Hole #1 - Devil's Turn

A classic risk/reward par 5 that doglegs 90-degrees around and over Lake Swallow.

 

Hole #2 - Gator Bait

A deceptively difficult straightaway par 4. The prevailing wind is quartering against from the left and the fairway plateaus at about 240, this makes a solid drive essential on this hole. If your drive has avoided the out of bounds on the left and the water on the right, you will be left with a mid iron off a sloping lie to a large green which slopes from back to front.

Hole #3 - Highway to Heaven

A slight dogleg left with a forced carry over water, with more trouble in the form of bushes to the right.

Hole #4 - Eagle's Nest

A medium length par three, which plays uphill from an elevated tee, between two sets of tall pines, to a narrow elevated green. Because the green is so elevated and slopes from back to front, anything left of the green is likely to result in bogey or worse.

Hole #5 - Sim's Plateau

A straightaway par 4 where the tee shot must negotiate a narrow chute of pines before finding a relatively wide fairway. There is trouble all the way down the right hand side in the form of bushes, marsh, and tall pines, so the ideal drive should be aimed at the left side of the raised fairway. The second shot is a mid to short iron to a large sloping green with large mounds and OB on the left and sand on the right.

Tip: The left center of the fairway is ideal for this long par 4. Your approach may be missed short or slightly right, but left is not where you want to be. Gentle with the putter as this large green can be slippery from above the hole.

Hole #6 - Alligator Alley

A dogleg left with water short and all the way down the left hand side. The ideal drive is a draw played away from the water down the right center of the fairway. The fairway narrows at about 235 from the tee so driver is probably not the club for a long hitter here. The approach is usually a short iron to a large relatively flat green with water on the left and behind.

Tip: Cut off what you feel comfortable with on this dogleg left par 4. It can be had, or it can have you. Driver may not be necessary as you may hit it through the fairway. This large green is fairly flat and par is within reach here.

Hole #7 - Spoonbill Point

A medium length par three that plays slightly up hill to a large elevated green. The two places to avoid on this hole are the bunker short and left and the hidden sand bunker in front of the mound on the right rear of the green. The green is fairly flat so birdie is possible with a good tee shot.

Tip: This par 3 generally plays longer than it looks. There is plenty of room to miss it short and right. Left could be dangerous. The green has some subtle breaks, so read it carefully for your birdie or par.

Hole #8 - Turtle Ridge

A short dogleg right par four with water on the left and marsh all the way down the right. The tee shot should not travel more than 220 because the fairway runs out on the left and there's more marsh to the right. After a well placed tee shot down the center, the approach is played with more than a wedge to a small sloping green which is protected by bunkers and grassy mounds.

Tip: Don't let this short par 4 fool you, it has produced its fair share of double bogeys. An iron off the tee is all that is needed. Left center is ideal. A short iron should help you get on this well guarded green. Played correctly, this hole can be par or better.

Hole #9 - Mucho Agua

A classic 4 1/2, its yardage tells you its there for the taking, but danger lurks just off every bend in the serpentine fairway. The tee shot is played over water to a wide fairway protected by water on both the left and right. The closer to the water on the left you go the shorter your second shot will be. If you go for it in two you will have to carry a finger of Lake Swallow, which protects the front and right of the medium sized green that slopes from back to front.

Tip: Water runs the length of the hole on both sides but there is plenty of fairway to be had. Your second shot should be more left than right, which gives you a good view in to this green. Don't get too aggressive with the pin placement. Missing this green could spell disaster.

Hole #10 - Witch Way

A demanding 90-degree dogleg to the right that is played through a forest of trees. The ideal tee shot is a fade played in the middle of the fairway; after a 240+ drive you are left with a short iron to a small green protected by overhanging trees on the three sides.

Tip: A true 90 degree dogleg, center is the place to drive it. The left side slopes hard left and the right side blocks you from a view of the green. The approach shot is to a large green, but it is protected well by Mother Nature. This green is generally firm, so use caution.

Hole #11 - Forest Canyon

A long and demanding straightaway par four that is played through a pine forest. The fairway narrows at about 245 so long hitter beware, but otherwise what you see is what you get off the tee. The mid to long iron approach is played to a smallish saucer shaped green which is protected by mounds in front and by bunkers in back.

