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The Zone's resident online golf pro, Sandy Bunkers, is very excited about the release of Microsoft Golf '98. As much as he's always enjoyed Golf 3.0, the new game is a quantum leap ahead in graphics, realism and just downright fun. We couldn't keep him off the fairways, and so, as soon as a CD crossed our desk, Sandy threw his clubs in the trunk of his virtual car and was off. As he left, we made him promise to take notes on his tour of the courses in Golf '98.
Casa de Campo, Teeth of the Dog Course
Sandy Bunkers here. How ya doin'? I have to thank the Zone for letting me play hooky so I could play one of the courses in Microsoft Golf '98. Why don't you walk with me, and we'll take a hole-by-hole look at the Teeth of the Dog Course at Casa de Campo? Gotta like that name. And it's as fierce as it sounds. Luckily, the weather is perfect but I've played this course in the wind, and you don't want to do that unless you're Nicklaus or Woods or something. Anyway, I'll pack my big driver for the big yardage, change into my favorite blue shirt, and we're on our way.
Hole 1, 401 Yards, Par 4
A delightfully easy first hole that should provide a birdie opportunity. Straight from the tee is the key here and you can fire it as far as you like. The right-hand side is filled with bunkers and the leftside bunkers will also come into play. If you hit it far and straight for your first shot, you'll have a simple chip onto the green. The green is surprisingly tricky, so don't get too cocky with that short putt or it will be a par.
Hole 2, 378 Yards, Par 4
Temptation is a terrible thing. That giant sand island to your left seems like it draws the ball into its gritty maw. And if you overcompensate to the right, well that's no pretty picture, either. I seem to have trouble driving the green. Besides, it's cooler to bounce the ball on the cartpath and let it come to a rest just at the far edge of the fairway. Love that short game. If you're a behemoth with the driver, go for the pin, just make it straight and keep it below the hole so you can putt uphill.
Hole 3, 545 Yards, Par 5
The third hole would be a straight shot to a small green but that nasty bunker in the middle of the fairway comes into play. Avoid overaiming your first and second shot. Instead, play conservatively and make sure to stay in the fairway. The green is easy to overshoot and once that happens, your chance for a birdie is nil. If you absolutely have to go for the gusto, aim for the red-roofed home slightly to the left of the tee. After crushing it, you'll have a delicate drop shot of about 140 yards to the pin. Too short and it's in the bunkers, too long and it's over the green. I warned you. But you can do it. The green's a piece of cake, and you can score an eagle.
Hole 4, 327 Yards, Par 4
Some say this is the easiest hole on the course. But that's only if you stay in the middle of the fairway. Slice or fade to the sides and you'll be staring up the backside of a mighty tree. Get too aggressive and you won't make the cut. Short and straight shots are the goal here.
Hole 5, 155 Yards, Par 3
Eeeeeeee. One of the prettiest holes on the course, you do NOT want to be anywhere near that big tree to the right of the green. The dip and bunker underneath its leafy canopy spell certain death for the unwary golfer. The green is relatively flat and simple, but good luck hitting it with your tee shot. I avoid the fancy draw shot and instead hit it slightly to the left of the pin. Easy par, difficult birdie.
Hole 6, 449 Yards, Par 4
This hole's easy if your first shot hugs to the right and clears the bunkers. This will give you a straight shot to the pin without anything in your way. The flyby notes that the green has lots of movement, and the flyby doesn't lie! This is a common par hole and you should almost be happy with that.
Hole 7, 225 Yards, Par 3
This hole is just as pretty as Number Five, but without the big tree. And the lack of a tree makes this hole a LOT easier. A nice long drive to within ten feet of the pin and a simple putt for bird. Gorgeous hole, and a good place to make up a shot.
Hole 8, 417 Yards, Par 4
You don't need to be anywhere near the left side of the fairway, with all the bunkers and the ocean and whatnot. Fire it straightaway and you'll have a beautiful shot to the pin from the middle of the fairway. I find it easier to shoot to the left side of the pin, since if you're on the right it makes for a trickier downhill putt.
Hole 9, 505 Yards, Par 5
Crush, crush, crush. Make sure you hit the maximum drive on your first shot. It's an eagle possibility, but that second shot to the elevated green is difficult because distances are hard to judge. Aim for the pin and hope for the best. The green is all over the place, one of the most difficult on the course. If you've been practicing reading the breaks, you'll be ok here but be prepared to be frustrated.
Hole 10, 377 Yards, Par 4
Don't even worry about the stone wall. Cut the angle on this hole all the way to the left and just go for the pin. You'll probably end up in the sand, but these are forgiving bunkers. Make a nice chip shot and you won't have to worry about the undulating green. Definite birdie opportunity here if you cut the dogleg and go for the gold.
Hole 11, 540 Yards, Par 5
The tiny green and zaggy fairway make things look difficult. But the rough down the right side of the hole seems to offer decent lies. I've been able to drive the green in two consistently, coming from the rough with my second shot. It may not be wise golf, but if it works, can't beat the result.
Hole 12, 445 Yards, Par 4
A blast to the right side of the fairway leaves the ultra-tricky second shot. That vast sea of sand must be negotiated, but this is much easier than coming down the left side of the fairway and going around the blocking tree. It's better to hit your shot a bit long and come into the pin from behind, instead of hitting it short into the bunker.
Hole 13, 175 Yards, Par 3
Whoa! Back to the pitch-n-putt. Even though the green is on an island, you should have no trouble plonking your tee shot down close enough to the pin for a birdie. A welcome respite from the testers all around you.
Hole 14, 505 Yards, Par 5
Aim for the semi-circular bit of fairway to the right of the tee. When you land in this area, you'll have a clear shot to the pin over a stretch of water and a large plot of sand. The problem is that approaching the green from this angle makes for a narrow target. Overshooting will still allow for a birdie so it's worth the risk.
Hole 15, 384 Yards, Par 4
No, you can't make it from here. Really, I wouldn't try it if I were you. No, don't! Aw, now see what you did. That'll be a double bogey for sure. Yep, don't try to get too close to this green from the tee or you'll regret your aggressiveness. Play a nice, soft, safe shot slightly to the left of the pin, then chip it onto the green and hope you get close.
Hole 16, 185 Yards, Par 3
Not much to say about this hole except stay away from the right hand side. Try to get the ball at least pin high for your putt. Being below the hole makes for a much more difficult stroke.
Hole 17, 435 Yards, Par 4
Aim straight for the short tree directly in front of the red and white tees. Landing in that area will give you an easy second shot to the pin.
Hole 18, 440 Yards, Par 4
The green is tucked behind the water and some trees, making your first shot an act of blind faith. Aim into the rolling hills, then shoot up to the elevated green. This isn't a hard hole at all as long as you don't try to be too aggressive.
See Ya Later, Bub!
Well, that's it for our first round together at the Casa de Campo Teeth of the Dog Course. Hope you had a good time. We had great weather, and there's nothing finer than a nice day of chasing the little white ball around, don't you think? This is Sandy Bunkers saying goodbye, and hope you all land in the fairway!
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