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Golf Pro's Favorite Holes

Published Date Sep 12, 2020

Shadow Wood Golf Pro's Favorite Holes!

With 54 holes of golf, Shadow Wood Country Club is truly a golfer's paradise! But having 54 holes presents one challenge... how do we pick a favorite?

I am often asked which is the "best" course, or what is our signature hole? Well, to be honest, it’s just too hard to choose! Each of the three Shadow Wood courses have different features and challenges which makes them each unique.

So, I decided to take the question to the pros! What surprised me the most after asking 9 of our golf professionals is that I heard 9 different answers! This is truly a testament that the game of golf is unique for all those who play it.

Brian Bartolec, PGA, General Manager/COO, South Course, Hole # 18, Par 5
Andy Scrivner, PGA, Asst. General Manager, North Course, Hole # 12, Par 5
Bryan McComb, PGA, Director of Golf, North Course, Hole #2, Par 4
Phil Pellerito, PGA, Preserve Club Manager, Preserve Course, Hole #6, Par 3
Nick Prunty, PGA, Head Golf Professional, North Course, Hole #7, Par 4
Chris Singiser, PGA, Assistant Gof Professional, North Course, Hole #5, Par 4
Tyler Polk, PGA, PGA Golf Professional, North Course, Hole #15, Par 4
Eric Ruha, Director of Agronomy, Preserve Course, Hole #10, Par 4

If you want to know why our team of PGA professionals love these holes and learn some of their best pro tips for each, then read on below!

	“My favorite hole is #18 South. This is a great finishing hole. There is a real risk reward factor to going for the green in two. It is always nice to have a gallery watching from the Sunset Terrace as you finish your round.”
“Hole # 12 on the North Course is a par-five and plays 603 yards from the Black Teeing Grounds. This is a terrific par-five in that each shot requires careful thought and offers some risk-reward consideration. With the natural preserve area fronting the entire left side of the hole and backdrop behind the green, this hole nicely marries SW Florida nature with the golfing experience. For the longer hitting players, starting your tee shot over the lake and towards the left half of the fairway provides the best opportunity to play aggressive into the green. After finding the left half of the fairway, focus your alignment on the front-right greenside bunker, and be aggressive with your swing to promote right-to-left spin on the shot. Successfully pulling off this second shot may result in your ball reaching the green and utilizing the contours to get close! If your second shot finishes safely in the fairway short of the green, remain focused on your next shot, as the slopes around this green make it uniquely difficult to recover from a wayward approach!”
	“Standing on the tee on the North Course Hole #2 is nature at its best in Southwest Florida. The dogleg to the right shape of the hole, bordered by the full trees on the left, a lake on the right, with a nature preserve area behind the green, makes this one of the most visual appealing holes on the course. Once the beauty sets in, do not let the short Par 4 deceive you. For being a short Par 4, this hole has some teeth and can be very difficult if not played according to the design of the hole. To play this hole the best, it is recommended to play out to the left of the bunker and lake, trying to position your ball on the left side of the fairway, if possible. From the left side of the fairway you will have the best approach angle into the green. With bunkers guarding the front right and left side of the green, and a preserve area over the green, it is best to try to play to the middle of the green, regardless of the pin placement. If you were fortunate to hit a couple of well struck shots, this hole can setup a great birdie opportunity. However, the unfortunate missed shots can make this short hole very difficult. Between the beautiful aesthetics and fairness of the hole, this is one of the best holes on the North Course.”
"Hole #6 on the Preserve Course is one of the best Par 3’s in all of Southwest Florida. The natural surroundings, preserve area in front and all around the hole, along with significant difficulty really captures the essence of The Preserve. All players are first faced with a significant amount of carry over the preserve area in front of green. This hole is typically into the wind and provides a significant challenge in hitting the green let alone stopping your ball near the pin. The green has a good amount of slope and depending on the pin position and your ball placement, you will likely be faced with a challenging two putt opportunity. This hole is typically a turning point opportunity in your round, where a good score will keep your positive momentum going however a bad score could but a strain on your round. Playing smart on this hole is important and knowing when to be aggressive and safe is the key to playing this great Par 3.”
	"My favorite hole is North #7. This beautiful dog leg left favors a slight draw and offers a good risk-reward strategy from the tee. Given the right conditions, players can cut the corner and carry over the water for a shorter approach in. The safest play from the tee is to hit a fairway wood or hybrid and aim straight down the middle at the fairway bunker. The more dangerous option is to play a slight draw and aim at the small bunker on the left side of the fairway, which will give you a much shorter approach in. Once safely on the fairway, players still have a tough approach shot ahead of them. The miss on the approach shot is short and right, as anything long of this green makes for a difficult up and down. Any shot safely to the middle of this green is a good approach and a good chance at birdie!"
"Hole #5 on the North Course is a long par-four playing 451 yards and is always into the wind. Consisting of a very daunting Tee Sheet over water to an elevated fairway that works towards the water. Standing on the Black Teeing Grounds provides one of the most scenic views when it comes to Southwest Florida Golf. For the long hitters it provides a risk and reward tee-shot with the bunker left and water right through the coquina. A miss left results in a very difficult blind shot from 180+ yards away with water right of the green. A solid swing to the bunker left is the ideal target to have the best opportunity on your approach shot into the green. After finding the left half of the fairway just short of the bunker your line will be at the left side of the green to allow the contour to move the ball towards the pin. If you are feeling aggressive and want to take the pin on, the tree short right and the water right comes into play and requires the perfect shot. Making par on this hole is crucial to gain some advantage on the rest of the field.”
	"The North Course's Hole #15 is a 431 yard Par 4 with water down the right side and bunkers on the left which requires a long and accurate tee shot. Missing left, right or short will make the approach much more difficult. The green is narrow front to back but wide left to right. Missing this green will almost certainly result in a bogey or worse, but hitting the green in regulation will leave a great look at birdie."
“This hole speaks the name Preserve in every aspect. From the early construction phase of having to re-locate gopher tortoises into the natural area to the right, to the wood line running completely around the perimeter, #10 is one of only a few holes that has no homes along the border. And for my golf game, that is safer for everyone. The original oaks that flank the landing area may not look that big from the tee, but when you challenge them if “threading the needle” you need to be very accurate as they soon tower over you. Setting up before the oaks is safe and will have you 160/140 into the green, but the more you gamble, the shorter wedges come into play. As you look upon the green complex, the backdrop is a very picturesque natural area that frames the area perfectly. As the sun sets in the West, the shadows cast along this fairway are spectacular.”