|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hole 1
Par 5 | Yards: 578 | Handicap: 5/3
With one of the longest runway tees ever designed (70 yards) flowing right from the edge of the practice green, this heart-stopping par 5 requires a strong opening tee shot. If you take on the bunkers on the right off the tee, you’ll be rewarded with a better angle for your second shot. Note how the green is long from front to back (fully 50 yards) and extremely narrow, protected by water on the right. So keep your layup second on the right side of the fairway, and you’ll have a wider angle of green to play your pitch or short-iron third. And select your approach club carefully—distance control is all-important here.
Hole 2
Par 4 | Yards: 446 | Handicap: 17/17
When viewed from the tee, this is an intimidating hole. But it doesn’t have to be. To have the best angle into the green of this medium-length par 4, aim your tee shot at the right-hand bunker and draw it back into the right side of the fairway. Pay keen attention to the undulations on the green. A small hump on the left part of the putting surface keeps the short game interesting.
Hole 3
Par 4 | Yards: 440 | Handicap: 3/9
This sweeping dogleg right around a large lake requires a bold tee shot. There is really no place to bail out because two bunkers guard the left side of the fairway. The more you hug the water off the tee, the better your angle for your approach shot. Once you get your drive into play, the fun just begins. Take enough club, especially when the pin is back right, because it’s easy to drown your approach if it’s not struck solidly or played to the left side of the green.
Hole 4
Par 3 | Yards: 227 | Handicap: 13/11
This is one of the prettiest—and most memorable—holes on the course. Remember that your tee shot is all carry to the elevated, half-moon green of this long par 3. Check the depth of the pin position carefully. It’s a three-club difference from the front of the green to the back.
Hole 5
Par 4 | Yards: 419 | Handicap: 15/15
This dogleg-left par 4 requires you to hug the left-side bunker off the tee. Do that, and the green will open up for your approach. But be wary of that left-hand fairway bunker and also the deeper one by the green. And take care not to hit over the green, where water swings around behind it and can grab an approach played too aggressively.
Hole 6
Par 4 | Yards: 430 | Handicap: 7/7
The ideal tee shot here calls for a left-to-right ball flight. Aim at the left-hand bunker and fade the ball back into the fairway (a draw for left-handers). This opens up a better angle into the green. The green gets deeper the more left you go. So play close attention to the distance of a back-left pin. Also, watch out for the hidden, gaping bunker behind the putting surface.
Hole 7
Par 4 | Yards: 472 | Handicap: 1/1
You’ll want to drive the ball at the short right-hand bunker and draw it into the hill in the fairway. Most balls will kick to the right side of the fairway for a flatter lie. Be sure you take enough club for your second shot, which is deceivingly long. The undulating green is receptive if you carry your approach over the water, so consider firing at the flag if you have your “A” game. This hole plays as one of the hardest holes on the course.
Hole 8
Par 5 | Yards: 550 | Handicap: 9/5
In contrast to Hole No. 7, this hole plays as one of the easiest in relation to par but it is a true risk reward par 5. The smart play off the tee is to hit to the left side of the fairway, short of the water. Then you have options: Long hitters can go for the green in two; short hitters can lay up to the right. You must stay out of the bunkers short of the green, unless you enjoy playing the long explosion, considered one of the hardest shots in the game. The lay-up shot is not easy and leaves you with a tough approach with bunkers in front and water tight against the back of the green.
Hole 9
Par 3 | Yards: 216 | Handicap: 11/13
With more than six sets of tees, you have lots of options here. The conservative play is to aim at the left-hand bunker and be a little short. Then rely on your chipping game for an up-and-down par. If you’re feeling daring, fire at the flag from the tee. But remember, anything short of the green will roll back into the water.
Hole 10
Par 5 | Yards: 608 | Handicap: 4/6
This very long par 5 with water down the entire left side of the fairway is the toughest tee shot on the course and requires clear thinking and strong shot-making. Consider challenging the water on the left from the tee, then hug the bunkers on the right for an easier approach. From there you’ll have only an 80-yard pitch onto the green and a good possibility at birdie.
