Preparation — Red Dead

Redemption or Repetition?

If you take a beautiful, “park-style” course, add extra OB borders on every hole, then create 9 additional OB-lined holes that only exist for 48 hours, what do you get?

You get “Red Dead,” the brain-child of some very genius — and rather sadistic — minds from the Lebanon Valley Disc Golf Club.

Red Dead is a one-round, 27-hole C-Tier tournament at Lebanon’s South Hills Park Disc Golf Course. The additional OB lines, along with the 9 added holes, makes this tournament a serious trial for the mind and body; demanding precision, focus, and stamina, both mental and physical.

The only time I attempted this tournament, it left me exhausted, frustrated, and defeated.

And I want revenge!

Course Stats

Since this is an “enhanced” course, there are no actual statistics for it on UDisc, but here is the course info that I was able to gather:

Holes: 27
Par: 97
Distance: 12,377 ft. (2.34 miles!)

Additional OB Holes: 1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27
Additional Mando Holes: 3, 8, 10, 15, 18, 19
Additional Island Holes : 4, 9(x2), 27(x2)

Course Data

Since this is a temporary course set up for only for this tournament, I don’t have any recorded course data. I did leave myself notes from last years attempt, but only things like “Hole 1: Bad Drive (Forehand)” and “Hole 7: Missed putt (10’)”

Tumbling Down the Rabbit Hole

I look at each hole individually and gauge my score probability based on hole distance and elevation change, and my score on that hole from my previous rounds — if I actually had any info from previous rounds. In this case, I’ll need to go just from what I can remember from last year, plus my rounds played on the normal, “non-enhanced”, course.

• Hole 1 - 432 ft - Par 3
  Long downhill forehand. While the extra OB on the right side of the fairway shouldn’t come into play, the normal OB on the walking path could. Make sure that the drive doesn’t drift to the left. Getting through the trees on the right at (or before) the dogleg will open up the approach.
  Target Score: 3

• Hole 2 - 334 ft - Par 3
  Play this hole as normal, making sure to clear the OB walking path. Don’t drift too far left, as it will cut off your approach.
  Target Score: 3

• Hole 3 - 484 ft - Par 4
  The added mando need to be “concern #1.” Play your drive extra with to the right, then concern yourself with the narrow approach corridor. Only get aggressive if your drive is perfect — otherwise, play smart and get the par.
  Target Score: 4

• Hole 4 - 278 ft - Par 3
  This hole plays longer than it looks, and the inside corner of the right dogleg is your danger zone. try to keep your forehand drive as straight as possible for as long as possible — the disc will do the rest.
  Target Score: 3

• Hole 5 - 266 ft - Par 3
  It’s easy to get pinched on the left and make your approach difficult, If the forehand is working, consider driving with your forehand and starting the shot a bit left of the target line. The fade should open up the approach.
  Target Score: 3

• Hole 6 - 402 ft - Par 3
  The OB on this hole is TIGHT! Play the backhand drive wide right over the OB line and let the disc come back in bounds. As long as you make it over the ridge — and start the drive wide enough — the disc should spike inbounds and give you an easy look at the pin.
  Target Score: 3

• Hole 7 - 390 ft - Par 3
  The right side OB is tight on this holes as well, but you need to challenge it, otherwise your get pinched my the tree line on the left and have no look at the approach. Go as far as you can on the drive — this isn’t the place to ease back.
  Target Score: 3

• Hole 8 - 577 ft - Par 5
  With the added mando near the yellow basket, zig-zag your drives (Backhand off the tee, the forehand around the mando.) The left side OB extends to the basket, so don’t use any high backhand approaches that you aren’t 100% sure of.
  Target Score: 5

• Hole 9 - 379 ft - Par 4
  Double island hole. Be conservative and use your midranges to “island-hop.” This hole bit you last year — just make sure to hit the islands and you could birdie this one.
  Target Score: 3

• Hole 10 - 305 ft - Par 3
  The added mando on this hole doesn’t come into play for you, since you don’t try to play over the memorial garden. Play your forehand drive a little extra wide left to keep from getting hung up on the dogleg corner.
  Target Score: 3

• Hole 11 - 452 ft - Par 3
  Another very narrow fairway. Your forehand usually skips more than your backhand, to the backhand play should be safer. The OB is also tight around the pin, so be precise with your upshot as well.
  Target Score: 3

