Hole by Hole | Olds Golf Club

Hole 1 As you approach the 1st hole you are greeted with an entirely new tee complex which starts at 300 yards and stretches back to 380 yards at the tips. At first glance #1 appears to be a relatively simple straight away par 4, but don’t let looks deceive you. This hole typically plays into a prevailing wind that raises havoc with a ball hit with side spin. A good drive will leave you with 140 yards into a green that slopes dramatically from back to front. A great approach shot ensures that your ball finishes below the pin for a makeable birdie opportunity.

Hole 2

From the teeing ground #2 is as pretty a driving hole as you will find in Central Alberta. A new forward teeing ground makes this hole a treat for all levels of golfer. Large trees and a gaping fairway bunker help guard against anyone trying to cut the corner. Most players tend to lay up with a hybrid or fairway wood off the tee but be warned, #2 does not measure overly long on the scorecard however a conservative tee shot can leave you with a mid iron or hybrid in to a tricky green that’s protected by water on the right and heavy rough surrounding the green. Gauge your tee shot correctly and this hole will give up birdies. Make a mistake and pay the piper.

Hole 3

Hole #3 is a shortish dog leg left par 4 that causes nightmares for pros and amateurs who play in the Alberta Open and Amateur qualifiers every year. With dense trees left and out of bounds right the long hitter best beware. The smart play is to get your ball in the fairway leaving a short approach to a green that can cause fits if the pin cutter was in a bad mood. A new forward teeing ground makes this hole a risk reward hole for all levels of player.

Hole 4 When you arrive at #4 an entire new tee complex embraces each golfer. This hole has been shortened to play from 130 to 205 yards under the new Master Plan and this will help with speed of play issues as well as make a tremendously difficult Par 3 play infinitely more fair. By no means will this hole be a cakewalk as it is guarded by bunkers on each side of the green and out of bounds on the right.

Hole 5 Without question you have now arrived at the toughest Par 5 on the golf course. Your tee shot must be deadly accurate as the fairway is narrow and slopes off to each side where you will find mature trees and just enough rough to make your lay-up shot a bit testy. Your 2nd shot is affected by water on the right and trees on the left. Accuracy is a must as your third shot will be to a raised up green that can be one of the quickest putting surfaces on the course. Par is your friend here.

Hole 6 You have finally reached the hole where everyone licks their chops. #6 is a straightaway par 5 where you can really let the big dog eat! A good drive on this hole means that even the average player will have a go at reaching this green in 2. Make a birdie here because there aren’t many holes as kind as this one.

Hole 7 Here we have a mid length Par 3 that plays anywhere from 130 yards to 170 yards. A tricky greenside bunker catches more than its share of tee shots. The putting surface is one of the flattest greens on the course however there are subtle undulations everywhere that seem to baffle even the best putters.

Hole 8 Every course needs a drivable par 4 and this is ours. Long hitters can have a go at this green but beware as the green is guarded by tall trees and a front bunker. If you get past those obstacles you need to deal with arguably the most difficult green on the course. Ball position is crucial to making a birdie on this wicked little Par 4.

Hole 9 The longest Par 4 at the Olds Golf Club has been softened with the addition of a forward tee complex that can play as short as 405 yards. #9 has the unique distinction of being a Par 4 for men and a Par 5 for ladies. A good drive will leave you anywhere from a hybrid to a mid iron into a green protected by out of bounds right and thick rough on the left. Par here usually means you hit 4/5 good shots.

Hole 10 The 10th hole is a short straightaway Par 4 with no real visible trouble from the tee however this could not be further from the truth. Fairway bunkers and Out of Bounds protects the left hand side of the fairway and water and fescue takes care of the right. Hit driver and take advantage of a short iron approach or be conservative and lay it further back just remember that whatever you do you must hit a good approach into this tricky small or or Par will be the best you can expect.

Hole 11 This hole doesn’t measure tremendously long at between 315 to 428 yards but it typically plays into the prevailing wind. Out of bounds right and a devilish fairway bunker add tension to your tee shot. The position of the pin placement will determine just how aggressive your approach shot can be on this hole.

Hole 12 An accurate tee shot here is a must as bunkers and water guard the right side of the fairway and strategically placed trees create havoc with balls hit down the right side. You must hit your tee shot far enough that you are left with a relatively short iron shot as the green is raised up and undulated and only accepts well struck shots. Be mindful of the water on the right as shots missed there tend to trickle into the hazard. As you approach the green take notice of the huge birdhouse that is part of our Audubon Project. The natural wetlands are preserved to encourage the nesting of migratory waterfowl, this may be the only birdies you see here.

Hole 13 A favorite Par 3 as its length scares no one however like most of the course looks can be deceiving. Pin position here will dictate the level to which you should attack this hole. A missed shot short here is typically a simpler up and down than from behind the green where you will find large bunkers and deep rough. Start your birdie run here.

Hole 14 This is a dogleg left par 5 where you will see the addition of 2 new tee complexes that add to the dramatic effect of the water which surrounds them. If the wind is favorable, hit your driver as hard as you can and you may be able to reach this bad boy in 2, however, if there is a breeze in your face don’t forget that there is water on your right that will gobble up many an errant tee shot. Your approach shot will be into the 2nd largest green on the course. Make sure you know your yardage as a short approach will leave you putting forever.

Hole 15 A dogleg right that if you’re not careful will jump up and destroy many a great round. Out of bounds left and a fairway bunker to the right make this tee shot a little scary, however it’s the green that makes this hole what it is. The largest green on the course will cause fits depending on the pin position. Watch out for those 2 little bunkers on the right side of the green. Definitely one of the few birdie holes on the course if you hit a good tee shot.

Hole 16 This is our Signature Par 3. A semi island green that is partially surrounded by wetlands, bunkers and rough. If you manage to land your ball on the green I hope it’s below the hole as this green has some severe slope in certain areas that can make putting quite treacherous.

Hole 17 This hole has seen a complete fairway redesign in accordance with our Master Plan. The water hazards are now visible from the tee and the fairway receives tee shots much better. The water hazard which crosses the fairway is now located at 100 yards from the green allowing for a much more aggressive layup. Your second shot will be easier for the average player who could not hit over the hazard and more difficult for the stronger player who will not be able to fly the hazards in most cases, making for a longer, more difficult second shot. The green is protected by a deep bunker and a severe slope if the pin is in the front half of the green. Expect to make birdie but be happy with par.

Hole 18 A 3 shot par 5 that gives you a breather on the first 2 shots but makes you sweat on your approach. A small, heavily sloped green protected by a deep greenside bunker make par here a great score.