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Hole 1 Par 4 Distance: 444 m, 488 yd
The first hole is a long par 4, with the fairway in a valley and a non-receptive green that is protected by bunkers both left and right. If the golfer feels uncomfortable after playing this hole, I hope he or she will move up a tee - there are plenty of them to choose from - on the next hole to make the playing of this course an enjoyable walk to the ocean.
Hole 2 Par 5 Distance: 500 m, 550 yd
This long par 5 hole requires two back-to-back concise shots to put the ball on the green in two shots. It is pure risk and reward. There is a chasm (a deep, narrow opening in the earth) that guards the right side of the hole, as the green is turned almost perpendicular (at a right angle to the shot) to your shot. Go for it, if you dare! The golfer has the choice of an amazing second shot or a very easy third shot, depending on how he wishes to approach this hole. An Eagle can be attained here, but they will be few, as the undulation (a regular rising and falling of the surface) of the green will reject balls coming in at too low a profile. It might be easier to lay up short left on this reachable par five and approach it with a wedge to achieve a birdie, instead of taking that double dare for the exhilarating (exciting) eagle,
Hole 3 Par 4 Distance: 402 m, 442 yd
As you can tell from the routing, this third hole dances along the property line before coming in close to the ocean. As this is a shorter par 4 that is not quite reachable on the drive, placement here will be key. Using a longer iron in approaching this hole might be more rewarding than trying to use sheer strength to get close to the green. Once again, this green is guarded by twin bunkers, providing a lower opening to the green that will require a major effort to get a birdie, but will provide most golfers with an easy par.
Hole 4 Par 3 Distance: 177 m, 195 yd
As you now approach the ocean on this downhill hole, the winds may be severe here. The bunkers are, literally, just part of the terrain, as the natural topography takes over on this hole. The environment here is meant to protect the golfers, the tourists and the turtles. While there is an immense amount of sand on this hole, there is also a lot of turf, making it easy to get on this green. Hopefully the trade winds will allow your ball to land softly because this is a short par 3, with a huge, receptive green.
Hole 5 Par 4 Distance: 407 m, 448 yd
The 5th hole takes you back uphill and into the natural dunes. This hole may have many golfers trying to figure out which target to aim for; look for the highest dune. There are many approaches here, but there is only one correct approach. Play it high so your second shot provides you with a great view of both the roaring waves coming ashore and the green's surface. Remember, the higher the better. Being below the hole on the 5th green will not allow you a soft approach nor easy access to the green.
Hole 6 Par 5 Distance: 564 m, 620 yd
Hole 6 is a long, demanding, uphill hole away from the beach and the winds. This hole is meant to separate the shorter players from the longer players. Those with great strength will be rewarded here. The green, though it's huge in size, has mass undulation. The safest route is always to the left of the green. Home in two is for only a few. This hole really requires three shots to the green. Be careful to stay out of the native area to the short left of the green.
Hole 7 Par 4 Distance: 339 m, 373 yd
Some may find it odd to find such a beautiful environment of water, flora and fauna on a dunes course. But remember, the fresh water in the lake is essential to the many fowl who fly up and down the coast. It also quenches the thirst of the pas pallum, Sea-Spray grass. Don't let your ball be the one headed to "Davey Jones' locker" in the lake. Hit to the right, over the target bunker, and stay on the high side to get a good approach onto the green. The backdrop of telephone poles, multiple small bunkers and water will give your target definition.
Hole 8 Par 3 Distance: 151 m, 166 yd
This hole is a longer par 3, with water along the left side. For those who dare to try for perfect placement on the green, bring it in from the right. Don't let the trade winds keep your ball from the green because it is well protected by bunkers. While this hole has lots of turf, it is well guarded, as beautiful landscaping and bunkers sculpt the green.
Hole 9 Par 4 Distance: 422 m, 464 yd
This uphill hole is guarded by huge bunkers that are nearly as deep as the hill is high. Shot placement is key here. The green is best approached from the left, before the two bunkers. By now, you have learned that the Dye undulations are going to make this course challenging. But there are refreshments in the clubhouse and you may wish to go there to brace yourself for the 10th tee.
Hole 10 Par 4 Distance: 429 m, 472 yd
This hole runs downhill then back uphill, with the green perched on a high ridge. This hole can be humbling, as the trade winds will smack through the dunes from various directions, keeping you off balance. Swirling winds can make this hole one of the most difficult, but if it is a calm day, here is your chance for a birdie. Hit a little more club (hit a little longer) on your second shot, as that shot will play longer.
Hole 11 Par 4 Distance: 404 m, 444 yd
Running back down the valley, there is lots of flora and fauna (plants and animals) to the right and plenty of room on the left. Head your drive in the correct direction so your second shot won't be caught in the beautiful natural landscaping. A huge waste bunker will keep you left and prevent your ball from escaping into the landscaping. Play down the left side, where there is only one bunker between the tee and the green.
Hole 12 Par 3 Distance: 197 m, 217 yd
You will find yourself back on the ridge of the dunes on this hole, which makes this par 3 hole quite spectacular. Don't let the magnificent views of the hotel and surf cause you to lose your focus. You shot must be pinpointed (precisely aimed) toward the green. It may be an easy three shots or a difficult six shots, if you get into those bunkers. The beginning golfer must remember his “hand mashey” (to remove the ball from the bunker by hand) because that is the best way out of this type of bunkers.
Hole 13 Par 5 Distance: 543 m, 597 yd
You will now cruise along on this short, coastal, downhill hole, with a receptive green. This is the first sense of relief you will experience. But be careful. If the trade winds sweep across this green, so will your ball unless it falls severely left of right. Stay high and go toward - but not into - the bunker, which is the perfect target. The seashore is the back drop to this hole and because of the setting, photographs of this hole will probably be seen around the world. This is the perfect example of a links style hole!
Hole 14 Par 4 Distance: 321 m, 353 yd
This is truly a great hole along the coast. Though it's a long hole, there is a good chance of a birdie since it goes downhill. But the hole can be blind if you are shooting into the wind. Stay down fairway because there is a rough you cannot see from the tee. This is a “peek-a-boo” (to see something, then it disappears, then it reappears, etc.) style routing that shortens the hole.
Hole 15 Par 3 Distance: 148 m, 163 yd
By now, you are either cursing the Dye name, or planning to book another round so you can conquer this course. But look around you on this par 3 hole along the ocean - where else would you rather be? There are bunkers everywhere - the beach - and the small green thing is the green. I hope the bathing beauties on the beach don't distract you!
Hole 16 Par 5 Distance: 503 m, 553 yd
This is the monster hole. Pray for the trade winds to reverse so you can hopefully reach the green in three shots. When you do reach the green, you will find that this pinhead (very small) green, with it's turtle back, is most difficult to putt. The green is also surrounded by very deep bunkers. Again the “hand mashey” the rookie player used on hole 12 is appropriate. But for those still feeling unchallenged, surely this hole will give you a run for your money (a gamble or risk for reward).
Hole 17 Par 4 Distance: 306 m, 335 yd
This short par 4 will have the longer hitters reaching for the drivers to drive for this well guarded green, it must not be an errant shot or trouble will await.. This reran (a green that runs away from the golfer) style green slopes away from you, undulates and kicks the ball into the shallowest bunker on the course... the beach.
Hole 18 Par 4 Distance: 358 m, 394 yd
Even though the fairway on this hole is wide and doesn't appear to undulate, stay out of the pot bunker mid-fairway, or it can ruin your round. The green is again guarded by bunkers, but the it is nearly flat with only slight undulation. The green is hard to read, but you should have figured out by now that the golf ball always breaks toward the ocean.
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