I have had both really good and really bad luck with this hole. Got punished by being a little too far right off the tee.
Mid Atlantic Meet- Royal New Kent - VA (All THPers welcome)
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- #152
Par 5
Dr Seuss worst nightmare in Par 5 form
This hole has much going on it should come with a brochure. Right off the tee- Bad. Short off the tee- Bad and if you go in those bunkers good luck. Those things are awful. This fairway has many bumps and lumps your tee could end up in some weird places. As you get farther down it all slants left toward that sand waste area. If you can get your 2nd shot down into that bend or farther down you have a very nice look at the green. And this is where it gets stupid. This green is divided in half as mentioned earlier. The back part is highly elevated from the front. Like falling down a freaking hill you’d see at mini golf. If the pin is up front use the hill as a back stop. If it’s in the back god help us all. Par is a very good score here. Also yes that’s a creek in front of the green with a giant U bunker guarding the front. It’s not awful but it’s not one you necessarily want to be in.
Dr Seuss worst nightmare in Par 5 form
This hole has much going on it should come with a brochure. Right off the tee- Bad. Short off the tee- Bad and if you go in those bunkers good luck. Those things are awful. This fairway has many bumps and lumps your tee could end up in some weird places. As you get farther down it all slants left toward that sand waste area. If you can get your 2nd shot down into that bend or farther down you have a very nice look at the green. And this is where it gets stupid. This green is divided in half as mentioned earlier. The back part is highly elevated from the front. Like falling down a freaking hill you’d see at mini golf. If the pin is up front use the hill as a back stop. If it’s in the back god help us all. Par is a very good score here. Also yes that’s a creek in front of the green with a giant U bunker guarding the front. It’s not awful but it’s not one you necessarily want to be in.
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- #153
More Elevation?!
So this hole seems so straight forward and yet it is an absolute thorn.
Obviously fairway is needed but man ask @4hourrule about the bunkers on this one. There’s little ones that are just landmines. The big ones in front of the green you want no part of. They are deep. Nevermind all the strange plants lining the right side rough and if you don’t hit the bunkers the rough around them is ridiculous. Your stance will absolutely suck. The green slants to the front and it’s big. It’s got ridges and lots going on. Also there is the chance you could put it right off the front if putting from the back.
So this hole seems so straight forward and yet it is an absolute thorn.
Obviously fairway is needed but man ask @4hourrule about the bunkers on this one. There’s little ones that are just landmines. The big ones in front of the green you want no part of. They are deep. Nevermind all the strange plants lining the right side rough and if you don’t hit the bunkers the rough around them is ridiculous. Your stance will absolutely suck. The green slants to the front and it’s big. It’s got ridges and lots going on. Also there is the chance you could put it right off the front if putting from the back.
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- #154
Lopsided hourglass
If this is a 14 handicap I’m a one legged parrot. Anyone see me with a crutch and a cracker? This is straight downhill. The farther back the tees the higher up you are. Kind of cool cuz the houses can watch you blow up on this hole from their back yard. The bunkers suck to land in. The green is basically dug out from the hill. Oh and it’s like 60 yards long while like 15 yards wide at most lol. You can end up in a ditch or some other strange lie around the greens. This green slants back to front. When they put this this in the back this hole is awful as a blocks the view and there’s a weird little tree on the hill
If this is a 14 handicap I’m a one legged parrot. Anyone see me with a crutch and a cracker? This is straight downhill. The farther back the tees the higher up you are. Kind of cool cuz the houses can watch you blow up on this hole from their back yard. The bunkers suck to land in. The green is basically dug out from the hill. Oh and it’s like 60 yards long while like 15 yards wide at most lol. You can end up in a ditch or some other strange lie around the greens. This green slants back to front. When they put this this in the back this hole is awful as a blocks the view and there’s a weird little tree on the hill
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Thanks for bringing up Nightmares
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- #156
How much do you trust your swing?
