juts into the fairway short
and left of the green and a bunker lies just beyond the water. Any pin tucked
behind those two hazards is difficult to shoot at, but the center and right
portions of the green are relatively easy approaches and the green itself
doesn’t have many treacherous putts in it.
Bad Golfer
This tee shot seems intimidating, yet doable. No one likes
seeing so much water and so many trees lined up in the general direction of
where they’ll be hitting, but the fairway is reasonably wide. So account for
your slice, aim halfway out into the lake – and promptly hit the
always-unexpected straight ball. It’s cool. We’ve all been there. The bonus is
that those straight balls, while never retrievable, are always long and
majestic. A couple of punch shots and a decent putt or two can still save you
from total disaster on this hole.
No. 7
Par 3
182/220
Good Golfer
The longest par 3 on the course provides a big challenge for
even good golfers if they don’t have the ability to hit high and soft
approaches with their long irons or hybrids. The lake from No. 6 isn’t a threat
just in front of the tee box, but any shots falling short and left are in
danger of finding the drink and forcing a very difficult shot from the drop
zone. Missing right of the green is also potentially disastrous as a tall oak prevents
high pitch shots into a two-tiered green. Even for accomplished golfers, par should
be celebrated on this hole.
Bad Golfers
All things considered, it might not be the worst idea to
pull driver and try to blast past all of the danger (and the green) on this
hole. Elevation changes and tough bunkering over the first six holes have already
proven that even your short game is susceptible to this course. With a green
sloping from back to front, a long tee shot isn’t going to make a great score
likely, but on such a long par 3 with so many perils lying in wait, it’s the
safest way to make sure you aren’t just reaching the green on your sixth shot.
No. 8
Par 4
326/381
Good Golfers
This hole has potential birdies and pars within it, but will
only give them up with critical thinking and great execution on the first two
shots. The large lake runs up the left side and turns the green on this hole
into a peninsula. Long hitters can carry the lake from shorter tees. From the
tips, clearing the water is still possible, but holding the green or the
fairway short of it – which runs at a perpendicular angle to the tee box – is
very unlikely. For good bunker players, a trap just right of the green is a
good target that can lead to a sand-save birdie. Shorter hitters have many more
things to consider. Any drive over 220 or so can run through a fairway that
takes a 90-degree left turn towards the green. Anyone aiming at the corner of
the dogleg created by the lake is also at risk of bouncing into a drainage
ditch of rocks and water that splits the fairway about 100 yards short of the
green. For long and risky golfers, a birdie and a double bogey are equally
likely.
Bad Golfer
This hole seems to be a perfect storm. You learned your
lesson on No. 6 with that straight ball right into the lake. Now, the same lake
again guards the left side and you have a great view of your previous demise on
the sixth hole. You take dead aim toward the dogleg in anticipation of having
figured out this game and hitting another straight drive – and promptly slice
it into the mounds on the right side. It’s not so bad, all things considered.
You’re still high and dry. But the lake is still in play and numerous swales on
the right side of the green are still presenting big challenges for a wayward
approach. The best bet might be to hit your drive, then use nothing but wedges
and a putter on your way in to minimize water balls.
No. 9
Par 5
460/504
Good Golfer
Similar to the opening hole of the day, the ninth is a
short-ish par 5 that can lend itself to some low scores. A decently wide
fairway opens itself up to swinging from the heels for a big drive and – while
a bit uphill – the second shot holds the possibility of finding the green even
from the back tees. A wayward shot can be recovered from without too much
creativity so long as it doesn’t come to rest in front of one of the dozens of
pine trees up both sides of the fairway. The real teeth of this hole are in the
putting surface. Much like No. 3, there are three distinct levels of the green
falling from back to front. A knob on the tiny back-left corner of the green is
an even higher fourth tier if the greenskeeper is in an especially bad mood. Getting
on the green in regulation isn’t the tricky part. The key is getting to the
back nine in the fewest putts possible.
Bad Golfer
For the first time in an hour or so, you can really swing
free and easy with the driver off of the tee. Wide enough left will leave you
in the first fairway with plenty of windows to punch back onto No. 9. If you go
way right, just walk until you find a similar heavy slice from the driving
range and trade for the first ball you stumble across. As you near the green,
it’s very important to think a bit more critically than high handicappers are
used to. The green is a challenge for even great golfers and can be an absolute
nightmare for one who isn’t adept with the flat stick. It’s almost better to
chip up to/around the green until you reach the desired tier than it is to
attempt to putt up or down any of the devastatingly steep ridges.
No. 10
Par 4
313/342
Good Golfers
Much like the first hole, No. 10 eases you into things and
can be a great scoring opportunity. Distance and control on a blind drive are
crucial as too much length off the tee can run through the fairway (and
possibly OB) while a shot leaking to the left
will find a huge cross bunker. A fairway wood off the tee is plenty to still
ensure a short wedge shot into the good-sized green. Distance control on the
approach is again important as a large ridge in the middle of the green can
easily turn a potential birdie opportunity into a scramble for par.
