No. 1 - Par 4 - 401 Yards
Coping with nervous anticipation and butterflies may be the most challenging part of the first hole on this Donald Ross masterpiece. Ross once noted that the first hole of any golf course shouldn't be too difficult. "Give the player a chance to warm up a bit," he said. True to his design theory, this opening hole is fairly straightforward and not overly difficult. A solid drive in the fairway will leave a short iron to this classic Ross green, providing a glimpse of the challenges to come. Proper club selection is crucial because shots missed long or short will leave a demanding up and down.
No. 2 - Par 4 - 469 Yards
After a short warm up, things start to get a bit more difficult. A drive favoring the left side of the fairway is best on this subtle dogleg to the right. Four bunkers guard the left side, but this position offers the best look at this green, which sits at an angle and is protected by a bunker front-right. There are several good hole locations on this green, in particular the one back-right, as an approach that comes up slightly short will roll back off the green, and an approach hit long or right will easily bounce away from the flag. It is a very demanding target.
No. 3 - Par 4 - 336 Yards
Due to the very narrow fairway, shot selection is pivotal on this short par four. Players can either lay up between the bunkers on the left and waste-area on the right, leaving a short wedge approach shot, or they can go for broke and try to clear all the sand by attempting to drive the green. This well-crowned green is sloped back to front and protected by three green-side bunkers, which encourages bold iron play. Use caution when approaching a back hole location as shots missed long will keep rolling well past the green.
No. 4 - Par 5 - 565 Yards
This is the first par five on the course and offers a good birdie opportunity. Hitting the fairway is imperative to get to this green in two. Avoiding the large fairway bunker on the left is crucial; so most players will aim for the right side of the fairway. Those who do not try to reach the green in two can lay up on a flat area between two bunkers, some 80-90 yards from the green. The short iron approach will offer competitors a better chance of one-putting, as the fourth green is less "crowned" than many others on the No. 2 course.
No. 5 - Par 4 - 472 yards
This challenging par four was the toughest hole in the 1999 U. S. Open, with the competitors averaging 4.55 strokes. Ross considered the approach to this green the most difficult shot on the entire course, as it has to be hit with a long iron with the ball above your feet. Players should aim their approach shots for the right side of the green-any missed shot to the left will leave them with a very demanding up and down. This typical Ross green offers some of the toughest hole locations on the course. Players and caddies alike will be tested when attempting to read their putts. Be cautious when approaching a back left or front right hole location.
No. 6 - Par 3 - 220 Yards
The first par three on the course is difficult enough at 220 yards, but it is usually played into the prevailing wind as well. Most competitors will attempt to execute a long and high tee shot, struck well enough to hold the green on the fly. The significant slope in the front portion of this green, otherwise known as a "false front," will repel shots hitting short. Be cognizant of the deep green-side bunker on the left, which challenges even the greatest short games in the world.
Next Page: Holes No. 7-12
