Groton's Green Jewel: Part Three
Among the many who enjoy playing at the Groton Pool and Golf center are the Groton-Dunstable Regional HS, Littleton, and Ayer/Lunenburg boys and girls golf teams who regularly practice and call Groton their home course.
If you recall, the following observations are from the viewpoint of several senior golfers, who appreciate the scenery, the hike and the quiet as much as the golf. We are providing the following description with the hope that all who read this description may be tempted to indulge in a round or more at GP&CC.
In the April 13 issue of the Herald, we left you on the fourth hole. Do you remember? The 145-yard par three, where your shot carried Whitman Road, a pond and settled on the green for a birdie putt. Ah-h-h, now it all comes back! With your self-confidence glowing, you move to the second hardest hole at Groton.
Hole #5
The fairway is only 65 yards wide on the par three fifth. Stately evergreens and deciduous trees (not all share in their beauty) line the narrow fairway to the left while high rough, pucker brush and brambles are on the right. An accurate, long, straight drive of 215 yards is required to give the golfer the best chance of reaching the green and finishing this hole in regulation.
Make note of where the pin is. If it is on the right side of the green, coming in from the left is ideal and if on the left, the approach from the right is best. For most of the senior golfers, just keeping the ball in the fairway is the test on this difficult par three!
The green is 22 yards wide and 17 yards deep, not a big target but it is well- maintained and a pleasure to putt. In fact, if you assume that the pin is in the middle of the green you must hit the ball straight down within 3 degrees either side of the pin to be accurate enough for the ball to be on the green. Enough of the technical stuff!
A loud "Oh-oh" heard from the tee indicates a less than desirable shot and often is followed by the sound of a ball striking a tree or two. The louder the "Oh-oh," the further the ball has strayed in the wrong direction.
For those who did not reach the green, the second shot is delicate and requires the choice of either pitching and rolling the ball onto the green or hitting a high lob shot that will land, and hopefully stay on the putting surface. In either case, the shot requires the finesse of a fine artist to have your ball remain on the "table." Shooting par here is difficult! No wonder it is the number two handicap hole on the course. For some golfers, the greatest handicap is the ability to add correctly.
Hole #6
It's a short walk to the sixth tee and if you're fortunate, you may view more wildlife or maybe, a stray belted Galloway grazing on the farm adjacent to the fairway. This pretty par four, with views of Mt. Wachusett on a clear day, measures 326 yards from tee to green. When fall colors are at their peak, the view is serene.
The descending fairway is straight to the truest green on the course giving the golfer a decent chance at a birdie! A drive just left of center is ideal for maximum distance, but the risks of out of bounds or reaching "cattle country" are real. A well-struck drive to the right presents the best approach but take care to avoid the fairway hazard out about 180 yards.
The green is protected by two sand traps in front and one additional hazard pin high to the right. After hitting a good drive, the correct play is a short iron that will carry the traps and land softly on the green. Some choose to split the sand traps in front and roll the ball onto the green. Remember the golfer's diet: "live on greens as much as possible."