Hole 11
Par 4 | Yards: 428 | Handicap: 16/14
This split-fairway par 4 has more sand than any other hole on the course with a huge cross bunker at an angle going away from you from right to left. So the farther left you hit your tee shot, the longer the carry. Keep your wits about you and you’ll be fine. The fairway on the left runs out at 290 yards from the back tee. Play to that side to open up an angle to a left-front pin. If the pin is on the right, you might choose to play to the right fairway. It’s 250 yards from the back tee to carry the bunker on the right, but if you’re a long hitter, that’s the better strategy.
Hole 12
Par 5 | Yards: 600 | Handicap: 8/2
This hole is all about your second shot. After a solid drive into the fairway, steer clear of the bunker on the right and stay short of the bunker on the left with your next shot. The left side of the fairway opens up the green. There are three distinctive pin positions: Front left, back left, and back right. Hit a precise approach shot and pay attention to your distance control; otherwise you’ll be playing from greenside sand.
Hole 13
Par 3 | Yards: 245 | Handicap: 10/10
This is the longest par 3 on the course. Unless you are an accomplished player, you might be better off thinking of the hole as a par 4, laying up in front of the bunkers. Aim at the right edge of the left-hand bunker and use a club that will keep you short, playing for a chip or pitch and a one-putt par. If you want to be like a tour player, you’ll need a full carry over the right-hand bunker, hitting a Jack Nicklaus-style high fade.
Hole 14
Par 4 | Yards: 475 | Handicap: 6/8
The ideal tee shot on this long par 4 is a draw at the far bunker. Only the longest of hitters can possibly get to this bunker. Into the green, stay away from the deep bunker on the left. This hole features a 10,000-square-foot green, the largest on the course, so depending upon the pin position, your club selection is key, as is your feel for distance with your lag putting.
Hole 15
Par 3 | Yards: 183 | Handicap: 18/18
This is the shortest par 3 on the course, but whatever you do, don’t let up. The peninsula green requires a pinpoint iron shot to keep your ball dry. There are two distinct elevation changes on the green, so try to put the ball on the correct level. This requires not only accurate distance control on your approach shot, but once you’re on the green a precise feel for distance rolling the ball.
Hole 16
Par 4 | Yards: 370 | Handicap: 14/16
Tour players might try to drive the green of this short par 4, but average golfers should stay right of the massive fairway bunker and then have a wedge or short iron into the green. The four bunkers surrounding the putting surface might be pretty to look at with their fingered designs, but they are deep and tough to play from. This is certainly a birdie hole, but be careful. A mis-hit drive or approach shot can wreak havoc with your score.
Hole 17
Par 4 | Yards: 430 | Handicap: 12/12
A medium-length dogleg right, the 17th gives you a bit of a breather before you tackle the famous 18th. Nevertheless, you need to hit a strong tee shot. Carry the left edge of the right-hand fairway bunker for an optimal angle into the green, which is longer from front to back than even the first hole. It’s a four-club difference from the front fringe to the back edge of the green, so use your range-finder well or listen carefully to your caddie.
Hole 18
Par 4 | Yards: 473 | Handicap: 2/4
The famed 18th hole is recognized as one of the toughest on the PGA TOUR , perhaps because it is the site of numerous collapses and heroic shots. You must keep the tee shot to the right side of the fairway, then hit an approach to the right side of the green. Even the right rough is not a bad option off the tee, but then you’ll likely need to lay up short of the green to keep from risking a pull-hook into the lake that lurks just off the edge. It’s tempting to bail out into one of the bunkers right of the green, but beware, a sand shot with the water staring at you from across the slick green is no bargain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hole 1
Par 4 | Yards: 496 | Handicap: 11/7
This starting hole layout is a slight dog let to the right. A straight drive onto the fairway sets up a challenging second shot onto a difficult green complex protected by a cluster of bunkers to left, and a false front right greenside bunker. The green can be receptive in that it slopes from back to front for incoming shots, giving the player a good chance for an opening.
Hole 2
Par 5 | Yards: 585 | Handicap: 7/17
A challenging hole, with water coming into play on the left hand side of the fairway. This dog leg to the left will entice long hitters to take a more aggressive approach, using a driver off the tee and cutting the corner over the water. This aggressive approach will leave you a mid to long iron to the green. This undulating green is heavily bunkered in the front left.
