Alright, so I finally got out to play Tobacco Road. Heard whispers about this place for ages, how it’s different, maybe a little crazy. Figured I needed to see it myself, you know? Packed up the clubs, made the drive.
Showed up, and the vibe was pretty chill. Not one of those super stuffy clubs. Felt more like, well, a place focused just on the golf. Checked in, grabbed a cart, and headed out.
First Impressions on the Course
Right from the first tee, you know it’s not your average walk in the park. The landscape is just… dramatic. Lots of sand, waste areas, mounds everywhere. Heard it was designed by Mike Strantz, and you can definitely feel a unique hand at work here. It’s visually kinda intimidating but also really cool.
Spent the first few holes just trying to figure out where to even aim. The fairways aren’t always obvious, lots of blind shots. You really gotta trust your line, or maybe just guess and hope!
That Crazy Par 5… 13, I think?
Okay, there was this one par 5, maybe hole 13? Stood on the tee box way up high, looking down this fairway that just disappeared around a corner to the right. Felt like you were hitting off a cliff almost. It’s a long hole, and you’re just trying to get the drive somewhere playable down there in the valley. Definitely a hole that sticks in your memory. It’s got that ‘wow’ factor.
You need a good drive, then a solid second shot to set up the approach. It really makes you think through the whole hole, not just swing away.
The Overall Experience
Man, it was tough. Let’s be real. Found plenty of sand, hit some shots I didn’t even know were possible (in a bad way sometimes!). But here’s the thing: it was incredibly fun. You hit bad shots, sure, but you also hit some really creative ones just to get out of trouble.
It’s not about shooting your lowest score ever, I don’t think. It’s more about the adventure. Each hole presents a totally different puzzle.
- Lots of elevation changes.
- Greens had some wild shapes.
- You use pretty much every club in your bag.
Walked off 18 feeling beat, but in a good way. Like I’d really experienced something unique. It lives up to the hype of being different. Glad I went. It’s one of those courses you remember long after you play it, not just another round of golf.
