The Loon - Hidden Valley

In my opinion, this is the crown jewel of the Hidden Valley courses. Now I understand that my opinion really doesn't mean spit because as they say different strokes for different folks. No matter, that's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. I like the course.

The Loon is a relatively new course to Gaylord. Its been three or four years since the first divot was taken, but it's in very good condition. The bent grass fairways are in great shape and are a real pleasure to play. The greens are undulating, big and fast. I'm sure, with time they will improve, although they are in very good shape right now.

Really, the only thing that I could see that needs more time to fill in is the rough. Maybe that's why they call them rough. Anyway we never hit in them so what's the problem. All joking aside, the roughs really aren't bad, they just need a little time to fill in.

All the fairways are tree-lined, but they have two different kinds of tree-lined fairways. They have the kind that you hit into and then you dig out another ball. And they have the kind where you find the ball with no problem and look at your shot and say to yourself, "if I just hit it to the left of those two trees and the right of that big pine I should be all right." They have about an equal number of both so just pick your spot to go astray.

The name "Loon" conjures up visions of wilderness, and you may see some wildlife, but you probably won't see a loon. It is possible, though, because there are a number or small lakes and beaver ponds, one called Loon Lake. You might want to look for the loon there.

I will tell you what you will see: DOGLEGS. Lots of doglegs. Some of these doglegs are of the wild variety so they may count as wildlife. I would say that half the holes have varying degrees of doglegs. That's enough to start a small kennel.

Some are slight and if you are on the right side of the fairway will be no problem at all. Others will test your nerve as to how much you want to bite off. With a good drive to the center of the fairway most will give you a clear shot to the green.

There are five par threes with three in the 140 to 160 yard range (white) and two of the he-man variety, 180 to 190 yards. If you want to get your money's worth, play the blacks and you can add 20 to 40 yards to each hole.

My favorite hole is the par three number 2 hole. It can play from 160 to 190 yards depending on the tees you choose and it's mostly all carry to a green with very little landing area around it. A very intimidating hole, that makes you feel good to par. Sometimes you'll even feel good with a bogey.

The par fives are pretty much straight and on the long side. A good drive and fairway shot should leave a short iron to the green. A couple of real good shots and you stand a chance of being on.

I did say, "pretty much straight", if you remember. Number five is a dogleg right around a lake (the lake is called Round Lake, by the way). This hole tempts you to cut the corner to make an easy birdie. It's a good idea to let someone else go first for that "easy birdie". Its that old, risk-reward shot that we all love, or hate depending on the shot we make.

Almost all the par fours have some degree of dogleg to them. Some very slight, and some severe. In all cases, the good drive gives you a clear shot at the green. The lay out of these holes is great. They make you think about where you drive should go. Unfortunately, thinking and doing don't always ride in the same cart.

This brings us to number 18. This may be the best finishing hole in the mecca. You tee off from an elevated tee with a lake - 240 yards out - between you and the green. A good drive will leave you with about 150 yards to a narrow green and its all carry over water. To make matters worse, the clubhouse has a raised deck so all your fellow golfers can watch your thrill of victory. Or perhaps, your agony of defeat. There is a fairway around the lake, for the weak of heart, but our ego will not let us use that, will it ?

The Loon is a great course that you will enjoy playing. After the round you can set on the deck and watch other golfers deal with the last hole. That's kind of fun also.

Ken

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