Golf Special Report: Gary Player Country Club - Part 1
Gary Player Country Club will be hosting the 2010 NedBank Golf Challenge with four professionals from the Champion Tour and eight from European and the PGA Tour. The course is a delight in itself and is considered as the most beautiful venue in South Africa.
To find out about the treasures stored in it, here is the preview of the par-72 course:
First Hole
The first hole is stretched on 403 metres and is a warm welcome for the visitors. The par-4 is an easy start, but accuracy is a key feature here. A blind tee shot might end in a fairway bunker, thereby, a perfect mid iron is preferred over a driver to remain
safe. Reaching the green in two is possible, but for that, an excellent strategy is required.
Second Hole
Despite being a par-5, the 520-metre hole is an easy attempt. Once again, a free will tee shot can earn trouble as the fairway is surrounded by bunkers on the right and dogleg turn at the left. The approach to the green for a par is to hit
accurate shots aimed towards centre.
Third Hole
The 411-metres long hole is considered the premium par four on the course. It directs the tee shot to the tapered fairway, which is scary as there is a thick rough on both the sides. A miscalculated shot can roll into either of the two sides. Extreme pinpoint
accuracy is required on the green, as a missed shot can lead to a difficult recovery shot.
Fourth Hole
The 195 metres, is the opening par three of the course. The tee shot is a downhill frame from where the green is considerably visible. Distance control is required for the second shot or a short distant swing can lead the ball into the pond, whereas, a long
shot can plunge the ball on a hill.
Fifth Hole
The fifth hole has been lengthened to 449 metres; hence, it calls for a respectable tee shot. A new fairway bunker has been added on the left, which makes the fairway not-so-suitable for the third shot.
Sixth Hole
388 metres long, is the shortest par-4 on the course. Generally, players prefer using a long iron to reach the fairway, which is on the right of the fairway bunker. However, the shot which is not played with perfection can lead towards the left side of the
fairway where the green is invisible.
Seventh Hole
It is too long for a par-3 and that makes it a challenge for the players. The tee is on a lower angle, thereby, an uphill shot is required to reach the green. The slope makes it difficult to estimate the depth of the green, which might lead the ball into
the greenside bunker on the right.
Eighth Hole
It is the second last hole of the front nine and is stretched on 450 metres. The par-4 requires accuracy on the tee as a miscalculated shot can lead to the third shot aimed towards a hill. The green is guarded by side bunkers, which means that a ball has
a fair chance of rolling in one of them. Nothing is worse than par-4 eight which holds the record of fewer pars and many bogeys.
Ninth Hole
The last hole of front nine is the toughest on the course. The par-5 is a straight tee shot towards the fairway, but the green, which is guarded by a waterfall on the right and rocks on the left, can land a player in trouble. The approach to reach the green
in three is to keep the tee shot towards right and the third shot aimed towards sharp left.
To be continued in Part 2...
Tags: