Now I understand..(Google Earth)

[RGDave]

Still smarting from a disaster hole that ruined my first medal in over a year, I thought I'd check out Google Earth.
Why? Because I'm more or less convinced there are holes which are simply impossible to play without shaping the ball off the tee.
What did I discover? - that my theory is absolutely correct.
It's a long story, but has anyone else used it to check distances and "lines" and discovered anything weird?

Fascinating. My idea of the line off the tee is not giving me the best chance.....hard to believe after all these years.

 

[Imurg]

I've used it to check some lines on my course. Our 7th is a very gentle dog-leg right par 5. The usual line is left of the bunker in the middle of the fairway. But if I hit that line I run out of fairway. However, having checked GE, if I play right of the bunker, bisecting a gap between two small trees and hit a good one I don't run into the rough, giving me a chance of going for the green like I did yesterday.....

 

[RGDave]

I've used it to check some lines on my course. Our 7th is a very gentle dog-leg right par 5. The usual line is left of the bunker in the middle of the fairway. But if I hit that line I run out of fairway. However, having checked GE, if I play right of the bunker, bisecting a gap between two small trees and hit a good one I don't run into the rough, giving me a chance of going for the green like I did yesterday.....

That's the style.

I found out that although the fairway on the 10th is 22 yards wide, only 16 is useable to have shot to the green. Goes some way to explain why I'm always having to hook my 2nd shot directly at the 11th tee and hoping not to push it straight right.

 

[SatchFan]

I started using Google Earth after TimGolfy mentioned it in one of his posts a few months back. Hadn't even thought to use it beforehand. Very useful tool. Cheers, Tim.

 

[RGDave]

I started using Google Earth after TimGolfy mentioned it in one of his posts a few months back. Hadn't even thought to use it beforehand. Very useful tool. Cheers, Tim.

I'm planning to do the whole course and work out what's what.

If your course is excessively tree-lined and you keep wondering why some holes are so difficult, it makes sense.

I looked at the 5th at Shrewsbury and unless you go over the trees and/or draw it, there's not even 160 yards before the fairway runs out. I can't hit it over the trees (not enough carry) so the good shot for me there is the hooky 4-iron, which is the same as I use on my 16th.

 

[Khamelion]

Not being a member of nay particular club, myself and friends tend to play here there and everywhere, so when going to a new course Google Earth is really handy to work out line etc...

cheers
Dave