The month of August is National Golf Month and after a very long year of being stuck inside, we could all use some time outdoors, with fresh air and an activity you can do while social distancing. ShelbyKY has some amazing options when it comes to golf, Weissinger Hills, Clear Creek and the Shelbyville Country Club. Whether you are a scratch golfer, just getting started or someone like me who hacks it around from time to time, each course has its own unique style that challenges golfers in different ways. So, before you book your tee times, check out some of the best and most challenging holes ShelbyKY has to offer.
Shelbyville Country Club 47 Smithfield Road Shelbyville, KY 40065
This semi-private golf course, will test your skills from holes 1 through 18. Originally designed in 1934 by Clarence “Buck” Blankenship, the Shelbyville Country Club is a par 72, measuring 6400 yards from the back tees. The challenges that this course presents helps to even the playing field for the shorter hitters, as going too long on many holes can be disastrous for the longer hitters. With hundreds of trees, bending fairways and fast undulating greens, you must be precise with each of your shots. A full practice range, putting green, tennis courts and a swimming pool will have you making the drive from out of town on a regular basis.
Hole #8 (555 Yards)
The 8th is the most difficult hole on the course. The par 5 has out of bounds all down the right, water all down the left, and players must play over hazards twice before reaching the putting surface. Depending on the wind direction long hitters may be able to clear the first hazard. If they do so, they will have the option to go for the green in 2. This is an even riskier proposition. The green is guarded left and front by water and the approach shot will be blind unless the players chooses to lay up. However, taking the safe road isn’t always a cakewalk. The fairway slants grossly to the left and can cause what seem like very conservative shots to end up under a tree in the left rough. This hole requires 3 well- planned and well-executed golf shots, no exceptions. Once on the green you deal with a lot of left to right break, definitely no gimmie putts here.
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Hole#10 (470 Yards)
If you’re like me #10 is a short par 5 but if you have a lower handicap and have the distance in your bag, play it as a long par 4. The tee shot is narrow with trees lining both sides of the sloping fairway and the lake punishing any shots lost too far to the right, and be sure to watch out for the Bald Eagle statue that hugs the fairway on the left side. The uniqueness of this hole is the green’s defense. There is water front and right and one giant tree in the middle of the fairway 50 yards from the green! Often the tree’s only role is punishing players who find trouble off the tee and are forced to lay up. Generally speaking, long hitters are going to be flying 5, 6, or 7 irons way over it. This green’s slope is incredibly severe in the front third. As is common on old American style golf courses, below the hole is the best place to be.
Hole#14 (483 Yards)
While several holes encourage the left to right shot shape, #14 rewards players who can move the ball from right to left. For a right-handed player hitting a draw off this tee box is an absolute must, unless you feel risky and go straight over the trees from the elevated tee box. Even with the proper shape a tucked tee location can leave the player facing a long approach into one of the most interesting greens on the course. The putting surface is guarded by 3 bunkers, one 20 yards short on the right, one just off the front left portion of the green and one off the back right. Depending on the hole location bunker shots can be straight-forward and simple or deadly difficult.
For anyone who may be new to the game of golf, here are some key words and phrases that can help you be more familiar around the course:
Par – The score that would be expected to be made on a given hole. (ex. On Par 4’s it is expected to complete the hole in 4 shots)
Hazard – An area on a golf course that can prove difficult to hit from (ex. Tall grass, bunkers, water)
Fairway – The part of the course with shorter cut grass between the Tee Box and the Green. This area allows you to get better contact on your next shot.
Green – Also known as the putting surface, is where the hole is located and have the shortest grass on the course. This allows the ball to roll smoothly, almost like carpet.