Going to play this course(Myakka Pines) this year in Florida. Played there last year, saw the gator and it was huge.
Photo Heavy Course Photo of the Day: Naples Grande Edition
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- #27
The par 5 ninth hole requires the golfer to make several decisions over its 482 yards. First off, the offset tee requires the player to decide how much of the water they want to take on. While the lighting doesn't reveal it very well, the flattest portion of the fairway starts a good 15 yards from the water's edge. There is a low lying area at the water, and then steep and uneven mounding to separate the fairway from this low area. Speaking from experience, you can aim further left than you think - there is lots of fairway width that you can't see from the tee. Of course, if you're hoping to have a shot at the green in two you will need to flirt with the right side in order to have the shorter approach.
Here is a better photo that shows the delineation between the upper fairway and the lower, less desirable area.
Here is a better photo that shows the delineation between the upper fairway and the lower, less desirable area.
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- #28
While it may look tempting, this is one of those shots that you only want to try if you feel you can pull off 9 out of 10 times. There is a creek that runs toward the lake just past the oak tree and of course the lake itself protects the front of the green. You will need to fly the ball all the way to the putting surface in order to be assured of finding dry land; the area behind the green is built up to act as a backstop however you will be looking at the putting surface well below the level of your ball with the hazard behind so there are no guarantees you'll be comfortable if you play long.
Quite possibly the most difficult part of this hole is choosing your layup yardage; the longer you play your second shot toward the end of the fairway the more trouble you take out of play and make your third shorter. Ideally you can choose the correct yardage and leave yourself something that looks like this:
Quite possibly the most difficult part of this hole is choosing your layup yardage; the longer you play your second shot toward the end of the fairway the more trouble you take out of play and make your third shorter. Ideally you can choose the correct yardage and leave yourself something that looks like this:
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- #29
Not this:
If you choose to go to the end of the main fairway with your second, just a small pitch over the creek and a bunker is all that awaits between you and a shot at birdie. This photo also shows the slope of the green from back to front. Quite the hole to finish the front nine, or to finish off your round if you started on 10!
If you choose to go to the end of the main fairway with your second, just a small pitch over the creek and a bunker is all that awaits between you and a shot at birdie. This photo also shows the slope of the green from back to front. Quite the hole to finish the front nine, or to finish off your round if you started on 10!
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- #31
My pleasure. They do split tees, so you're not always starting on the front nine when you play here. You'll see as we cycle through the back nine that it's a pretty even split in difficulty, and that if they took the markers away you'd really have a hard time knowing if you were on the front or the back.
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- #32
If you started on the front nine, you have already experienced the common design features by the time you make the turn; if you are starting on 10 due to the split tees you don't get quite as easy a start on this round opener. A medium length par 4 at 338 yards, this hole demands that you play it from the fairway. With mounding and fairway bunkers down the right side, your eye is forced towards the left, where trees and native area awaits. Aiming at the middle of the right-hand green side bunker (in front of the pin in this photo) will leave you safely on the short grass.
You will be thankful to have only a short-iron or wedge remaining for your approach, as the closer you get to the green the narrower the fairway becomes. While the left side of centre is open for. a low runner, if the pin is on the right as it was today you will have to ensure you have the correct yardage as you are playing over the corner of the green side bunker, which you do not want to be in.
You will be thankful to have only a short-iron or wedge remaining for your approach, as the closer you get to the green the narrower the fairway becomes. While the left side of centre is open for. a low runner, if the pin is on the right as it was today you will have to ensure you have the correct yardage as you are playing over the corner of the green side bunker, which you do not want to be in.
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- #33
The par 4 eleventh hole is a slight dogleg around a water hazard that requires your full attention. Measuring in at 382 yards, the inside corner of the dogleg calls out to the golfer contemplating their line on the tee. If you choose the shortest distance however you bring both fairway bunkers and the water into play, so ensure you are comfortable with your carry yardage. You won't really give up much if you choose the safer line to the right, as although it is not visible from the tee there is a generous landing area that keeps you safely away from any danger.
As this photo taken from the right side of the bunker shows, the water cuts into the left side of the fairway more than you thought when looking at it from the tee.
As this photo taken from the right side of the bunker shows, the water cuts into the left side of the fairway more than you thought when looking at it from the tee.
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- #34
Finding the fairway is no guarantee of par; the green is protected by steep banking left and long which will redirect errant shots to a watery grave. Play away from the water and you will bring the green side bunker into the equation. The middle of the green is the safest line - shots landing just short should kick forward onto the putting surface. Par here feels like a birdie; get to the next tee!
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- #35
The 12th is the longest hole on the course. At 528 yards, this par 5 is best played straight down the middle, as multiple bunkers, trees and mounding run down both sides of the fairway.
If you're getting a faint sense of deja-vu, there is nothing to worry about. Yes, the fairways narrow down to a slim runway the closer you get to the green. If you feel like you've hit a good drive and want to have a go, make sure your line is at the middle of the green. Any shots left or right will find either of the deep green side bunkers leaving a difficult up and down.
