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The Olympic Course Walkthrough/Tips?

Thu, May 17 2012 9:26 PM (8 replies)
  • Buggyyy
    1,963 Posts
    Sat, May 12 2012 9:38 AM

    Hey WGT, I've been using that search bar over there >> to try and find info on how to play some of your shots at Olympic. I really want to qualify for the Open, but I can't hold in the confidence to keep trying. Are there any tips on playing well there? Thank you for any feedback or tips that you give me. 

  • pillsy
    489 Posts
    Sat, May 12 2012 11:20 AM

    i noticed the "tournament" greens are pretty slow.  usually tournament speeds i calculate at a factor of 75%.  I think it's closer to 80% (with very fast speeds calculated @ 85%)

  • SgtDoodles
    3,112 Posts
    Sat, May 12 2012 11:32 AM

    Keep playing rounds on it without restarting, and make notes about every hole for a while. This might take you a few days, but it's worth it in the long run - especially seeing as the qualifiers last for 40 days, so a day or 2 lost isn't so bad.

    P.S. I'd say the greens are playing how I'd expect VF greens to be.

  • LeonDelBosque
    1,551 Posts
    Sat, May 12 2012 12:24 PM

    Most important thing on this course, imo, is knowing where on the green to hit your approach shot. In some cases it's better to be 18 feet away with an uphill putt than 6 feet away with a downhill sidewinder.

  • alosso
    21,073 Posts
    Sat, May 12 2012 12:26 PM

    The greens are a tad bit quicker than VF, especially downhill.

    Further tips include the trees, e.g. @#5 - a search may find them (tips).

  • cycle1979
    1,555 Posts
    Thu, May 17 2012 7:02 AM

    Take notes on the first 6 holes... club choice, distance of shot, wind direction and speed, and finally how far the ball actually went.

    It took me a while but eventually I shot a round -5 through 6.... that gives you a huge boost for the rest of the round and with a little luck on those VERY tough greens you can put down a good score... finally got a 56 and hope it qualifies!!

    Good luck!

    PS.. pay attention to the trees.... some drives you have to have full backspin and others full topspin to avoid them.

  • skccvb
    799 Posts
    Thu, May 17 2012 12:12 PM

    Open qualifier greens are set at "Tournament 1" or Tour Master speed. Having said that, the greens generally play "Very Fast" uphill and "Championship" downhill. For this reason, as a general rule, you must figure out for each hole where to 'miss'. If you can throw darts to a couple feet from pin, it isn't an issue. However being 4 feet above a hole can lead to a frustrating bogey. Below the hole - that's Olympic strategy Number 1. 

    Next, the trees issue is very real on a number of holes. Full backspin, topspin, no spin, each of these 'tree' driving holes is an art form to be learned, and since most play to influential side winds, these must be taken into account.

    Also, a number of holes are much easier with a 3 wood than a driver - since being on the fairway is absolutely at a premium; I would calculate that 90% of the rough on Olympic is of the "40/50" variety, even just off the fairway or just off the green. If you miss the fairway, its a struggle for par, period. Very few birdies are to be had from the rough unless you manage a pitch in from off the green. 

    Further, the greens are not all mapped perfectly. The dots simply lie in many cases. This is a learned skill, much like on Kiawah. 

    The Open qualifier, unlimited play, is a great way to learn the ropes- I have played plenty of times, quitting on 18, and re-starting. I also have been playing Olympic almost exclusively in Alt Shot matches, to continue to learn the nuances, where to miss and where not to miss, and sometimes another player in the match will show you how to get it done you had not considered before. 

    Its  a very tough course, set to tough conditions. The good news: it makes even Oakmont seem a lot easier!

  • don300
    36 Posts
    Thu, May 17 2012 4:11 PM

    Played for the first time today.  Hit the tree on #1 for a double bogey.

    I quit after I lost 2 balls on #3.  Hole is 234 yrds. My 230 yard club flew 275 yards in the air out of bounds twice.

    I'll have to remember to club down next time.

     

  • alosso
    21,073 Posts
    Thu, May 17 2012 9:26 PM

    Didn't you notice the severe downslope?

    Without wind, I play 20-25 yds short w/o bs, the ball then lands before the green and hops on.

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