Course Breakdown: Kingsley #3

Jan 8

The 3rd hole at Kingsley is a dogleg right, requiring you to choose a target line based on how far you plan to hit your tee shot. The fairway is flat until you reach a willow tree about 210 yards from the blue tee box. After the tree, the fairway drops dramatically into a wooded area at the bottom of the hill. If you choose the right side of the fairway, you’ll need to carry 210 yards (from the blue tees) on a hole that is usually into the wind. The window between the willow tree and the bunker is safe until about 260+ yards. The further right you go, the higher your safe distance becomes. Big hitters must challenge the right-side bunkers because a miss to the left could result in either OB or a blocked shot by the row of trees encroaching on that side.

For me, I prefer to miss right, as it still provides a decent angle. Even if I end up with a terrible lie, I can chop it out and potentially save par the hard way. Evaluate your typical drive distance and choose your target line based on the shot you’re trying to hit. This is a hole where I’ve seen some players avoid hitting driver because their typical miss is to the left. They might opt for a 3-wood to eliminate the risk of overshooting left.

The green is kidney-shaped, with a center bunker protecting it. The fairway short of the green is mowed very tight, and anything that doesn’t quite reach the green will roll down into a low area about 15 feet below the green surface, which I call the "Pit of Doom." This is an area you must avoid, regardless of the pin position. For front-left pins, your miss should be either left or short. The left bowl is tricky because a miss short and right is disastrous. To hit it close, you need to land the ball just short and slightly left and let it roll down the slope. Anything that lands on the down slope tends to roll long on the firm greens, leaving you with a straightforward chip or putt from the fairway. The right side of the green, tucked behind the middle bunker, presents a tough choice: challenge the bunkers and the Pit of Doom, or miss long, which leaves a difficult downhill chip. The Pit of Doom is the worst option, so factor that into your club selection. Ironically, the best angle to the back-right section of the green is from the 4th fairway. Keep this in mind, but be cautious of groups coming over the hill near the women's tees on hole 4.

As with every approach shot, determine the pin's location on the green. Assess the proper miss and make your club selection accordingly.

-Your Hat Caddies