With the front box, and especially with the introduction of high tees to classic courses, you can sometimes curve a big C3 driver around the trees into this green.

After laying up to the left side of the fairway by the sand, this approach shot finds the cup.

Normally you’re going right over the top into this green with something like a 5-wood.

As another approach, here’s a great 3-wood around the right side for an ace!

Here is a description of this new course for Golden Tee 2012: “Golden Tee at the top of the world. Literally. Mt Everest, Nepal is the home of the frigid gem that is Tundra Peak. Though mostly devoid of vegetation, the rocky cliffs, mountains, snow banks, and glaciers create a true golfing expedition new to the game. This 18-hole climb leads you through a variety of mountainside obstacles that will push your game to the very brink. While the voyage is epic, the closing hole will take your breath away if you haven’t already lost it from the journey up.”

Here is the official preview of the Mt Everest, Nepal course.

This is currently being updated with tips, tricks, and information related to the 2012 Golden Tee course Tundra Peak!  Check out the hole-by-hole breakdowns and example hole-outs as I partner up with the Golden Tee community to give you the edge you need to beat your friends!

Although intimidating, Tundra Peak is voted by many to be the 2nd easiest course in 2012, although some rank it tougher.  I think that just shows how difficult the courses are this year!  With experience, most players should be able to score better here than on most other courses.

Flares and Hurtles are the most common selection on this course, and you’ll probably want them with many of these uphill shots!

The following grid breaks down the best and worst you should be able to shoot on Tundra Peak relative to the possible setups you could get on each hole:

Here is a description of this new course for Golden Tee 2012: “Set deep in the Green Mountains of Granville, Vermont, the peaceful setting of Auburn Glen can lull the unwary golfer. Although traditional on the surface, this American treasure is built around significant ponds, lakes and streams, which will make you think twice about your aggressiveness. And while water is plentiful, the dense trees that surround the fairway as well as the large, impactful bunkers can play a role in determining whether you manage this 18-hole beauty or the course manages you.”

Here is the official preview of the Granville, Vermont course.

This post is currently being updated with tips, tricks, and information related to the 2012 Golden Tee course Auburn Glen!  Check out the hole-by-hole breakdowns and example hole-outs as I partner up with the Golden Tee community to give you the edge you need to beat your friends!

Auburn Glen is voted by many to be the hardest course in 2012, and the second hardest by most others.

The Hawks and Hurtles are the most common selection on this course, although a few players still prefer the Flares here as well — so give them a shot and see what works best for you!

The following grid breaks down the best and worst you should be able to shoot on Auburn Glen relative to the possible setups you could get on each hole:

Here is a description of this new course for Golden Tee 2012: “The warm sun and leeward island breeze greet you at Royal Cove; 18-holes of golf positioned in Half Moon Bay, Antigua, a little known paradise to most. Although the baby blue water steals the show, the sandy beaches and perfectly placed mountains create a more rugged tropical scene than we’ve seen in recent years. Ancient relics from a buccaneer past are situated throughout parts of the islands, and you might just find buried treasure if your tee shot happens to go astray.”

Here is the official preview of the Half Moon Bay, Antigua course.

This is currently being updated with tips, tricks, and information related to the 2012 Golden Tee course Royal Cove!  Check out the hole-by-hole breakdowns and example hole-outs as I partner up with the Golden Tee community to give you the edge you need to beat your friends!

Royal Cove is voted by many to be the hardest course in 2012, and the second hardest by most others.

The Hawks and Hurtles are the most common selection on this course, since you don’t really need a 7-wood or 9-wood and you prefer to stay low under many of the trees with hybrids!  Some players still use the Flares just for consistency across the board — so give them both a shot and see what works best for you!

The following grid breaks down the best and worst you should be able to shoot on Royal Cove relative to the possible setups you could get on each hole:

Here is a description of this new course for Golden Tee 2012: “Take a golfing journey from the top of the north rim all the way down to the bottom of the great chasm. While water is sparse through much of this 18-hole excursion, the streams and waterfalls you encounter will certainly impact your round. Tusayan, Arizona’s breathtaking cliffs, drops, and windy rock walls will make you stop and take in the surrounding scenery. As beautiful as the course is, however, seeing too much of the sights likely means you’ve lost track of the fairway.”

Here is the official preview of the Tusayan, Arizona course.

