With a left tee box, you can go over or under the trees by teeing it high or low.  A high-teed 5-wood or 7-wood can get over the trees in some cases — and check out the hole this high-teed 3-wood found!

A driver can get under the trees if you need to — it becomes a matter of accuracy and distance control.  Here’s an incredible low-teed driver that skips into the hole! You can even play a cut shot under there — wow.  Here’s another amazing ace under the trees.

If you are towards the right side of the box, you can play a low-lofter around the corner.  A C3 2-iron/hybrid or 3-iron/hybrid can skate around the corner onto the green with backspin, and here’s a great driver cut around the corner.  Here’s another driver that skips the water! Here’s a 3-wood with a couple great hops.

Finally, check out this driver rammed right through — amazing!  And this is just so you appreciate the level of detail in this game — awesome.

There are lots of options here — you can go straight over the gazebo (this high-teed driver set up a good approach shot) or straight under/through the gazebo (here’s a nice drive) to set up your approach, like this nice shot.  You can also find some grass to the left of the gazebo (here’s a nice hole-out from there).  Or, just go ahead and shoot through this gap!

You can also choose to lay up in the fairway to the left of the gazebo.  From here, there’s a nice gap that gives you a shot to the green.  This tee shot was too far left, but check out the amazing approach through the trees!

Watch out for the mime — he can block your drive sometimes!  Will he make a sound if you blast him?  Watch here to find out, and then watch here to see it happen again! Or, hole it out anyway!

This hole is occasionally driveable.  A combo that’s been known to work is an A1 teed-high 3-wood around the corner — here’s an example ace!  Here’s another great 3W holeout.  And here’s a 406-yard 3-wood ace!

You may also get a good setup to take this hole head-on if you have a far left tee.  Here’s a high-teed driver going right at it.  The Air-Os can also make this shot easier.

You should be able to carry over the water most of the time for a short approach shot — here’s a fun hole-out from there.  If you have concerns, you can still go around the left side — here’s a hole-out from laying back left.

EXAMPLE HOLE-OUT

With a favorable tee box and pin, you can play a small curve around the trees — here’s a hole-out dunk! If you’re positioned on the right, you can tuck a 3-wood around the corner like this great shot.

If you’re tucked away left, you might be able to tee it low and punch a low-lofter through the trees — no easy task!  If that doesn’t work, you still may be able to punch it on, or in, like this! If the wind is still blowing left, don’t necessarily rule out going around with a 3-wood — check out this incredible shot.

Here’s a high-teed 7-wood over the top, and here’s a great 9-wood lofted over the trees. Here’s another LONG 9-wood!

This one rattles around and almost goes in! This one gets some nice bounces and does go in!  Here’s another crazy rattler — what’s going on up there?  One more VERY fortunate deflection here to turn water into ace!

In most cases, you can just play the ball down the fairway to the left, close to the water, and still have a wood into the green in two.  Be careful to use as much loft as you can, though, because a driver may not get high enough!  Some lower-lofted woods are fine, and here’s a driver that was hit hard to clear the lip.

In cases where the wind is blowing left, which would be in your face on an approach shot from the fairway, it’s time to consider the shortcut area.  A high tee should allow you to go over the trees and stick it.  Here’s a hole-out from there.

The ideal situation is to get a left box with a wind blowing right, which is very conducive to driving this green.  Here’s a hole-out from the left side.  Here’s another great shot where only a small amount of cut was required!  Here’s a great deflection with a 5-wood.

You’ll often be relying on a skip if you plan to hold the green!  Check out this 2-hybrid shot.  Here’s another crazy shot! Here’s another one that’s just about as wild!  And check out this fortuitous shot.  Another amazing deflection here!  And how about a perfect low-teed driver skip shot!  You can also skip right through the sand — awesome!

Now, you may get a setup that’s just too difficult to risk driving the green — so, don’t try to force something that’s not there!

With that being said, let’s take a look at some super-human shots, like this incredible skip-bounce hole-out.

