Alright folks, let’s talk about that pesky fourth hole problem on the course. You know the one I mean – that sneaky little challenge that trips up so many players. Gotta share how I tackled it head-on this weekend.
The Frustration Was Real
Straight up, I was about ready to snap my favorite pitching wedge last Tuesday. Got to the fourth hole at Oak Creek, feeling decent after parring the third. Thought I had my approach nailed. Wrong.
Hit my drive okay – landed in the fairway, decent lie. Maybe 140 yards out? Pulled out the trusty 7-iron, smooth swing… and bam. Hit it pure, felt clean off the face. Watched the darn thing sail right over the green like a rocket. Ended up buried in some nasty thick rough behind the damn green. Took me three chips just to get back on. Bogey? Nah, buddy. Double. Felt like throwing my bag in the pond.
Same thing happened to my buddy Linda. She crushed her tee shot, way better position than mine. Chunked her approach. Saw Sarah in the group ahead – skulled hers clear over too. Fourth hole was eating us alive.
Time to Solve This Mess
Enough was enough. Went back Saturday morning determined to crack this thing. Parked my cart near the fourth green before anyone else showed up.
Step 1: Figure out the damn target
- Walked from my common drive landing spot straight to the pin.
- Counted steps? Old school. Pulled out my rangefinder – shoot the flag. Numbers lying? Measured backwards from the green front: rough is way uphill. Backside slopes down fast. Hard to judge just looking at the pin.
Step 2: Ditch the ego club
- Grabbed my 8-iron, not the 7. Went through my usual routine. Smooth takeaway, quiet lower body… felt solid.
- Ball flight? Textbook. Landed soft just short of pin high. Ten feet from the cup. That felt gooood.
- Tried Linda’s typical shot: choked down slightly on her 6-iron. Same smooth swing tempo. Boom. Stuck it closer than my ball!
The Real Test Sunday
Sunday league game. Pressure’s on. Group chat buzzing Saturday night about avoiding the “fourth hole curse.” Nerves? Yeah, totally.
Rolled up to that tee box Sunday afternoon. Deep breath. Remembered the damn rangefinder. 137 yards to pin. Uphill lie? Yeah, maybe six feet. That green’s higher than it looks.
- Plucked the 8-iron. Focused on tempo – not distance. Easy backswing, crisp contact. Held my finish like a pro.
- Watched that ball sail true. Landed front edge… rolled out softly. Stopped maybe 15 feet right below the hole. Could hear Linda yell “Yes!” from the cart. Solid par putt.
Felt amazing. Saw Linda take her shot – remembered the advice. Choked down smooth 6. Ball flight perfect. She got her damn par too. We walked off that green grinning like idiots. Sarah saw us – tried her new club choice next hole. Worked for her too.
What Actually Helped
Forget the fancy tips. This worked:
- Believing the tool: Trust your damn rangefinder. That slope messes with your eyes.
- Swallow the pride club: Dropping down to an 8 or a 9 ain’t weak. It’s smart. Ball flies high, stops fast.
- Tempo is king: That feeling you want to crush it? Fight it. Smooth swing makes the distance work.
Stopped dreading the fourth hole. Now it feels like another shot. Saw it work for three different swings this weekend. That’s the proof right there.