From whites you can go for this green. Crazy right? 200 yards puts you at a nice pitch in. Fairway is nice. So what makes this hole hard? Simple. It’s too straight forward. You overthink it. Three bunkers guarding the green that really can rattle you considering the drop off is the other side. Big drop off to the right isn’t dead but you could easily fly into the bunkers. I’ve watched folks go back forth lol. Obviously right is just not the place to go here from the tee. You can get away with left but right just no.
From whites you can go for this green. Crazy right? 200 yards puts you at a nice pitch in. Fairway is nice. So what makes this hole hard? Simple. It’s too straight forward. You overthink it. Three bunkers guarding the green that really can rattle you considering the drop off is the other side. Big drop off to the right isn’t dead but you could easily fly into the bunkers. I’ve watched folks go back forth lol. Obviously right is just not the place to go here from the tee. You can get away with left but right just no.
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- #157
I paid to see this hole. When the hell is that happening?
Might as well close your eyes and swing. The tee shot is blind. You can’t see where the landing is from the tee. So that's part one. Part 2. Unless you are absolutely money and land in the middle you will not see the green for your 2nd shot. So perhaps take a walk over to see where the pin is and then memorize it. Why do I say that? Cuz this green has subtle slopes everywhere and it’s genuinely quick. Your putts can get away really quick here.
Might as well close your eyes and swing. The tee shot is blind. You can’t see where the landing is from the tee. So that's part one. Part 2. Unless you are absolutely money and land in the middle you will not see the green for your 2nd shot. So perhaps take a walk over to see where the pin is and then memorize it. Why do I say that? Cuz this green has subtle slopes everywhere and it’s genuinely quick. Your putts can get away really quick here.
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- #158
It’s a giant green. How hard can it be?
So from the tips this hole can be up 240+ yards. Also this hole is one of the highest on the course so you are at the mercy of the wind if it’s there. So if you hit this green it’s an exhale because the drop of right and short is pretty much the 1st hole maybe worse. Also if you land in a bunker if you get a bogey that’s a miracle. The miss is long or left. As far as the green it’s not bad but it’s long and you can end up putting over some strange ridges.
So from the tips this hole can be up 240+ yards. Also this hole is one of the highest on the course so you are at the mercy of the wind if it’s there. So if you hit this green it’s an exhale because the drop of right and short is pretty much the 1st hole maybe worse. Also if you land in a bunker if you get a bogey that’s a miracle. The miss is long or left. As far as the green it’s not bad but it’s long and you can end up putting over some strange ridges.
Thanks @Pharaoh for all of the nightmare fuel. Let's just say I'm glad I'm driving down, because it will allow me to bring three dozen balls without having to pay a weight penalty to the airline. It will also give me opportunity to stop several times on the way home and weep uncontrollably 
Stranz really had a thing for quirky courses, eh?
Stranz really had a thing for quirky courses, eh?
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- #161
The derailer
Why do I say that? Bogey is a really good score here. That’s how hard this hole is. Tree stick out which creates an unnerving tee shot for faders. Generally the 2nd shot is quite long and this green is surrounded by bunkers that are not fun to get out of. That’s assuming you fly the 2nd ravine /creek on this hole . This green slants back to front and has lots of breaks and ridges. Big numbers are normal here between getting to the green and navigating it. Atleast the fairway is big.
Why do I say that? Bogey is a really good score here. That’s how hard this hole is. Tree stick out which creates an unnerving tee shot for faders. Generally the 2nd shot is quite long and this green is surrounded by bunkers that are not fun to get out of. That’s assuming you fly the 2nd ravine /creek on this hole . This green slants back to front and has lots of breaks and ridges. Big numbers are normal here between getting to the green and navigating it. Atleast the fairway is big.
I was going to suggest going to The Answer after the round, but it's 40min across town
Where's the spot on the east side? I got foodie friends I can ask too but I really only know near the convention center area
Where's the spot on the east side? I got foodie friends I can ask too but I really only know near the convention center area
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- #163
Big Risk Big Reward
So you absolutely can set yourself up to go for it in two. Obvious is don’t go far left. If you go right of the fairway you be in a creek. That creek guards the green. Obviously left you go swimming. Long is hard to say because there’s a hill but it won’t necessarily save you. Many lay it up short of the creek. Note this green isn’t brutal but it’s not one you will easily two putt. There’s subtle breaks in it. Par is quite common if you play this hole well.
