Dooks Par 4 3rd

GPW hopes everyone had their Christmas wish came true, just like GPW's did. It is confirmed that Mike a.k.a. Caddy Boy will be attending the Prairie Club portion of next June's golf trip.

Today GPW brings you the par 4 3rd hole at Dooks, measuring 374 yards.

Much of the front nine at Dooks plays along an inlet and offers wonderful views of the water and mountains. Dooks' third hole doglegs left to right, and plays back toward the water, downhill. This picture is taken from the right hand side of the third green and provides a good understanding of the essence of Dooks. The dunes are modest and rolling and they are covered in long, native grasses. The land has some elevation change, but it is more rolling. Because of these factors, you often get long views of the course and surrounding scenery as you play your round.

You might think the house in the background is the clubhouse. You would be wrong. That house is privately owned and sits on a prime piece of property. The house has tremendous views of the golf course, the mountains and the sea beyond. During GPW's round it appeared the house was unoccupied. It most likely is a vacation home. It wouldn't surprise GPW in the least if a search of local land records showed that a Mr. Wego owned the property.

Wild Rugged Bunkers

Merry Christmas! GPW hopes all of your wishes come true during this magical time of the year, and, more importantly, your golf ball never ends up in some of the wicked bunkers we are about to examine.



The first menacing bunker resides in the landing area of the par 5 1st hole at Royal County Down. This bunker lies roughly 40 yards short of the green, on the left hand side of the fairway. It comes into play only if the player decides to attack the green on the second shot. To complicate matters, the second shot is entirely blind, so this bunker is not visible. Note just how deep the bunker is. Similar to GPW's downward life spiral, the bottom is nowhere in sight. The bunkers at RCD are evil, scary looking creations and finding one is a true hazard.



The next picture shows another bunker from Royal County Down, this time at the par 4 3rd hole. This bunker is also short and left of the green. The long, crazy grass surrounding the bunker is very typical of RCD. Almost all of the bunkers have this rugged look, and the grass is unbelievably thick and punishing.



The third pictures shows the fairway bunker that eats into the right side of the par 5 8th hole at Ballyneal. The bunker serves to obstruct the view of the player on the second shot. Theoretically, the bunker is in play off the tee. But, because this hazard is more than 235 yards from the tee, for GPW, reaching it is just that: a theory (okay, wet dream). From here, the preferred line is pretty much over the center of the bunker, perhaps right center. GPW likes the look of that shot. Hybrid, anyone?



Our final picture is of yet another fairway bunker; found at the par 5 10th hole at Doonbeg. This bunker makes its lair on the right hand side of the landing area for second shots. It is enormous. GPW's three playing companions for the day, two Northern Irish lads and a half bottle of Jack Daniels (located in the back pocket of said Norther Irish lad to the left) serve to provide some scale to the bunker. Luckily, GPW avoided this bunker, but had to chip over it from a super tight lie to obtain the green on the third shot. GPW is of the opinion that being married was more fun than that exercise.

Royal Portrush Par 3 11th

Today GPW brings you the par 3 11th hole at Royal Portrush. The hole measures only 170 yards and plays significantly downhill.



The 11th is a sweet golf hole. The tee is perched high amongst the dunes. The green is located well below the golfer, almost in a valley. It is slightly elevated and surrounded by five bunkers. From the tee box, you have expansive views of the golf course. The par 4 15th hole plays from the opposite direction directly toward the 11th green. The tall black and white directional pole sits directly behind the 15th's green. Beyond that, you can make out the fairway of the 15th hole, which ambles down a large dune.

The second picture is taken from the right hand side of the green. This picture gives you a good idea of what the bunkers at Royal Portrush are all about. The bunkers tend to be circular or oval in nature. Admittedly, this look is not GPW's most favorite. Natural slopes found within the land tend to feed stray golf shots into Portrush's bunkers. The edges of the bunkers are shaved, allowing for balls to roll into them.

Lahinch Par 5 18th

Today GPW brings you the par 5 18th at Lahinch. The hole measures 534 yards from the back tee, and has 12 pot bunkers.



The hole plays slightly downhill, back toward the clubhouse and pro shop. A two lane road borders the entire left hand side of the golf hole. One of the great features of Lahinch is the rolling terrain the course plays through. This picture shows the green from roughly 100 yards out. The fairway has many swells and lots of movement.

The small brick structure directly behind the green is the pro shop. It is really small, but packed with pictures of golf pros who have come through the town of Lahinch to play golf here. There was a really old picture of Phil the Mick, Greg Norman, Seve, Nick Faldo, among many others.

Behind the pro shop is the town of Lahinch. The golf course sits just on the edge of town. You could literally walk from the course to the town center in 5 minutes. Lahinch is small, it can't be more than 10,000 people, and it is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Similar to GPW getting his identity from whether or not he can crack 80, (sub 80 = the world is glorious, 80+ = should I slit my wrists or jump off a bridge?) the town gets its identity from the golf course, which is certainly a world class layout.

Ballybunion Par 3 12th

Today GPW brings you one of Ballybunion's inland holes; the 192 yard par 3 12th. The 12th is perhaps the most demanding of Ballybunion's par 3's.



