Sugarloaf Golf Club's Blog (13)

After completing the last of the new drainage work last week, and laying the final load of new sod on Monday, the new and improved sixth hole is now ready for action this Friday, May 28.

Anyone who played number six last season will be amazed at the transformation. While it's certainly still one of the more challenging holes at Sugarloaf, it's no longer the notorious scorecard killer thanks to wideneed approach, increased playable area around the green, and healthi

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Those of you who have been following the news from the golf course closely this year will know that we've done a considerable amount of work on hole number 6 over the past year. We completely rebuilt all of the drainage systems, removed a large number of trees, stumps, rocks, and other debris on the right of the approach, and increased playable area on the approach by a huge amount.

With the drainage work completed last fall, we've worked to prepar

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Hopefully many of you were able to get out and enjoy the back nine here at the Sugarloaf Golf Club during Ski and Tee Weeked, May 1-2. Eager golfers played more than 250 rounds over the weekend, which was the earliest date in the 25 year history of the Sugarloaf Golf Club that the course has been playable. And though the course still very much in early season condition, nearly all of the golfers we spoke with over the weekend were amazed at the shape the course was in (particularly since most

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No joke, the photo below was taken today, April 15, on the sixth green. Number six emerged from the winter in such great shape that our crew is already mowing it, even while we're still skiing up on the hill. This green is almost is mid-season form already, and much of that great growth can be attributed to a new, permeable tarp system that superintendant Bob Bruce experimented with this winter.

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Last spring, newly appointed Sugarloaf Golf Club Superintendant Bob Bruce got a crash course in the challenges of running a mountain golf course. A long, harsh winter wreaked havoc on Maine’s golf courses, and Sugarloaf was no exception. Bob was up to the challenge, and the course recovered quickly,

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One of the famous "String of Pearls," the fourteenth hole at Sugarloaf is very manageable but can easily go wrong if you approach it the wrong way. A fairly straightforward drive leaves you with a tricky approach that has no room for error. The front of the green is guarded by the Carrabassett River, while the woods and a green-side bunker require a dead-on second shot. A good drive will make your approach much easier, and in turn give you a good shot at par. Blow the drive and all bets are off.… Continue

As the old saying goes: "Drive for show, putt for dough." Most of us spend the least amount of time practicing it, but nearly half of your score on any given round comes from putting, making it the most logical place to look if you want to shave some strokes. Putting is also the least athletic of any of the shots you'll try, meaning just about anybody be can be a good putter with the right technique and a little practice. Check out these tips from Sugarloaf Pro Scott Hoisington, and next time yo… Continue

Aahh the fifteenth. The last in the famous "String of Pearls." It's a pretty straightforward par 3, with big, flat green that provides a great chance to add a birdie to your round. That is, of course, if you play from the blue or white tees. Step over to the black tees and it's a whole different ball game. Suddenly you're 175-180 yards away, and that green doesn't look nearly as big. The various tee options give this hole several different looks, making it unique and int… Continue

It's not one of our famous "String of Pearls," but the seventeenth hole still offers plenty to get excited about. First and foremost, a good drive will leave you a very manageable approach shot and turn this into a definite birdie hole. It also offers great view of the Crocker Mountains and of Sugarloaf, after you make the turn around the dogleg. On the other hand, leave your drive short or to the right, and you're looking at a long, uphill approach. Add to that a green with some serious undulat… Continue

The majority of the shots in your score come from within 50 yards of the hole, but most of us spend little time practicing our pitching, chipping, and putting, choosing instead to focus on drives and long irons. Focusing on your short game is an easy way to shave strokes off of your score. Today's video will show you the proper technique for your pitch shot.
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Sugarloaf is a tough course. No doubt about it. But even though it offers some of the most challenging golf in New England, it rewards good shots like few other course. A good drive on number ten will get you a good look at a pretty easy birdie, but if you push that drive a little bit right, however, you're looking at a whole different kettle of fish. There are good and bad ways to approach each hole at Sugarloaf, and your scorecard will love you if you know the good ways. And since the pros her… Continue

There are so many things to think about in a golf swing it's easy to forget that one of the easiest things we can do to improve our swing is to maintain a good posture when we address the ball. This means an athletic stance, knees slightly bent, and a straight back. Check out this week's video for more from pro Scott Hoisington, and learn more about our programs here. - Sugarloaf Golf School
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Greetings from the Sugarloaf Golf School! Opening day is just around the corner here at the Sugarloaf Golf Club, and hopefully by now you've been able to get out and make a few swings, hit a few drives, and line up a few pu… Continue