How to play Collicutt Siding Golf Club

How to score well on your first visit to a golf course

We have all said, “If I could play that golf course again I know I could score better,” and for most of us that is a very true statement. So, how do we score well on our first visit to a golf course? I feel it is important to keep the ball in play and not necessarily hit it as long as possible off the tee. If you are on a short par four, keep the driver in the bag and take a club that will get you to just inside the 150-yard marker. Sometimes a hybrid or long iron will get you there and increase the chances of keeping out of trouble.

Once you have achieved the goal of keeping it in play and just inside the 150 yard marker, take note of where the pin is located.  Assuming you don’t have a caddie with a lot of local knowledge, be smart about your approach shot. Do not necessarily go pin hunting, especially if it is a front, back or close to the edge placement. Aim for the middle of the green—perhaps it will end up close enough for a birdie opportunity. Otherwise, take the two-putt and move on.

Playing at Collicutt Siding Golf Club

When playing our signature Hole 6 (530-yard, par five with an island green) it is really important to understand where your limitations are and what you are looking to achieve—playing match play versus medal play. There is plenty of room off the tee, with an open fairway on both sides of the No. 6 fairway, but there is a very busy fairway bunker 250 yards off the tee on the right edge of the fairway.

If you are playing well and aggressively and there is a favorable wind, it is possible to get on in two and perhaps make an eagle, Tin Cup would try. To be honest, I have made and seen a lot more birdies from laying up to 100 yards. Hitting a three-wood or hybrid off the tee then a middle iron can get you to a comfortable lay-up position, allowing you to pin-seek and make that birdie.

Don’t let the fact that our divers pull over 10,000 balls out of that pond every year get into your mind.  Come out and play it for yourself. How will you play it?