|
Hole 1
The first hole, 341 yards, is a short par 4 reachable for those longer hitters. However, for the shorter hitters, a long iron or fairway wood over the right bunker will leave a short approach into the green. From here avoid missing the green long as this leaves a very tough pitch to virtually all hole locations. The first green is fairly flat but putts quickly from back to front. A four is a common score on this opening hole. |
|
|
Hole 2
The second hole is a mid-length par 4 requiring a driver or fairway wood to avoid a series of bunkers on the right side yet stay short of the bunker that sits 250 yards from the back tee. Accuracy is pivotal off the tee with fescue running down both sides of the hole. Short to mid irons will be used for the approach into this tricky green which slopes back to front. A four is a good score on this hole. |
|
|
Hole 3
The third hole is a long par 4, which is considered the toughest hole on the course. A decision has to be made on the tee to either layup short of the creek or fly it over the creek. The creek is 250 yards from the tee. The majority will hit a long iron short of the creek leaving an approach of 200 yards into a narrow three-tiered green. For the minority who carry it over the creek, they will have a short to mid iron into the well-protected green. The green putts very quick from back to front so placing approaches below the hole a premium. Very few birdies will be made here. |
|
|
Hole 4
The first par 3 on the golf course measures 180 yards from the back tees. A pond guards the front of the green so any shot landing short of the green will find the water. Depending on the wind, anything from a mid-iron to a long iron may be used to find this green. Back pin locations are very hard to get at with the green sloping away from the tee at its midpoint; however, front pins are accessible with the green sloping towards the tee at its midpoint. |
|
|
Hole 5
The first par 5 measures 534 yards from the back tees. A right-to-left shaping tee shot is needed to reach this green in two, but two bunkers on the left side await errant tee shots that will result in a certain layup. If fortunate enough to have a chance at the green in two, account for the ball to land firmly in front if this large green and roll onto the putting surface. For those who layup, avoid the pair of fairway bunkers on the right side of the fairway 120-150 yards from the green. Missing long causes havoc as the green pitches back to front. For the best chance at birdie, leave approach shot short of the hole to have an uphill putt. |
|
|
Hole 6
The sixth hole is the beginning of Avondale’s “Amen Corner” at 410 yards this par 4 favours a left-to-right tee shot to give the shortest approach into the green. The fairway bunker is a great aim point but make sure not to hit it too far as the bunker begins 240 yards from the tee. A well-placed tee shot close to the 150-yard stake leaves a mid-iron into a large undulated green. A pond lurks any mishit approach shots that stray to the right side, but bailing out left leaves a tough pitch over mounds to a well contoured green. This is another green where it is advantageous to stay below the hole for the best chance to make a putt. A four is always a great score on this hole. |
|
|
Hole 7
The signature seventh hole is a sharp dogleg right measuring 400 yards. The tee shot rewards a left-to-right ball flight as it leaves a shorter approach into the green. Depending on wind, anything from a driver to a long iron may be used off the tee but it is essential to take enough club to get past the dogleg. From here, a mid-iron is left to this wide green with a deep bunker short and water catching any shots missing left. Anything on the right side of the green is the safest. The 7th green is pitched back to front meaning if you hit the ball past the hole, you are faced with a quick putt back towards the water. Much like the 6th hole, a 4 is a great score on this hole. |
|
|
Hole 8
The eighth hole is among the toughest par 3’s on the course. At an uncomfortable 210 yards from the back tee, this hole requires a long-iron or fairway wood to a green with a ridge that separates the left and back-right portions of the green. Anything landing on the left side of the green will kick left and trickle off the green on most occasions. Coming up short of this green and left of the green-side bunker leaves an uphill pitch and a good chance at a par. The front right green-side bunker swallows up the majority of errant approach shots leaving a tough sand shot with the green slopping away. |
|
|
Hole 9
The final hole of the outward nine is a 505-yard par 5 and is an opportunity to get a shot back. Certainly the easiest tee shot on the course. A bunker about 230 yards from the tee is the only threat on this tee shot. The longer hitters can aim at this bunker and get the ball near the bottom of the hill leaving around 200 yards to the green. For those who choose to layup, be aware of the deep bunker on the right about 80 yards from the green. A layup just short and left of this bunker leaves a sand iron to this long green, which is 42 yards in depth. Once on the green, be cautious of the speed as this green has a tendency to roll faster than the rest of the course. |
|
|
Hole 10
