Kettle Hills: Valley 18
As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve only played nine holes out of the 45 that are at Kettle Hills. I ended up playing the Valley 18 Sunday afternoon with my buddy Matt. For 18 holes and a cart the bill came to $43, which I don’t mind paying if the course is nice.
Kettle Hills had some holes I thought were just spectacular, but for the most part I thought the course layout could of been a little better. Take for example the par 3 17th hole. From the tee box it was only 110 yards to the green. Not only that, but you had to hit up onto the green. It was one of the most elevated greens I’ve ever seen. In order to actually be able to play the hole you had to hit your ball on the green. There was no room for any error. Hit the ball too far, or to the left of the green and you’d end up in a wooded area. Hit the ball to the right of the green and you’d end up in this incredibly tall grass without any hope of finding your ball. It was seriously a death trap.
(These are two shots of me playing at Kettle Hills. Click on the images to enlarge them.)
Another thing I didn’t like about the course was it looked like it hadn’t been mowed in over a week. The rough was the thickest stuff I’ve ever played in and if you missed the fairway on your drive you’d be looking for your ball for like 5 minutes. You practically had to drive the cart right over your ball before you’d even be able to see it. Don’t even get me started about hitting out of it either.
Despite my complaints about the course, I ended up playing my best round ever. I carded an 86 and met my goal to break 90. My drives were far and straight and my iron shots were precise. I was even putting half way decent. I’d probably play the course again, but only after I call first and ask if they’ve mowed recently.
Now that I’ve discussed my issues with the course, I’m going to talk about my near death encounter.
I was pacing off how many yards the par 3, 15th hole was from the yardage marker right as I feel a golf ball whiz right past my left cheek bone. At first I didn’t know what to make of it until I turned around and saw a golf ball laying on the ground 3 feet behind me. That was the moment I realized I was almost pegged by a golf ball. I turn to look at the guy who hit the ball — he was on maybe the 11th or 12th hole — and he tried to act like it didn’t even happen. Well, I waited until they drove their cart up to talk to them. He apologized, but then made up some lame excuse that he didn’t see us so that’s why he didn’t yell fore. That excuse was complete bull shit because I was able to see them clear as day from right where I was standing.
Anyway, I’m just relieved that I’m not laying in a hospital bed with a shattered cheek bone and a probably nonexistent left eye. Just remember to be courteous on the golf course. If you completely shank a ball yell fore whether you see someone or not.
(Click the images to enlarge them.)
May 31st, 2006 at 11:47 pm
..I feel ya..I was playing with a buddy of mine, beginner, he shanked his shot 90 deg at my head. The ball whizzed in front of my face and the inside the windshield of the cart I was in..yes..INSIDE..I turned green and felt sick..I now stay as far away from him as possible..nearly behind him.