| Baxter Spann, Golf Course Architect: The keys here are the tee shot and the putter. While not especially long, the farther back the hole is played, the more angled the approach to the fairway becomes. It will require a trip or two around for each player to determine their personal best line for the tee shot to find the optimal part of the fairway. Generally, though, the best bet is to favor the left side, as the hill will tend to kick all but the most severe hooks back toward the fairway. Right is absolute disaster with a deep arroyo hugging the entire length of the hole on that side. Once in the fairway off the tee, the green is a fairly large target, though large deep bunkers surround it. These will be particularly troublesome for anyone missing the fairway and attempting a recovery shot to the green or short of it. The green is one of the more difficult reads on the course, and depending where the pin is and where the ball is, can make the player look like either a genius or a buffoon! The secret is to be as close as possible to the pin in order not to have to negotiate the sinister rolls and slopes – or else be very creative and have a deft touch with the blade - simple! |