The first hole on the inward nine is the second of back-to-back par 5’s. This hole weights in at 506 yards and doglegs to the left on the second shot. For the longer hitters it may be wise to hit less than driver off the tee because a drive that strays only a tiny bit can reach the trees down the right-hand side. A trio of bunkers that run down the left side should be avoided off the tee in order to make a layup easier. It is very difficult to leave yourself a full wedge into this green, as the layup tends to run down into that awkward 50-60 yard range. Bunkers short and right, and trees all around the back protect this large green. This hole may be your last good birdie chance as you enter a demanding stretch of holes. |
|
|
Hole 11
The eleventh hole is 406 yards and has a semi-blind tee shot. The left bunker begins at 210 yards from the tee and requires a 230-yard tee shot to cover. The left of the two large trees down the right side is a great aim point from the tee. A mid iron will be used into this green however be careful not to over club as this shot plays a little downhill and nothing but bad things lurk behind this green. An approach left below the hole offers the best chance a making a birdie on this hole. |
|
|
Hole 12
The twelfth hole is slightly downhill but remains the longest par 3 on the course measuring at 218 yards. A precise shot is required to land on this long but narrow green. Errant shots left can find a deep bunker or even water for shots that drift further left. A very small percentage of players will find this green on their first shot meaning a par can be very tough to come by. |
|
|
Hole 13
The thirteenth hole is the last par 5 on the course and is also the longest. At 556 yards this hole is a typical three shot hole. A tee shot left of centre leaves the best angle for a layup. A long iron or fairway wood is needed for a layup that should leave 90-110 yards to this uphill green. The short iron approach can be difficult because the ball doesn’t hold, as it plays uphill. Be a little more cautious as there are a lot of subtle breaks on the right side of this green. |
|
|
Hole 14
The fourteenth hole is a 395-yard par 4 with a slight dogleg left. Arguably one of the tightest tee shots on the course that requires a driver or fairway wood to leave an approach inside 150 yards. The green is built up making the approach that much more difficult. Allow an extra half club to ensure you fly the ball onto the green because shots that land short will not bounce up. A four is always a great score on this hole. |
|
|
Hole 15
The fifteenth hole is a medium length par 3 measuring 185 yards from the black tee deck. Notably the easiest par 3 on the course but don’t take this hole for granted. The green is very wide so even a missed shot can still catch a portion of the green. Missing the green long is a huge mistake as the green drops off and slopes towards trees beyond the green. If anything, missing the green just short leaves a good chance at getting up and down to save par. This green has very subtle breaks so make sure to take an extra look before you take your putt. |
|
|
Hole 16
The sixteenth hole is the shortest par 4 on the course. Measuring 283 yards from the back tee this is the ultimate risk-reward par 4. With a stream running across the hole some 60 yards before the green leading to a pond on the right side of the hole, not visible from the tee. The further right you go the more the pond comes into play. It is imperative to decide whether you are going to layup short of the stream, or carry it over. Wind conditions can make even a layup challenging with the thick brush on the right hand side coming into play. When hitting your approach shot make sure you stay below the hole as putts from beyond the hole are among the fastest on the course. Also there is a valley that runs through the back of this green “Valley of Doom” that must be avoided as escaping with a two-putt is rare even on a good day. |
|
|
Hole 17
The seventeenth hole is a par 4 slight dogleg left measuring about 380 yards that hosts a split fairway. The stream that was present on the last hole loops down the middle of this hole splitting the right fairway from the left. Only the long drivers can aim down the left side, as a drive of about 260 yards is needed to reach the fairway. The majority will hit their tee shot down the right side leaving a slightly longer approach but a much safer play from the tee. The white 150 yard stake is a great aiming point from the tee and it sits about 240 yards from the back tee deck. The further right you go off the tee the longer approach you are left with. The green is guarded by a duo of bunkers and the stream that runs short and right of the green. |
|
|
Hole 18
The finishing hole is a long uphill par 4 weighting in at 460 yards from the back tee. This dogleg right requires a well-struck tee shot in order to even consider reaching this green in two shots. A driver down the right leaves the shortest approach shot into this green. The bunker down the right requires a 240-yard carry in order to fly over this bunker. A long iron or fairway wood is left to this two-tiered green that is built some 10-15 yards above the level of the fairway. Most golfers will not be able to get all the way to this green in two so they will be faced with a 40-50 yard pitch in order to get up and down for par. Make sure to leave your putt on the same tier the hole location is on for your best chance to roll in the final putt of the day. |
|