This post is currently being updated with tips, tricks, and information related to the 2012 Golden Tee course Grand Canyon!  Check out the hole-by-hole breakdowns and example hole-outs as I partner up with the Golden Tee community to give you the edge you need to beat your friends!

Grand Canyon is voted by many to be the 3rd hardest course in 2012, although some rank it harder and some easier.  It has many eagle opportunities but also many potential blow-up holes and tough setups that can make for a rough round!

Most players use the Flares and Hurtles on this course, although the Hawks can benefit us amateur players more here.  You might save more strokes from the low-lofted hybrids than you’d gain from the one or two times you might need a 7-wood or 9-wood here, so see what works best for you!

The following grid breaks down the best and worst you should be able to shoot on Grand Canyon relative to the possible setups you could get on each hole:

Here is a description of this new course for Golden Tee 2012: “Built along Route 66, Dusty Bend Golf Course seems like a step back in time. You’ll never know what roadside attractions you’ll encounter as you golf along “the mother road” in Sayre, Oklahoma. Trees are scarce, but the farm buildings and tourist traps replace them with a landscape as well as some unexpected landmarks new to the game. Venture off the fairway too far and the dusty dirt will make its presence known. It goes without saying that you’ve never played a course like this.”

Here is the official preview of the Sayre, Oklahoma course.

This post will soon contain tips, tricks, and information related to the 2012 Golden Tee course Dusty Bend!  Check out the hole-by-hole breakdowns and example hole-outs as I partner up with the Golden Tee community to give you the edge you need to beat your friends!

Dusty Bend is clearly the easiest course in 2012, and it’s still a lot of fun to play, which is a great combination!

Flares and Hurtles are the most common selection on this course, and I suggest them too, as you’ll need all the woods to help with various shots here.  However, the course is pretty flat, so from a course management standpoint, the Hawks may still be more comfortable for some players!

The following grid breaks down the best and worst you should be able to shoot on Dusty Bend relative to the possible setups you could get on each hole:

This post contains tips, tricks, and information related to the 2007 Golden Tee course Moose Landing, in Acadia, Maine.

The starting hole at Moose Landing is a non-drivable par 4 with a wavy, straight-ahead fairway leading up to a large, flat green. This one’s a gimme. Just land your drive in the fairway, hit the green and sink your birdie putt – done! It’s always important to get off to a good start since Moose Landing is the most challenging of the five courses this year in my opinion.

Ah, the old “exclamation point” hole layout – a Jim Zielinski classic on course openers! Yes, it is simple, but be cognizant of the wavy fairway. Catch a bad bounce and you just may be lying in the rough with a tough approach shot. I try and stick to the right side since it’s a bit more flat.

Here’s an example hole-out.

There’s no “easy button” for this one! #2 is a tough, drivable par 4 that doglegs sharply to the left. The key here is to cut the corner while avoiding the tall, ball-snagging tree that resides at the apex. With most winds, stay aimed in the fairway and approach from this angle. Only when the wind is at your back is it favorable to play straight off the tee towards the green. There are bunkers all around the front of the green and water comes into play on the left side. Some key things to remember – 1) This hole tends to hang to the right, so apply a little more hook than you’d think. 2) Depending on the wind and the amount of cut applied to your tee shot, it may be wise to aim for the rough next to the green and let it bounce on. Landing directly on the green with backspin can often cause your ball to spin through the green and into the water. Practice makes perfect here…

With all of the obstacles to consider here I usually go for the green with a safe 5-wood off the tee. I like a short, high club since it can almost guarantee that I won’t go long. My theory is that it’s better to chip from the sand for an eagle rather than drive into the water and putt for par. Then again, I suck!

Here is a perfect 5-wood from the front box!

A simple par 3 over water, Moose’s #3 is as easy as it gets. The only challenge presented here is a question of club/distance to reach the big, slightly elevated green. Two bunkers protect the front while the left side is blanketed by a sloping grass hill. Unless the pin is on the left side the hill should never come into play. Just don’t come up short and you’re golden.

#3 three is a DDADD hole – Don’t Do Anything Dumb, Duffer!

Here’s an ace from the short front tee.

#4 is a non-drivable par 4 with a hilly fairway that doglegs left. Bunkers can be found all around the green but the small one on the front-right side is all that you have to worry about. The green is huge and has a friendly down 4° slope. Don’t do anything stupid and you’ll make birdie at least. This is a good opportunity for a hole-out!

