The Spartan Battle Mar 24 - 29 Course: Greek Isles Par: 73 Rounds: 4 Difficulty: 10/10: Measuring at over 8000 metres, this is the longest course on the ROOZ Tour. Birdies are extremely hard to come by as you’ll be attacking greens with long irons and fairway woods instead of the usual wedge or short iron. There are no Par 3’s under 200m, no Par 4’s under 400m and there are a handful of 600m+ Par 5’s. Trouble lurks on every hole on this course and you’ll need to play at your best to be even near under par. Predicted Winning Score: -5 Greek Isles is another historic fantasy course that first appeared in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005. Whilst it wasn’t the most crazy in terms of design, from the special Tiger Tees the course became a monster. For this tournament you’ll have to deal with some of the longest holes you’ll ever play, including some that are flat out unreachable in regulation. The signature hole the 13th, an insanely difficult Par 3 over a waterfall with no room for error.
Greek Isles Front 9 Hole 1: Par 4, 409m, HCP 4 The opening hole immediately presents danger off the tee. You’ll need to squeeze the drive between the trees to find the fairway which slopes off in all directions. The approach is all uphill so take an extra club. The green is protected by a pond and two bunkers and slopes severely from back to front. Hole 2: Par 5, 591m, HCP 12 The second is a long downhill Par 5 laid along the beachfront. You probably wont be able to reach the green in two so it’s best to lay up to the isolated fairway to leave a short iron into a shallow island green that is fairly flat. This is is a birdie hole without doubt if you can avoid the sand and water. Hole 3: Par 4, 509m, HCP 2 This is the first of what can be considered to be many of Greek Isles unfair holes. This dogleg left Par 4 is almost unreachable in regulation unless you hit two perfect shots with a massive drive and a sharp 3 wood draw. The safe play is to keep your ball in the fairway and treat it like a Par 5. The green is massive and slopes front to back, but it is one of the easier greens on the course. Don’t beat yourself up if you walk away with a bogey here. Hole 4: Par 3, 202m, HCP 14 Even at 202m, this is unbelievably the shortest hole on the course. It’s all carry with a long iron over the ocean to an elevated green that slopes away from you at almost every conceivable angle. Use the back stop to your advantage if the pin is tucked left. Hole 5: Par 5, 581m, HCP 18 The 5th is the last oceanside hole on the front nine. This long Par 5 will take 2 very good shots to create an eagle chance, but it’s not worth it if the pin is at the back. Draw the ball and lay up with your second to setup an easy up and down for birdie. This is comfortably the course’s easiest hole but it can still cause you many problems if you aren’t careful. Hole 6: Par 4, 485m, HCP 10 Number 6 is another tricky Par 4 that forces you to go aggressive if you want to reach this green in regulation. Avoid the large fairway splitting bunker at all costs, to setup a blind approach over the hill to an elevated green. It’s a very risky shot as missing the green is miserable, you’ll have an extremely difficulty up and down regardless of lie. This is an easy Par if you decide to lay up, as the green is relatively flat. Hole 7: Par 4, 501m, HCP 6 This is a comically long Par 4 that plays like a 5. You must avoid the fairway bunkers but thread the needle if you want a birdie. The green is receptive to a fairway wood approach so don’t be afraid to let it rip. However two bunkers protect from the awry shot. Once again this is one of the flatter greens, but this is still an extremely tough hole. Hole 8: Par 3, 223m, HCP 16 You know the course is tough when a 223 metre long Par 3 is the third easiest hole. Does that make it easy? Hell no. It may look like a fairly straight forward long Par 3 over the inlet, however the green is fairly undulating, and the green rather insultingly slopes into 2 bunkers that eat into the surface. Rear pin placements are pure evil. If you can fire an accurate tee shot, you should be able to get a well earned Par. Hole 9: Par 4, 500m, HCP 8 The closing hole to the front 9 is another insanely long Par 4, but with a strong tee shot, you can reach this green relatively comfortably. If you’re not up to the task, you can bail to two isolated fairways. To get a birdie however, shoot between the two trees into a receptive green that slopes front to back. 3 small bunkers punish the overly ambitious player.
