A couple weeks ago, I had the great opportunity to watch the U.S. National Soccer Team hand Trinidad and Tobago a 3-0 defeat in Nashville. I drove back to Bowling Green, KY after the game.
So naturally, instead of driving up 65 to 71 to head back to Cincinnati, I traveled about 2 hours out of my way to play Dale Hollow and then drove 4 hours back to Cincinnati. I guess the smart thing would have been to play Olde Stone in Bowling Green. Maybe next time.
I took pictures of the entire course, where the zoysia fairways were still dormant. One thing my camera could not capture were the undulations of the greens. Lots of movement going on here and I could only imagine playing these in the summer time and not shortly after aeration.
I walked away very impressed, enjoying the back 9 much more than the front. Holes 12-15 have been described as a great stretch of golf, and I wouldn't disagree. I'm glad I took the opportunity to visit the course, but it beat me up.
I can post more pics of any one is interested, but I thought I'd start out with a couple.
#2, Par 4, 348 from the tips. The course starts out with two par 4s under 380 yards. Here, the golfer can play safe to the left, but might not have the best angle to the green. A play right brings lots of bunkers to play, but a shot hitting the fairway sets up a great opportunity for birdie.
#9, Par 4, 371 from the tips. This green and the one at #7 are pretty wild with the undulations. I didn't get a good picture of the green at 7, but I think this one from the back of the green looking down the hill at 9 shows just what the golfer deals with at Dale Hollow. The tee shot is pretty tight with bunkers on either side. There is a bunker about 40 yards from the green in front, forcing the player to go to the air on the second.
#12, Par 5, 618 from the tips. Downhill, dogleft left par 5 where the green is not visible from the elevated tee. The play is right side of the fairway on the tee shot and approach, but bunkers guard both. Anything left could end up in the rocks.
#13, Par 4, 462 from the tips. This one's a brute. A long, dogleg left par 4. The green is plenty long, but has many different tiers. My approach shot was just short of the green, so I had this fun chip up to the pin in the back right.
#14, Par 5, 528 from the tips. Lots of pictures get taken here. The bailout is left, but the golfer is left with a tough approach shot. The more the golfer chances to chew off the right, the more reward they are with a decent look at reaching the green in two.
The approach at 14
#15, Par 3, 194 from the tips. Doug Ralston has mentioned this hole as one of the best par 3s in Kentucky, if not the best. I've haven't played enough golf to make a statement like that, but I will say it's my favorite hole on a course with a lot of good ones. I liked how the architect left the all carry to the big hitters, but made tees on the right side of the green so the front tees require no forced carry. One of the most undulating of greens on a course of plenty of them. Great challenge.