Hole 3
Par 4 | Yards: 430 | Handicap: 9/9
This lengthy Par 4 hole is a gentle dogleg to the right. Finding the center to left side of this fairway is ideal for a better angle into the green. Water hazard down the entire left side of this hole makes for an intimidating approach shot from the fairway. The putting surface will certainly require some feel and touch to sink a putt. The front and back portions of this long, narrow green are elevated with a swale or lower tear running through the middle of the green. Par is a good score on the 3rd hole!
Hole 4
Par 5 | Yards: 539 | Handicap: 1/1
This is a mid-length par 5 that is reachable in 2 shots. Water running the complete length of the hole on the left comes into play on each shot. An aggressive tee shot with driver down the right side of fairway, will set up a hybrid or long iron into this par 5. The green is guarded with water on the left and back, with deep bunkers on the front right.
Hole 5
Par 4 | Yards: 389 | Handicap: 3/5
The 5th hole on the Golden Palm, while it may be a shorter par 4, it’s still no gimme! A precise tee shot with a driver or hybrid avoiding the left fairway bunker will set up a midiron shot into a shallow green guarded by a large front bunker and a back left bunker. The green, which has plenty of movement in it, sits in a tight landing area between the two bunkers left to right, and is only about 25 paces deep. A precisely played iron shot will give a great chance for birdie!
Hole 6
Par 4 | Yards: 415 | Handicap: 13/11
The 6th, a par 4 hole requires either a well placed hybrid or iron shot off the tee, or a driver past all the fairway bunkers for a shorter second approach shot. Water hazard to the left of the left fairway bunker is blind from the tee, but easy to find with a wayward tee shot. The elevated green complex gives a different look and required shot than the previous holes played. Guarded by a large front bunker, and a small left bunker, water long, this green has plenty of slope and speedy putts. Be sure to get the approach shot up in the air for a soft landing and a chance for a birdie!
Hole 7
Par 3 | Yards: 222 | Handicap: 15/13
The first par 3 to be played on the Golden Palm is a picturesque hole with water hazard left, and out of bounds to the right. Guarded heavily by large bunkering, this green is one of the largest on the course and requires an accurate yardage from the tee to get close for birdie. Once on the green, there’s still plenty of challenge ahead to sink a putt. Sloping mainly front to back, this green has plenty of movement and multiple breaking putts. Be happy to walk away with par on this hole!
Hole 8
Par 4 | Yards: 425 | Handicap: 5/3
The 8th hole starts the loop of 4 holes wrapping completely around a large lake. From the tee, the 8th presents plenty of uncertainty. Water hazard running completely down the right side from tee to green will force players to want to stay left. Avoid the left fairway bunker, and the small middle of the fairway pot bunker, and you should have a good look into the green. A midiron, 150-175 yard shot from the fairway will need to avoid the water hazard directly to the right of the green, and the bunkering to the left. This 8th green has a severe ridge running from back to front in the middle portion of the green. Tough to get a short birdie putt on this hole!
Hole 9
Par 3 | Yards: 242 | Handicap: 17/15
A long and second of 5 par 3’s on the Golden Palm, requiring a hybrid or long-iron over water to a small undulating green. An accurate iron shot is needed to clear water and avoid the bunker on the right side of the green.
Hole 10
Par 4 | Yards: 330 | Handicap: 10/4
The 10th hole of the Golden Palm offers a gorgeous view, but a difficult birdie or par. A great risk reward hole, with the more aggressive player going for the green off the tee with driver across the water. The safer, more conventional play would be a long iron or hybrid off the tee into a wide landing zone in the fairway, setting up a short iron or wedge into the small turtle back style green. A cluster of bunkers short and right guard this small putting surface while the left side slopes hard toward the water. Nothing wrong with a par on this gem of a golf hole!
Hole 11
Par 5 | Yards: 597 | Handicap: 2/6
The longest of the par 5’s on the Golden Palm, plays straight ahead, usually directly into the wind. A good, strong drive off the tee, avoiding the water hazard running completely down the right side is required. Longer hitters need to avoid the steep faced fairway cross bunker in view from the tee. The slightly elevated green adds a bit more difficulty to the approach shot. If your birdie putt slides by, par is always a good score on the 11th.