Or, and again, only if you’re Putz, with a far-right tee box, you can go around the RIGHT side! This looks like a 5-wood C2-type shot with backspin rotating right twice — amazing.  You can track it right through that well-placed gap in the trees!  You can also give the low-teed 3-wood a try here.  Here it is again with a low-teed 4-wood!

Stuck in the sand up top?  Putt it in like this!

Teeing it high and going over the top is usually the way to go!  But, be careful of invisileaves — they can jump out and bite you!

With a strong head wind or a cross wind, a teed-high 5-wood should clear the trees left or right of center.  Here’s a great over-the-top dunk, and here’s another dunk! Here was a strong head-wind where a teed-high 5-wood was played perfectly.  And here’s a high-teed 4-wood right over the middle.

With a strong tail wind, you can tee low a 2-iron or 2-hybrid that will go through the gazebo onto the green. A driver works too if you don’t have those clubs! Here’s a perfectly-played low-teed driver, and here’s another one that worked out great!

Heck, you can even ram it through the trees! Here’s another 3-wood dunk!

Don’t rule out going around the trees too!  Here’s a great 4-wood around the right side, and here’s an amazing 7-wood cut around the left side!

These types of holes become really difficult if the wind and slope are going the same way, so make sure to cut into the slope — it’s the only way to hold the green!

Here’s an example hole-out with a favorable back-left pin.

Here’s a great shot using the big bounce!

Check out this nice dunk to a pin on the right. And here’s a great cut shot into another right pin.

Check out this bank shot off the tree to save birdie!  Also, the drop spot here can leave you with an interesting putt.  You can make it like this or rotate right once and putt straight ahead to curve it in the cup!

The final par 5 can usually set up drivable!  Rotate to the left, tee it low with a driver, and find a way to skip an A1 around the corner to the green.  You will usually have to get lucky and cut THROUGH the set of trees guarding the green in order to get the angle you need — talk about risk/reward!  Here it is — the super albatross! Here’s another nice one, and here’s a low-teed driver hole-out that skips the water! Here’s another great shot that did go all the way around the trees.  Others can try to rip through the trees and get a nice hop.  And here’s the HOTTEST one of all!  Another hot one here! Finally, an amazing high-teed 5-wood with a great hop!  Here’s another high 5W at a straighter angle, just missing the trees over the top for a clean ace.

So we know a driver works, but what about other clubs?  Here’s some advice to consider:  Use Driver any time the wind is blowing at you and right to left.  The shot is a flat A (straight back at A, not outside) and then smooth out towards the 1.  Use a high-teed 7 wood (if you have it) anytime the wind is blowing 12+ between Noon and 2:30 and the Tee box is up front.  Hit a big full A/1 (No spinny).  Use a high-teed 5 Wood anytime the wind is blowing at Noon to 3:00 and the tee is towards the back of the box.  Hit a big full A/1 (No spinny).

Apparently this hole sometimes also sets up for a C3 to the green, but I’ll need to see an example before I can expand on that!

Okay, so if you don’t want to risk it, here’s a nice place to lay up for your approach if you have a low-lofted club like a 2-iron in your bag, and a double eagle from there!

Also, there’s a “women’s tee” off to the left — if you can land your drive there, you’ll have an open look for a better shot at eagle!

Here’s a hole-out after a long drive around the right side.  Here’s another one getting a great hop off the sand!

Finally, you can just lay up to the right side of the fairway and come over the top!  A 5-wood works just fine, unless THIS happens to you!

Handicap: 18th hardest hole Category: Easy Average Score: -0.96 / -1.00 Eagle+ Birdie 96% Par 4% Bogey Double+

EXAMPLE HOLE-OUT

Handicap: 17th hardest hole Category: Easy Average Score: -0.92 / -1.00  Eagle+ 1% Birdie 90% Par 7% Bogey 2% Double+

In very rare cases, you might have a chance to drive this one!  Check out this shot.

Otherwise, if you get a good tee box, just let it rip! Here’s an example hole-out after a long drive.