If you're getting a faint sense of deja-vu, there is nothing to worry about. Yes, the fairways narrow down to a slim runway the closer you get to the green. If you feel like you've hit a good drive and want to have a go, make sure your line is at the middle of the green. Any shots left or right will find either of the deep green side bunkers leaving a difficult up and down.
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- #36
While it may be the longest hole, it has one of the smaller greens on the course and the green runs away from you. If played strategically birdie can be the reward, but bogey (or worse) is just as easily in play here.
Looks like a beautiful course, thanks for sharing photos, so envious. Now if this snow would melt...crossing fingers we might get out in 6-7 weeks 
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- #38
Hole 13 is a 379 yard par 4 with a lake bordering the left side of the fairway. You will want to keep your drive to the right side of the fairway, as the green is protected on the left side by deep bunkering. Keep to the right all the way if you want to make par or better here!
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- #39
While the par-3 fourteenth hole looks like a bit of a pushover at only 120 yards, the green is long and narrow protected by deep bunkering on both sides. Oh, and if you do manage to hit the green but get on the wrong half you will be forced to put through a swale that runs the entire width of the green. A pretty hole to look at, even prettier when you walk away with your par.
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- #40
The 15th hole is a short par four at only 302 yards, but don't get the idea that it's going to be easy because the yardage might suggest it. A slight dogleg right, attempting to carry the green from the tee invites all of the trouble into play. Best played as a two-shot hole, you want your drive to be slightly left of centre. Depending on your length, your approach can include the large bunker in your peripheral view. Even if you've driven past it, you only have one option - carry the ball all the way to the green as both extreme mounding and sand await any shots coming up short.
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- #41
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- #42
The par 5 sixteenth hole is a bit of a beast, but it's a really fun hole in my opinion. Playing around a lake, the majority of the left side of the hole is occupied by a ribbon bunker that may save you from the water, but will make your next shot simply a basic recovery. The tee shot challenges you to decide how much of the corner you want to try and cut off - there is a bit of visual trickery in play however. While the only fairway you can see is right of the bunkers, there is plenty of fairway over the right hand side of the strip bunker. The second gap in the trees from the left is an ideal line provided you have the carry distance to fly the bunkers. Watching your ball disappear from view after clearing the sand will put a smile on your face and allow you to relax, even if only for a moment or two.
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- #43
Here is the view up the left side of the fairway:
The green is actually set onto an section of land that extends like a finger out into the lake. As a result, going for the green in two requires a high shot that has stopping power which is further challenged by the fact that the green slopes from left to right. Coming up short is wet and running through the green is wet. Left/long is also wet. The good news is the green slopes from back to front, so if you approach it from this angle you can use the slope to your advantage as you definitely want to leave the ball below the hole. Middle or back pin placements are complicated by the fact that unless you walk/drive up to the green you can't tell how much green is behind the pin. Take your par and move on to the 17th.
The green is actually set onto an section of land that extends like a finger out into the lake. As a result, going for the green in two requires a high shot that has stopping power which is further challenged by the fact that the green slopes from left to right. Coming up short is wet and running through the green is wet. Left/long is also wet. The good news is the green slopes from back to front, so if you approach it from this angle you can use the slope to your advantage as you definitely want to leave the ball below the hole. Middle or back pin placements are complicated by the fact that unless you walk/drive up to the green you can't tell how much green is behind the pin. Take your par and move on to the 17th.
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- #44
Get your yardage here on the 17th tee and trust both the club and the number. Your tee shot must avoid the deep bunkering that fronts the green and wraps around the left side; a right miss is less penal but will require a difficult up and down for par.
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- #45
The view from the tee of the 367 yard par four 18th hole is possibly the most underwhelming of the entire course. The fairway plays up and over a ridge that obscures your view of the landing area, so you have to choose a target/line and trust it. Similar to the 16th, the right side is preferable vs. the left.
Once you crest the ridge you will have a full view of your target. Don't be fooled, though as the penalty area left cuts in closer to the green than you may think. Although your eye is drawn to the middle of the green anything short of the rock retaining wall is in the hazard. Even shots landing precariously short left of the green can be redirected into the hazard as well. A shorter version of the 16th hole, a par or better here will make the post-round beverage that much better.
Once you crest the ridge you will have a full view of your target. Don't be fooled, though as the penalty area left cuts in closer to the green than you may think. Although your eye is drawn to the middle of the green anything short of the rock retaining wall is in the hazard. Even shots landing precariously short left of the green can be redirected into the hazard as well. A shorter version of the 16th hole, a par or better here will make the post-round beverage that much better.
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- #46
There is a short drive from the 18th green back to the clubhouse, but the welcoming committee leader is usually present and ready to congratulate you on a round well played. Or, if it's been a tough day you can offer up an egg for sacrifice
Carolina Golfer
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There's a fair amount of water there. Junkyard, thanks, for another nice tour. My bucket list keeps expanding, lol.