Greek Isles Back 9 Hole 10: Par 4, 439m, HCP 9 Take the bunkers out of play on #10 by playing just short of the bunker to the right. A mid iron approach into this elevated green is made trickier by the presence of the gaping bunker that protects the front. Smart play is rewarded on this hole as the green slightly slopes from back to front, making putts an easier affair. Hole 11: Par 4: 463m, HCP 7 A recent storm has knocked a tree over onto the fairway on the Par 4 11th, and the greenkeepers have decided to leave it there! 2 tricky bunkers prevent the aggressive tee shot, so you’ll have a very long second into the small green. The snake like fairway leaves little room for error. Be sure to avoid the dunes to the left and the remains of an ancient awning, local rules are ‘play it as it lies’. Hole 12: Par 5, 646m, HCP 13 The formidable, 700+ yard 12th hole is a true test from start to finish. Prioritise accuracy over distance as reaching the green in two is impossible, and maximum distance on each shot is not the best play. Avoid the ancient awnings and thread the needle to land your second in the fairway amongst the trees. From there, you’ll need a mid iron to carry the stream onto the large green. This is one of the most amazing Par 5’s you’ll ever play, and despite its length, it is a birdieable hole. Hole 13: Par 3, 211m, HCP 1 This is quite possibly, the most difficult Par 3 you will ever play. It’s all carry to a green perched onto an ancient pavilion, on top of a water fall, with zero room for error. Club selection is everything here, don’t fret if you miss the green, getting the ball to remain on the small island is all that matters. If you’re not confident in reaching the green, you can bail out to the left but the lie will not be good. If you can somehow birdie this hole, you’ll be the envy of golfers worldwide! Hole 14: Par 5, 505m, HCP 17 This used to be a Par 4, but has since become a Par 5 due to the new stream that fronts the green. Those feeling brave can try to bounce the ball off the ruins to gain a large amount of distance off the tee, but it is a very risky shot. The enormous putting surface is protected by the stream, a large mound and a giant bunker. Hole 15: Par 4, 414m, HCP 15 #15 can be a tricky hole if you can’t find the fairway off the tee, so avoid the bunkers at all costs. Pick a target in the fairway and land the ball on the windy fairway. This bizarrely shaped green slopes from right to left, and is protected by 2 large bunkers left and right. Hole 16: Par 4, 523m, HCP 11 The longest Par 4 on the golf course, the 16th is a difficult Par 4 from tee the green. Carry a hazard to a narrow and undulating fairway where gaping bunkers await you. The approach to the green is exciting and unique, as the rear of the green is protected by an ancient amphitheatre, and can result in some very odd bounces, and produce some uncanny results! Hole 17: Par 3, 234m, HCP 5 The amazing 17th is shaped like a Spartan’s helmet, and your ball will suffer the same fate as a Persian herald if you miss the perched green. The most difficult green on the course, you’ll be fortunate to avoid the sand and water here. 3 putts are very common on this green. A Par is a very good score here. Hole 18: Par 5, 633m, HCP 3 It wouldn’t be appropriate if this course didn’t end with an obscenely long Par 5. Unless the wind is behind your back, lay up short of the split in the fairway, or else you’ll be taking a drop or declaring an unplayable. Your second shot needs to carry a long distance to make the third as easy as possible. The green is perched up and entirely surrounded by sand, but is attackable. Congratulations, you’ve reached the end of a truly brutal round of golf.
Bloody Par 3 tournament. I lipped out 6 times. Well done @JonoStan96. I’m sure you had some misses also to only have 6 under. latest tournament is a brute. Need to flush everything and don’t be short or long. Every time I get some momentum a couple of bogeys sets me back. Good challenge though.
Norsk Mestere Mar 31 - Apr 6 Course: West Coast GC Par: 72 Rounds: 4 Course Difficulty: 5/10: Varying elevation, dunes and lots of bunkers are your biggest obstacles on this mountainside course. Predicted Winning Score: -30 West Coast GC is a gorgeous fantasy course situated in the cliffsides of Norway. This course combines the open nature of British style links courses, and the rugged Alps courses of south Europe, to create a truly unique golfing experience. You’ll encounter steep drop offs, treacherous dunes and stunning views of the sea.
