Mid Atlantic Meet- Royal New Kent - VA (All THPers welcome)

Another elevated green

So short par 4. All good? Maybe….

Obviously right isn’t good. That’s a hazard right of the creek that you can hit from if you find it. If in the creek not so much lol. If you get near that dot at 100 take aim. Just know what part you are aiming for because this green is pretty big and as mentioned it got a lot of subtle and not so subtle breaks going on. 3 putts are very common. Right of the green of course is bad. Left depends as there’s a drop off left of the green before a hill. Not the worst place to be but it’s a very testy chip especially if the flag is up front.

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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.
 
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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Thanks for bringing up Nightmares
 
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.


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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.



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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. IMG_6001.png
 
#2

Not your grandma’s par 5

You want a birdie this hole? You gonna earn it. You want to par this hole? Same.

First, You must put your mind away from the death in front of you off the tee. That dark brown area on this map right off the fairway and in front of the tee is GONE/LOST. Wanna go for it two? You really need to hug the right side which means gambling with disaster. That is complete drop off into long grass, thorn plants, and other crap. This hole you stay left and give yourself a chance. You go right, good night. This green is not vicious but everything in front of it is. Par is a relief here. If you want a birdie here you are gonna have to challenge the canyon. You’ll give yourself a decent wedge or short iron in if you fly into a wider area before the narrow. Many end up in the left bunkers out of fear of the cliff right of the green. Worth mentioning this hole slants to the right toward the canyon like a race track.

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Tom Delonge Wtf GIF


This seems similar to a hole at Kinderlou Forest
 
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 :ROFLMAO:

Stranz really had a thing for quirky courses, eh?
 
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.

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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
 
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.

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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
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.
 
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.

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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.

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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
 
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.

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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?
 
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 :ROFLMAO:

Stranz really had a thing for quirky courses, eh?
I’m pretty sure Strantz grabbed a topo map and some LSD and just had at it. 😜
 
Also, since we're down to 2 weeks is there anyone interested/available for a Sunday morning round before I head home?
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!!
 
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
 
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.
 
Also, since we're down to 2 weeks is there anyone interested/available for a Sunday morning round before I head home?
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?
 
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.

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Yeah all this green needs is windmill & it would be complete :ROFLMAO:
 
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