If you’re concerned about the sand in the fairway, then don’t chance it! Here’s a 4-wood hole-out after laying back.

Finally, some players prefer to go around the right side. The rough to the right of the water can sometimes provide an easier look at the flag. Apparently there is an out of bounds area if you are too far right, so keep it to the left of the brown stuff, closer to the water, if you choose this option! Here’s a hole-out after taking the drive around the right side to the rough.

Handicap: 11th hardest hole Category: Moderate Average Score: -0.71 / -1.00 Eagle+ Birdie 77% Par 19% Bogey 3% Double+ 1%

This early par 3 has a tricky green, so you shouldn’t necessarily aim for the flag. Find a box of green that will ensure you a direct putt at the flag, and make sure you hit that spot! Players seem to be struggling more than expected here.

Here’s an example hole-out.

Handicap: 14th hardest hole Category: Easy Average Score: -1.59 / -2.00 Eagle+ 64% Birdie 32% Par 3% Bogey 1% Double+

You should be trying to hit it long down the right fairway here most of the time, especially if you aren’t using lofted clubs. A high tee can help add some distance too if you’re unsure. You can usually get far enough to have an open approach shot — here’s a hole-out from the fairway.

The other option is to land your drive just beyond the sand trap straight ahead. From here, you can take a 9-Wood over the top. If you don’t have those clubs, make sure you aim for the left edge of this spot so that you have a better angle around the left side of these trees! Place it in the correct spot and your hybrid or low-iron should get through the gap without much hassle.

Handicap: 12th hardest hole Category: Moderate Average Score: -1.44 / -2.00 Eagle+ 53% Birdie 40% Par 7% Bogey 1% Double+

A high tee shouldn’t be necessary here, which is good since it’s a down-sloped green. Distance control seems to be the only thing preventing better scores on this hole. Just carry the sand with backspin, but be careful not to go too far, which is worse than the sand! Here’s a 3-wood hole-out and a 4-wood hole-out. And here’s a driver skipped off the hill over the bunker!

To emphasize the importance of not going long, there’s a strip of mud before the water, and if your ball sticks here, there’s a good chance of stroke limit.  Your wedge doesn’t have the distance to get up, and longer clubs don’t have the loft.  Try a 7-iron to stick near the top of the hill, or, and this sounds crazy, turn around and chip it in the water so that you’re placed up by the green — hey, it’s better than stroke limit!

This one was well on its way there but instead turned into one of the most incredible, lucky hole-outs you’ll ever see!

Handicap: 5th hardest hole Category: Difficult Average Score: -0.34 / -1.00  Eagle+ Birdie 59% Par 21% Bogey 17% Double+ 3%

Here’s another tough par 3 early on that forces you to stick a small area of green. Bogey or worse happens often here — it’s best to be long to ensure par, and be very careful using backspin! Here’s a hole-out to a right pin. Check out this great deflection off the back wall! And here’s a hole-out to a left pin.

With a back center pin, you have to get creative. Here’s one great look at it!

Handicap: 16th hardest hole Category: Easy Average Score: -0.87 / -1.00 Eagle+ 2% Birdie 83% Par 15% Bogey Double+

Every now and then, this green sets up drivable, especially with the Air-Os!

Here’s a high-teed A1 shot that nearly went in.

If you can carry the second part of the fairway, then go for it — here’s a hole-out from there.

There’s nothing wrong with laying back either, so don’t force it if it’s not there — here’s a hole-out from there.

Handicap: 13th hardest hole Category: Easy Average Score: -1.55 / -2.00 Eagle+ 64% Birdie 26% Par 9% Bogey 1% Double+

Hit a high-teed driver over the trees to cut the corner of the fairway quite a bit. Make sure you don’t miss left in the trees that protect the left side of the fairway, because your ball can roll down in there and cause trouble! Here’s a hole-out from the fairway.

Another option is to go around the right side to the dirt. This can be a good option if you’re to the front right of the tee box, and it works even better if you have a lofted club for your approach to get over the sand — here’s a nice hole-out with a 9-wood.

