Hole #1
Forward
A relatively open driving hole to commence the round. A drive in the right half of the fairway will leave a straight-forward shot to the green. Be accurate as bunkers are left and right and trouble awaits over the back.
Hole #2
The Pines
A short par four. Drive straight and long and be rewarded with a short iron approach to a sloping green that can get very quick when the conditions are hard and fast. For a simple looking hole, a bogey can be easily made.
Hole #3
Long Shot
From the back tee this short hole requires a well-flighted, accurate shot with a medium to long iron/rescue club. Bunkering around this hole is some of the best at Long Island. A par here is very welcome.
Hole #4
Marathon
The first of the par 5's. Get the drive on the fairway (and out of the bunkers) and set yourself up for a fairway wood, over a rise, which will leave a pitch to a double tiered green. A well-bunkered green with a severe slope to the left requires accuracy and touch.
Hole #5
The Gum
A short par 5 that long hitters will look to birdie. The tee shot looks intimidating but over the hill the fairway is very generous. The second shot is a choice of going for the green or laying up short of fairway bunkers. The green is protected by deep bunkers and, if you get in the right-hand bunkers, it is most difficult to get up and down.
Hole #6
Skye Road
The first of two signature holes. Played into a prevailing southerly this hole simply requires two excellent shots to hold the green. Anything long is disastrous. The bunkers left and right will catch any approach not accurately stuck. This green can be extremely quick especially if putting from the right hand side. Scenically it is a beautiful hole.
Hole #7
The Elbow
A hole that bends to the right after the fairway bunker. The drive has to be long and accurate to find a flat spot on the fairway just past the bunker. A long/medium iron to a green that slopes severely to the front is required. A putt from above the hole will test any golfer.
Hole #8
Hogsback
Perhaps the signature hole of the golf course. A hogsback fairway that channels a tee shot to the left or right awaits the golfer. To find the fairway is an excellent shot. A shortish iron to a green that slopes away from the player has to be negotiated. This green slopes more than the 7th and challenge awaits when a person has to putt from above the hole.
Hole #9
Lookout
The shortest hole on the course with the deepest green. From the tee the golfer sees all the hole has to offer. Deep bunkers on both sides and a severe drop off at the rear await an inaccurate shot. If the wind is blowing, it is a real test of accuracy.
Hole #10
Dog Leg
The outward nine starts with the most severe dog-leg on the course. Length and direction of the tee shot is critical. For the right-handers, a drawn tee shot will take the slope and give a short iron to the green. Too long and the tee shot is in the ti-tree. A high, straight iron will give a chance of a birdie to start the back nine.
Hole #11
The Lane
Bunkers indicate the direction from the tee. Long hitters can fly the left side bunkers to leave a wedge to the green. This green has subtle borrows and can be very quick when putting from the right hand side.
Hole #12
The Spot
The last par 3. A high tee shot that lands short of the flag is required. The green is not wide and a misdirected shot will see the bunkers in play. The back half of the green is usually very firm and there is no surprise if the ball bounces through. A tough chip shot will follow.
Hole #13
Still Waters
A par 5 to tempt long hitters. Two big shots can get you home. For others three well planned and placed shots will give you a putt for a birdie. The bunker on the right of the green is to be avoided as the green slopes away and makes for a difficult recovery.
Hole #14
The Curve
The start of a fabulous run home. Par scores become more challenging. The drive here has to be long and straight to place a good approach shot into the green. This green is one of the smallest targets on the course. Left and long with the approach will see the ball run away from the green and leave a very awkward chip shot. Rated Number 1 and into the southerly wind deserves this ranking.
Hole #15
The Hill
Another very solid par 4 from the championship tee. You must be able to drive over the hill towards a cypress tree on the right side of the fairway. For the approach, it is not unusual for a slight uphill or downhill lie to make the golfer think. The beautiful gum at the back of the green is an excellent line for the approach. This green has a real slope to it and can catch the putter unaware of borrow and slope.
Hole #16
The Valley
Very simply, you must be on the fairway to give yourself a decent shot at the green to hold it. The green follows the slope of the land and, with the hole well-bunkered, presents a challenge. However, the real challenge begins when you take the putter out of the bag. Many pennant matches have been decided here.
Hole #17
The Rise
The golfer sees all from the tee. A drive down the left gives the best angle into a green that sits well above the level of the fairway. A soon-to-be-constructed fairway bunker down the left will add a challenge to the long driver. Bunkers on the right near the green seem to force the golfers to aim to the left of the green only to see the slope take the ball away. This green has a severe slope from back to front.
Hole #18
Do-or-Die
Recently lengthened and the golfer invariably has to drive into a breeze and the ball will land on an upslope so don't expect much run. The seemingly wide-open green beckons but is well guarded by bunkers to the left and right. This hole plays longer than the card indicates and two putts to seal the match can be a challenge.
Come back and do better next time!