This hole is great practice for the duffers of the world. While your natural instinct is to whack one off of the tee here, #4 requires a bit more accuracy and less brute force. Stop and take a look at where the pin is located before you tee off. Leave your ball with a nice, clean angle for success. The subtle slope of this green could be the difference between a birdie and a par if you’re left with a long putt.

Here’s an example hole-out.

#5 is a drivable par 4 that plays over water to a medium-sized green. The trouble lies near the front-left side of the putting surface that is heavily guarded by a tall grass hill that a 3 or 5-wood clears easily. A driver can bounce off the top of the hill and land on the green but there’s not much room for error. Pot bunkers behind the green and in line with the hill make the approach more difficult when the pin is located on the left. Water surrounds most of the entire green so there’s a chance a bad shot will be wet. Shots tend to “get up” more on this hole than others so I generally refrain from hitting driver. Oh yeah, backspin is usually necessary.

This can be a tough little par 4 to eagle. What Sobe doesn’t mention is that the down 6° slope of the green will come into play with long putts. This is no gimme! With that said, even a duffer would be silly to not go for it – laying up is simply not an option. For the most accuracy off the tee, try to use a 5-wood. Its higher loft will make it easier to control the ball and clear the hill.

Here is a nice 3-wood hole-out.  And here is an unbelievable bunker deflection you’ve got to see!

#6 is a drastically uphill par 4 with a long, elevated green. A stream runs along the winding fairway and you’ll notice a waterfall/ramp on the right side that could propel a tee shot onto the green. It can, but I warn you that the results are very inconsistent and it may not be worth the risk. The best bet is to hit a 5-wood near the end of the fairway so you can combat the green’s elevation by hitting a short iron on your approach. Whatever you do, do not end up short in the stream.

A ramp?! What are you, nuts? Why don’t you tell them about the giant wall in front of the ramp that stops the shot 99% the time? A ramp… What are you doing to these people, Sobe?

Here’s an example ramp shot with a driver that didn’t quite work out!

Here’s a hole-out from the fairway after laying up.

Another easy par 3 like hole #3 that plays straight forward to a down 6° green. A large bunker blankets the front of the green along with two smaller hazards. #7 plays a bit downhill so ease off your tee shot. Backspin is often used if the pin is near the bottom and wind is in your face, play aggressive by letting your ball roll.

This green is easy to hit but hard to stay on. All I can say is that you better be a confident putter because it’s usually not easy to get close to the pin here. If all else fails, try and play the bounce-shot off the cabin door. Go ahead, try it and let me know how it goes!

Here’s an example hole-out.

Another easy par 3 like hole #3 that plays straight forward to a down 6° green. A large bunker blankets the front of the green along with two smaller hazards. #7 plays a bit downhill so ease off your tee shot. Backspin is often used if the pin is near the bottom and wind is in your face, play aggressive by letting your ball roll.

This green is easy to hit but hard to stay on. All I can say is that you better be a confident putter because it’s usually not easy to get close to the pin here. If all else fails, try and play the bounce-shot off the cabin door. Go ahead, try it and let me know how it goes!

Here’s an example hole-out.

Hole #8 is one of my favorites! It’s a drivable, dogleg-left par 4 that I consider a classic risk vs. reward. Near the dogleg, there’s a visible gap between the trees. Hitting through the gap is my first option since it lessens the angle to approach the green. It’s not easy, but it works. A safer play is to aim towards the fairway and attempt a C-3 type of shot. Again, it works but it’s much harder to control. The green is surrounded by water on the left and pot bunkers on the right, so if you’re going to miss, miss right! Sand is always better than water. #8 is another “hanger” so be sure to apply a bit more hook on your backswing than normal. Never hit the green on the fly with backspin or you’ll likely end up in the water. I usually try to bounce on from the rough. Again – practice, practice and more practice makes perfect.

One of your favorites? Sobe, you’re sadistic! I dread this hole and have a better success rate picking up blindfolded 7-10 splits on Silver Strike Bowling! Duffers, try to picture a line through the gap in the trees. Think of a ball perfectly soaring through the woods, landing on the green and backing up right next to the pin. Take a deep breath, swing and yell “MIND OVER MATTER” on the top of your lungs. Works for me every time…

Here is a beautiful 5-wood hole-out from the front box.