You can also reach the fairway going around the right side if you have a right tee box, but make sure you play enough cut so you don’t end up with a tough lie down below.

Handicap: 8th hardest hole Category: Risk/Reward Average Score: -1.16 / -2.00 Eagle+ 40% Birdie 37% Par 24% Bogey Double+

Your position in the tee box is really what controls the type of shot you use here. If you’re off to the left, you could have a pretty straight shot right at the green.

If you’re more towards the right side, you’ve got a couple options. Over the top is probably the easier option, and a high tee is also an option to help. You can also take a 3-Wood around the side, which is a bit trickier.  Here’s an incredible dunk shot right through the trees!

Finally, here’s an unbelievable shot around the left side!

Reward outweighs risk here, so go for it! Being long in the back bunker isn’t awful and should still give you an easy birdie.

Handicap: 10th hardest hole Category: Moderate Average Score: -0.64 / -1.00 Eagle+ 1% Birdie 73% Par 19% Bogey 6% Double+ 2%

Stay safe off the tee — 5-wood / 5-wood can certainly get the job done! This is not the hole to be aggressive off the tee, yet many players are dropping strokes here. Here’s a hole-out from behind the creek.

If you can safely get your drive closer, then that’s certainly fine too — here’s a hole-out after a longer drive.

Handicap: 15th hardest hole Category: Easy Average Score: -1.70 / -2.00 Eagle+ 74% Birdie 22% Par 5% Bogey Double+

Cut as much corner as you can here, because it may be too long to reach in two if you’re careless with your drive! A high tee comes in very handy here and can help you clear straight over the water in some cases. Even if you can’t clear the water, get it out straight and as close to the water as you can. Also, I often like to line up with the hill on the right and play a C2-type shot with roll to cut distance while safely avoiding the lake.

Here’s a hole-out from behind the water and there are better opportunities to eagle from in front of the water as well.

Handicap: 2nd hardest hole Category: Difficult Average Score: -0.24 / -1.00 Eagle+ Birdie 54% Par 26% Bogey 13% Double+ 7%

Ah, the “donut hole”. Pin placement determines the difficulty here. This is the 2nd toughest hole on the course, so par is not bad here. There are also some tough drop zones if you do get wet!

Here’s an example hole-out to an easy left pin.

This hole gets tough when the pin is on the right or closer to the hole in the middle, and your accuracy will really be tested if you’re pin hunting! Here’s a hole-out to a tough right pin.

Also, the bridge doesn’t produce a very high hop if you land on it — here’s a shot using that bridge and still getting backspin!

There’s actually some mud between the bridge and the green, ha.

Handicap: 11th hardest hole Category: Moderate Average Score: -1.10 / -2.00 Eagle+ 41% Birdie 42% Par 11% Bogey 3% Double+ 4%

A narrow, awkward green will make this a tough eagle and really test your accuracy. With a favorable pin, you can go right at it.

This hole has already seen many amazing deflections. Here’s a perfect bounce off the back bunker, here’s another amazing deflection there, and here’s an even more amazing double-banker off the side!

Birdie is not a guarantee here as you can see — you can find yourself in some awful lies in the deep bunkers. Don’t compound mistakes if you find trouble here — get it out and recover!

Handicap: 9th hardest hole Category: Moderate Average Score: -0.61 / -1.00  Eagle+ Birdie 64% Par 33% Bogey 3% Double+

Only a select few will ever have a chance to drive the green here, but Mouth teed up a huge A1 and got it there!

For the rest of us, you should always be able to carry the top left fairway, so use a high tee here to be sure if conditions are nasty. Birdie rate is lower than expected here, so take your time and execute.

This hole also forces you to carry the green on your approach, because there’s a ridge short of the green that will reject anything that doesn’t carry! Here’s an example hole-out.

Finally, check out one of the most amazing deflections you’ll ever see in this game!

