Description of Holes
Hole 1
The first hole is a great opening par 5 that plays from 420 to 560 yards. Although the fairway is open, beware of the creek running down the left rough and bunkers along both sides of the fairway. Only the longest hitters can get home in two, so most players try to setup their third shots to a large green that slopes from right to left. Par is a good opening score here!
Hole 2
The second hole is a dogleg left, par 4, ranging from 380 to 480 yards. Better players will try to cut the dogleg to setup a short iron second shot, which can work as long as their ball doesn’t land in the fescue along the left fairway. This green is one of the most exposed on the course, many times blowing from left to right. Plus, the large green slopes from back to front and can be tricky if the pin is on the left side of the green.
Hole 3
The third hole is a difficult, long par 3, ranging from 140 to 220 yards. This hole requires a solid long iron or even a fairway wood for most players. Wind can also wreak havoc on shots that aren’t particularly well struck. The large green can be a tough two putt unless you hit your drive close. Be very happy if you manage a par 3 on this one!
Hole 4
The fourth hole is one of the most unique holes in all of the Midwest. It’s a short par four, but the fairway runs right between the ruins of the old Sheffield Brick and Tile Factory. A precise tee shot is rewarded with an open approach to the green. But if you hit it into the ruins, you may have to hit out sideways or even backwards to get a clear shot toward the green. Avoid shooting long on this hole because a bunker and drop off make recovery shots difficult from behind the green.
Hole 5
The fifth hole is one of the most difficult at Ridge Stone. It’s a long par four, measuring from 375 to 450 yards. A solid drive is required to setup an approach to the green in regulation. If you hit a poor drive, you might lay up short of the creek and sand trap that runs in front of the green.The large green is difficult and mostly runs from left to right and back to front. Par 4 is an excellent score here.
Hole 6
The sixth hole is trickier than it looks. This par 3 plays from 100 to 185 yards. Be aware of the creek and sand trap to the left of the green. A well struck shot can reach the large green in one, but the fun is just beginning as this very large green has the most slope of any green on the course. It mostly slopes from back to front. A par 3 is a solid score on this hole.
Hole 7
Perhaps the most challenging hole on our nine-hole links course, hole 7 is Ridge Stone Golf Club’s signature hole. This Par 5 plays from 390 to 500 yards and provides a great risk-reward opportunity. With trouble on both the left and right, this hole demands accuracy for both the tee and second shots. Bailey’s Creek follows the fairway along the left side and a pond lies on the right. Golfers who go for the green in two could be rewarded with an eagle or birdie, but they also risk landing in the creek in front of the green or in one of three sand bunkers that surround the hole.
Hole 8
The eighth hole is a medium length par 4. Beware of the pond to the right of the fairway. A good drive in the fairway can setup a short to middle iron to an up-hill green. Make sure to stay out of the sand trap on the right on your approach shot. The two-level green breaks from back to front. This is another tricky green where you will want to get your approach on the right level, so you can be aggressive on your approach putt.
Hole 9
The ninth hole is a short par 4 finishing hole. Many players will use a fairway wood or even a long iron to stay short of the pond that runs in front of the green. Watch out for the “Evergreen Triangle of Doom,” which eats up drives that are pulled left. If you hit a solid drive short of the pond, you should be setup with a short to middle iron into the green. Don’t go long into the sand traps over the green. The ninth green is one of the largest on the course with two tiers and also with a slope from back to front.
After an enjoyable day playing the 2008 Iowa PGA 9-hole course of the year, we invite you to join us inside the clubhouse for a cold beverage, lunch or dinner.