160 yard par 3. Trees line both sides of this short par three. Additionally, the green is guarded by bunkers on both the front left and right. The deep green has large swale in the middle that runs from left to right.

Tips from the Pro
The tree and bunkers make hitting accurately of the tee critical. Fortunately the best place to be on the green is dead center. For best results, land your tee shot on the same side of the swale as the pin. Failure to do so will result in a long putt with a double break. The deceptive depth of the green makes tee shot club selection to end up with short putt challenging.

530 yard par 5. A long uphill par 5, number two is a slight left dogleg bordered by mature trees on the left and smaller trees on the right. The exceptionally long, narrow green is separated from the fairway by a small valley that is quite steep greenside. The green itself is angled relative to the fairway so that it runs from the front left to the back right of the hole and is sheltered by a bank on the left. Additionally, the green has two distinct lobes that in combination with the narrow nature of the putting surface can result in a putt with no direct line to the hole.

Tips from the Pro
Playing to the left side of the fairway will shorten up the hole considerably. This tee strategy will require you to cut the corner of the left dogleg, bringing the trees on the left into play. The landing area on the right side of the fairway is generous, but a tee shot played there lengthens the hole considerably. The second shot is very open, but sticking to the right side of the fairway will set up your third shot nicely. Your approach to the vast putting surface is critical. Failure to carry your third shot to the green and you will likely end up in the bottom of the valley short of the green. Being on the wrong lobe can result in a 200 foot putt with no direct line to the cup. Read your putt carefully as there a number of possible breaks in the hummocky green.

358 yard par 4. This short par 4 plunges dramatically into a deep valley. The trees on the right side of the fairway are densely packed the entire length of the hole. The left side is guarded by a small creek and more trees. The green, which is at the base of the valley, is separated from the fairway by the creek which also guards the left side of the fairway. The putting surface is relatively flat.

Tips from the Pro
Take a moment to admire the surrounding countryside from the elevated tee, then gird yourself for a challenging tee shot. For medium and long hitters, a driver can put you in the creek that runs in front of the green. Instead, pull out an iron and shoot for the middle by the 100 yard marker. Chose your club conservatively and take careful aim as the steep nature of the fairway requires clubbing down one or two clubs and magnifies the negative consequences of errant shots. A short second shot to this medium-sized green will give a good chance at birdie.

292 yard par 4. This short par 4 has you heading back up the hill you just came down. The elevated tee, situated on the opposite side of the valley from the rest of the hole, is separated from the narrow fairway by the same creek that comes into play on number 3. The fairway itself is carved out of the surrounding forest and ascends, steeply, out of the valley, narrowing near the approach to the green. The green, nestled into the shoulder of the hill, is surrounded by dramatic limestone block walls on three sides. The modest-sized putting surface is among the flattest on the golf course.

Tips from the Pro
The steep valley and mature trees prevent this from being an easy hole. While theoretically drivable for long hitters, keeping the ball in play is more important. Add a club or two to account for the uphill drive, and aim your tee shot for the opening of the approach to the green. Execute correctly and you’ll have a short chip to flat putting surface and great birdie opportunity. Aim poorly and you’re in the deep woods. Getting through holes three and four with the same ball is a job well done.

325 yard par 4. A short dogleg right bordered by dense forest and rough terrain on the right and dotted with large pine trees amid long grass on the left. A small valley separates the tee from the rest of the hole. The small, dome shaped green is tucked behind the stand of trees on the right.

Tips from the Pro
Big hitters employing a “power fade” shot can reach the green from the tee. A safer approach is to play your drive to the center-left portion of the fairway. Doing so will result in a short iron to the small, dome shaped green. Being long of the hole with your approach could leave you with an uphill pitch with little green to work with if the pin is set deep.

275 yard par 4. The entire length of this short, dogleg right par 4 slopes into a tree and rock studded ravine on the right. The elevated tee plays across a shallow valley to a small sloping landing area bordered by a high ridgeline on the left and the ravine on the right. A small forest area on the left comes into play from the tee as well. The fairway flattens out past the apex of the dogleg which is marked by a large Oak tree. The large, right-sloping green is tucked behind the mature trees on the right.

Tips from the Pro
Despite the intimidating view from the tee, number 6 is the most drivable par four at Lacoma – if you can play a high, long fade shot. Driving directly for the green is difficult due to the proximity and height of the trees on the right. An errant shot to the left is most likely playable; miss to the right and you should play a provisional, as you will probably not find your first shot. A safer approach is to play a long iron and aim for the flat spot on the left side of the landing area immediately beyond the apex of the dogleg. Do this and you will be left with a short iron to the green. In general, an approach played to the right of the hole will yield an uphill putt.

337 yard par 4. Number seven is a short uphill par 4 bisected along its length by a pronounced ridge. A dense forest borders the right side of the fairway while the left side drops off sharply into an area of long grass. A large copse of mature trees comes into play on the left near the green. The rightmost edge of this copse separates the green from the left portion of the fairway. The green is large with several contours.

Tips from the Pro
The direct route to the green lies along the left side of the fairway. However, a long hitter can easily hit through the fairway into the tall trees that guard the left approach to the green. Even if you play safely to the left, you will have a difficult approach shot over tall trees to an elevated green. For best results, play your drive to the broad right side of the fairway. This tee shot placement will leave you with a short iron to the green. The green is set back from the crest of the hill making it a little farther from the landing area than it looks, so be sure to play enough club. Approach shots landed far from the pin can leave you with a putt that breaks several times.

180 yard par 3. From the elevated tee on number 8, you get a panoramic view of the golf course and the surrounding countryside – you can even see the wooded bluffs that line the Mississippi in neighboring Dubuque. Don’t let the view distract you from the matter at hand: playing a challenging downhill par 3. The green rests on relatively flat area about half way down the hill. Sand traps on both sides of the green perform a dual role guarding the narrow green and keeping your ball from running down the hill into the trees if you miss the green.

Tips from the Pro
The long narrow nature of the green and the downhill shot require careful attention to club selection. On windy days, the high exposed hill magnifies the effects of the wind. Taken together, these elements can change your club selection by three of four clubs.

495 yard par 5. This relatively short par five places a premium on accuracy and shot placement of over distance. The view from the elevated tee is intimidating with a stand of tall trees guarding the left and a tree line, which is out-of-bounds, on the right. The left tree line gives way to a broad landing area which slopes sharply from right to left. The long narrow green is well defended with mature spruce trees on the left, ponds in front and a bunker on the right.

Tips from the Pro
The view from the tee looks intimidating, but if you fly your drive beyond the end the tree line on the left you should land safely. For best results, target your drive as far left on the sloped landing area as the left tree line allows – the fairway is flatter to the left and your ball will roll farther. The ability to play a draw is a big advantage here. Target your second shot to land on the flatter area immediately in the front of the pond. This part of the fairway slopes toward the pond – long shots will be wet, so club carefully. It is possible to play around the pond to the left, but this will leave you with a tricky downhill pitch to a green that is quite shallow from this direction and slopes away from your lie. This green tends to be a little quicker than others at Lacoma, but has less break.