Handicap: 3rd hardest hole Category: Difficult Average Score: -0.31 / -1.00  Eagle+ Birdie 54% Par 27% Bogey 15% Double+ 4%

A narrow winding river can suck up careless drives here. There’s no reason to have to hit a long drive, so just find a spot in this voluptuous fairway where you’ll stay dry, and then make sure you hit enough club to carry the slightly elevated green — scores on this hole are worse than they should be, making it the 3rd hardest hole on the course!

Here’s a hole-out from the right side, and here’s another example hole-out from a ways back.

Check out this shot, bouncing right over the trouble!

Handicap: 1st hardest hole Category: Difficult Average Score: +0.18 / -1.00 Eagle+ 1% Birdie 42% Par 31% Bogey 12% Double+ 20%

Here’s one of the toughest holes in 2011 (the 2nd hardest statistically). Average score here is over par, and this is the only hole where double bogey or worse is more common than bogey! This par 3 slopes hard towards the water and has an awkward narrow green that usually forces you to make a great shot with a lofted club that the wind will also give hell!

You can see all kinds of looks here because of the giant tee box and the three areas of green that can contain the flag. Some looks can be forgiving — here’s an example hole-out from a left box and here’s another hole-out to a front pin.

This thing gets nasty quick if the wind is also pushing towards the water. Here’s where you have to execute an A1-type cut shot into the slope. Here’s exactly how to counter that slope, and here’s another fantastic 9-wood cut shot.

It’s ironic, but in some cases, you’d be better off in the water than in the sand. Shots out of the sand to the right are very tough to stop on the green, so you could find yourself an extra stroke behind if your chip shot goes long (or doesn’t get out of the sand at all)! This makes it all the more important to find SOME green here, so take your time and do your best!

Handicap: 6th hardest hole Category: Professional Average Score: -0.70 / -2.00 Eagle+ 16% Birdie 50% Par 26% Bogey 5% Double+ 3%

A high tee and the Air-O balls would be huge here to help you carry over the strip! Otherwise, it’s going to take a very fortunate tee box and wind to allow you to carry the second fairway.

Unless the wind is in your face, your next option is to lay up just short of the strip. From here, you should be able to get a driver to the green, having 330-340 yards in! Here’s a great 3-wood hole-out from there.  And this is just an unbelievable power shot that most of us can never pull off.

Your next option should be trying to land the strip — here’s one example. Why? Even though it’s near impossible for players like us, if you miss left in the water, you’ll still get a good drop and be shooting into the green for a birdie putt! If you find mud, just punch it out and go after your birdie.  Eagle is pretty rare on this par 5, so you can be happy if you’re moving on with a birdie!

Here’s an example driver hole-out from the strip. Here’s one with a 5-wood and another with a 7-wood.

Here’s a hole-out after a monster drive.

Handicap: 4th hardest hole Category: Professional Average Score: -0.66 / -2.00 Eagle+ 10% Birdie 55% Par 26% Bogey 8% Double+ 1%

This fun finishing hole offers many different potential approaches, so your game plan will usually depend on your tee box. Keep in mind that this is the toughest hole to eagle in GT2011, so don’t feel bad playing safe for birdie in some cases!

If you’re way to the left, you may have a pretty straight shot at the green.

The most common approach is to take a driver or a smaller wood around the left side of the trees onto the green…you can even use the hill as a backstop.  Also, here’s a high-teed 5-wood that cut the corner a bit.  You can also take the high-teed 5-wood straight over the top with a back box and a tailwind.  And check out these crazy bounces! This is also the safest approach strategy with the hill as a backstop and bunker in front.

If you’re towards the middle of the box and especially if you get a favorable line, you can punch a driver right through the trees! You’ll find some very unpredictable looks here though, not knowing exactly how high or low your shot will go. With narrow elevation gaps between leaves and hill, it’s often best to just go around instead of settling for a par attempt if you get wet.

Finally, if you’re tucked away right, there’s still ample room to take a wood around the right side! Here’s a great shot around the right side with a 5-wood!