[Hennybogan]

OK . . . I got a hole at my home course that is #1 or #2 handicap and its a short one but really tight. Dawgleg right with a pond on the right that snakes into the driving area about 230 or so out or so. The fairway slopes left. The pond makes the corner really tight. It can be tough a tough hole to bust a drive because there is OB all down the left side and a creek with trees and junk. So if you can carry the pond which runs away from you at the corner . . . you can go through the fairway. If you push it the carry gets longer. You can hit about any club you want from the tee. Even a 6 iron. But then you have a tough second from about 175 to 150 that plays a club longer. The green has flickdid slope on it and the pond comes in to play on the second shot more the farther you lay back on the fairway. It is a short hole but diabolical. If you don't hit it in the fairway . . fahgiddaboutdit. The if you don't get it close get ready to 3 jack. Hit it long you may hit it over the green back into the pond.

I can't figure out how to get it in play of the tee . . . it's got my mind all up in its clawz. Too much bad history at the hole.

Bucket,

First off, there was a post somewhere about a virus running around. I think I may have caught it. I had a long drive over the weekend and stopped for fried chicken twice. The doctor says there may be hope because I only had the three piece dinner.

Since this hole has caused some problems, we want to eliminate the big number, so the driver is out. We want to find the easiest tee shot that still gives you a chance on the hole.

You need to do a little recon. You want to go down to the landing area and find the widest spot that still leaves you a reasonable second. Much of the time, the area will look much larger when you are standing there than it does from the tee. You may find that you think, "I could never miss this area with a five iron." Then measure back to the tee. If you don't have a laser, you could step it or just hit multiple clubs off the tee in practice. You want to figure the club that gets you just into trouble and hit one less. Don't try to do anything fancy with the tee shot.

If you tee shot leaves you an 8, 7, or 6, you should be able to hit the green a high percentage of the time.

HB