Hole by hole
by Craig Mitchell, Director of Golf, Clearwater Golf Club
Wind and water are the two overriding influences at Clearwater. One is constant, the other is such a variable that on a hole such as the 13th a player could be hitting a driver - 2 iron one day and a 3 wood - 8 iron the next.
A southerly is the most benign of the three winds that affect the course. A southerly's true bite is not really evidenced until the 18th, turning this finishing hole into a real test of nerve and composure.
A north-easterly, the prevailing wind, toughens up the 5th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 13th and 16th. A north-westerly, on average the strongest of the three winds, can be an absolute brute, especially on the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 13th and 17th.
The five hardest holes last year were: 13th=1, 18th=2, 17th =3, 16th=4, and 8th = 5. It's safe to say the reason for all these holes
rating so difficult during the course of the tournament is the presence of water and wind at the same time. With four of the five hardest holes featuring on the back nine, experience and nerve with be required to negotiate these holes successfully on Sunday afternoon.
Colin Hunt, Clearwater's director of golf, said that because of the course's links-type layout and lack of trees, there is no where to hide from the wind.
Clearwater hole-by-hole:
Hole 1: 393m Par 4
On a calm day 3 wood for position off the tee. The green slopes from back to front.
Hole 2: 521m Par 5
Very reachable in two, this dog leg right par 5 will yield birdies and eagles. 3-level green makes pitching and putting a challenge.
Hole 3: 329m Par 4
Shortest par 4 on the course. Doglegging sharply from left to right, this hole presents a difficult target for the second shot with a split level green.
Hole 4: 155m Par 3
4 or 5 iron into the wind; 7 or 8 down wind. All water carry, as is the case with all of Clearwater's par 3's.
Hole 5: 549m Par 5
A very penal par 5 into the wind, none but the longest hitters will reach this green in two. Water all along left, bunkers on right, green elevated.
Hole 6: 384m Par 4
A much tougher proposition than last year's classic with areas of substantial rough added to the left and right of the driving zone, the green is small and protected by a deep greenside front trap.
Hole 7: 352m Par 4
Another Par 4 that has been beefed up from last year with pockets of rough. Still a generous driving hole that should yield its share of birdies, with accurate iron play.
Hole 8: 370m Par 4
Changes enormously in the wind. Driver 9 iron or driver 4 iron. Water down right. When played into the easterly the water on the right hand side comes very much into play.
Hole 9: 187m Par 3
The longest of Clearwater's par 3's at 188 metres, players struggled to keep the ball dry at this hole, with the menacing water lurking on the right.
Hole 10: 530m Par 5
Absolute beast into the wind. Water all down left side.
Hole 11: 174m Par 3
As with all the par threes at Clearwater, this plays over water to a very large putting surface, that presents an array of pin placements.
Hole 12: 366m Par 4
Green very undulating and fast - accuracy critical from the tee to avoid fairway bunkers left and right.
Hole 13: 416m Par 4
Very narrow green, wind major influence. Could be driver - 2 iron or 3 wood - 8 iron. Wind, water and solitary tree make this difficult with treacherous greenside rough coming into play.
Hole 14. 475m Par 5
A real birdie opportunity for players of this calibre, 14 is a short Par 5 that is protected by a very narrow landing peninsula for the tee shot. Once negotiated many players will reach the green in two.
Hole 15. 336m Par 4
Another Par 4 that has been beefed up from last year with deep rough down left. Still a generous driving hole that should yield its share of birdies.
Hole 16: 185m Par 3
Frightening into the wind, although last year's runner up Andre Stolz produced the perfect shot during Saturdays round.
Hole 17: 404m Par 4
A difficult tee shot with the fairway at right angles to the tee. A deep bunker loosely modeled on infamous Road Hole bunker at St Andrews is situated at the front right of the green.
Hole 18: 407m Par 4
Probably Clearwater's signature hole, very demanding. The tee shot can be very intimidating when played into the wind with water lurking obviously on the left.
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