The 12th is intimidating and has more dangers and pitfalls than Tiger has mistresses. The green sits well above the tee box, and you cannot see the putting surface. The left side of the green sits flush to a large dune. A small pot bunker is also found on this side, toward the back left corner of the green. The green falls quickly away on the right side and in front, a good 20 feet or so, to collection areas. The front of the green is also extremely narrow. The severe elevation change, the narrowness of the hole and blustry wind conditions make this tee shot very difficult. Becasue of the elevation change, players are forced to throw the ball up into the wind, where their ball is at the mercy of the elements. Good luck.



From the front of the green, looking backward, the tee boxes can be seen. From this vantage point, the course, the dunes and the beach all sprawl away. You are located at one of the highest points on the golf course and in the middle of one of the world's great nines.



From behind the green, you can see the start of the run off in the left hand side of the picture. The green rolls gently and is indicitive of the greens found at Ballybunion. The flag flutters in the wind, perhaps a two club wind at this point.



The final picture, taken from the side, provides a good view of just how sudden and significant the green tumbles away on the right hand side. Many of Ballbunion's greens, especially on the back nine, are perched atop dunes such as this, Many have drop offs and can be very tricky to recover from. This picture also gives you an idea of the rough at Ballybunion. It is snarly and juicy and a wayward ball is likely gonzo. A par at the 12th is well earned.

The Lads in Action

GPW is proud to present a second installment of Fine Form Friday. Remember, FFF is dedicated to providing high quality action pictures of loyal GPW followers and semi-intelligent/snappy commentary. Today we have four pictures!



In our first picture we have book author and avid golfer Jimmy "Utter Butter" Colton demonstrating fine form at impact on his approach to the par 4 8th green at Sand Hills. That is one languid swing. (note Wyatt Halliday's ball 20 yards ahead of JC's, which would mean Wyatt's ball is 70 yards ahead of GPWs.)



Ah, in our second picture we have an iconic picture of an iconic hole (Sand Hills par 4 8th green at sunset) featuring two iconic figures in the game, Wyatt Halliday and Jefe. Wyatt has already sent his putt rolling toward the hole, which looks to be a big swinging putt, down the hill, left to right. Note Jefe barely even giving Wyatt's putt consideration, as he examines his own golf ball. It has been well documented that Jefe and Wyatt have a touchy relationship, since each is competing to be the BFF of one Jimmy C. It wouldn't have surprised GPW if Jefe had stuck the flag back in the hole while Wyatt's putt was in motion, allowed the ball to strike the flag, and then call a two shot penalty on Wyatt. All is fair in love and war.



In our third picture we have Texas legend Wyatt Halliday striking a shot at Sand Hills, probably sticking it to 3 feet and racking up yet another birdie, something like his 30th over two rounds at Sand Hills. Take note of Jimmy C, practically on the horizon (perhaps ball in pocket?), admiring the fine form of Wyatt.



And finally we have Jefe at Sand Hill's par 4 5th hole. The flag location is on the extreme left portion of this green. Who doesn't love that swing?

Waterville Par 3 17th

Today GPW brings you Waterville's best known hole; the 194 yard par 3 17th. The owner of Waterville so loved this spot on the golf course, upon his death he was cremated and had his ashes spread about the 17th box. GPW gathers that Jefe and Jimmy C have a similar arrangement in order; upon their death their ashes will be mixed together in a Mister Misty cup (grape flavored) and spread about the parking lot of a nearby Dairy Queen.



The 17th tee does indeed have a spellbinding location. The tee is perched high atop a dune, affording views of the oceanfront and mountains. The green is open in the front, with a severe falloff on the left side of the hole. Heavy grass and low dunes must be carried from the tee. The hole has zero bunkers.

At the green, the surface is rather flat. While the 17th is beautiful, wind barriers along the cliff ledge make for an ugly sight. In the 189 course GPW has had the privilege to play, only Waterville has offered such a sight. The barriers certainly take away from the natural beauty of the golf hole.

Old Head Par 5 12th

Today GPW brings you the par 5 12th hole at Old Head. The hole measures 564 yards from the back tees and is the true definition of a nutso hole.



The hole begins with the tee boxes hanging on the edge of the cliff, the expansive ocean to your back and immediate left. The drop down to the water is roughly 200 feet.



The tee shot is indeed, imposing. The hole swings dramatically to the left. However, your tee shot must be played right center, over a brown directional rock, which is located at the right edge of the picture. A ridge at the start of the fairway makes the landing area blind from the tee. To your left, you have views of the rugged cliffs. In the second picture, the green is located just in front of the first stone tower in the distance. Take note of the slim walking path running along the cliffs on the left. It leads from the tees to the fairway. GPW thought about taking this route, but, he was playing by himself and was terrified of what might happen while walking the path alone. At this point, GPW had logged over 1,200 kilometers by car, sleep deprivation had set in and he was operating on a half can of Pringles (cheese flavored) and a Dr. Pepper for breakfast. Things were a little blurry, to say the least. All it would have taken was a strong gust of wind to blow GPW and Bernie into oblivion. Instead, GPW took a safer route away from the cliffs.



The third picture shows the view from the landing area. Here, looking left, you have great views of the cliffs and the green Irish countryside in the distance.



Looking forward, the green is within reach. The second shot is played anywhere from 250 to 200 yards, somewhat downhill, tempting the better player to go for the green in two. The green is pinched by the cliffs on the left, and mounds and heavy grass on the right. The green is also slightly elevated. If laying up, the bunker on the right must be avoided.

The tower behind the green is the entrance for the course, with Irish and American flags on the flag poles.