COMMUNITY

Never played Tobacco Road but Caledonia is a gem and an all time favorite in this golfers book. Agreed, taken way too soon.

You really need to make the effort to play TR. If you ever do I'll drive the 4 hours just to join you. When I dream about golf, it's always at TR.

His courses are so good, you can play them with borrowed clubs, a borrowed putter, borrowed shoes and a borrowed white belt.

Lost way too soon. Golf course architecture needs more people like him that are willing to test the limits and do things differently. TR is his only course that I've played as of now, but seeing what I have of Monterrey Peninsula, True Blue and Caledonia, they also look to do what I preach golf course architects should do.

I want to be buried in a waste area at Tobacco road.

I have played Tobacco Road twice. It is probably the prettiest course I've ever seen. And I hate it. I've never felt so lost on a course. Where do I hit it again? Aim at what? How far? Where's the green? I give, I'll just hit it that way. Oh, I missed the green by a foot and I'm screwed again. I cannot see how any golfer that is not a single digit handicapper would have any fun out there.

But I get it, people love it.

If you like TR, you should also check out his Tot Hill. Not as extreme or pretty, but just as "natural" and "quirky". Also a bit more affordable.

--Jim, GolfNet

Mike won the first 2 rounds. Go back, use a GPS to know distance on blind shots. It never requires you to hit any special shots. Don't let the optical illusions fool you. Don't try to be a hero, take what the course gives you. Trust yourself, your line, and your club. Most of all, have fun.

Fair enough. Part of my frustration with the course is that I don't think I should have to walk to my ball with 5 clubs, a GPS in one hand and a yardage book in the other to try to figure out how far and where to hit my shot.

#13 - the punchbowl green par 5. I missed that tiny green by maybe a yard and had an impossible chip with the back half of that bowl against my ball.

Also, #14, par 3 over water. you miss right - you are wet. You miss left and you likely have an near impossible recovery shot that's probably going to shoot over the green and get wet.

Ah well. Lots of people love it. I don't.

--Jim

I didn't know who he was at the time but I met Mike while he was building Tot Hill. Just by chance he was working right outside a buddies house while we were playing basketball one day after school.

I've been lucky enough to play Tot Hill and Tobacco Road several times with a few of those rounds being with good company. Two of my favorite courses.