I play the best course ever - Wolf Creek

Thu 10th

Today I played Wolf Creek and it was the best golf course I have ever played. The scenery was again stunning and the course itself was a challenge. The fairways and greens were  in very good condition although some bunkers had only a thin layer of sand. It is usually ranked about 50 in lists of courses to play in the US.

I arrived about 30 minutes before my slot but in the end we hit off about 20 minutes late, so there was plenty of time to go to the driving range and putting green. The driving range is short so only irons are allowed - a bit like at home.

The first thing you notice when you pull up and a cart is driven out to your car is that the car is petrol driven, rather than the more common electric version. Once you get out on the course the reason is obvious. A lot of the paths are too steep for an electric cart.

One of the characterising features of this course are the huge changes in elevation with deep gorges to hit over. There is also several creeks that run through the course with a multitude of waterfalls.

I played with a nurse from Florida, Greg, who plays off 4 and had a 77 today and a uni student and his Dad from Canada. I joined the boys playing off the blue tees, which are not in fact rated for women at all. In fact there's another set of men's tee (white) before the longer of the 2 women's tees (yellow, then red).

When we got to the starter we were all given a yardage booklet showing distances to bunkers, lakes etc from each tee and distances back from the green for each hole.  We were also given 2 water bottles and there was a small esky on the cart which was fill with ice.

The weather was fantastic - clear blue skies and warm enough to were just a short sleeved shirt.

The local rule effectively treats the desert as a lateral water hazard. ie drop out for 1 penalty. They don't even want you going on there to get you ball unless it is right on the edge, although I did venture down one hillside because I wasn't sure which of the many balls were mine.

I did lose a few balls today, although a lot of those were ones I'd picked up in the first place.

As well as the desert there were a number of actual water hazards.

I was pretty happy with my game in general with a 93. Given the yardage was 1300 over the longer of the ladies tees, I didn't thinks this was too bad. I had a couple of really bad holes and a few instances of very bad shots that cost me a couple of strokes on some other holes. Only 5 pars today, including one which included a penalty drop.

My playing partners were again good company so it was a great day. Greg was on the same package as me and had played the same 2 courses the last 2 days but at earlier times and has already played the course I'm playing tomorrow.

The other 2 seem to be staying at Wolf creek and this was their 3rd game.

After we finished, I bought a shirt in the pro shop and had a couple of beers with Greg. When we returned the cart we were given a 2 for 1 voucher on tap beer and soda. I had a couple of Blue Moons, a sort of orange flavoured beer. It looked like a Fanta with froth but tasted fine.

On the way back to the hotel I found and called in at the golf shop. I tried to find it the first day without success, although it would have been closed at that time.

By chance, there was a titleist demo going on, with some nibbles, beer and soft drink. I also got 2 each of Pro VI and Pro VIx balls. There was a raffle with a dozen balls, a Vokey wedge and some caps given away - no luck there.

I looked a a range finder while I was there but not sure whether to but it or wait till later.