Hole 1: Par 4: 421m, HCP 10 The opening hole is a downhill Par 4 with 2 large bunkers protecting the landing area. The drive should ideally be on the right side to take the bunker that protects this green out of play. You definitely don’t want to miss this green. Hole 2: Par 4 462m, HCP 6 This split fairway hole is made significantly easier if you can drive it to the left fairway, but clearing the bunker and avoiding the dunes is easier said than done. The approach is all downhill with a stunning view of the Fleinværfjorden, and 5 massive bunkers make for a tough up and down if you find one of them. Par is a good score here. Hole 3: Par 3, 167m, HCP 4 Another downhill hole, this Par 3 carries the dunes into a kidney bean shaped green with 3 bunkers protecting it. Pins at the back tend to be the most tricky to attack as it’s hard to hold the green after carrying the central tier. Hole 4: Par 4, 458m, HCP 2 This spectacular Par 4 shares its fairway with #6. You’ll want to aim your tee shot left of the dividing rocks to leave the best angle to a green perched more than 10m up from the fairway. The green is small too, with 3 bunkers protecting it and if you’re gonna miss, miss it left otherwise your ball will never be seen again. Hole 5: Par 3, 138m, HCP 8 Nothing fancy about this Par 3, just carry the large bunker in front and you’re home free. Pins located at the rear of the green offer the best birdie opportunities, while the slope of the green and its tiers make attacking pins at the front a more troublesome task. Hole 6: Par 5, 523m, HCP 18 The 6th is considered to be the easiest hole on the course but don’t be fooled, you still have to find the fairway to maintain a birdie chance. As it shares its fairway with #4, there’s plenty of fairway to find. The left side is more favourable as it opens the green up to setup a possible eagle chance. 3 bunkers protect this green that slopes off severely at the front. Hole 7: Par 4, 421m, HCP 12 Water comes into play at #7, but you shouldn’t have any problem finding the fairway off the tee. You’ll only need a wedge into this small but easily attackable green. A favourable bounce could roll your ball into the cup for an eagle. Definitely one of the easier holes of this course. Hole 8: Par 5, 518m, HCP 16 This Par 5 provides a number of alternatives. Playing it right out into the slab of land can leave a shorter approach to the green, but you’ll have to carry a significant distance over the water. The left side is safer but it is a longer shot. There isn’t much room to work with either way so playing this in 3 is a safer bet. The green is fairly stable, with a slight slope toward the sea. Hole 9: Par 4, 332m, HCP 14 This Par 4 is opposite in design to the 8th in terms of distances. If you choose to play safe, you’ll have a longer 2nd over the dunes. Most players should opt to aim left though, as it leaves a shorter and much safer approach. The green is protected left and right by bunkers and is one of the flatter greens on the course.
