Hole Description.

A solid par 5 that will reward good play, but punish a lazy attitude. As always at Royal Palm the tee shot is important to avoid the trees and thick rough. A dense corps of trees just off the right side sits 230 yards out from the tee which is a popular spot for the amateur golfer. Two fairway bunkers, 300 yards up the left side are in range for the longer hitters but there is enough fairway space to avoid these obstacles. A lake that begins 115 yards short right of the green is the main danger for the second shot. This can easily be avoided by laying up short of the trouble. A long, narrow, contoured green will need careful negotiation to avoid an unwanted 3 putt. All in all, this par 5 can be easily tamed if played with a sensible head.

The Pro’s Way:-

A solid drive down the right hand side of the fairway will give the largest portion of fairway whilst steering clear of the fairway bunker. A well struck shot will put the green in range with a long iron or fairway wood. Pay attention to the bunkers short right of the green and the encroaching OB left of the hole. If the green is out of range then the strategy should be to lay up with a medium iron, which will leave a simple pitch up the long green. This is a chance to recover a shot as birdie is a possibility here.

The Amateurs Way:-

The ideal line from the tee is towards the fairway bunker on the left side of the fairway. This will keep a good distance from the dense corps of tree 230 yards out on the right. Play the hole as a definite 3 shot hole by laying your second shot up short of the fairway bunkers and lake on the right. If you can keep the ball in play after two shots, then the approach to the green from 130 yards should cause few problems. Plot your way up this hole carefully and you could be rewarded with a par 5.