Tip: A true test off the tee, center is the place to drive it. The left side slopes hard left into a hazard, and the right side is out of bounds. The approach shot is to a large green, but is protected well on either side by mother nature. The green is generally firm, so use caution.

Hole #12 - Marsh Island

A short par three played over a protected marsh area to an elevated green that is surrounded by forest and swamp. The green is the most severe on the course with a four-foot drop from the back to the front and it has two distinct tiers, front and back. If you are on the wrong one a three putt is a likely outcome.

Tip: This medium par 3 is as dangerous as it is beautiful. Club selection is key as missing this green in any direction can be disastrous. Once you are on, the speed of your putt is key on this severely two-tiered green.

Hole #13 - Zorro's Revenge

An unusual Z shaped par five that does its best to discourage being reached in two. The fairway runs out at about 240 so be careful in club selection. There is more room to the left off the tee and that shortens the hole but it also brings more trees into play so the middle's the play. The lay up only needs to go about 135 so plan accordingly. The short iron approach is played to a smallish relatively flat green, which is protected by a large bunker on the front left.

Tip: Love it or hate it, this double dogleg par 5 can be had. A long iron or fairway wood off the tee puts you in position to either conservatively lay up or go for it over the marsh. A short iron lay up will leave you with a short iron approach. Going for it is the ultimate risk-reward. This straightforward green is designed to two putt. Play it your way for par or better.

Hole #14 - Cyprus Trail

A narrow straightaway par four of only 340 yards but don't be deceived, it requires two quality golf shots just to get a chance at this difficult green. The ideal drive should be played down the left side of the fairway short of the fairway bunker, which is about 225 off the tee. The short iron approach should be kept below the hole on this long and narrow green that slopes severely from back to front.

Tip: A straight drive is the key and left center is ideal. Your approach is crucial as this elevated green offers little hope if you miss it anywhere but in front. The severe front to back slope makes being above the hole nerve racking.

Hole #15 - Mounds Abound

A long demanding par three with lots of trouble lurking. To the left there's bunkers short, water and marsh pin high, and eight foot high mound back. To the right there's a steep drop off to out of bounds. Over the green there are more mounds, bush pine trees, and more out of bounds. The good news is the medium sized green is fairly flat so a good tee shot could mean birdie.

Tip: Choose your club well on this fairly long and narrow par 3. Again, the only place to miss it is short, as right and left will have you playing another ball. The green is also straightforward, so get on and two putt for par.

Hole #16 - Dragon's Lair

A unique and scenic par five that is reachable in two for the longest hitters. The drive must carry about 180 yards of marsh and be fitted between tall pines and oaks on the right right and bushes on the left. The ideal drive should hug the right side for the best view of the green. The smallish green slopes severely from back to front and is surrounded by swamp forest.

Tip: A drive down the right center will put you in great shape for a long iron/fairway wood second shot. Hug the right center as you may block out your approach by hitting it left. This smallish green has a deadly back to front slope so soft hands with the putter are required.

Hole #17 - Bobcat Trail

A long straightforward par three, which has been carved out of the forest. The long iron tee shot is played from an elevated tee to a large gently sloping green with some room for error on both sides.

Tip: Should you miss this par 3's large green, it will offer you one of your best chances to get up and down. Front, left and some room on the right make finding your errant shot probable and getting your par possible.

Hole #18 - Swamp Thing

A truly outstanding test of golf. The tee shot is played through a chute of pines to a narrow island of fairway with marsh on the left and trees on the right. The ideal drive is a slight draw down the left center, which leaves the best angle for the difficult second shot. The second shot is played over an eighty-yard expanse of swamp to a crowned fairway that is guarded by large mounds, trees and marshland. The short iron approach is played to a small flat green, which is protected by a sand bunker on the left and huge volcano-like grass bunker on the right.

Tip: A drive down the right center will keep you away from disaster and make your second shot less intimidating. The marsh may appear long, but the carry is only 50 yards. The left center side of the fairway on your second shot leaves you a great view of this well guarded crowned green. Knock it on, two putts and head to the 19th hole with satisfaction.