How to Play Itasca Country Club

Opening hole with water left at 63 yards off the tee and a cluster of water hazards right starting around 295 yards - these only threaten longer drives. The approach plays to a green guarded by bunkers on both sides, with the left bunker closer at 372 yards. Safe miss is short and center, as the green is about 43 yards deep.

Straightforward par 4 with no major hazards listed, making it a good scoring opportunity. The shorter length at 368 yards means most players will have a mid-iron approach. Focus on hitting the fairway to set up a clean look at the pin.

Another clean par 4 at 382 yards with no significant hazards to navigate around. This continues the opening stretch's theme of rewarding solid, straight golf. Position yourself in the fairway for the best angle into the green.

Mid-length par 3 with bunkers protecting the green. But focus on the pin placement and go after it. The key is picking the right club for the conditions and committing to your swing.

The longest hole on the course at 609 yards, requiring three solid shots to reach. Out of bounds runs down the entire right side of the hole. Aim center left on your drive. Play conservatively and advance the ball with each shot, focusing on keeping it in play rather than trying to cut distance with risky lines.

Longer par 3 at 210 yards that will require a substantial club for most players. Greenside bunker on the right and water if you are way left. The fairway bunker on the left is not close to hte green there is about 20 yards between that bunker and the green. Be aggressive with your target selection. Better short left than right.

Solid two-shot hole at 435 yards with fairway bunker left, making position and execution the primary concerns. This length typically requires a good drive to set up a manageable approach shot. Focus on finding the fairway to give yourself the best angle into the green.

Shorter par 4 at 361 yards presenting a scoring opportunity similar to hole 2. With green side bunkers. This is about capitalizing on the shorter length. A good drive leaves a short iron approach, so be aggressive off the tee and look to attack the pin.

The closing hole of the front nine features water hazards starting around 396 yards and continuing through 418 yards, creating a challenging approach area. Bunkers guard both sides of the green at 475 yards. The safe play is to lay up short of the water, leaving a wedge approach between the greenside bunkers.

Back nine opens with a 194-yard par 3 that requires a solid mid-to-long iron. This another opportunity to be aggressive with your target. The green is elevated and there is a bunker short right. Club up and go after the pin.

The longest par 4 on the course at 440 yards with out of bounds running down the left side. This is a true test of length and accuracy, requiring two substantial shots to reach the green. Position off the tee is crucial since you'll likely have a long iron or fairway wood for your approach. Aim left center and let it rip!

Mid-length par 4 with fairway bunkers positioned at 230 and 247 yards, creating a pinched landing area for longer hitters. The left bunker at 230 is more accessible, while the right bunker at 247 catches bigger drives. Favor the center-left side of the fairway to avoid both.

Par 5 with fairway bunkers left around 225-247 yards off the tee, then a heavily bunkered green complex starting at 438 yards. Five bunkers protect the green from multiple angles, with the closest at 438 yards center. Lay up short of the green bunkers for the safest approach.

Another substantial par 4 at 432 yards with a fairway bunker down the right side of the fairway. Aim Center. This continues the back nine's theme of testing your ability to hit quality shots without major trouble to bail out to. Fairway position remains paramount for approach shot success.

Complex hole with early fairway bunkers and trees down the left side and then water protecting the green. Green bunkers add to the protection of the green. The trees create a choke point that may require laying back off the tee, making this a strategic challenge. This requires a solid drive a good second shot.

Dangerous par 5 with out-of-bounds running down the entire left side from 214 yards all the way to 512 yards, plus a fairway bunker right at 232 yards. The OB left is the primary concern throughout the hole. Stay right of center at all times and accept longer approach shots to avoid the boundary.

Short par 3 at 131 yards with bunkers guarding the green - right bunker at 148 yards and left bunker at 161 yards. The green appears to be about 30 yards deep based on bunker positioning. Safe miss is center-short, as both bunkers are beyond typical pin positions.

Finishing hole with a fairway bunker right at 185 yards, water right at 291 yards, and bunkers flanking the green at 395-396 yards. The fairway bunker catches shorter drives right, while water right threatens longer approaches. Play center-left throughout to avoid all right-side trouble.