• Hole 12 - 400 ft - Par 3
  This hole is a bit of a wildcard for you. The smartest play might well be the “midrange march” to stay inbounds make sure that you have a look at the basked for the par save.
  Target Score: 3

• Hole 13 - 784 ft - Par 5
  Be aware of the location of the right-hand OB line on your drive. Play for your second shot to be slightly left of you normal landing spot to open up a good approach lane for your third. Be wary of the OB on the green!
  Target Score: 5

• Hole 14 - 293 ft - Par 3
  This is a tough hole. Try to get as much distance as you can safely, then worry about the approach. And just because this hole is the normal hole 14, don’t get complacent.
  Target Score: 3

• Hole 15 - 421 ft - Par 4
  Another mando that shouldn’t affect your normal play. Send your driver straight down the fairway and your approach should also be a straight shot to the pin. This one is “birdie-able” if played correctly.
  Target Score: 3

• Hole 16 - 405 ft - Par 3
  Normal rules apply here, since the OB line on the right side is outside of your usual landing area. The approach is tricky if the disc is too far left, so be aware of the possibility of a skip.
  Target Score: 3

• Hole 17 - 477 ft - Par 3
  This is the normal hole 18. The extra OB lines shouldn’t be an issue, but getting to the top of the hill on the drive sometimes is. Don’t overthrow, but get the drive over the crest of the hill.
  Target Score: 3

• Hole 18 - 340 ft - Par 4
  Temp Hole #1. The mando is for safety only and doesn’t affect your play. use a wide forehand for the drive here, and make sure that you don’t skip over the path on the right. Depending on the lie for the second shot, your COULD be looking at a makeable bridie.
  Target Score: 3

Hole 19 - 350 ft - Par 3
I don’t remember how this one looks from the teepad, but make sure that you make the initial mando on your drive. I don’t think this is a birdie hole, so play it for par.
Target Score: 3

Hole 20 - 575 ft - Par 4
I DO remember this hole from last year, with lots of trees and a slope to contend with. Unless the drive and approach is perfect, just make sure of your angles and distances and play it for par.
Target Score: 4

Hole 21 - 785 ft - Par 5
I remember this one as well. It’s a long, open initial drive, then contending with an upslope and trees on the 2nd and 3rd shots. I don’t like the looks of the OB around the green, so don’t get aggressive on the third shot and risk a penalty stroke. Par is fine.
Target Score: 5

Hole 22 - 300 ft - Par 3
I believe this basket was protected by a hedge last year, so be careful not to make your approach impossible. If I remember correctly, this was one of the few *easy* shots last year.
Target Score: 2

Hole 23 - 568 ft - Par 4
The drive here is wide open, and the wind played havoc with the drives last year. If you have a look, you can get aggressive with the approach for a chance to score here — but don’t over-play what you have. As always, par is fine.
Target Score: 3

Hole 24 - 975 ft - Par 5
This was another hole where the wind played a factor last year. The dogleg corner is farther than you think, so be absolutely sure that you can clear the OB if you want to try to cut the corner. Be wary of the left-side OB, as it looks pretty tight on the approach.
Target Score: 5

Hole 25 - 310 ft - Par 3
At 310’, this one is out of driving range, no matter how pumped up you feel. Play for the conservative par.
Target Score: 3

Hole 26 - 450 ft - Par 4
Every time I’ve played this hole (Battle of the Hills, Red Dead, etc.), I’ve been close to the left OB on the drive. PLEASE play farther right than you think you should on the drive. The OB behind the pin is close and on a downslope, to don’t chance a run if you are outside the circle on your second shot. Par is good.
Target Score: 4

Hole 27 - 675 ft - Par 4
You are not going to be able to clear both “rivers” on your second shot is you lay up with your first. If you think you can clear the first island with your drive, then go for it, otherwise lay up the drive, then island hop and hope your third shot can get close enough for a putt. You would need to go for the island with you drive in order to have a good chance for a par.
Target Score: 4

Target score: -4 (92)
Avg. Historical Rating: (I have no idea.)

Par is a VERY good score for this layout. My “Target Score” would be fantastic!!

Then again, this whole scenario doesn’t count for bad luck, less-than-optimal conditions, mental lapses, and other negative anomalies.

So just keep the plan in mind, leave the frustration in the car, and play with confidence.

And joy. Always with joy.