Choice holes gives Lincoln's
Mahoney Golf Course character

Big drivers will love Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln, but they won’t score well if they don’t carry a quality second shot in their bag.

The course’s wide fairways and light, open rough invites big hitters and doesn’t always penalize stray tee shots. In fact par is pretty legit after most wayward drives.

But the wide-open course has some character, particularly on the back nine.

No. 10 requires a tee shot down to the bottom of the hill, and a second shot back up toward the green. No. 13 is similar, as is the par-five 16th.

Placing your second shots is a key at Mahoney. The greens are very large and many slope downward from the back to the front. Only 25 bunkers await, but most are large and all are greenside.

No. 3 demands more than just distance as trees cover the corner on the dogleg right, coming into play on the second shot if the ball isn’t played far enough to the left.

No. 16 is similar except the dogleg is to the left and it’s a sharp 90 degrees. Big hitters can try to carry the turn, but prairie grass, trees and distance prevents most from taking the risk, though the reward can be a two- or three-club difference.

Water is noticeable on only two holes, but really only comes into play on No. 8, rated the hardest hole on the course. The tee shot sets up an approach to the two-tiered green that is guarded by water and a sand trap.

It’s the more precise holes like these that give Mahoney Golf Course its character.