“Meet you at the 19th Hole”

You just spent over 4 hours in the sun, playing horrendous golf.  You can’t believe how many of your “perfect shots” just “happened” to find that lake, tree or fescue throughout your round.  You are having trouble understanding how you could play so poorly after you “figured things out” on the range earlier this week.  After about the 12^th hole when you were already 8 over on the back, you decided that if you are going to suck at golf, you’re at least going to get drunk doing so.  So after you tapped the rockies and polished off 6 Coors Lights on your back 9, you are going to keep it going on the 19^th hole.

So what makes a great 19^th hole?  The simple answer is: beer (or if your round was that bad, hard alcohol).   While that is true, there is more to it than that.  I recently played Shaker Hills and I will say they have one of the best 19^th holes I’ve ever seen (more on that in a minute).  Here are my 4 main things I look for in a 19^th hole:

1.       Does the 19^th hole overlook the 18^th green?

2.       Is there Bud Light on draft?

3.       Are there plenty of tvs in the inside space?

4.       Does the 19^th hole distinguish itself from other courses in any way?

Shaker Hills hit on all 4 points and then some.  They have an amphitheater-like deck overlooking the 18^th hole, the #1 and #10 tee boxes, and views of the 9th hole as well.  This is serious.  Not only that, and this is where it distinguishes itself from any other course I’ve been to:  they have a live feed of the 18^th hole on a 50 inch tv inside the tavern so you can watch the groups coming up.  I’ve never seen anything like that before.  It’s truly a great idea and makes excellent viewing for any tournament played.  I think more courses should do this, especially the ones where the bar doesn’t overlook the 18^th.

So after you’ve finished your round, find a spot on the deck, grab a Bud Light draft and watch all the groups coming up on 18 while you try to figure out how you could have played so poorly after you ripped it up on the range just days before.