Hole 12
Par 3 | Yards: 150 | Handicap: 18/16
A short, yet intimidating par 3 over water to a small undulating peninsula sloped green. Depending on the wind conditions for the day, this hole can play very short, sometimes a wedge from the tee, or long enough to require a 7or 8 iron. Club selection is critical to land a shot on this green.
Hole 13
Par 4 | Yards: 343 | Handicap: 12/18
A short par 4 with out of bounds along the right side and water along the left. Leave the driver in the bag and select a long iron or hybrid for accuracy. This approach will leave you with a short iron into the green. The putting surface is narrow in the front and wide toward the back with a severe slope on the left side of the green. This slope feeds any shot with too much speed down to the left into a short mowed chipping area. Up and down from here is no guarantee. Also avoid the two difficult bunkers located to the right of the green. Birdies are here for the taking on 13, but anything off target can result in a big number.
Hole 14
Par 4 | Yards: 429 | Handicap: 4/10
A very challenging par 4 with out of bounds along the right side and water down the left of the fairway. This hole rewards a left to right tee shot , with an accurate drive leaving you 150 yards to the green that is bunkered on the right. The green slopes significantly back to front to hold a longer iron or punch and run shots.
Hole 15
Par 3 | Yards: 217 | Handicap: 16/18
The 15th, nicknamed by the Agronomy staff as “our little piece of Augusta”, is a beautiful, picturesque par 3 framed by extensive ornamental plantings. Tee shots range from 217 yards from the pro tee, to a variety of yardages on the larger middle tee box depending on tee marker placement. Guarded by a front bunker and a smaller back bunker, the 15th green is just shy of 10,000 square feet, the largest on the course and also includes the most movement and undulation. An accurate tee shot here certainly makes birdie or par much easier on the 15th.
Hole 16
Par 5 | Yards: 533 | Handicap: 6/14
A long straight par 5, plays straight ahead with out of bounds along the right hand side and bunkers on the right side of the fairway in your landing zone. The entire hole is in view from the tee box. A right to left tee shot is beneficial. This is one of the few holes on the course in which water does not come into play off the tee. If you try for the Green in two, be careful not to go long as there is a pond behind the Green that can’t be seen from the fairway. A lay up to within 100 yards is the ideal play for your second shot, with a short accurate wedge into the Green that slopes back to front.
Hole 17
Par 3 | Yards: 201 | Handicap: 14/12
The last of the 5 part 3’s on the course is a challenging hole with water on the left, out of bounds to the right and typically prevailing wind in your face. A mid to low iron off the tee is required with a right to left shot shape to avoid the bunker on the left.
Hole 18
Par 4 | Yards: 469 | Handicap: 8/2
Our signature hole and one of the best finishing holes at Doral. Standing on the tee box, players will encounter a narrow shot to tee off and avoid out of bounds to the right outlined by large Royal Palms and the large specimen trees to the left. A cluster of 3 fairways bunkers guards the right side of the fairway. The second shot on the finishing hole requires skill and accuracy into a true island green. With only a narrow walking strip located behind the green to walk on, the 18th green is completely surrounded by water, sloping back to front to help receive worthy shots into this green.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hole 1
Par 5 | Yards: 608 | Handicap: 3/3
A gentle enough start to your round, this slight dogleg right requires a solid tee shot and then a smart layup to the left side of the fairway to avoid water on the right. The elevated green shape is long and narrow, moving away from the golfer from left to right, so make sure you take enough club if the pin is positioned on the right side of the green.
Hole 2
Par 3 | Yards: 231 | Handicap: 13/13
Because the green is elevated slightly, you must be sure to fly your approach shot all the way to the putting surface. You can avoid the multiple bunkers on the right by favoring the bailout area on the left.
Hole 3
Par 5 | Yards: 487 | Handicap: 9/11
This might be a shortish par 5, but don’t be lulled to sleep. Water lurks the entire length of the fairway on the right. And even if you keep it in play on your first two shots, your work has just begun. This is perhaps the smallest green on the course, and it features lots of undulation, plus a false front. Weak shots can roll back down into the water.
Hole 4
Par 4 | Yards: 296 | Handicap: 5/5
This is a classic risk/reward, drivable par 4. A canal cuts diagonally across the fairway, moving away from the golfer from right to left. So it’s a shorter carry on the right side. The savvy play is to lay up with a long iron or hybrid then, then hit a short-iron approach onto the green.
