Hole 1
Par 4 | 454 Yards | 415 Meters
Most players will hit a three wood off the tee, as there is a bunker waiting to catch you out on the left side of the fairway at 285 yards and other bunkers down the right at 330 yards. So, the play would be to hit a fairway metal towards the bunkers on the right. The approach leaves anything from a nine to seven iron into a green that slopes from back to front, with a 20 yards carry on the right and any shots land on the left half of green tends to run off. Finding the correct section is essential.
Hole 2
Par 5 | 583 Yards | 533 Meters
This par five has a semi-blind tee shot down the right but the line is over the left edge of the bunker at 265 yards. A good drive excess of 300 yards will allow a player to get on in two with a fairway metal but the bigger hitters might opt for a long iron. This is a great birdie opportunity but if it plays into the wind players might need to lay up to around 100 yards to leave a sand wedge. Pin positions can catch you out, especially when cut back left of the green.
Hole 3
Par 4 | 452 Yards | 413 Meters
There is a bunker at 295 yards off the tee, so most players will opt for a three wood, but some might reach for the driver and try to tread it up the right side. Those that lay up short of the bunker will be left with around a seven-iron in. The pins are normally cut at the back though one will be placed over the bunker on the right side which is a further carry of 11 yards. There is a big slope from the back centre of the green, so if you are on the wrong plateau you can leave yourself a very tricky putt.
Hole 4
Par 3 | 245 Yards | 224 Meters
This long par three is normally a three or four iron which plays seven to eight yards downhill with a big bunker short and to the back left. Again, there are different sections to this green and the ball tends to run away from left to right. The tricky pins will be on the left and you will need to allow an additional five yards of carry, but it is only 14 yards deep there. Anything slightly long will find the deep back bunker. You are always happy walking off this green with a par.
Hole 5
Par 4 | 407 Yards | 372 Meters
A lot of guys will hit a three wood again on this hole, as there is a bunker in the centre of the fairway at 300 yards. It plays about six- or seven-yards up hill, but most players will be hitting a nine iron or wedge into the green. This is a wide green that players will be looking to birdie but the tricky pins are cut front right or at the back of the green. You should always try to leave the ball under the hole.
Hole 6
Par 3 | 186 Yards | 170 Meters
A mid iron par three but watch out for the pin position front right which brings the water into play. The middle of the green slopes away towards the water but players will still this hole as a birdie opportunity, though not many will take that front right pin on.
Hole 7
Par 4 | 572 Yards | 523 Meters
You need two good hits to reach this par five in two as it also plays 10 yards up hill. Most will be needing a driver and a three wood, though you will get the odd ‘animal’ like Rory that will get home with a long iron or seven wood. It sometimes plays into the wind so you will see players laying up to around 90 yards to leave a sand wedge into the elevates green. There is a bowl short left on the green and the back right pins run away from you. A par will feel like a lost shot for many on this hole.
Hole 8
Par 4 | 461 Yards | 422 Meters
This is a tough tee shot with four bunkers waiting, two on the right a one deep one to the left but most players will take it on and hit driver to leave in the region of a seven iron second shot. The three-tiered sectioned green has a big run off to the left, but all three tiers will be used during the tournament making this a challenging hole. Always be happy to walk off with a par on this hole.
Hole 9
Par 4 | 499 Yards | 456 Meters
This par four can play long, especially into the wind, with players hitting a driver and four iron, sometimes a fairway metal. Though even downwind the second shot still plays 8 yards uphill, and you can still leave with a six iron approach. Once again this is a large three-tiered green which narrows for the first 20 yards with run off to the left. The front section of the green is only about 12 yards wide and to reach the pins at the back you still have a 25 yard carry over the left-hand greenside bunker. A very challenging approach with a four iron, especially when you are trying to get it to stop quickly. Again, another hole you are happy to walk off with a par.
