10 – Long John
Men: Par 5, 483 metres – stroke 2
Ladies: Par 5, 432 metres – stroke 2
This par 5 provides a generous fairway but is harsh with any shot struck off-line. The third must be hit into an elevated green. Again, a front pin position makes the hole more difficult.
11 – Totaras
Men: Par 4, 297 metres – stroke 8
Ladies: Par 4, 264 metres – stroke 12
The hazard to the left of the fairway is the major feature of this otherwise innocuous par 4. It can be driven in summer by long hitters. A definite birdie opportunity.
12 – Ringer
Men: Par 3, 161 metres – stroke 10
Ladies: Par 3, 91 metres – stroke 18
A beautiful and challenging par 3, this hole plays every centimetre of its length as carry. Two cavernous front bunkers await the tentative shot. Many players lay up short of the bunkers rather than risk a sandy grave for their ball – and their round.
13 – Entrance
Men: Par 3, 179 metres – stroke 14
Ladies: Par 3, 141 metres – stroke 16
A second consecutive par 3, this hole is undergoing adjustment as the subdivision building begins next door. It is a straightforward hole, with the major challenge avoiding the bunkers to the right.
14 – Hedgerow
Men: Par 4, 277 metres – stroke 12
Ladies: Par 4, 277 metres – stroke 8
The most deceptive hole on the course without question, this short par 4 invites birdies but gives out bogeys. Out of bounds to the right is less worrying than the hazard to the left, as the fairway slopes to the left. Tall trees leave a narrow approach to the green, which is the most testing on the course, sloping severely from right to left. Some pin positions are almost impossible! Despite being less than 300m, par is a good score.
15 – Lakeside
Men: Par 4, 324 metres – stroke 4
Ladies: Par 4, 307 metres – stroke 4
The second tricky hole in a row, this short par 4 also has a hazard left and out of bounds right, but they are more in play on this hole. A conservative drive will set up a short second to a green that is difficult to hold. The hazard awaits any shot hit left or long.
16 – Chasm
Men: Par 3, 152 metres – stroke 6
Ladies: Par 3, 124 metres – stroke 14
Often considered the course’s signature hole, the challenge on this par 3 is to carry the lake, bend it round or over the trees and place the ball on a severely sloping green where three putts is a common occurrence. Apart from that, the hole is easy.
17 – The Gap
Men: Par 4, 273 metres – stroke 18
Ladies: Par 4, 261 metres – stroke 10
A straight and short par 4 with a fairway sloping right to left. A well-struck drive will leave a flip to the green. Keep your approach short of the pin: the back half of the green, in particular, is very steep and people have been known to putt right off the green.
18 – Home
Men: Par 5, 429 metres – stroke 16
Ladies: Par 5, 429 metres – stroke 6
A generous closing par 5. As long as the drive is kept away from the ‘gobbler’ on the left, the long hitter can reach this hole comfortably in two. A series of small bunkers will catch the imperfect approach.