Hole by hole breakdown
The Country Club of New Bedford is a 1902 Donald Ross Design, which demands accuracy, and superb distance control as well as excellent touch around the greens.
Hole #1:
A straightaway Par 4 with a hidden fairway bunker on the right. Favor the left center of the fairway on your tee shot to set up your approach to this bunker guarded green. The Back right of the green is the flattest portion, with a false front and mound on the right being your biggest obstacles on this green.
Hole #2:
Aim over the cart path for this blind tee shot to the hidden fairway and setup your approach on this short dogleg right. The green is fairly subtle sloping from right to left with a ridge dividing the front and back portions. A miss left leaves a very difficult bunker shot.
Hole #3:
Long and left is the miss on this dog leg right, which will leave you with a downhill second shot to this easily accessible green. Sloping from front to back, this green is extremely intricate with subtlest of breaks for every pin location.
Hole #4:
The only Par 5 on the course with a demanding up hill blind tee shot. Aim over the cart path and miss left to set up your lay-up/approach to this elevated green. The most undulating of all the greens at the Country Club, there are three bunkers, and a false front guarding this green. Aim for the middle of the green and do not be tempted to attack the pins on this green, because you will get into trouble.
Hole #5:
The longest of the Par 4s on the course with out of bounds all down the right side. Aim at the left center portion of the fairway and you will have a demanding second shot into this right to left sloping green. With two long bunkers on the right side of the green, staying left is the smart approach, leaving either an uphill chip or putt to almost any pin on this green.
Hole #6:
A short hole with possibly the most demanding tee shot on the golf course. With out of bounds down the right and left sides of this hole, accuracy is a premium. Your approach to this small green asks you to avoid 4 bunkers and keep the ball under the pin on this green at all costs.
Hole #7:
This Par 3 is a player’s favorite here at CCNB. A severe sloping green sends everything to the front left portion of this surface. A giant pine tree on the left, and several bunkers protects this hole. Aim for the center of the green and let the ball trundle where it may. A par is an exceptional score on this hole.
Hole #8
A straight up hill Par 4 with a tree lined fairway. It is best to favor the left side of this hole. Big Hitters beware. A hidden bunker about 275 yards out in the middle of the fairway will be awaiting your tee shot. Your approach should be toward the left portion of this green, avoiding the sycamore tree and bunker on the right side.
Hole #9:
A long narrow ninth hole is slightly right to left from tee to green. Aim at the red sycamore trees in the distance and you will find the left center of the fairway. This green is a semi bowl shape, sending approaches to the left portion of the green leaving you with an uphill third.
Hole 10#:
A long and straight tenth hole is just the thing to start of the back nine. Stay away from the bunkers on the right side and you will have an approach to a small slightly elevated green, making your second shot slightly longer then it appears. The green is fairly flat with very subtle breaks, with the one exception being the slight crown on the back left portion making the back pin location a tricky one.
Hole #11:
A very demanding tee shot asks for a left to right ball flight. Left center of fairway would be ideal, flirting with the row of trees guarding the left side of the hole. This green is extremely dangerous, with nearly every approach running to the left fringe. The crown on the right poses the biggest hazard, making a back right pin location almost inaccessible. Short and left will give you the most manageable third shot on this tricky par 4.
Hole #12:
What you see is what you get with this downhill par 4. Out of bounds plagues the right side of this hole, however an accurate tee shot will leave you with a manageable second into this accessible green. Bunkers line the edges of the putting surface, as well as out of bounds long and right may make you weary, but a good shot will be rewarded with this fairly flat green.
Hole #13:
A short Par 4 with out of bounds right, left center of the fairway ill the ideal tee shot. The second shot may appear to be easy, but a mistake on this hole will leave you with a big number on an otherwise easy hole. Four bunkers surround a severe sloping green from back to front. If possible, leave the ball below the hole for a fairly easy putt.
Hole #14:
A slight dogleg right, lined by pine trees makes this tee shot extremely unforgiving. Aim for the left side of the fairway to leave you the best angle to this green. A difficult approach may appear shorter, but will need to be carried the entire way to this slightly elevated green. Several crowns leave no easy putt on this green.
Hole #15:
This Par 3 may look like an easy hole on paper, but this elevated green is protected by bunkers in front and along the left side, as well as a 12-foot valley on the right side. Aim for the middle of the green and attempt to make a putt on this left to right sloping green.
Hole #16:
A breathe of fresh air before the final two closing holes. A short par 4 with a tree lined fairway and a fairway bunker on the left leaves you a short second to this uphill to this newly renovated green. A false front, a crown, and a ridge up the right side of this green make this one of the most difficult putting greens on the course. As a general rule, a ball on the green will run from back right to front left.
Hole # 17:
This par 3 is The Country Club of New Bedford’s signature hole. A demanding yet playable hole, with a tree lined right side and water guarding the front, left and back of the green, this tee shot is anything but simple. A miss right of the green will leave you in a greenside bunker with a playable second shot, however the middle of the green will leave you a relatively simple putt from all angles. A ridge dividing the back and front portions of this green will make your awareness of the pin vital in your club selection.
Hole #18:
This finishing hole is one of the most demanding holes in the area. A slight uphill dogleg from right to left will insist on an accurate tee shot to have a chance at par. Aim at the Golf Shop and miss left if possible. This uphill approach will play almost two clubs longer, with bunkers lining the green. One of the most difficult greens to manage, it boasters a crown on the back right and middle left of this giant putting surface, as well as a false front, and a collection area in the back for a ball that has gone astray. A shot to the middle of the green and two putts will be a better then most result.