So you absolutely can set yourself up to go for it in two. Obvious is don’t go far left. If you go right of the fairway you be in a creek. That creek guards the green. Obviously left you go swimming. Long is hard to say because there’s a hill but it won’t necessarily save you. Many lay it up short of the creek. Note this green isn’t brutal but it’s not one you will easily two putt. There’s subtle breaks in it. Par is quite common if you play this hole well.
So RNK has a nice pub attached but there’s also Vini tavern in that area. Also New Kent Winery and brewery is nearby which interestingly is linked to Club of Vinitierra which is the sister club of RNK. Members and part time members are connected to both. Vinitierra is a pretty course but very different from links.I was going to suggest going to The Answer after the round, but it's 40min across town
Where's the spot on the east side? I got foodie friends I can ask too but I really only know near the convention center area
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- #164
All for glory
This fairway runs out fast if you crush it. Yes it’s slightly up hill but the drop before the water is steep. If you go off the drop you have to wish you land in the flat strip area just short of the water. From there you have to deal with basically an island hole. If you left of the green you’ll be ok and have a chip/pitch. This green isn’t particularly difficult but the shots getting to it are. That shot over water is just visually intimidating knowing you can’t go short or long which from where you will likely be hitting in the fairway is downhill significantly which means factoring that into your club selection.
Congrats you have gone through Celtic Calamity.
This fairway runs out fast if you crush it. Yes it’s slightly up hill but the drop before the water is steep. If you go off the drop you have to wish you land in the flat strip area just short of the water. From there you have to deal with basically an island hole. If you left of the green you’ll be ok and have a chip/pitch. This green isn’t particularly difficult but the shots getting to it are. That shot over water is just visually intimidating knowing you can’t go short or long which from where you will likely be hitting in the fairway is downhill significantly which means factoring that into your club selection.
Congrats you have gone through Celtic Calamity.
This one hurt me sooo bad. Looks easy on Card, NOT. When standing on Tee it looks benign, until you realize your short Drive is about to leave you in a World of hurt.
Enjoy Boys. Blood on the Dance Floor.
Watching a video of this course hole by hole and it is both beautiful and daunting
What. the. ????????
Fortunately I don't have 261, so driver it is! It's the second shot that concerns me....
Also, since we're down to 2 weeks is there anyone interested/available for a Sunday morning round before I head home?
I’m pretty sure Strantz grabbed a topo map and some LSD and just had at it.Thanks @Pharaoh for all of the nightmare fuel. Let's just say I'm glad I'm driving down, because it will allow me to bring three dozen balls without having to pay a weight penalty to the airline. It will also give me opportunity to stop several times on the way home and weep uncontrollably
Stranz really had a thing for quirky courses, eh?
- Thread starter
- #170
So these are the courses in that area that I would recommend.
Kiskiack Golf Club
Williamsburg National Golf Club- 2 courses
Ford's Colony Country Club- 2 courses (BlackHeath is best)
Colonial Heritage Club
Stonehouse Golf Club -Mike Strantz if you haven’t suffered enough
Club of Vinitierra- Sister of RNK
I got an event on Tuesday at a very small private so I might be up for 9 if folks are interesting in getting out the next day. (Rather not push the wrist this early as far as rounds back to back.
My driving was abysmal yesterday.. need to get that fixed before RNK!!
maaaaaaaaaan after watching the video of the course EVERYTHING has to be fixed to play there lol
You aren't wrong. Just go into the round with fun in mind and know that it's highly unlikely that you will shoot a very low score. But it is beautiful and a fun challenge. Don't build it up too much. Make sure your short game is good as the greens have lots of undulation and tend to be quite quick. That is where you can have the strokes add up quick.
Unless there are more bites to get a round going in that same area, I could see about setting something up a little further north since you will be traveling that way anyways?
Yeah all this green needs is windmill & it would be complete