Hole 10: Par 3, 137m, HCP 9 #10 completes the descent down the mountain with an isolated green surrounded by water. A lone bunker protects the left while the green funnels its way toward the middle with a gentle slope toward the ocean. Hole 11: Par 5, 521m, HCP 15 11 is probably the most unique hole on the course. A small lake hinders the player all along the left side of the fairway, and is quite the obstacle for those looking to get on in two. However if you can stay out of trouble, this average length Par 5 should be an easy birdie. Hole 12: Par 4, 446m, HCP 1 12 is a tricky downhill Par 4 with a tight landing area off the tee. Your approach shot need to avoid landing short as the drop off is considered out of bounds. 4 bunkers protect this medium sized green that offers many varying pin placements. Hole 13: Par 4, 298m, HCP 13 Number 13 is a driveable Par 4 with though with enough gumption to take on the dunes and several bunkers surrounding the green. This is quite the easy hole if you can avoid trouble, but it’s just as easy to rack up scores faster than you can say double bogey. Hole 14: Par 4, 416m, HCP 5 This beautiful dog leg left lets the player soak in the ocean breeze. The fairway demands accuracy from the tee shot as you need to thread the needle between the fairway bunkers. Your approach shot must carry a drop off and avoid 3 large bunkers at the rear. Hole 15: Par 4, 446m, HCP 3 This uphill Par 4 can prove troublesome if you’re not concentrating off the tee. You’ll have to decide to take on the large fairway bunker either short, or left or right. The left side provides a shorter approach, but brings the water into play. The green features a false front to punish balls left short. Hole 16: Par 5, 552m, HCP 17 The last Par 5 is reachable in 2 by only the longest hitters. An expansive fairway leaves a large margin for error off the tee, but that margin narrows significantly as you get closer to the green. Do not miss right otherwise you might get eaten alive by a mythical creature. The green slopes significantly from front to back left. Hole 17: Par 3, 158m, HCP 11 This breathtaking Par 3 rests at the summit of the mountain range. You shouldn’t have any trouble carrying the dunes to this large by shallow green. A large bunker protects the green from the rear. Go for the long putt and sink it. You can see the entire course from this green. There aren’t many courses in the world that provide a view like this. Hole 18: Par 4, 431m, HCP 7 And so we’ve reached the 18th hole. Nothing fancy off the tee here, just get it in the fairway and attack the pin with a short iron into the elevated tee. 2 bunkers protect this green with a unique L shaped tier.
RaceOnOz Major Event 150th OPEN Championship 7 - 13 Apr Course: St Andrews (Old Course) Par: 72 Rounds 4: Difficulty: 7/10: It’s a fairly simple and easy course on paper, but being a Scottish links course, the winds and rain can get absurd. The course is setup to play like the British Open, so you’ll have to be sure to knock your approaches close to avoid have to lag a long putt close. Predicted Winning Score: -20 St Andrews, the most historic, the most traditional and some would say, the most famous golf course in the entire world. They don’t call it The Home of Golf for nothing. The foundations of the sport were born here, and to commemorate the 150th running of the British Open in 2022, the Old Course will play host once more. It’s a bucket list item for any keen golfer to play and if there’s a course that every pro wants to win at, St Andrews often is at the top of the list.
The opening hole is a short Par 4 with a massively wide fairway and a stream that runs right across the front of the green. It’s not worth going for. Just lay it up short and pitch it on the green with a wedge. It’s an easy hole for sure, but with first tee jitters, it might just be the hardest tee shot you’ll ever hit. Hole 2 is a simple Par 4 that gets tricker the closer you get to the green. Avoid the 2 pot bunkers fronting the green and you should be able to walk off with a Par. Number 3 is drivable if you get lucky with the wind. But if you come up short, the approach is very tricky due to the undulations and a nasty bunker protecting the front left. Pins tucked down the slope at the rear are no fun at all. The tee shot here at #4 narrows significantly past 250m so the safe play is to take a fairway wood off the tee, as drives that find the rough will be punishing. It’s hard to stop the ball on this green so be sure to add a bit of back spin as you land the ball on this huge green. While relatively short, the Par 5 5th will not be kind to those who fail to find the fairway off the tee. Wether it’s with a wood in hand or a wedge, make sure you have enough club to get over the false front otherwise you’re staring at an almost certain 3 putt. Hole 6 is a straight forward Par 4 with little trouble off the tee. You shouldn’t have much difficulty birdieing this hole providing you can find the fairway off the tee and knock down your approach close. This spectacular Par 4 allows for the player to utilise many options off the tee. But the second shot is of vital importance. You must avoid the bunkers at all costs and fire a dart at the pin as this green is one of the most difficult to putt on. 3 putts are common so don’t underestimate this one. This Par 3 offers a generous landing area to land the ball on the green, but this hole usually plays as ne of the hardest holes on the course due to the many hidden slopes that make long putts almost impossible to sink. The ninth hole is an exciting Par 4 where the big hitters can go for off the tee, but if the wind is in your face, you must be weary of the pot bunkers smack bang in the middle of the fairway. This is a birdie hole, no doubt about it.
