This week's tournament is being played at Orange Tree Golf Club here in Orlando and just around the corner from my parents house. I went out there yesterday to get a little practice in and again today to play my practice round. This is a course I've never played before, but knew I had to see it once before the tournament because of everything I've heard. Everyone I've talked to has said the same thing....."hit it straight!" After today's round, I found out why.
First of all, on EVERY SINGLE HOLE, there is out-of-bounds on at least one side if not both. And on the holes with just one side lined with OB, the other side has water. It is easily the tightest course I have every played. Not only is there out-of-bounds everywhere, but it's literally in the rough just outside the fairways. Most courses you'll see the OB up near the houses, but not here. They've got these stakes almost in the fairway. I should of taken a picture cause it's pretty comical.
The good news is you don't have to hit driver on a lot of the holes, but they've strategically positioned trees around dog legs that make you have to hit shots far enough to have a look at the greens. With the weather expected to turn very cold and windy, hitting irons off the tee might leave some long shots into the greens (which are not very big). The greens are in great condition, but again the over-seeding that is going on this time of year has caused them to be full of grass, a little slow, and very spongy. The overall condition of the course is very good and that alone will make it a much more enjoyable experience.
I'm a little nervous going into this tournament. Compared to last week, this course requires a lot of ball control and a patient game plan. And, there just is no room to make a mistake. I'm going to have to stay focused all day and not let up on any shot. With the temperatures not expected to get up the 50's all three days, it should make this week that much more interesting. My tee time tomorrow is 8:40 off #1.
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