Descriptions and Helpful Hints
All the greens at Delphos Country Club slope back to front, some more severely than others, so it is always wise to keep your approach shots under the hole. Only three holes have forced carries in front of the greens (bunkers) so other than these three holes, you are much better off missing short than long on your approach shots. This also gives you the opportunity to land short and run the ball onto the green. There are 26 strategically located sand bunkers, two narrow but menacing small ditches that either traverse or run parallel to seven holes, the Little Auglaize River challenging you on two holes and two ponds to navigate, all which add interest to the course and to challenge you as well. Our greens our normally very smooth and fast with just enough slope to keep your attention. Plan your strategy on each tee and enjoy the course.
Hole #1
Par 4
The opening par 4 runs softly from right to left with a bunker guarding the left corner. Avoid this bunker on the left but check the yardage carefully in order to avoid driving thru the fairway into the trees on the right. Pro’s Tip – Do not go long on your approach shot.
Hole #2
Par 3
This par 3 is medium length and difficulty. You need to avoid the two bunkers that practically surround the green and once again the Pro’s Tip is to not go long.
Hole #3
Par 4
This is a short par 4 where a straight drive is encouraged. You may want to consider hitting three-wood to insure an approach shot from the fairway. Green side bunkers on the right and left will help draw your attention to the center of the green.
Hole #4
Par 4
Paying attention to the pin locations on the next two holes is critical. There is a water penalty area roughly 135 yards from the center of the green. Longer hitters may take a poke at driving it over the water but accuracy is also a premium as there are trees guarding each side of the fairway. If the pin is middle to the front right, you cannot afford to be above the pin.
Hole #5
Par 4
A straight tee ball on this hole is your friend as there is OB to the right of the cart path that catches many miss-hit tee shots. This is another green where going long is a big mistake. Add to this, a highly undulating green, making par on #5 could win you this hole.
Hole #6
Par 4
This is a gentle dogleg to the left around a bunker that is not visible from the tee. Your goal should be to drive to the center or right-center to give yourself a short shot into this receptive green. Number 6 is a good opportunity for a birdie.
Hole #7
Par 4
This short par 4 offers you a risk-reward decision on your tee shot. The fairway sweeps left to right but you need to be aware of the water on the right for the final 125 yards of this hole. Any ball in the penalty area allows you to use the drop area on the right side of the pond. A large bunker guards this shallow back to front sloping green. A good wedge will set you up for a birdie but beware as this little par 4 has also delivered more than its share of double bogeys.
Hole #8
Par 5
Number 8 is the only par 5 on the front nine and you want to pick your club carefully on the tee depending on the wind and the tee you choose as the river awaits a drive that is hit a little too far. From there, your decision is whether to play it safe to the corner or challenge the hole and the tall trees on the left to reach the green in two shots. Even though this is a par 5, it is our #1 handicap hole so par is a good score.
Hole #9
Par 3
Ending the front nine is an uphill medium length par 3. It will play about one-half a club longer because of the elevation. It is one of our largest greens, so depending on the pin placement, your tee shot can vary by three clubs. As you travel down hole 8, pay attention to the pin location on the ninth green.
Hole #10
Par 4
This is a long straight par 4 where the fairway is definitely your friend. Many trees line both sides of the fairway and if you go right, you are in jail. Be wary of the semi-hidden penalty area on the left of the green. If you miss this green, short or right would be your best chance for saving par.
Hole #11
Par 3
Of all the par 3’s, this is the most difficult tee shot. The hole is guarded by three bunkers right and left but there is room in front to run it up on the green. There are run-off areas on the left and right that will allow your ball to easily enter one of the three bunkers. Once again, bogey is probably your score if you go over this green.
Hole #12
Par 4
Number 12 is a short straight away par 4 with a wide fairway and one of your best opportunities for a birdie. A crown in the middle of the green can make your putt a challenging read.
Hole #13
Par 4
Driver is not necessary on this hole but properly placed to the right of the large cottonwood tree would make the hole play shorter. A pond in the middle of the fairway encourages a hybrid or fairway club off the tee to set up your approach. Avoid going long as there is a bunker in the rear of the green in addition to OB.
Hole #14
Par 4
A long straight par 4 awaits you here. Fairway bunkers in the landing zone both left and right add to the importance of a straight tee shot. This green slopes severely from back to front so do not allow your ball to be above the pin. You would be better off putting or chipping from just short of this green.
Hole #15
Par 3
This is your last chance to make an ace at DCC. Take note of the #1 carving left of the tee box where the names of golfers who have recorded an ace on this hole are preserved. Once again, it is much better to be below the hole with your approach shot.
Hole #16
Par 5
This is the first of two back-to-back par 5’s. Hit your drive long and straight and you have a chance to reach this green in two. OB runs the entire length of this hole on the left. The green is unique and challenging as there are large humps on each side which make getting close to a back pin a challenge but can help you get the ball close to the hole if it is a red pin location.
Hole #17
Par 5
The second par 5 on the back can reward you with an eagle if you place your tee ball in a strategic location. This is a 90 degree dogleg to the left and with that proper drive, you can cut the corner over the trees and reach the green in two.
Hole #18
Par 4
The final hole is a sweeping dogleg to the right with an in-course OB to the right. You can carefully decide how much you want to cut off with your tee shot but you need to be able to hit it high. If successful, you will have a short wedge and a great birdie opportunity. If you take the more conservative route and play to corner, you will have a longer shot to the green but it takes a lot of risk out of this hole. Choose wisely on the tee as this final hole decides many matches at DCC.