Hole 5
Par 5 | Yards: 487 | Handicap: 1/1
This sweeping dogleg is one of the most beautiful on the course. Aim no farther left than the ficus tree. And beware of the Scottish-style bunker in the middle of the fairway at the layup. The green is virtually an island, and checking the pin position is important before you lay up. If the flag is on the left, lay up to the right for a better angle, and vice versa.
Hole 6
Par 3 | Yards: 207 | Handicap: 17/17
Aiming at the bunker on the right is a good play. That will avoid the steep face on the left. The green on this hole is very large so be sure to know where the pin sits on the green and select the correct club. The green and surround slopes from right to left and will push shots hit to the right closer to the hole. Shots to the left will not be so lucky as the lake awaits close to the greens edge.
Hole 7
Par 4 | Yards: 370 | Handicap: 7/7
On this medium-length par 4, guard against the water on the right with a conservative tee shot. The bunker short of the green on the left is deceiving. There is actually 30 yards between the front of the bunker and the putting surface. The oak tree behind the green is pretty to look at, but you don’t want your ball to go over the green and under the oak. It’s better to hit to the front of the green than risk going over.
Hole 8
Par 3 | Yards: 151 | Handicap: 15/15
This is a classic Redan-type hole, with a green moving away from the golfer from right to left with a canal along the left side of the green. The farther left the pin is positioned, the longer you must carry your approach shot to get to the green and avoid the canal. There is also a hump in the middle of the green and a bunker hidden behind the putting surface. Unless you are a low handicapper or pro, try to land your ball short right of the green and let it trickle on.
Hole 9
Par 4 | Yards: 401 | Handicap: 11/9
With a canal running down the left side of the fairway and two bunkers short right of the green and behind the green, accuracy is very important on this short par 4. The average player can roll the ball onto the left side of the green while the better player might opt to hit a shorter but riskier shot off the tee (perhaps with a hybrid or long iron) to have a better angle into the green.
Hole 10
Par 5 | Yards: 535 | Handicap: 4/4
This is a long, uphill tee shot near the spa, keep your driver swing nice and smooth. After placing a good shot into the fairway, you’ll need to lay up left of the water for the best angle into one of the larger greens on the course. Water also beckons any shot that misses on the right, so favor the left side of the green.
Hole 11
Par 3 | Yards: 185 | Handicap: 16/16
A huge undulation in the left front of the green provides some tricky pin positions here. Yes, you can bail out short right, but beware, there are bunkers just beyond and any shots missed to the right will be left with a downhill chip toward the lake on the left side of the hole.
Hole 12
Par 5 | Yards: 485 | Handicap: 2/2
This shortish par 5 with a wide fairway looks docile off the tee. It’s anything but, however. A winding canal up the entire left side of the hole runs into a beautiful pond framed by a giant ficus tree. The hole bends to the left around that tree. It’s a classic risk/reward strategy on your second shot. Go for the green in two if you’re feeling adventurous. Or you can play conservatively to the right of the bunkers that guard the right side of the green.
Hole 13
Par 4 | Yards: 359 | Handicap: 12/12
With water both left and right off the tee, a straight drive is imperative on this medium-length par 4. The elevated green requires a high fade to clear the deep bunkers and hold the putting surface. Don’t be fooled by the first bunker. It’s a full 20 yards short of the green.
Hole 14
Par 3 | Yards: 173 | Handicap: 18/18
The distinctive feature of this long par 3 is the bowl-shaped green with bunkers like footprints surrounding the green. First, you must carry the gaping bunker in front. Then, depending on the pin location, you must be on the correct side of the bowl to have a makeable putt. Any shot that doesn’t quite make it to the correct level may end up at the bottom of the bowl.
Hole 15
Par 4 | Yards: 394 | Handicap: 8/8
You need to be on your “A Game” for this hole. With water left and a deep bunker right, there is no bailout on the tee shot. The second shot is all carry over water to the green, which has no bunkers. In fact, there are only two bunkers on the entire hole, yet it is one of the toughest on the course. Tip: A conservative approach is to aim right of the green and have the ball roll off the mounds and onto the putting surface.
