Sorry this post is so long….
Sand Hills Golf Club was everything I head read about, and then some. I have to say that I was able to enjoy it with two GCA.com ‘ers (Mac Plumart, Eric Smith), and one former GCA.com ‘er (John Kavanaugh). What a great time. As much as they had played before meeting me at SH, they were very upbeat, gracious, welcoming, and fun to golf with. We had some laughs, talked golf and life, did a bit of beard pulling, and enjoyed each other’s company. What more can you ask for. And, before I get to the golf course, and as great as it is, I must mention the staff at SH. Everyone treated us so well, even though we weren’t playing with a member, and it was hard to believe that EVERYONE could be so nice and accommodating. That meant a lot.
We played in ideal weather the first day, with the morning round in almost dead calm. There was a light breeze in the afternoon, but not too bad. We played early the next morning and again had ideal weather. The course was firm, fast, but the greens were receptive and rolled very true. Conditions were ideal.
The course was everything it was cracked up to be. I had read so much, including all I could on GCA.com, and I was not disappointed. I think from the moment you come around the corner and near Ben’s Porch, you know you are in a special place. For me, however, the “size” and openness of the property did not awe me, for I see that almost daily where I live. It was the contrast between the sand hills, the expanse of the course, and the ribbons of green throughout the sand hills that struck me. As I drove to SH, I thought many times, how and where do you start on designing a course in this landscape, and that is why, perhaps, C and C first routed 136 holes on the property! I sat on the Porch and ran through most holes in my mind, and had fun trying to figure out which was which (as it looks much different at ground level as opposed to photos). Now, a little more about that golf course…
No. 1. Is, as most have said, a great opening hole. For our first round, we played the Square tee. The bunkers frame the shot, and allow for a couple of options. You can go over the left bunker, or try to go right of it, but that might bring in the right bunker. I loved that about the tee shot. Also, the second shot says “layup” but you really want to go for it. I layed up, and still didn’t have an easy shot to the tiered green. This is because of a the significant false front requiring a precise third shot. What a start to a great course.
No. 2. Fun tee shot, let’s you hit it where you want. We played the course with the pin in the upper right side, on a ridge. I first thought this green was a bit “goofy” but on playing it the second time decided it was in fact a great green. This green has a huge false front that will repel any poorly struck shot.
No. 3. Just a really tough par 3. Takes a good tee shot, but there are options here for hitting past the pin, and letting it come back (where a front pin) and for some interesting putts when a back pin. This green is huge, and can probably play 3 to 4 clubs different depending on pin placement.
No. 4. Just a tough, great par 4. The hole played fairly long on both days, and the second shot has to be precise, and for me that was with a long iron or a hybrid. You can’t get too cute with the shot and play it left, or you end of in that massive bunker. But, if you go too far right, it falls off the side leaving a difficult pitch. Requires two well struck shots, and I think it’s a great, world class, hole.
No. 5. A good hole from the square tees, as the bunker in the middle of the fairway isn’t really in play. A good tee shot leaves a short iron, to what appears to be a fairly straightforward green. It does, however, have a bit of movement to it, as a spine runs right down the middle and I never read a putt correctly on this green. From the back tee, the bunker surely is in play, and it appears the best option for coming into this green is from the left, however, we seemed to hit it from all over the fairway!
No. 6. Tough par 3 that plays same distance from both square/diamond tee. The huge mound in the middle of the green is definitely in play. Just hitting this green is not good enough, as the green has lots of slope and two putting will be difficult it out of position. A par is a good score on this one.
No. 7. The first of the two awesome back to back short par 4s. No matter what anyone said about not going into the front left bunker, I pulled it into the front left bunker!! I did escape with a par as I made a long put. I had asked at some point whether this was reachable with a big, high draw, and think it would take the biggest hitter and the most precise shot. I think the slope in the right front of the green would not allow it. A well placed tee shot still does, however, allow for a short iron into a small, well protected green. Great hole.
No. 8. Loved this hole and the bunker smack dab in front of the green. The first day we played the hole was cut right behind the green, maybe on about 5 paces. Made for some interesting second shots. Can be reached by the long hitters, but still not a guarantee of three.
No. 9. Tee shot can be played farther left than it appears from the tee, and this hole from Ben’s Porch looks much different than it does while even in the fairway. I didn’t think the huge “spine” in the middle of the fairway came into play, but this green was hard to hit. I had trouble with choosing the right club and holding this green. A shot to the left side that doesn’t stay on the green will roll quite a ways down the slope to the left.
No. 10. I like the tee shot and again, how it is framed by the bunkers both left and right. This hole has a collection area where most tee shots end up (I think, whether right or left side of fairway). The second shot can be played farther left than it appears, and most shots on the left side with find, or come close to finding, the green. If far enough down the fairway, the second shot is blind. The bunker on the right side is deep, so stay out of it. I liked this green quite a bit.
No. 11. Liked this hole for the options it presents off the tee. It screams layup, but there is so much slope on the right front off the green that it is better, IMHO, to be closer for a good second shot. Flirting with clearing the left bunker isn’t worth it, as shots in there may never be found! Definitely need an extra club or two to get up and over the front portion of the green. You are then faced with flattish, but somewhat quick from front to back, green!
No. 12. No 12 is a shorter par 4, with a second shot that must avoid the greenside bunker. We hit short irons into this hole, and with a good shot, you can find a birdie. But, No. 13 is a whole different story.
No. 13. What a tough, uphill par 3. Takes a very well struck shot to hold the green, and any ball that comes up short will roll back down the front. If the green is hit and held, then a two putt is manageable. But, this green takes a lot of club, and if any wind at all, a real beast!
No. 14. Very good par 5 with a wide landing area. None of us ever made the “bowl of accomplishment” but with a good drive, the green is reachable in two. A small green, however, with lots of back to front slope, and bunkers on both sides. You have to “miss” in the right spot on this hole, or making par may be very difficult. Long and right is just not good! I suggest finding a birdie here, as 15 is no bargain.
No. 15. Difficult, long par 4. Takes a very good tee shot, then a good second to hit this green. Even then, the putting surface seemed “mounded” and putting was difficult. I think for me, this was the second hardest hole on the course.
No. 16. Very cool par 5, and bunkers down the left dictate how much you can chew off. Take a chance, and have a shorter second, but it you don’t carry it the holes becomes much more difficult. I like how the layup here isn’t “easy” and you still have to pick the right spot. Small, sloping green that is manageable with a wedge. Any other iron will be tough to get it close (with a front pin, anyway).
No. 17. Loved this par 3. Danger left and right, but certainly a big enough green for a well struck shot. I love how the bunkers and vegetation “frame” this hole and in some ways help you set up for the shot.
No. 18. What a finisher. Love the view all the way up the hill to Ben’s Porch. The Windmill, and what a difficult hole. Even with a good drive, there is a long, uphill second shot. Then, the green is very sloped and a small false front must be carried. Just a beast of a hole, if you ask me. I think one of the hardest, but one of my favorites.
For our second round we played the Diamonds, and I really think that is where SH shines. I can’t explain it but it is just a better course from way back. Certainly not easier, but better. I have to think that C and C found the best holes from those back tees, then added upper tees. The flow, the way shots are set up and must be executed, and the overall feeling of standing at the back of one of the greatest courses in the world made that round extra special.
I’ve been asked what is my favorite hole, and that is difficult because SH, IMHO, simply has NO weaknesses. If I had to pick one, it would be No. 8. I just could play that hole all day long. Hardest for me is 18, but after every bogey I wanted to go at it again. Finally, if I had to put a number on it, it has to be a Doak 9 (at least). When can I go again???