The Back Nine

Earlier I shared my thoughts on each hole on the front nine. Here is similar information on the back nine. I hope you will enjoy this.


Back Nine

Hole #10: Okay you long hitters. This is your hole. (ha,ha,ha) 529 yards down hill. Slight dogleg right. Play the tee shot to the fairway left - or if you are long off the tee shave off the tree line that guards the right side of the fairway. Second shot is all down hill to a green guarded by two bunkers. Aim at the bunker on the left and hope for a roll onto the green. Green is actually fairly level but appears to slope from back to front. This is a good hole to help build your confidence as we start the back nine.

Hole #11: 358 yards of nothing to it. play the ball to the right side of the fairway off the tee. A shot of 200 yards will place you in perfect position to attack the green. The second shot I recommend playing to the left side of the green to avoid the bunker guarding the front and right side of the green. You will be greeted with a sloping green from left to right (remember I said sloping). A two putt is good on this green unless you are putting uphill to the hole be careful.

Hole #12: Can you say water? Watch the water on the right. The hole plays 379 yards, the tee shot should be played at least 225 yards to the fairway which is LEFT of the lake. This will leave you under 150 yards over the lake to an uphill green guarded by two bunkers. The green is generous but does slope severely from back to front. A par will most often win this hole. And it is possible that a bogey will as well. I recommend you play this hole with great caution. Oh yes, the club does have a few players who try to drive the green. it play just over 320 yards as a crow flies. If you want to try this - please do it when you are playing against me --- I may need the point.

Hole #13: Downhill tee shot. to a narrow fairway. The a slightly uphill shot into the green. The hole plays 359 yards and is the 16th hardest hole on the course. So it should be an easy one. The secret is keep the ball in play off the tee. Big hitters will try to drive the ball close to the green. The rest of us can take an easy 3 or 4 iron and put the ball about 120 yards off from the green. The green slopes from back to front - unless you have a red flag you will have an uphill putt. Just try to avoid the dreaded putt across the green. make sure you are in line with the hole.

Hole #14: 364 yards - over water - up hill - avoid water on the left and trees on the right. The tee ball is everything on this hole. In play and you will most likely win the hole. You will notice three bunkers near the green. The first bunker is about 20 yards in front of the green. Best to miss long. As this is an uphill hole an extra club just may put you hole high. Play this hole with caution.

Hole #15: Ok if the match is still alive the pressure begins here! 403 yards, a slight dogleg left. Play the ball to fairway right. second shot you will want to split the bunkers at the green and try to make a two putt to continue. This is not a difficult hole unless you decide to play it down the lefthand side. Not many birdies are pars from over there. So I would recommend you not go that way!

Hole #16: Par three 179 yards. Uphill so take an extra club. Large green and it will play three different clubs depending on the flag color. Red- front, White to the middle and Blue is back. Several different slopes on this green so pay attention. The pressure will be on and you should try to ask your partner to help you read this one.

Hole #17: 336 yards, fairway straight and the green at the other end. Small green easy to miss on the second shot. Trees line a creek on the right side of the fairway so it is best to play this one fairway left. This will leave you a short shot into the green. I think this is where many matches may end. this is the time to be aggressive if you need to be.

Hole #18: A good finishing hole. 337 yards light dogleg right. Driving range is out of bounds and runs the entire length of the hole. so best to leave yourself in the fairway on the left hand side. Pick out a spot on the clubhouse as your target and let her rip. For long hitters - you will notice a tree that sticks our on the right side of the fairway. Go over that tree and you will leave yourself less that 100 yards to the green. The green has two bunkers guarding the front side. Split the bunkers if you are playing a pitch and run or carry the right side bunker if you are coming in high. Everything runs to the driving range so pay attention. Play the ball left of the pin and you may find the perfect shot. On  putts - you guessed it - the break runs to the driving range.

If you made it this far in your match no matter who wins it will be deemed a great match.   Take your hat off and shake your opponents hand. And say “Well done!”

Good luck and I hope you find the hints helpful.