PLAY OLD EDWARDS CLUB

Men’s Handicap 15, Ladies Handicap 9
The opening hole is an inviting par 5 that can be reached in two by longer players; a good drive here will set the tone for your entire round.

Men’s Handicap 1, Ladies Handicap 1
The 2nd hole requires two precise shots to reach the green in regulation. The fun really begins on the green with the front half sloping severely from back to front, and the back half sloping from right to left. You do not want to be above the hole here.

Men’s Handicap 7, Ladies Handicap 5
The tee shot on the 3rd hole requires great precision; golfers should favor the right side of the fairway, which will leave a second shot from a flatter lie and a good look at this 2 tiered green.

This beautiful downhill par 3 plays in the opposite direction from the 3rd hole, so golfers should factor the wind when choosing a club. Be mindful of the hole location as this green has 3 distinct areas.

The 5th hole is a short par 4 that requires a very precise uphill approach to a two-tiered green. Avoid being above the hole at all costs with your approach shot.

This beautiful downhill par 5 is a true risk vs. reward hole that puts the golfer to a decision. A well-struck drive will tempt the better player to go for the green in two; however, a pond will catch any shots coming up short of the green complex.

The 7th hole is a relatively short par 4, but trouble awaits any shot offline to the right, and a well-placed fairway bunker awaits the bailout shot to the left. This green is one of the most subtly challenging on the course, with a gentle slope from front to back.

The green on the 8th hole is one of the largest on the course, and provides the player with a good opportunity to make birdie with a properly judged tee shot.

This lengthy par 4 provides a great closing hole to the front 9. Take aim at the clubhouse off the tee box, and your drive will find the center of the fairway. A large mound bisects the middle right side of the green and forces the player to be precise with their approach shot.

One of the most scenic holes on the course, the 10th runs across a ridge line that sits at 4,000 feet of elevation. The panoramic views off the right side of the fairway can distract golfers from the task at hand. The approach on this short par 5 plays severely uphill, and if successfully negotiated, the golfer can have a chance at eagle or birdie.

Often considered the signature hole at Old Edwards Club, the 11th drops over 180 feet from tee to green. Club selection on this par 3 is crucial due to the change in elevation. Take in the spectacular long-range mountain views before heading down to the green.

The spectacular downhill 12th is the beginning of a stretch of 5 consecutive par 4s known as Shortoff Alley. Each hole provides views of Shortoff Mountain, and the 12th begins the most demanding stretch of holes on the course. It’s not necessary to hit the driver off the tee, but it’s tempting to watch the ball fall seemingly forever to the fairway.

The 13th plays as a par 4 for the men, and a par 5 for the ladies. The most challenging hole on the back 9 requires men to hit two great shots in order to find the green in regulation. Ladies will often have an uphill approach from a downhill lie on their 3rd shot into this challenging green site. Par is always a great score here.

Options abound off the tee on the dogleg right 14th hole. The Aggressive play is to hit a longer club from the tee to leave a better angle into the green; however, the fairway narrows in the landing zone, and a pond awaits shots that drift too far right. The more prudent play is the layback off the tee, but then the golfer is left with a longer shot into one of the smaller greens on the course.

This short par 4 plays uphill to the smallest and most severe green on the course. Length is not required off the tee box, but position is very important on this sloping fairway. Avoid being above the hole at all costs, and you’ll have a chance to avoid a 3-putt.

The closing hole on Shortoff Alley plays directly towards the namesake mountain. Beware of the cross-hazard creek off the tee, as well as the natural rock formation jutting out of the ground just short of the green.

The back tee on this par 3 provides the only view of the green as subsequent tees dip below the green level. Take careful note of the hole location here, as there is a bowl in the front middle section of the green.

The closing hole at Old Edwards Club is an absolutely stunning par 4 that drops over 225 feet from the tee box to the fairway. Players will be tempted to hit driver and go for the green; however, a severe upslope just short provides a good defense and a tough lie for the second shot. The more prudent play might be to lay up to a plateau on the same level as the green, but where’s the fun in that?