 GOLF
COURSE REVIEW
The 18th Hole at True BlueMYRTLE BEACH, SC -- When it opened in 1998, True Blue immediately became one of Myrtle Beach's most talked about courses. In contrast to his design at Caledonia, Mike Strantz was called upon to create a course concept never before seen in the Grand Strand. This is like asking Baskin and Robbins to create a new flavor - a tall order for a corner of the golf world that just christen edits 100th course last year. As their promotional materials boast, "True Blue is built upon the site of an old indigo and rice plantation and features uncommon natural elevations and naturally rugged terrain. The rough, sandy areas have been retained and provide striking contrast to the immaculate greens, tees and fairways." Sounds great right? Well it is - but there are some shots, even some hole sat True Blue that may appear impossible for the average golfer to play. And there is no better place to make a sacrifice to the Golf Gods than at the par-4, 435 yard 18th. True Blue is all about sand and water (translation - hazards), and the 18th is "truly" one of Myrtle Beach's holes to be reckoned with. The Hole: The 18th at True Blue. Bent grass greens with Bermuda fairways and tees. Architect: Mike Strantz The Layout: 435 yard par-4 as measured from the tips. Note: do not play this course from the tips unless you a) are one of those sick hackers that wants to "see the whole course", or b) have ever contemplated qualifying for the Hooters Tour. The Strategy: As relayed to us by Head Pro Danny Gore, "is to keep your tee shot to the right and reduce the carry needed to clear the water.Water in front of the tee goes all the way down the left side of fairway to the green. There is a beach bunker 210 yards from the tee box, so favor the right center of the fairway. A good tee shot leaves anywhere from a 3 iron to a 7 iron approach shot depending on the distance and the wind. Generally, the green slopes right left." Basically, the mantra on the 18th should be "win the fight by hitting to the right." The Average Golfer: Should probably be thinking course management, and should set their sights on bogey. When setting up for the approach shot to the green, Gore offers some words of caution. "If you miss the green long, you're all right, but then you are chipping down the green towards the water. There is a bail out bunker to the right of the green if you really need a safety valve." Don't Play: A drive down the left side of the fairway. It brings the water into play on the tee shot, and once again on the approach shot. Play the Hole: Says Gore, "The best time to play the 18th is in the mid-afternoon when the wind is blowing in your face, and the hole plays to its absolute toughest handicap." Inside the numbers: As a daily fee course, no official scoring average has been established for the 18th, but Gore conjectures that it plays between 5.0 and 5.5. The 18th is the No. 6 handicap hole. Wanna Play?: True
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