“(Caledonia architect Mike Strantz) used his prodigious skill as a freehand artist to draw detailed renderings of proposed holes. He would stand stock still in the field and let the images form in his mind, before releasing them onto the page. The drawings would then be handed to his shapers and pinned up in the cab, in lieu of formal plans and levels. Entire courses were designed this way.”
-Robin Hiseman, Golf Course Architecture, 11/4/13
The par-five 8th hole at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club leaves golfers with an important decision in the middle of their round. Playing to a modest 528 yards from the Pintail Duck tees, this par-five is very reachable in two.
Four bunkers just off the right side of the fairway are the only things keeping golfers from finding this fairway. Most tee shots up the left will take the contours back down to the fairway. The decision comes in on the second shot. A 170-yard layup shot will leave you a flip wedge. But if you’re feeling frisky and need to make up some ground on your buddies, you can attempt to hit this green in two. Just make sure your second shot carries the water that sits just off the front of the green.
The fun continues when you get to the green. This green is split in two by a half-pipe. If the pin is below the slope balls will use that bank as a feeder into toward the hole. If it is above the slope, approach shots must not have any spin on them. If they come up short you will be left with a tough two-putt. Make sure to avoid the bunkers that are long of the green, too.
We can’t wait to host your next round, so you can enjoy this and many more great holes when you tee it up at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club!