Bad Golfers
Great news…. After looking at every possible angle, there is
no good reason why you should be able to lose a ball off the tee at No. 10.
There is rough to the left, the aforementioned bunker far ahead, and dozens of
innocent cars parked off to the right, but you should definitely be able to
play your second shot a good ways away from the tee. If your tee shot doesn’t
hit the large bunker, it should be much easier to avoid with your next shot.
But you’ll probably manage to get intimidated and bounce one in there anyways.
It’s OK. Lots of us could use a good workout and raking an acre’s worth of sand
is a great start.
No. 11
Par 5
501/537
Good Golfers
A rolling dogleg left makes up the course’s longest hole.
The fairway provides plenty of room on a slightly uphill tee shot, but water
guards the inside of the dogleg while OB hangs
on the right along with a pair of bunkers at the top of the hill. Reaching the
green in two is possible only for long hitters. Lay up shots have plenty to aim
for, but the optimal placement is on the left side of the fairway as a large
tree 75 yards short of the green blocks many approach angles from the right
side. This hole is rather straightforward and still holds birdie opportunities,
but one bad shot here can lead to more lost strokes than on other par 5’s.
Bad Golfers
Much like the drive on No. 2, this tee shot is deceptively
hard. Decently straight hitters shouldn’t have too much of an issue, but those
fighting any sort of constant slice or hook will be intimidated by the
narrowest driving chute on the course and immediately overcorrect whatever they
perceive to be their problem. Second shots for high handicappers should be
uncomplicated as it takes a lot of loft and distance to find much trouble once
you make it to the top of the hill. You may well make it to the green in a
decent amount of strokes, but a huge putting complex with many ridges and
valleys can still pose plenty of problems.
No. 12
Par 3
159/184
Good Golfers
One of the most aesthetically pleasing holes at GSU serves
as the first par 3 on the back nine. A small pond in between tee and green
shouldn’t serve as a threat and a wide green is also deep enough to hold even
low iron shots coming in. The green isn’t the most difficult to hit, but missing
it can carry steep penalties. A sharp slope and deep bunkers guard the front of
the green while shots missing to the right can run towards the tree line and
those to the left can end up with a tight lie. Players should aim to simply get
on the putting surface and look for a two-putt par.
Bad Golfers
The scenery that good golfers enjoy is a disaster waiting to
happen for the shakier ball strikers out there. Despite the decent depth of the
green, the hill leading up to the green complex keeps you from seeing much of
it. Because of this, prepare to overswing – hitting behind the ball and
depositing another ball into the pond that the ‘Good Golfer’ in front of you
wasn’t even concerned with. From there, it’s (literally) an uphill struggle as
you try to pitch up onto the green. Make sure to rake the greenside bunker… for
all three of those shots from the sand.
No. 13
Par 4
378-440
Good Golfer
One of the least defended holes on the course is a bit long
from the tips, but can still surrender low scores. Driving accuracy is once
again key as heavy woods run the length of the left side and OB
borders the right. Yet – as is common at GSU – there is enough width to the
fairway to forgive tee shots that are only slightly off-center. The green is
also rather docile, offering no huge knobs or ridges to contend with. The only
real place for the flagstick to hide is directly behind a shallow bunker
guarding the front right side of the green.
Bad Golfers
This is a great hole to work on your social interactions. If
you suffer from that all-so-common right-handed slice, your first and second
(and possibly third, fourth, and so-on) shots are in imminent danger of ending
up in a back yard. We don’t recommend that you play that shot (it’s OB), but there are plenty of friendly dogs and homeowners
that can take pity on you and let you pillage their property to reclaim your
ball. After all, we’re getting late in the round and you only brought so much
ammo.
No. 14
Par 4
404/427
Good Golfers
Just as the round starts to wind down, the par 4’s begin to
show a lot more fight. A semi-blind tee shot awaits at No. 14 and will require
a slight fade for righties to work around a large dogleg right unless you want
to take the straight route and challenge a large pond on the right side with
tall pines guarding the reemergence of dry land. Any drives missing left or
powering through the dogleg might find short grass near the fairway on No. 10,
but the next shot will be blocked by several trees. The green slopes a good bit
from back to front, but has no big ridges and can give you a fighting chance on
longer putts.
Bad Golfers
Give your driver a break and go with the hand wedge for a
few shots. Anything without solid distance and good direction spells doom off
the tee on this hole. You could hit your first one into the pond and hope that
your next drive or two finds better results. On the other hand, three or four
solid throws will get you past the pond and headed downhill towards the green.
Watch out for the right side of the green. There isn’t much room to miss and
you could potentially find Golf Club Rd. Not to worry though. The Constitution
clearly states that oncoming traffic must yield to people playing foolish pitch
shots from the middle of a two-lane road.