Hole 16
Par 3 | Yards: 199 | Handicap: 10/10
Yes, this is a very long hole, but don’t worry. There is plenty of room on the right to avoid the water and bunkers on the left. The smart play is to aim right and pitch on for a one-putt par.
Hole 17
Par 4 | Yards: 301 | Handicap: 14/14
This is a deceptively tough hole. It’s short, but trouble greets the errant golfer. Be careful if you try to fly the bunker on the right: A small pond is hidden just beyond. And water lurks on the left if you hit it through the fairway. This hole looks benign from the tee, but a fairway wood or hybrid is a smart play. Then you’ll have a short iron into the green. There is also a collection swale short-right of the green and a bunker back right.
Hole 18
Par 5 | Yards: 526 | Handicap: 6/6
This is a beautiful hole that plays back toward the spa building and the resort. Avoid the bunkers both right and left off the tee and there is a chance to go for this green in two. Beware, there is a lake behind the green so any balls that go even just a few feet over the green will end up in the lake. The smart play is to lay-up to the right which leaves just a wedge into the long green and a shot at birdie to end your round.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hole 1
Par 4 | Yards: 459 | Handicap: 10/10
A dramatic and strategic opener greets the golfer who first comes off the magnificent roller-coaster bridge. With a back tee suspended into a lake on the left, a solid tee shot is a top priority. Steer clear of the fairway bunker on the left. The smart play is to aim just right of that bunker with a slight fade, avoiding the canal and trees that guard the right side of the fairway. Four bunkers protect the green—two on the left, one on the right and one behind.
Hole 2
Par 4 | Yards: 385 | Handicap: 12/12
On this beautifully designed, short par 4, either carry your tee shot over the left-hand fairway bunker, or aim at the right-hand bunker and draw the ball back into the fairway. A shallow, wide green slopes from back to front, so club selection on the approach over water is all-important. Beware: There is also a bunker behind the green on the right, so a prudent bail-out play might be short and right of the green.
Hole 3
Par 5 | Yards: 567 | Handicap: 14/2
This is a strong hole with a canal winding all the way down the right side of the fairway and trees up the left. There are no bunkers until 170 yards from the green on the right. The clever strategy is to lay-up short of that bunker and hit a medium- or short-iron approach. If you’re feeling daring, however, and want to have a go at the green in two, know that there is a pond close on the left and back of the green with bunkers to the right. The front of the green is open so a straight shot will roll onto the green.
Hole 4
Par 3 | Yards: 254 | Handicap: 8/14
This is a monster hole from the back tee, which also forces the golfer to hit a shot right to left through the trees. The green features a large swale and is surrounded by three bunkers and a chipping area short left. The long hitter can go for the green aggressively, but the shorter hitter might opt to lay up into the chipping area and play for a one-putt par.
Hole 5
Par 4 | Yards: 369 | Handicap: 18/18
No. 5 is a gentle dogleg-left flanked by a number of bottle-brush trees. Beware of the two strategically placed fairway bunkers 280 yards off the tee and the canal beyond the trees on the right side. Three deep bunkers guard the left side of the putting surface, but there is plenty of room to the right of the green for a conservative approach and a chip or pitch to save par.
Hole 6
Par 4 | Yards: 474 | Handicap: 2/8
The tee shot on this hole is perhaps the most intimidating in golf. A 230-yard carry, anything to the right will find the water. Aim at the left-hand bunker, 330 yards away. Then you’ll have approximately 160 yards to the green. You can run your approach onto the putting surface, but be sure to favor the left side—water comes perilously close to the right edge!
Hole 7
Par 3 | Yards: 183 | Handicap: 4/4
This tough one-shotter features an island green, reminiscent of the famous 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass. But this hole is even more daunting because it’s longer and features elevated tees so the water is more visible as you’re taking aim. The small pot bunker in front catches a lot of shots that come up short, and the green is canted from back to front, so putts are very quick in that direction.
Hole 8
Par 4 | Yards: 429 | Handicap: 6/6
This hole features a back tee positioned on the island of the 7th green. From there you must hit a long and accurate drive to avoid the three fairway bunkers on the right side as well as the body of water even farther right. The second shot plays into an elevated green guarded by two deep bunkers front and right. Short left is a cautious alternative here—there is hidden water in front of those bunkers. The green is much longer and higher than it appears from the fairway, so be sure to hit enough club for your approach shot.
