Andrew Johnson Golf Club

Deceiving.

That may be the best way to describe Andrew Johnson Golf Club. After all, many of the area’s better golfers will look at the scorecard of the par-70 course and see that the yardage is only 6,103 yds. from the blue championship tees, and only 5,691 yds. from the white tees.

It’s hard to tell just how tough the course will be until area golfers get out there and start the elusive chase of the little white ball, but the design of the course is demanding enough, yet fair enough, to present a challenge to both the scratch player and the high-handicapper.

Some par-4 holes will be easily reached on the second shot, but only if tee shots are properly placed. But just getting on the mammoth greens in regulation does not guarantee a par. The undulation and size of the greens can make for some very interesting pin placements

Here’s a brief capsule of each of the holes:

No. 1, par-4, 340 yds. white, 373 yds. blue: A good starting hole since there’s not a lot of trouble to get into and will allow golfer to move on out of the way of the group behiind them. It’s a dogleg right, but a decent drive will allow a clear shot into the green.

No. 2, par-4, 342 yds. white, 376 yds. blue: A straight shot from the tee to green, but much tougher than no. 1 since you’ll be playing into the prevailing west wind. The hugh green is flanked by trees on boths sides and the rear. A very pretty hole.

No. 3, par-5, 124 yds. white, 144 yds. blue: One of the easier holes on the course, but a large green could make for some 3-putts. Score good on this one, because the next two holes are “boogers.”

No. 4, par-5, 524 yds. white, 546 yds. blue: The longest hole on the course and a pretty one. Woodland along the left side of the fairway represents out of bounds, and a big oak tree stands on the right side of the fairway that could come into play for a pushed tee shot. The golfer’s third shot will be an uphill approach to yet another huge green.

No. 5, par-4, 398 yds. white, 419 yds. blue: Generally regarded as the toughest hole on the course and the no. 1 handicap hole. A good tee shot is a must, since a hook will give you a side-hill lie, and a slice will get you into some tree troubles. Even with a good drive, a fairway wood or long iron will be needed to shoot for the green since you’ll normally be playing against the wind. A par here will really get you to feeling good about your game.

No. 6, par-3, 145 yds. white, 164 yds. blue: A slight uphill shot makes the tee shot a little tougher.

No. 7, par-5, 489 yds. white, 513 yds. blue: A double dogleg doozy. The course’s driving range will be to the left side of the fairway and will be out of bounds. Some players might be tempted to go for the green on their second shot, but a grove of trees to the right of the green looks imposing. A proper layup would give a short uphill pitch to the green.

No. 8, par-3, 163 yds. white, 189 yds. blue: You’ll be on an upper tier looking down at this green.

No. 9, par-4, 346 yds. white, 363 yds. blue: A dogleg left and good finishing hole fo the front side. Make a par here and you’ll make the turn with visions of a good back side.

No. 10, par-4, 334 yds. white, 368 yds. blue: Dogleg right and not too much trouble here. Should get you off to a good start on the back.

No. 11, par-4, 291 yds. white, 316 yds. blue: A creek runs in front of this short par-4, nd the question will be, “Do I try to clear the creek on the drive, or do I lay it up?”

No. 12, par-3, 132 yds. white, 146 yds. blue: The first of back-to-back par-3 holes that can either make for a fine round or break a fine round.

No. 13, par-3, 157 yds. white, 176 yds. blue: The best par-3 hole on the course. A pond is staring you in the face as you prepare to tee off, just waiting to gobble up a dribbler.

No. 14, par-4, 349 yds. white, 375 yds. blue: A slice off the tee here will get you wet in the pond. A good rip off the tee will lay you in good shape for a steep unhill approach to the green.

No. 15, par-5, 481 yds. white, 495 yds. blue: Standing on the tee will give you a panoramic view of the entire course and it will be one of the prettiest holes on the course.

No. 16, par-4, 370 yds. white, 392 yds. blue: Another dogleg left that will put the premium on a good tee shot.

No. 17, par-4, 339 yds. white, 359 yds. blue: Straight ahead off the tee. If you’ve scored pretty well thus far on the course, you’ll like no. 17 and 18.

No. 18, par-4, 367 yds. white, 389 yds. blue: Again the premium is on a good tee shot, but this is a fine finishing hole to a large green. Large greens are the norm on the Andrew Johnson course.