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Hole 1 - 416 Metres - Par 4
A friendly opening tee shot, where any quest for length adds to the demand
for accuracy as the fairway narrows beyond 250 metres. The second shot is to
a bowl shaped green surrounded by dunes. A well flighted shot carrying on to
the green is the best option, but the absence of bunkers allows for a
skilful chase shot, on to the gently undulating putting surface. Play a
little left as the ball will run in from this side.
Hole 2 - 340 Metres - Par 4
Driving from an elevated tee, a bunker on the right centre of the fairway at
250 meters is a good line. Trying to miss this bunker on the left does not
make an easier second shot, so a driver is not a must here. The green
receives the ball nicely and a good lofted approach should offer a birdie
chance.
Hole 3 - 172 Metres - Par 3
The most straightforward par 3 on the course. Driving out of a chute of
pines, there are rough and bunkers to carry. The ability to hit a high fade
will make this shot easier. High handicap players, who find it difficult
hitting a high carrying shot , may find the area in front of the bunkers an
easier target for the tee shot.
Hole 4 - 354 Metres - Par 4
Another birdie chance! The bunkers down the right warn the player to keep
left off the tee and this is the best line in but do not hook too far left
as the Driving Range, well left, is out-of-bounds. A small green protected
by clever mounding requires good feel for length and trajectory with the
short iron approach.
Hole 5 - 435 Metres - Par 4
A drive drawn away from the bunkers dividing the 5th and 6th fairways will
set up the easiest second shot, to a green where only the back edge is
visible. Play for the back edge. This is a long, slightly uphill hole and
most will be short in two shots.
Hole 6 - 436 Metres - Par 4
There is much more room to the left than appears from the tee at this dogleg
right. Keep away from the bunkers on the right and set up a shot straight
down the green. The small dip in front of the green can deceive length
perception.
Hole 7 - 501 Metres - Par 5
The very long hitter may be able to draw a drive away from the right hand
fairway trap, setting up a chance to reach the green in two. lf there is any
wind against, it is better to play on the line of this bunker and then to
carry to the area over the second group of fairway bunkers. In any cross
wind, a low approach using the long green space is advisable. The length of
the green places a premium on gauging the exact distance to avoid a three
putt.
Hole 8 - 550 Metres - Par 5
The toughest hole on the course! The drive sets up nicely for a player who
can draw the ball. The well struck tee shot to the flat area on the highest
point of the fairway gives a view of the second shot. Downhill with a spine
running down the centre, the ideal is to carry the undulations and reach the
flat area, from 100 metres in to the green.
Hole 9 - 156 Metres - Par 3
The shortest hole on the course but a testy one! The green is concave and a
ball hit to the front section can easily spin back off the green. Correct
club selection and control of trajectory is vital. It may be worth using a
less lofted club, held down the grip and played beneath the ever-present
wind. Do not let the spectacular views break your concentration. If you hit
the green then study your putt well as the breaks are tricky.
Hole 10 - 403 Metres - Par 4
The drive parallel to the Atlantic Ocean should be hit with a draw, away
from the out-of-bounds on the right. The second shot from the left of the
fairway is to an elevated green, so add one club to your choice and allow
for the wind. Long is preferable to short, except when the flag is on the
right front corner of the green, when short is better.
Hole 11 - 348 Metres - Par 4
A real risk and reward tee shot. The long hitter will consider the
possibility of driving the green when the wind will carry. Otherwise, a long
iron or fairway wood to the left centre of the fairway will leave a testing
pitch to a very severe green, with extreme slopes. A low pitch on to the
front, releasing to the pin position, is a sensible option. This can be a
birdie hole; do not let your chance slip!
Hole 12 - 190 Metres - Par 3
A very long par 3. A low long iron or fairway wood, which can be faded into
the green will give the best results. The green needs careful study to avoid
a 3 putt. lf you are out of position play for a bogey as the best option.
Hole 13 - 532 Metres - Par 5
An uphill par 5 where the long hitter will fancy getting up in two when
there is no wind. A drive to the right centre gives the best line in,
avoiding the need to carry the bunker on the left front of the green with
the approach shot. Played as a three shot hole, the right is still the best
line in. Allow for the change of height between the fairway and green which
is worth at least one club more.
Hole 14 - 167 Metres - Par 3
One of the world's great par 3 holes. lf the wind is against, a low drawn
one iron works well. The green is ideally shaped for running a ball down the
green contours. Long is better than short, even if you end up chipping back
from the bank behind the 10th green. The green will test your putting skills
and birdies will be rare.
Hole 15 - 186 Metres - Par 3
A delightful contrast to the previous hole. Also a par 3 but this time a
long one down a sheltered valley in the dunes. Whichever way the wind blows,
it will help on one hole and hinder on the other. The fade shot works best
here and the shot to the upper tier of the green is best run in. The banks
can help the ball on to the green so be bold and play up to the flag.
Hole 16 - 539 Metres - Par 5
The elevated tee, with a superb view of the sea, gives a chance to let the
ball fly. The right side is the best line for the first and second shots.
The second shot, landing centre right of the fairway, can leave a third with
no bunker to carry. A little out of position and the large bunkers will be a
threat. Carry them and putt back up the green.
Hole 17 - 450 Metres - Par 4
The first of two great finishing par 4s. The drive to the right centre of
the fairway with a touch of draw, will set up a mid or long iron gently
downhill to the green. The hollow to the right and bunker to the left will
nearly always cause a dropped shot, so short is not a bad option.
Hole 18 - 442 Metres - Par 4
The finale and what a great hole! Again a draw, around the central island of
one strategic pine, is the best shot. The green is raised in a dune and will
play at least one club more than you think. lf you hit the green, the severe
slope from back right to front left will give you a lot to think about. Many
games will turn completely around on this outstanding finishing hole.
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