Hole 9
Par 4 | Yards: 409 | Handicap: 16/16
With water to the right and both bunkers and out of bounds to the left, there is no bailout on your tee shot. Accomplished players aim at the two fairway bunkers on the left and fade the ball safely into the fairway. A shot from the fairway requires a full carry to hit and hold the green. Do not go long—out of bounds awaits the golfer whose approach is too aggressive. There is plenty of room to miss short and left of the putting surface, which slopes significantly from left to right.
Hole 10
Par 4 | Yards: 463 | Handicap: 5/3
This daunting design features two bunkers positioned down the right side of the fairway and water down the entire left side. The illusion is of a narrow landing area, but the fairway is actually one of the widest on the course. The long kidney-shaped green is protected by a bunker short left and a grassy swale beyond. A smart play is to run the approach shot onto the two-tiered putting surface from the right side.
Hole 11
Par 5 | Yards: 515 | Handicap: 3/1
Although not particularly long, this hole can be deceptively difficult. The fairway bunker on the right pinches the fairway closer to the lake that runs the entire length of the fairway to the left. The green is reachable with an accurate tee shot but the second shot must carry a perfectly positioned, steep faced bunker about 75 yards short of the green. From there, a pond swings Around the green from the front right to behind this narrow green that will catch any wayward shots.
Hole 12
Par 4 | Yards: 489 | Handicap: 1/5
On this strong dogleg right, you need a long tee shot—over the water on the left—placed into the left side of the fairway to set up the best angle into the green, which is guarded by three deep bunkers. The farther left the tee shot is positioned away from the trees on the right, the easier the approach shot to the green. Hint: the first bunker on the right is deceptive. It’s a full 25 yards short of the putting surface.
Hole 13
Par 4 | Yards: 433 | Handicap: 15/9
The tee shot is all-important on this hole. Carry the water from the tee with a fade off the left-hand bunker. From the landing area framed by large ficus trees, you’ll have a medium iron to a well-guarded green. Three left-side bunkers encourage a bail-out to the right. Be careful of an overly aggressive approach: Water lurks behind the green.
Hole 14
Par 4 | Yards: 312 | Handicap: 11/11
This is a drivable par 4, but with water along the right side of the green and out of bounds left, the prudent play is to lay up off the tee with a 170-yard shot. Aim at the palm trees on the right and use the fairway contours to bring the ball from right to left into the center of the fairway, short of two fairway bunkers. From there you’ll have about 150 yards into the narrow green. If you’re feeling strong and accurate with your driver, you can have a go at the green, but it will require a 260-yard carry over the bunkers.
Hole 15
Par 3 | Yards: 175 | Handicap: 13/17
This hole doesn’t look that difficult from the tee, but looks can be deceiving. The green is heavily bunkered left, front and right. And more importantly, the putting surface features a severe false front. Any shot to the front edge will almost certainly roll back and off. So be sure to take enough club.
Hole 16
Par 5 | Yards: 522 | Handicap: 17/13
This hole is reachable in two after a good tee shot. The left side of the fairway is better than the right, which is heavily landscaped with palms. The landing area for a layup second shot is guarded on both sides by bunkers. Favor the right side with your approach to the green, which is protected by three gaping bunkers on the left. The green slopes down to a swale on the right, and there is a distinct ridge in the middle.
Hole 17
Par 3 | Yards: 179 | Handicap: 7/15
Club selection and solid contact are key here. The peninsula green is flanked by waterfront, left and behind. A good tactic is to aim at the back-right bunker and draw your shot onto the green. Fortunately, there is a large bail-out area on the right although the chip shot back to the pin will be downhill toward the water. You might choose to hit it there and play for a one-putt par.
Hole 18
Par 4 | Yards: 389 | Handicap: 9/7
This might be a short hole, but it’s treacherous with water down the entire right side of the hole and in front of the green. A 210-yard shot off the tee will keep you short of the middle bunker, leaving a 165-yard approach over water to a green that features a large hump in the right side. Beware: Because the green is angled from left to right, the farther right the pin, the longer the carry. This is a tough finishing hole.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|