The Loop Putting Course: A Closer Look

The Loop starts off with a fair debate to your putting line. Take the straightforward approach to the left of the sand, or opt to test the right hill for a little bit of flair to kick off your round. Judge your pace well though, or risk sinking into the median chasm or falling off the back of the green.

A short approach is marred by the first waterway you will encounter on the course. The wise shot will take it head on, with care and consideration given to the median boulder. If you are successful in fording the gap, hopefully you remain on greenside lest you are swallowed by the backstop bunker that awaits fervent strokes.

Mind the gap! Now that you have experience wading across the water, the Par 2 3rd offers a test of your wading skills. Shoot left to avoid the dropoff and let the natural curvature of the fairway carry you home towards the hole. By now, you should have a grasp of the speed of the course. Take a moment to reflect: you're going to need it.

A central tuft of rough bisects the fairway on approach to the 4th green. With it comes a decision: do you try and thread the needle to the left, or play close to the bunker on the right hand side? We leave the decision to you, but offer this: with the right speed the small hillside on the right is your ally.

The second shortest hole on the course is also one that demands finesse. A straight line shot is blocked by sand and rock. Ride it up the right hill to try for an ace at your peril, for the hole sits tight to a falloff into a watery abyss.

It's roller derby at the disco here at the 6th tee. Surf the wave around the dune and hope it cuts so as to avoid the bunker. With a little luck you'll find yourself pin high with an opportunity to make birdie.

As close to a blind tee as possible, the only Par 4 on The Loop demands a confident stroke. Trust a wide line that takes you to the top of the ridge and send it low on your second that wades over the water line. With luck, you'll get there in 2. All the same, pack your floaties — you're going to need help here.

A reprieve in distance is met with a cautionary tale in speed control. Line is important, but so is a measured foot on the gas pedal. Hit the speed bump just right and it will give you a ride right into the hole. If you fail to pass the test, well... just make sure to have a ride home.

Have you brushed up on your Greek Epics lately? To the South on hole 9 sits the waiting Scylla, really to scoop up your ball into the rock. Meanwhile to the North awaits Charybdis and the gaping maw that will swallow you down to the depths. Take the shallow ridge line to push your ball into safe harbor to claim Par and victory over the Front 9.

Strap on the oxygen tanks as you scale the mountain that constitutes Hole 10. You'll want to pack the oranges too — you'll need a little juice getting up to the green. Be careful not to overcharge it though, for waiting behind the hole are devious peaks that threaten to send your ball tumbling down to base camp.

Now that you've reached the top of the mountain, there's only one way down. Lock in your skis or snowboard and give your ball a love tap. Cross your fingers and let the hill take its course. With luck, you'll pull right next to the hole.

Approach 12 with confidence in the face of a looming dune on the left. Give pace to your shot, keep it straight along the ridge, and yourself an opportunity to make Par. Give a tip of the cap to the back bunker too, as an errant whack might land you in hot water here.

A strip of rough mitigates a head-on approach into the 13th green. Much like the 1st, a choice needs to me made with regard to which side you take. As the tee is tucked back behind a dune, a clear shot aims to hug the top part of the rough patch as you rebound it off the right hill.

While possible, an ace is unlikely on this 90-degree dog leg. Plot your line around the wave: wider here is better. For the mad, cut the rough on a straight line approach. Don't say we didn't warn you when you finish with a double.

The longest hole on the Loop is a straightforward one. A heavy stroke will send it down the line, but a careful eye is needed to judge the break along the cascading fairway. Your enemy here is speed and the lack thereof. Fire away.

A keen eye will take a moment to pick which side of the tee box to line up on here at the almost Venetian 16. With a settled boulder blocking a sightline straight in, those who can tame the rapids will find their ball in a premium position. There is no lifeguard on duty though, so please do take care.

At a mere 18', the 17th is the shortest hole on The Loop. By no means is it a pushover though. Dead set in front of the hole lies a proverbial mountain of rock. Note the slide landslide on the left — it's your only hope to dream of a hole-in-one.

One final test awaits as you come on in. Settle your body for hopefully one last good line. A deceptively straight fairway tests the greatest opponent on the course: your own mind. Trust your instincts. Give it a good tap. Bring it home.

We hope you've enjoyed this tour around our greens. Now that you've finished up, be sure to stop in The Clubhouse for a pint, a pizza, and some good social unwind time. Or, if you're looking to take on the challenge of The Loop again, we offer day passes!

Plan your next visit, and don't forget to B.Y.O.P. (Bring Your Own Putter)!

We'll see you soon, here on The Loop Putting Course at Northway Golf Center.