Course Breakdown: elmbrook holes 15-18

Hole 15: 265 yards

The 15th hole requires one of the straightest tee shots you’ll hit all day. At just 260 yards, this uphill hole usually plays into the wind, but don’t let the distance fool you — it’s not about distance here, it’s about accuracy. Many golfers might be tempted to try to hit the green off the tee, but that’s a risky move.

To the left, the terrain slopes steeply to a ravine, and any shot in that direction is essentially gone for good. The right side is a little more forgiving, but with the fairway sloping left to right, any shot that ends up on the right side can run away into the rough or, if hit too hard, deeper into long grass.

To play it safe, aim for a shot that travels no more than 205 yards. With the uphill and usual wind in your face, you might need a club that reaches around 220 yards, but it’s not worth pushing your luck. I recommend aiming just left of center to steer clear of the trouble on the right.

For the approach shot, it’s about 5 yards uphill, so factor in the extra distance the wind and elevation will add. The green has a false front between the two front bunkers, and there’s usually more room long than short. Once you clear the false front, the green slopes from left to right and slightly front to back, so be cautious of your approach.

Hole 16: 241 yards

The shortest par 4 on the course is also the easiest hole on the course. Don’t get me wrong, this is by no means an instant birdie/par but if you can avoid trouble you should score reasonably well here. Playing 5 yards downhill, the 240 yard par 4 doesn’t require some golfers to even hit their driver to reach the green. The major defense on this hole is the green complex. The green slopes sharply from the front right corner to the back left corner. The left of the green is mowed tightly and slopes down to a low area of rough. This is actually the preferred miss but you have to make sure to hit your chip shot far enough where it doesn’t roll back to your feet. With how much uphill your lie will be from this position, the ball tends to hit high on the face and come out with much less power than you’re hoping for. The miss of short right leaves a very fast chip shot that if you don’t catch perfectly, will probably roll off the other side of the green.

For some reason, this is my typical miss on this hole and I get more and more disappointed with myself each time I do it. Please don’t be like me. You can't get too aggressive and miss long. The back edge of the green is 253 yards and at 256 yards there is a large bush that will swallow your golf ball whole. I’d imagine hitting a 170 or so shot off the tee would play well but I’ve never done and nor will I. If your tendency is to miss right that day, it might be something worth thinking about at the very least.

Hole 17: 360 yards

The 17th at Elmbrook is one of my favorite holes, though it can certainly make you feel uneasy off the tee. From the tee box, you’ll see fairway to the left, but right ahead, there’s a large pine tree about 100 yards out. For most golfers, the ideal target line is just left of the tree or even straight over it. While the tree may block your view, there’s plenty of room to miss right, as it’s #10’s fairway. But if you do miss right, make sure to shout “FORE 10 FAIRWAY!” just in case, since you won’t have a clear view of anyone and it’s always good to give a heads-up.

The key miss you need to avoid on this hole is left. The hole doglegs right at about 210 yards, and if you end up on the left hillside, you'll be in thick, tall grass, which is an especially tough place to be.

The green slopes left to right and tends to release more than you might expect. Missing long isn't ideal, and the same goes for left of the green. Your best miss is short and right, where you’ll have a good chance to get up and down.

This hole has a bit of a nervous energy, but when you play it smart and avoid the major trouble spots, it can be a rewarding challenge.

Hole #18: 340 yards

The par 4 18th is a fantastic finishing hole at Elmbrook, and it’s deceptively tricky. From the tee box, it may look manageable, but as we've seen throughout the course, there are plenty of places where your score can take a nosedive.

The main trouble on 18 is on the left side of the fairway. For the first 220 yards, the left side is tree-lined, and missing into those trees is a recipe for disaster. Even if you manage to get past those trees, the steep left-to-right slope of the fairway makes for a very tough approach shot. Your target line should be just left of the right edge of the green.

Missing right is generally better than left, mainly due to the green complex. The left-to-right slope of the fairway continues onto the green, and if you miss left, your ball could easily bounce right and roll through the green. The green itself has a significant left-to-right slope, which, combined with the elevated terrain behind it, gives the green an amphitheater-like feel.

The best angle into this green comes from the right side of the fairway or even from the right rough. From here, if you overshoot or pull the shot a bit, you get a natural backstop that can help your ball stay in play.

For my play, I usually hit driver, but if you feel more confident with a less risky club, there’s no harm in going that route. Either way, it’s a hole that will test your composure and shot-making ability as you close out your round.

SUMMERY:

Elmbrook is the shortest golf course I play but doesn’t necessarily allow you to overpower it. The greens are well defended and a bomb and gouge philosophy will probably end up screwing you in the end. Next time you play here, try our strategy and compare it to some of your older rounds. My guess is you’ll score at least a few strokes better and if you don’t it's obviously because you’re rusty. Or the dog was barking. I know I can't wait to play it come Spring!

-Your hat caddies