I've played a couple like that. Most recently, Gearhart Golf Links in Gearhart, OR. A 6218 yard, 134 slope gem on the northern coast of Oregon. Don't know what it is, but I just played great, felt confident, had my whole game going good at once. Rare, that.

http://gearhartgolflinks.com/golf/

Ever get that? I like my home course, but find it tougher even tho the slope is a lot less.

I hear you. There are a couple courses at which my confidence soars, which typically results in better scores than other venues with lower ratings and slopes. My thinking is that the par 4's are the key. I will tend to score better with two par 4's that measure 375 each than a course with one 300 yarder and another at 450.

My home course is difficult for the way I play. Most of the holes have trouble, especially to the right, so it really takes my driver (my best club) out of play. If I have to lay up my tee shot on a 400+ yard par four, I'm screwed.

It really is all about the par 4's. I love playing short par 4's that I have to manage, but the medium to long ones can be a nightmare for me.

Bryan K wrote:

It really is all about the par 4's.

and

bkuehn1952 wrote:

My thinking is that the par 4's are the key. I will tend to score better with two par 4's that measure 375 each than a course with one 300 yarder and another at 450.

The more I think about it, yeah -- you guys nailed it. I remember a course I used to play a couple of X a year, where I once hit all four Par 5s in TWO, but scored so-so anyway. It came down to the many long/narrow Par 4s, bordered by thick bush and water, which unlike the Par 5s, were tough to get on in reg.

The closest course to me(2 mi.)is one I really don't care to play much. Rate/slope 70/121, 6403 from the whites. Par 71. Doesn't sound too difficult does it.

Par 3's are tough and several 4's are deceptively long. Many holes dogleg right and that is not my shot shape. Add severely quick, undulating greens and a decent round can go south in a hurry.

Easily 3 strokes higher than my cap.

Maybe I've played it so much it doesn't interest me and I don't expect much.