The Lakes Course
Hole by Hole
Hole#1
Although the landing area is very wide, the
ideal drive is hit as close as possible to the
two large fairway bunkers guarding the left
side of the fairways. This will allow a
straight shot into a very long green, with
water to the right of and behind the green.
“Safer” drives on the right side of the
fairway will bring the water hazard guarding
the green into play.
Hole#2
The pin position on the huge ( 57 yards wide )
green can change this hole from a very benign
par 3 to a ( devilishly difficult) one. A
large variation of tee positions also creates
various distances of water carry.
Hole#3
Similar in topography to the Canyon Course’s
signature 13th, this hole features
an even more intimidating tee shot, which must
carry a huge water filled canyon, or thread a
narrow gap between the 2 canyons guarding this
fairway. The green is also perched on the
canyon edge, creating the need for very
accurate and prudent approach play.
Hole#4
A very wide fairway gives the golfer some
strategic choice on the tee shot. The safer
“high road” to the left leaves a longer second
shot over another sheer-sided canyon. The
shorter “low road” to the right flirts with
the same canyon, but rewards a good drive with
a shorter second shot.
Hole#5
Following two left to right dog legs holes,
the fifth hole quickly tests the player who
can’t control his hook. Another precipitous
canyon sits from the corner of the dog leg to
the side of the green. Your choice is to play
safe with a long iron off the tee or to shape
the ball around the canyon enabling a short
iron approach. Over hit second shots find a
steep drop behind the green, further rewarding
a courageous tee shot.
Hole#6
Water greets errant tee shots on the left and
the right side of this shortish downhill par
4. An interesting feature is the “Pine
Valley” style short and long fairway “islands”
separated by a waste area. The successful
risk taker off the tee will be looking for a
birdie. But a strongly sloping back to front
green requires accurate approach play from the
more conservative player.
Hole#7
Accurate drives will hug the canyon edge on
the left of the fairway at this strong right
to left par 4. The second shot will have to
cross the canyon edge to an elevated green.
Golfers playing from the safe right side must
be wary of three fiendishly placed greenside
bunkers.
Hole#8
The most picturesque par 3 on the golf course.
High teeing areas give a great view of this
large green, beautifully framed by water and a
bunker short and left and another bunker
behind. Flowering Alamandas complete the
backdrop. The green is subtly shaped to give
very challenging tournament pin positions.
Hole#9
The first of the par 5’s. A straight forward
drive gives the opportunity to “open up the
shoulders”. Only the longest hitters can
consider taking on the waste area on the
second shot to get home in two. Most will need
a well placed second shot to avoid a large
bunker at the left end of the dog leg and a
small stand of trees on the right. Three good
shots will be needed for a birdie chance.
Hole#10
Another par 5, but this time right to left all
the way. The drive has a beautifully contoured
landing area over water and framed by bunkers
on the left. Long, well placed drives down the
right side of the featuring will allow for a
clear second shot over a rough valley. Only
right to left second shots here will leave a
short pitch to a raised green and a genuine
birdie chance.
Hole#11
One of the highest points on the course the
teeing areas afford a lovely view of this
short par 4, with the green tucked to the
right in the rubber trees, protected behind by
a sharp slope into water. A powerfully hit
left to right drive may find the front of the
green. If you don’t get it right, your path to
the green will be blocked and you may not find
the green in two! A shorter accurate tee shot
to the left over the rough hollow may be the
smart choice.
Hole#12
The
shortest par 3 at Blue Canyon. The green is
virtually on an island, with water just short
left, and long right of the putting surface.
Seeing a well struck short to medium iron from
the elevated tee, out of a chute of trees, is
one of the most enjoyable shots on the course.
But poor club selection could yield a 3 putt
bogey or worse, on this large green.
Hole#13
Normally a par 5 for regular play, today’s
professionals will find this a two shot hole.
A large tree stands in the fairway’s center.
Accurate drives will pass left of it leaving
an easier second shot. Drives to the right
leave a choice of a safe second or a long shot
over water to a well guarded green.
Hole#14
The start of the difficult finishing stretch.
This long uphill par 4 is becoming a very
demanding tee shot as the trees mature. Drives
must find the left half of a “hogsback”
fairway or they are kicked behind a Padauk
tree guarding the right hand dog leg. The
second shot requires control of distance to a
raised green, guarded front left by a
cavernous bunker. Putts from “oversafe” second
shots behind the hole will be extremely fast.
Hole#15
From the championship tee. This slightly left
and right par 5 descends the full 22 meters of
elevation change on the course. A wide fairway
begs you to let rip from the tee; which you
will have to do to be able to carry the water
on the second shot. Beware, as there is also
water close behind the green. This hole
presents a definite birdie chance for the long
hitter.
Hole#16
Cautious drivers will steer clear of three
interestingly shaped bunkers on the corner of
this dog leg left. However, staying too far
right will result in a long iron to this
large green and three putts will be more
likely.
Hole# 17
This first hole with no water! However, the
severe undulations of this unusual three level
green more than compensate. Again, it is a
refreshingly moderate par three in length,
where good club selection and accurate
execution will avoid very testing putting
conditions.
Hole#18
From the championship tee, perhaps the most
difficult natural par 4 finishing hole in
golf!
A single tree separates fairway options. The
high left side allows a beautiful view of a
small green slotted healthy between high rust
tinted canyon walls, step grassed mounds and a
vegetation fringed water filled canyon. A
single bunker provides “relief” for slightly
pulled second shots. The right side of the
fairway allows longer drives, but the partly
hidden view of the green psychologically takes
back the advantage. Over safe long second
shots find rough slopes, awkward to chip
from. There is nowhere to hide on one of
golf’s most testing holes. |
