Holes 10 & 18

The disc golf courses that I call my home courses are the two at Bill Frederick’s Park (BFP) at Turkey Lake in Orlando.  The park is just a couple of miles from my home, and sits on the shores of Turkey Lake.  One course is called the Original Course (T-1) and the other is called the Turkeynator (T-2). 

One course (T-1) is more wide open with several holes near the shores of Turkey Lake.  The other course (T-2) is a bit more technical as it winds through wooded areas, as well as near a different part of the shore, and eventually crosses over Turkey Lake.

Both courses loop around near the start so it is possible to do the front nine of one course and the back nine of the other all in one round.  Or you can play the front nine or back nine of both courses and there is a nice flow to all those routes. 

Sometimes it’s nice to play the back nine of T-2 and the back nine of T-1, especially during the blistering heat of the day as those courses hold a bit more shade. Conversely, the front nine of both courses have some big holes for those with a big drive. 

For several years now, I have played both of those courses and still do not have my first birdie.  So for me, they are plenty challenging.  Two of the most difficult holes for me are holes 10 and 18 on the original course.  They are not very long, in fact they are two of the shorter holes, but for a person like me without a strong arm, getting the first throw through all the hazards and landing just right is so important to save par.

Hole 10 has a bit of a gully in the fairway, with a large tree just to the left off the tee, and several trees and bushes to the right.  Just before the basket there is a large pine tree almost directly in front of the basket.  And, just for more fun, there are several trees just to the left of basket as well.   There are steps leading both down and up in the gully, with some brush, tall weeds, and just for fun a few bushes thrown in as well.

When my son plays hole 10, he either throws an arrow straight drive off the tee, nearly straight to the basket, or throws a huge hyzer shot, up, up, up, over and around the trees, that ends up in a huge dive right near the basket.  One of the very first times I played with him on that course, he threw the other, straight arrow shot and we heard the chains clang as his disc hit it.  I didn’t realize it at the time, but he had thrown an ace!  (A hole in one!)

Hole 18 also has a small gully running through it right off the tee.  The gullies on both 10 and 18 are connected, and are probably some sort of formation from a sinkhole long ago, since there is no water feature in that area.  Hole 18 has trees around the tee box, in the gully, and on the right side of the hill on the upward side. 

Beyond the crest of the gully on the other side are numerous trees, and the line of sight to the basket is just to the left beyond site on the tee.  This hole also has steps leading up to the top of the gully, with plenty of thorny bushes, weeds and some random cacti thrown in. 

When Danny plays hole 18, more often than not, he will also throw a large back hand hyzer to the right which, when done correctly, makes the disc fade directly down to the basket.  I’ve also seen him throw an ace on that hole.

None if this is very friendly for a novice player without a big arm and good control.  My discs have landed in every tree and bush along the way, and some of the inclines up to the top of the gully on the far side of 18 are so steep that to take a second shot from hill side is treacherous.   

My focus lately when playing these holes is to try to throw a straight drive from the tee.  I cannot cross the entire expanse of the gully on 10, but recently have finally had some success in getting my drive across 18.  Lots of practice is needed on both of those holes.  In both cases, if I throw that first shot well, my following approach shot is SO much easier to plan. 

All this is to say, that tonight, when I get to BFP, I’m going to focus on those two holes.  Get out those ROCS for 10, and add the lighter weight Mamba and Vulcan on 18.