Hole by Hole

Hole Description:
The first hole at Cedarwood Country Club provides a gentle start to the round. The fairway rises gently to a crest and then slopes back down toward the green. A fairway bunker on the right will catch wayward tee shots and a thick stand yellow pines on the left can be penal as well. The work begins once you get on the green, which is gently undulating, and depending on the hole location, can be quite challenging.

Hole Description:
The second looks roomy but trouble is all around this hole. Fairway bunkers on the left and right edges of the fairway will catch tee shots not struck well or too far off line. The fairway drops dramatically from the tee to the landing area and the approach to the green is slightly downhill. A gaping bunker on the right front will catch misfired approach shots and is a tough up-and-down. The green slopes from back to front and putts above the hole can get away quickly.

Hole Description:
A par-three over water will get the attention of players of every caliber and the third is no different. The hole requires a tee shot that is all carry over the pond that fronts the green. But beware: Take too much club and a bunker awaits on the back right of the green. Even shots that don’t find the bunker are problematic because the green runs away from back to front toward the pond. Par is always a good score here.

Hole Description:
This par-five hole doglegs sharply to the right and a set of three bunkers – a large one and two smaller ones – guard the dogleg should you attempt to reduce the distance by cutting the corner. Clear those bunkers and you will be rewarded with a clear shot to the green. Take the more traditional route and you have two cross-bunkers to deal with – one on each side of the fairway – about 30 yards short of the green. The green itself is one of the most undulating on the course and the back right hole location is difficult indeed.

Hole Description:
While this short par-four looks benign, appearances can deceive. A small bunker in the middle of the fairway must be dealt with off the tee and you must choose the right club for your first shot. Stray too far to the right and another bunker awaits about 40 yards from the green, which is one of the most difficult shots in golf. Once at the green, the work begins. With plenty of movement in all directions, putting can be just as much of a challenge as the tee shot.

Hole Description:
The most challenging hole on the front nine starts with a semi-blind tee shot down the slope with water lurking at the bottom of the hill and to the right of the fairway. Once in the fairway, the second shot is all carry over the water. But you must be careful not to take too much club and find yourself behind the green for your chip or pitch to this undulating green.

Hole Description:
The generous fairway at the seventh takes the pressure off the tee shot but it’s your second shot where the work begins. The green is guarded by a bunker on the front right and the putting surface is severely sloped. Beyond the green lies a deep swale and your chip shot back to the green runs quickly from the back of the green to the front. If you can stay below the hole without the bunker catching your shot, you’ve done well.

Hole Description:
The second par-five on the front nine might seem short in yardage but it’s big in challenges. The tee shot must avoid a bunker on the right and the trees on the left that surround a creek bed. From there, the fairway slopes dramatically uphill, guarded by a cross bunker on the left about 30 yards from the green. The green itself features a deep bunker on the front right and the putting surface is the most undulating on the course, which makes it difficult to get the ball close to the hole with your approach.

Hole Description:
The longest par-three on the course starts with a testing tee shot to a large green with some demanding hole locations. Bunkers guard the front left and the right of the green. Because of the undulations on the green, getting the ball close to the hole from anywhere – from the tee or chipping – requires a good shot. Two putts from anywhere on the green is a good effort. Par is certainly a good score here.

Hole Description:
The 10th is a good start to the back nine, but trouble is not far away. Out of bounds looms on the left and a stand of trees next to a fairway bunker guards the right side of the hole. From the fairway, a big, sloping green receives all shots, but be careful not to go long because the green slopes considerably from back to front. Staying below the hole is paramount.

Hole Description:
picturesque par-three is framed by a bunker on the left, another on the back right of the green and a deep bunker in the front right catches many a mis-hit tee shot. Bunker shots on the 11th are a challenge to get close to the hole since the green runs away from back to front. Walk away with a par and you’ve done well.

Hole Description:
The only par-five on the incoming nine is also the longest par-five on the course. A pair of fairway bunkers on the left will catch an errant drive and out-of-bounds looms on the right. Tee shots not hit well or that catch one of the bunkers will have to deal with another fairway bunker about 150 yards out. On your approach, bunkers guard the left and right. And it’s important to be on the proper side of the ridge that bisects the green.

Hole Description:
The shortest par-four on the back makes up in difficulty what it lacks in length. The tee shot must avoid the fairway bunker on the right and a stand of trees on the left. While a short iron is usually the play for the approach, getting the ball close to the hole on this extremely undulating green is a difficult proposition. While you might be thinking about birdie from the fairway, once on the green, a two-putt par is not altogether a bad thing.

Hole Description:
This is the start of the stretch of some of the best finishing holes in Charlotte. The fairway rises up gently and most tee shots will find themselves in the face of the slope without much roll. Fairway bunkers left and right are to be avoided at all costs or else you turn this par-four into a three-shot hole. A large bunker guards the left of the green. Par is a terrific score here, as it is on all the finishing holes.

Hole Description:
Like the previous hole, this dogleg right par-four features an uphill tee shot into the face of a slope. A set of fairway bunkers can catch those who try to cut the corner. Playing to the left leaves a longer shot into the green but for the brave of heart, carrying the fairway bunkers can leave a relatively short shot. No bunkers surround this green, but they are not needed. It is paramount to leave yourself below the hole, no matter the location on the green.

Hole Description:
A long, difficult par-four with a fairway that slopes from right-to-left. Fairway bunkers guard the right and are to be avoided or else you are likely hitting a wedge for your third shot. But don’t go too far left off the tee or else the fairway will kick the ball into the rough. You must take enough club to carry to the elevated green. The bunker that sits directly in front of the green catches shots not struck solidly enough. Take par and walk away.

Hole Description:
The final par-three is another daunting hole in the march to the clubhouse. Although it has a big green, it’s not easy to hit with a mid-to-long iron. A bunker on the front right and a huge bunker that frames the left side of the green always get a lot of action. Don’t go flag hunting here. A tee shot in the middle of the green gets par most of the time.

Hole Description:
There’s no rest for the weary at the par-four finishing hole. A dogleg right, a stand of trees in the corner of the dogleg catches tee shots not struck well or those who try to get too aggressive in cutting the corner. However, out of bounds looms left. A good tee shot will find the left side of the fairway. But the work has just begun. A ridge runs through the middle of the green. Find yourself on the wrong side of the ridge and two putts are no guarantee.