The team from WiscoGolfAddict had the opportunity last month to play The Wedge at Cabot Citrus Farms before it officially opens later this year, and this par three course will forever hold a place in my memory as one of the most unique rounds of golf I have ever played.
Take a look at some amazing aerial footage captured by Paul Seifert to get the best course perspective before reading on:
The Details
Designed by architect Mike Nuzzo, The Wedge combines all the drama of the Karoo and Squeeze courses at Cabot Citrus Farms including large waste areas, sloping greens and varied lies.
The par 33 checks in at an even 1,000 yards, with 11 holes ranging in length from 70 to 115 yards. Don’t let the length of these holes deceive you, though, as your short game will be tested on every shot.
You will instantly notice that sand abounds on the course, but the real challenge is shot placement on its greens. Masked under the cover of darkness, hidden undulations and slippery breaks will leave even the best lag putters begging for 3-putts. The large greens leave you feeling good about your wedge game until you realize you’re left with a 55-foot putt.
Golf Under the Lights
If you have never played golf under the stars then don’t worry, it’s not very common. There are currently only 22 courses in the U.S that have lighted golf and The Wedge will make 23.
This was my first experience playing golf under the lights and there is truly something magical about the experience. The combination of stars, crickets, drinks and friends creates an ambiance that cannot be described; it must be experienced.
Our group enjoyed plenty of social jests and light-hearted banter as we navigated the course, often marking balls with beverages and commenting on the mini golf-esque breaking putts.
The cover of darkness and dramatic shadows created by the lighting make some holes seem more menacing than they are, and it also masks hidden dangers throughout. The Wedge feels like two different courses when played during the day versus the night.
Standout Holes
While each hole on The Wedge is memorable, there are a few that stand out in my opinion:
#5
The visual intimidation that hole five creates will have even the most seasoned player shaking in their shoes. A waste area guards the entire front of the green and the shadows created by the lights make the mounds appear the size of Mount Everest.
While no one in our group succumbed to the front trap, the green on this hole was narrow and filled with tricky hills and breaks. We were happy to leave the fifth without blowing up the scorecard!
#8
Hole number eight is all about risk and reward as a downhill 80-yard shot that seems simple on paper but is anything but! Featuring one of the craziest waste areas I’ve seen, the eighth evoked flashbacks to predicaments I’ve only found myself in at Whistling Straits.
You can choose to go pin-hunting on this hole and be rewarded or bail out to the left and leave yourself about an 80-yard putt. I would have liked to watch someone navigate the waste area on this hole but we all managed to avoid it.
Brian’s Tee Shot on 8:
#9
The longest hole on The Wedge, measuring 115 yards, the ninth will finally allow you to use that pitching wedge you’ve been toting the entire round. What makes this hole stand out besides its length is the narrow green that runs in line with with the tee box.
Any shot right or left of center will find your ball careening down into large waste areas on either side. This hole can become a score killer late in the round, or perhaps even the match before heading into the final holes.
Some Extra Shots
Take a look at some of the photos of the WiscoGolfAddict group and others traversing the course:
Enjoy the Show
Watching others navigate The Wedge is part of the fun. Grab a chair, enjoy the sunset, sip a cocktail and see what unfolds before you. We were even able to witness a hole in one by Drew Harvie on number 11!
Cabot Citrus Farms should be on every golfer’s bucket list, and that includes The Wedge. While par three courses are often overlooked, The Wedge is a destination in and of itself.
Don’t skip the opportunity to play it. Hope to see you out there under the lights!
Read more about Cabot Citrus Farms in Brian’s destination overview…
Cabot Citrus Farms: America’s Next Must-Play Destination
Last month the WiscoGolfAddict team visited Cabot Citrus Farms, America’s hottest new golf resort, and we saw firsthand how special this sand-based property is poised to be when it fully opens in the fall of 2024.