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A recent visit to Arrowood Golf Course in Oceanside had a good news, bad news start. Our group was greeted warmly in the golf shop, but as I turned toward the first tee, I couldn’t see the landing area. Visions of 18 blind tee shots to narrow fairways filled my head, but the starter put my mind at ease. The news that the hole was “wide open” beyond where it appeared to head into oblivion was met with a collective sigh of relief by our group. It’s a good thing I exhaled, because Arrowood was a wild and exciting ride. The Course: Our group played from the blue tees, which measure 6,292 yards, but single-digit handicappers would be more challenged from the black tees at 6,721 yards. Regardless, the Ted Robinson Jr.-designed course that opened in 2005 is no pushover, mainly because of the intimidating look to many of the tee shots. The 387-yard, par-4 fourth hole was one of those tee shots that messes with your head. Lateral hazards guard both sides of the fairway and the landing area narrows the further you drive your ball. Avoid the trouble and you are left with a short approach. The 282-yard, par-4 sixth hole dares you to take aim at the green with a driver. The smart play is to advance the ball about 180 yards down the fairway, leaving a wedge shot into the green. The front nine concludes with a slightly uphill, 539-yard, par-5. A hazard guards the right side of the fairway but a premium is placed on the approach shot. A giant mound that leads to a wild swale in the green makes getting the ball near the hole a must if you don’t want to be left with a tough putt. The back nine is a lot more open. Wide fairways, inviting greens and a short par 5 highlight the first five holes on the back side. You can drive it almost anywhere and still have a shot at the green. A few well-played shots can put momentum on your side. You’re gonna need it as the gloves come off for the final four holes. On this day, the 168-yard, par-3 15th hole was playing into a stiff afternoon breeze, adding at least a club and a half to the shot. The pin also was nestled on a small tier on the back left of the green. A giant ridge running through the middle of the green brought the chance of three-putting into the equation. Nothing you have played to this point will prepare you for the 16th hole, which is the very definition of brutal intimidation. Long par 4: Check. Blind tee shot: Check. Into the wind: Check. Hazards on both sides of the fairway: Check. Island green surrounded by water: Check and check. At 442 yards, a par on this hole will feel like a winning lottery ticket. If you aren’t gun shy after the 16th, take out the driver on the 371-yard, par-4 17th hole. There is a hazard on the left side of the slightly elevated fairway and a pair of bunkers on the right, but a well-placed drive that favors the middle-right of the fairway can avoid the sand. The 18th hole is a straightforward, 378-yard par 4 with a large lake visible from the tee, but isn’t reachable unless you bust your drive well over 300 yards. Swirling winds and an odd-shaped, undulating green make the approach a crap shoot. We had two players end up short in the water and one who launched a wedge over the green into the tall grass all from the same location. The hole was much tougher than the scorecard indicated. LOCATION and rates: Arrowood Golf Course is at 5201A Village Drive in Oceanside. Fees are $57 on weekdays and $85 on weekends and holidays. One of the players in our group had a JC Golf card, which allowed us to play for the guest rate of $47. For more information, call (760) 967-8400 or visit www.arrowoodgolf.com. SG |
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