We decided to play one of my favorite courses around- Inverwood. I feel like this course is a secret and I don't know why. Inverwood is not the hardest of courses but the two great things about Inverwood are 1) You can get on almost any time. 2) You can play 9 holes on the championship course any time on the weekend.
While I would prefer to play 18, there are times when doing so conflicts with the schedule or with the wishes of my playing partners. Because of this, it is great to be able to still play 9 holes on a non-executive course and to still be able to hit a variety of shots.
As I said, Inverwood is not the toughest course but I think it is a real hidden gem. It has a lot of variety on each of the holes and is kept in tremendous shape. The greens are always fast and true and they keep the rough a little bit long as a true hazard. Played from the blue tees the course is a respectable 6724 yards. We usually play from the whites which is 6194 yards. The green fees are only $36 for 18 which I think is a deal on a this course. I bet we end up playing the course about 10-15 times a year, either 9 holes or 18 because of the ease of tee times, the course layout and condition, and the price.
Lets get on to talking about the course.
The first hole is a 3 shot par 5. Playing at 536 yards it is not the longest of holes but a dogleg left at the end to the green prevents second shot approaches. The best play is to stay on the right side of the fairway on your first tow shots. Just don't go too far right as a hill drops off once you leave the fairway. The third shot is to a slightly elevated green.
The second hole reminds me of a northern Minnesota golf course with the stand of pines to the left side of the hole. A downhill par 4 at 349 yards. The fai4rway slopes right towards a large pond that is hidden from the tee. Keep the ball left fora safe second shot to a large green.
The third hole is a tight par 4, 363 yards, that looks like you have less room off the tee than you do. The fairway opens up a little bit past the trees but you need to stay straight as right will block your approach to the uphill green and left risks the woods. The green is fairly deep front to back with two levels. Keep an eye on where the pin is.
The fourth hole is a slight dogleg right 352 yards par 4. Hitting the fairway is critical here. A large dead tree marks the start of trouble on the right. Playing left is OK but there is a fairway bunker to catch a lot of balls on that side. The green is protected on all sides by bunkers and the back of the green drops off towards the fifth tee. Don't go long. The left side also falls downhill.
Hole 5 is a tricky downhill 409 yard par 4. A large pond is to the right of the fairway. A red and white stake is visible from the tee that marks the edge of safety on the right side. Playing safe and hitting short of the water leaves a long second shot to a green that is well protected in front with sand and slopes away making shots hard to hold. Tree surround the green further back. By far the best play is a long shot to the left side of the fairway. If hit well you can get some roll off the hill and end up being a wedge away from the green. If you mishit this shot right it will be wet and left will be in some long grass or pine trees.
Hole 6 is a long 206 par 3 from the tips or a mid shot 160 yard variety from the whites. A small bunker in front is the only danger. The left side of the green drops off downhill and long will find a tough shot of a downhill lie.
Hole 7 is the second par 5 on this side and requires an uphill blind tee shot to a black and white aiming stake in the middle of the fairway. Do not try to go past the stake as danger comes in to play on all sides if you do. Miss the tee shot right and you will be in either a bunker or fescue grass. Miss to the left and your ball will be out of bounds or in some tough fescue. When playing from the whites I usually hit a 3 wood to the aiming marker which is out 250 yards. From the blue tees this marker is 270 yards. Once you reach the marker your second shot is over a cliff to a green located dead ahead. The green has bunkers on either side in front. A pond is at the bottom of the hill on the right and trees will swallow up your ball if you go right. From the aiming marker you are 250 yards from the pin so the safe play is to go at the green in two.
Hole 8 is a monster of a par 4 which plays most of its 453 yards up hill. The tee is elevated and requires you to miss the stand of trees on the right. Most likely this hole will be into the wind making it seem even longer. Your second shot is an uphill shot to the green, likely from about 200 yards. The green is bunkered on each side and has two distinct tiers, with the back of the green higher than the front. Not only do you have to worry about getting to the green you also need to place your shot to avoid a potentially difficult putt.
Hole 9 is a short par 3 but wind will affect which club is needed. A green side bunker is in play to the left. Don go long on the hole or you will likely be hitting your second from the first tee. The green is pretty large and offers a tough putt if you are not near the pin. In the picture you can see Lisa smiling because she hit her tee shot tight. She made her bird to finish.
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