I had the privileged of playing the Lake Course at the Olympic Club today. Privileged because the Lake Course is routinely ranked top 25 in the United States. That's along side clubs such Medinah, Riviera and Muirfield Village. If that wasn't enough to get me excited, the 2012 US Open will be played on the Lake Course.
Last year I played the Lake Course for the first time but frankly it was a blur. We rode in a cart so I didn't get as good a feel for the course as when you walk. This time I vowed to walk the course even if it meant a less relaxing, more tiring round. Luckily I have a second, super lightweight carry bag. The Lake Course is significantly more hilly than Harding Park but I would still put it in the very walkable category. The tees are not very far apart and while there are some good climbs it's not overly exhausting. I made it through 15 holes no problems. The last 3 holes I wouldn't have mind a caddy but overall I'm really glad I walked to course.
The day got off to an early start. Knowing I'd be walking I opted for a 3-egg, 6-sauage breakfast. Then it was off to the grass driving range for a quick warm-up. Was hitting the ball pretty well so I stop early and went to roll some putts. Olympic's greens are "super bent", 70% Tyee and 30% 007 grass. Very nice to putt on--if you can read the putts. Putting would turn out to be my Achilles' heel.
9:40, Tebow Time. The 1st hole is one of the easier holes, a dogleft right par-5. Easy, except for the nervous factor. Our host is a 7, his friend is a 10, while my former boss and I are more or less hacks. Our host plays from the blue tees so we join him. Frankly, the blue tees are just too long for me. I'd have to hit my driver and #2 hybrid perfectly on a few par 4s to reach. Especially with some of the greenside bunkering which effectively forces you to carry your entire approach distance. After a great driver and 2nd I was left with a nice little gap wedge in. Borderline skulled it but got relief from grounds under repair. Failed to get up and down.
2nd hole is a prime example of course management. There's a relatively deep bunk guarding the green on the right side. If I had known this I wouldn't have went for the right side pin. Once I got in bunker it was game over. My bunker play today was horrible.
3rd hole is a long 200 yard par-3. I hit an absolute laser. Needed about 4 more feet of roll to get over the ridge and it wold have cozied next to hole. So instead I'm left with about a 15 footer that goes over a slight ridge then downhill. Flew it by and was left with about an 8 footer coming back for par. 3-jack bogey from 15 feet. Ugg.
Think I had 40+ putts today. Just couldn't get the speed down until about the 14th/15th hole. Was actually hitting the ball pretty well. On the front I GIR the 3rd, 7th and 8th. 3 GIRs for a nine is good for my handicap. But I walked away with 3 bogeys. Couldn't putt.
Back nine was a bit of a grind. When you feel like you're playing well but can't 2-putt from 15 feet golf becomes very frustrating. Like on the 12th. Made a mess of my approach shot but hit a beauty to about 10 feet for a chance to save par. Walked away with a double from another 3 putt.
The 16th, 17th and 18th were brutal. The toll of walking had finally caught up. The 16th is just such a ridiculously long par 5. 17th I was so out of it I thought it was a par 4 when in fact it was a par 5. So the entire hole I kept thining to myself, man, am I that short of a hitter? 18th I was just too drained.
Overall, great day. Weather was absolutely amazing. Cool but sunny, good for walking. My impressions of the Lake Course has definitely gone up from the first time. Harding you don't really need to position your ball. Here, you definitely need to think about where you want to be to avoid the big numbers. The wrong bunker, the wrong side of the fairway, the wrong miss, and you're in a world of hurt. Just a lot more trouble. Fair though, not gimmicky stuff or bind shots. A lot more variety in the holes than Harding. Dogleft left, right, elevation changes.
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