An accurate drive is a must to begin this beautiful but demanding par five. The smart tee shot is to lay up short of the creek, but you don't really want to do that... do you? Didn't think so... like most golfers you feel compelled to muscle it over. Just watch out for the natural marsh lurking on both sides of the fairway.
Great drive! You skipped it over the stream and landed safely in the middle of the fairway.
A par is a sure thing from here, but with that kind of luck let's go for it in two... wide open to the green anyway, right? You bet... oh, except for those two large ponds on the right and a couple of bunkers on the left and, er,did I mention the little pond hidden green side left? Aw, go for it!

Wow, that was a 5 wood? Just like the tour guys! Okay, you bounced-right off the mound, got an extra 20 yards thanks to the cart path, and you're only 56 yards out... you do have a lob wedge? Good, because you noticed this green is elevated, just enough, to require a soft landing. Pin's cut dead center today, green slopes back to front... I say shoot for the hole.
Terrific approach, never seen Mickelson do it any better! 5 feet below the hole, straight up hill, firm and inside left... or right... wait, greens normally fall toward the water... but water on both sides. Hmm, sun's directly overhead, winds blowing right to left... is this a leap year... oh heck, just knock it in!

Hey my friend, you've just birdied the third most difficult hole on the course, and truly one of the most beautiful par fives in the Southeast!

Let's make the turn!

Mark Busic
Head Golf Professional