Loblolly
Par 27 - Level 3 - 84 Slope Rating
Plays from 793-1,452 yards
Map
I’ve circled around Loblolly more than a few times trying to figure out its theme. At first glance, it’s hard to pin down - no water spectacle, no signature carry, no obvious gimmick. Then it finally clicked: Loblolly is a loop - by design - and like most loops, you don’t notice what’s changed until you come back around.
Play from the gold tees and you can leave your driver at home. You can probably do without any long irons either. It’s all par threes. Last time out, I used just five clubs. You may, however, need a map to find the starter shack. Many get confused and try to check in at Longleaf, but the Loblolly starter shack is tucked away down a hidden path with a fabulous view.
The course itself is laid out as a large clockwise circle. With the prevailing wind, you’ll usually start by hitting into it, then feel it slide left to right, and eventually have it at your back. When it’s a gale force, it’s like a bad dream that follows you around. At first glance, the holes don’t seem terribly diverse. But after a few rounds, subtle differences start to emerge. That’s when appreciation kicks in.
The opening hole gets your attention immediately - it's one of my top five favorite opening shots! A beautiful tee box with a view to the left and an elevated green framed by oaks. The shot plays longer than it looks, so clubbing up is the smartest move to start your play.
The second hole, by contrast, is long, narrow, and unquestionably the toughest on the course. The first time I played it, I hit a roof on the right. I still get the yips teeing off here. Good luck not landing that front left trap!
The third is pretty easy and straight forward, but the fourth has everything: water in front, a wall to clear, bunkers on both sides, and a slightly elevated green with a center swale. And if the wind is right, the unmistakable smell of French fries drifting over from McDonalds nearby. With that many distractions, your Happy Meal may come with a bogey.
From holes five through eight, the circular design becomes unmistakable. Nearly every approach favors a left-to-right shot shape. This is where my friend Steve shines. His power fade fits Loblolly perfectly. The last time we played, he was under par. We all suggested he celebrate by buying a lottery ticket at the Publix across the street. But it wasn’t luck. It's a perfect set up for him. For those of you that have a draw, I suggest you play Loblolly backwards.
The sixth is the shortest hole on the course, but it has the toughest green: a two-tiered magic carpet sloping back toward the tee. Depending on pin placement, three putts are very much in play. It’s one of the nine hardest greens in The Villages.
Then comes the longest cart ride in all of The Villages. A veteran walker once told me it was over a thousand steps. The path runs south along Marsh Bend beside a long pond where gator sight-seekers gather, phones out, hoping for a photo to impress the grandkids - or sometimes the grandkids are right there in the cart. It feels a bit like Yellowstone, where tourists get a little too close to the buffalo!
Loblolly has the longest cart ride between holes. Can you name other courses with long cart trips between two holes? Click here for the answer.
After that road trip, be mindful of the new wind direction when you arrive at the seventh tee. The elevated green means any miss leaves you chipping up off a squeaky-thin fringe. After that, you may wish the cart ride had been even longer.
The eighth continues the circle and, if you’re playing late in the day, delivers a classic Florida sunset over the green. It’s the easier of the two closing holes, so this is where you want your par.
The ninth feels longer, thanks to a waste bunker that fills up the left side, plus two troublesome traps guarding the front. It’s a wonderfully hard shot to close the loop.
By the time the round ends, the circle is complete. Thanks to shifting winds and pin placements, Loblolly never plays the same way twice - even though it keeps showing you the same shapes. That’s the trick of a good loop. So come back again. Steve never leaves. Either does McDonalds!
Toughest to Easiest:
2, 5, 4, 9, 1, 7, 6, 8, 3 – hardest green #6
From the blacks!
Forget that opening line - you'll need your driver! #2, 5 and 9 become really long if you play from the black tees. The water and trap in front of the 2nd green pose the largest threats. #5 plays at 190 yards so the pond that wraps around the green is not just for aesthetics - it's in play on any slight miss hit. #1’s tee box forces you to have to hit to the most pronounced elevation of the opening green, but you get an even more beautiful starting point for your round. Take a picture! And the front bunker on #9 requires a perfect drop shot to the narrow green. The other 5 holes will simply require an extra club.
Go Green!
Loblolly really sets up nice from the green tees. The angle of approach from the most forward tee boxes are very advantageous. This is especially so on the 1st 5th, 8th & 9th holes. You may still have to deal with some water on 2, but that house I hit my first time out is completely out of scope!
What’s nearby?
There’s a huge short-game practice facility next to the Loblolly Starter Shack. You can work on your chipping and your bump and run technique. The Villages executive courses have very challenging fringes around the green, cut unusually short. So, your short game plays differently than you’re probably use to. This is the perfect place to get some practice in. If you want some extra pointers, sign up for a Short Game Clinic with one of the Village Pros at the Villages Golf Academy. They have instruction sessions right here at Loblolly. Call the Golf Academy for more information at (352) 259-8121.
Sometimes it's good to look back on where you've come from - especially from the 6th green on Loblolly!
The tree guarding the back of 7.
My impressions are based on playing from the Gold tee boxes. The Black and the Green tee boxes pose different challenges or benefits described as well. The rankings of the toughest to easiest holes are just my opinions - yours will be far different, as will your favorite courses and most difficult and attractive holes. I welcome your opinions or thoughts on any of this - click to leave a comment.
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