No. 15
Par 5
451/507
Good Golfer
A wide open fairway invites everyone to let it ride on the
final par 5 of the day. OB exists in the form
of backyards on both sides of the fairway, but only severely mishit shots will
stray that far offline. Even from the tips, this green is reachable in two. But
no matter how big of a drive you hit, the same problem presents itself in the
form of a 50-yard wide lake just a few yards in front of a slightly elevated
green. For those confident enough to clear the water with their second shot,
even a missed green can catch a good lie and turn into an up-and-down birdie.
Those laying up can also get into the hole in four strokes as a short third
shot approach will be received by a large green.
Bad Golfer
There are more opportunities to test the structural
integrity of local housing on this hole, but the vast majority of drives should
stay in play. When approaching your second shot, take a good hard look at the
green some 200-odd-yards away. Know that professionals wouldn’t even consider
the water hazard before peppering the green with lawn darts. Ponder the fact
that this is what they call ‘golfing’ and wonder if what you’re currently doing
still qualifies as the same. Now, take out your fairway wood and crush one that
falls short into the water. Sure, you lose a ball and a stroke. But you got it
about 90 percent as far as a pro would have. Embrace that confidence. Try not
to let the 8 you put down on the scorecard affect that confidence.
No. 16
Par 3
167/197
Good Golfer
Any solid round is about to get a run for its money as a
brutal three-hole stretch rounds out your day. This hefty par 3 is under 200
yards, but plays 20 feet uphill and often straight into a prevailing wind. Deep
bunkers and steep slopes combine with a two-tiered green to punish any tee shot
that can’t find the putting surface. Given the length of the hole, pin
placements near the back of the green are a bit easier to fire at, but simply
hitting the green and walking away with par is a solid strategy.
Bad Golfer
It might be best to just think of this hole as a really
short par 4. Sure, there isn’t any fairway to speak of, but staring down three
greenside bunkers on a long uphill shot is too much to concern yourself with.
Pick the right club for your distance and swing away. With any luck, your
particular brand of malady will show itself and safely steer your ball away
from the green and all the perils that surround it. From there, just worry
about getting onto whichever portion of the green looks the most inviting and
figure out the tricky breaks after your first putt or two.
No. 17
Par 4
401/450
Good Golfer
A long par 4 with plenty of potential pitfalls serves as the
penultimate hole on the course. No. 17’s length is partially negated by a
downhill drive, but the initially wide fairway eventually narrows and can send
right-leaning shots bounding into rough or – for long hitters – headed straight
towards another lake. The fairway continues to narrow as it approaches the
green, which breaks away from the fairway at a 45-degree angle. A shot from the
left side of the fairway can get to the green without crossing over water, but
the slope of the fairway makes that sort of tee shot placement very difficult.
A run-up shot towards the left side of the green is optimal as it takes water
out of the equation and can use the landscape to run towards the center of the
green.
Bad Golfers
Your round might already be shot, but here’s a chance to
have some fun! Once again, there are plenty of houses lining the left and right
sides of this fairway. One of those houses belongs to a personal friend of this
blog. If you can shank your drive into his backyard, catch his attention, and
bring up this blog, you’re entitled to one drink of your choosing from out of
his refrigerator. From there, it’s best not to challenge the water running up
the right side as you approach the green. Get to the left of the fairway if you
can’t make it to the green with your second shot and give yourself a
straightforward chip or pitch to the pin. After finishing, if you’ve correctly
identified the house of our friend, feel free to tee up your ball and send him
a souvenir to thank him for the free drink. Actually… Don’t do that. Because
you’re in the ‘Bad Golfer’ category, and aiming at that particular house would
likely endanger every other house on the block.
No. 18
Par 4
394/449
Good Golfers
A solid round will get one more stiff test as you attack the
final hole on the course. There is another forgivingly wide fairway to aim for
off the tee, but long hitters must beware of that pond from way back on No. 1
as it creeps in off the right side. The water shies away well before the green,
taking some of the danger out of the approach, but birdie seekers will have to
put their second shot on the right level of a two-tiered green with a drastic ridge
running from back-left to front-right.
Bad Golfers
Last hole of the day. Can’t hold anything back. Alright… Now
that you’ve overswung and topped your tee shot into the wasteland just past the
tee box, just tee another one up. You might see your ball, but it’s better to
pick it up later than to contest with mud and tough grass while trying to play
out of it. Once getting your ball into the fairway, a poetic end to your day is
likely as the pond you shanked into on No. 1 awaits a poorly struck approach on
this final hole. Stare down your enemy, learn from your previous mistakes, and
wisely hook one into the cart barn up the left side. Thank the employees there
for your day of enjoyment on the links before punching up to the green and
mercifully ending your day.
