Play-a-Hole – #15

By:
Corey Roberson, Director of Golf

For the fourth edition of Play-A-Hole, we are going to finish off our Par-5 theme and will be discussing #15. The 15th must be played with respect — if you get too aggressive, a quick double can be had … if you give it the respect it demands, you could walk away with a birdie.

The Gold tee on #15 isn’t seen by many players as it stretches this hole out to almost 600 yards and provides a totally different angle than the traditional teeing ground. The majority of our players are challenging #15 from about 525 yards, which brings both left bunkers into play. At least 230 yards is required to cover the first bunker — anything less will leave you with a tough shot as the bunker face is very steep. Longer hitters will want to challenge the first left bunker as there’s a speed slot if you can fly it about 260 yards off the tee. A safe tee shot played up the right side of the fairway will leave you options. On the second shot, the safest play is up the left side of the fairway as it takes the centerline bunkers out of play and can leave you a full wedge into the green. You can play a little more aggressively towards the front of the green but you must play a little right of the third centerline bunker.

Whether you are hitting a 5-wood into this green on your second shot or a wedge for your third, you’ll want to get a number to the back edge of the right greenside bunker. If you play off this number, it will protect you from landing on the back of the green as it slopes away from you and the ball will often run off into the penalty area. If the pin is on the right side of the green, your safest play is either short or even short left. While there is a little ridge short left and your ball will be below the green, it’s an easier up-and-down than pin high right. The only exception to this rule is if the pin is on the front left side of the green — if that’s the case, pin high right isn’t so bad. When the pin is back left — take about five yards off your number and play to the right side of the green … I’ve seen so many beautiful shots end up long that landed close to that hole location.  

Corey Roberson is the Director of Golf at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at 830.336.4653 and croberson@cordilleraranch.com.

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