Rugged
Dune is a release from October 2004 and
is set in the Nebraska sand dunes. The
title pretty much tells you what to
expect, an expanse of rolling gorse and
grassland littered with deep sand dunes
of all shapes and sizes. The effect is
unique and whilst not manicured neat and
pretty, can also be called stunning in
its own way. Clearly the style has its
roots in the British links but there are
significant differences as there is a lot
more elevation in play here from tee to
green. There are five par 3's that form
the backbone of this course and your
ability to deal with slopes is paramount.
Clealy sand is a key feature of this
course along with the wooden plank paths
and wild gorse bushes. It contains some
of the best bunkers and planting that
have ever been seen.
Four
Favourite Holes
Hole 2
- An early test with the longest par 3 on
the course at 225 yards. This tee shot
needs to thread its way past a tricky
guarding front bunker. If the greens are
fast you are best taking the right hand
option and chipping or putting across the
green. Its hard to stop the ball if you
clear the front bunker and you will leave
a chip downhill which can be really
tough. This fabulous hole really shows
off the dunes effect with wide expanses
of sand in view.
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Rugged
Dune (2nd hole)
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Hole 9
- This is the shortest par 4 on course at
just 330 yards. While slightly uphill a
slight following wind will enable you to
reach this green off the tee. However,
this said a long bunker runs up the whole
of the right side of this hole which
angles away from you. So the further up
the hole you drive, the more of the gorse
and bunker you bring into play. You will
certainly be tempted to take this on, but
the safer lay up and wedge shot may well
still yield a nice birdie.
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Rugged
Dune (9th hole)
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Hole 14
- One of the longer par 4's on the course
at 480 yards which shows off some
beautiful sand textures and the wooden
plank paths that wind all around the
venue. This tee shot drives to a fairway
that starts to pinch in at the longer
distances and bringing a large left
bunker into play. Lay up too short though
and you will leave a long wood into this
uphill green which has a right hand green
bunker to be wary of. This hole usually
plays into the wind too.
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Rugged
Dune (14th hole)
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Hole 16
- This is a par 5 at 560 yards that is
reachable with two good shots. The tee
shot takes you over 4 right hand bunkers
as the fairway angles away from you.
Anything pulled right is in a hazard, but
as the fairway rolls away to the left you
cant play too safe either in that
direction or your ball will find the
rough. If you dont find the fairway then
a large bunker will block your approach
to the uphill green. A good tee shot
though will set up a chance for a birdie
or possibly even an eagle.
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Rugged
Dune (16th hole)
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Rugged Dune is a
really clever design. There is a real mix
of long and short holes which will enable
you to test all the clubs in your bag. As
this course rolls up and down slopes you
will rarely see a flat lie anywhere and
those that cope best with slopes will
feature better here. Many greens are also
uphill so distance control on approaches
is also vital. Rugged Dune has a rough
charm to it, a windswept landscape of
gorse and sand that begs you to play in
gusty conditions. This is an underrated
design, not overly pretty to look at in
comparison to most, but you will not find
many better tests of your overall game,
and the texturing here is simply superb.
Technically speaking this is one of
Mike's best design achievements.
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