The Course

Course Map • Rules • Players Perspective 
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A player’s perspective of Carlowden:

Hole #1.          A straightforward par 5 with out-of-bounds to the right.  Many have faded their initial tee shot “over the road” only to restart their round with their third stroke.  The green is protected by a sand trap and is difficult to hold, at times, as the grain goes front to back with only a little left-to-right slope.  Many choose to run up their approach shot by hitting short.  

Hole #2.          A relatively short par 3 with the smallest green on the course.  This devilish little green has a distinct left-to-right slope and grain.  A bogey can be a great score here.  

Hole #3.          This dogleg left, par 5 incorporates numerous man-made grass swales and hillocks.  After threading through these, one has a friendly, large green target that holds well as the slope favors the golfer.

Hole #4.          A more lengthy par 3 whose character is its green.  A narrow approach to the green is a bridge between two tricky grass swales.  Other swales are found by the unfortunate few who are either long or right of the green.  This bowl shaped green is exciting when the pin is toward the rim of the bowl, as the slope and grain make putts break 90 degrees.

Hole #5.           This par 4 has discouraged many as one stands on the tee.  The prevailing wind is in your face and the entire fairway is uphill.  The two-tiered green is protected by a formidable upswale that deposits approach shots, which are only inches short, to its base.

Hole #6.          The shortest par 3 is deceivingly dangerous.  A bunker in the front left and a severe downslope left and long make accuracy most important. A safe approach exists, however, on the right side short.

Hole #7.          The tee shot on this par 5 can take many forms.  Cutting off many yards by hitting driver from the tee means hitting over a wall of trees (for the men).  A safer route lengthens the hole but allows for safety and a birdie is still possible.  Study of this green and experience are a must. 

Hole #8.            This par 4 is the number one handicap hole for many reasons.  Similar to #5 in many ways it is also significantly longer and the green is more severe.  It is beautifully framed by trees, which do come into play, and being long here is suicide, as is being on the wrong tier.

Hole #9.          Again, like #7, one has a variety of tee shot options.  A driver will carry the creek and leave a half-wedge to another bowl-shaped green. A mid iron will leave a short iron.  The green is tilted slightly making putting breaks most severe.

Hole #10.          The new nine really starts here.  #10 is an uphill par 4 protected by severe grass swales in front of another two-tiered green.  This beautiful hole is framed by mature trees.

Hole #11.           This par 4 also offers distinct tee shot options.  The fairway narrows at the 100 yard mark with mature, unforgiving trees.  The largest green on the course offers a most inviting target.

Hole #12.          The infamous “double-dogleg” par 5 plays differently from each tee box.  A well-placed second shot over trees could lead to an eagle, but an errant shot means a lost ball.  Two well-placed irons will require only a wedge shot to the elevated green.  Real trouble exists left and long of this green.

Hole #13.          Again, tee shot options vary for this slight dogleg par 4.  Accuracy is a must as there is OB left and trees to the right.  The green offers an elusive target.  Many consider this hole a major stumbling block to a good round.

Hole #14.          A relatively short par 4 features a mound in the middle of the fairway and a few around the green.  A small pond on the right will swallow aggressive tee shots.  Aggressive approach shots will not stop on this green and the nearby woods behind the green will swallow them up.

Hole #15.          Arguably the most picturesque of all par 4s this slight dogleg right is well framed with tall trees.  Grass mounds and a sand trap guard the green to the left. Long is dead here also.  Short and/or right are safe.

Hole #16.          The most picturesque of all holes this par 3 offers challenge and beauty.  A combination of elevation, sand, water and tall trees make this a spectacular hole.  Pin placement here is the last, but not least, obstacle to par.  

Hole #17.          Back to the old course in order to finish, this short par 4 can help salvage a round.  It can also frustrate despite it’s simplicity.

Hole #18.            The finishing hole offers one last uphill challenge.  The grass swales in front are tame compared to the sand traps right and left of the green.  This diabolical green can produce four-putts or worse. Stay below this hole!  It’s slope and grain work in the same direction. Thankfully, the clubhouse is near.