Golf Holes

Hole-by-Hole Description

No. 1 - 378 yards, Par 4

The opening hole at Falésia D'El Rey plays up a narrow valley in the native pine forest. A dry, sandy waste area runs along the right side of the fairway, crossing just 40 yards before the green. The best direction off the tee is straight down center of the wide fairway for the best angle of approach to the elevated green. Players misjudging the length with a ball over the green will be faced with a difficult shot to a green that slopes from back to front.

No. 2 - 176 yards, Par 3

This is the first of the “one shot” holes on the golf course. The green is nestled into a long ridge descending from the left. Players need to judge their shot wisely as the ocean breeze coming up the valley behind the green can move their shots off line. A sandy waste area behind the green awaits players who miscalculate the length to this downhill par 3.

No. 3 - 418 yards, Par 4

The gentle downhill roll of this par 4 plays directly toward the ocean. This is a great driving hole where players will try to advance the tee shot by reaching the downhill roll 40 meters past the landing area. A deep, sandy waste area that runs along the entire right side of the hole will punish a pushed tee shot. This barren waste area and scattered bunkers that line the right side of this hole should be avoided. A deep bunker guards three-quarters of the right side of the green. The best chance for a birdie is to play it long and down the left.

No. 4 - 490 yards, Par 5

At the first of the par 5's, players may need to consider something less than driver should and place their tee shot to the left side of the wide fairway to allow a direct approach to the green. A hazard area runs across the fairway just past the landing keeping players from shortcutting this hole. The second landing area is fairly open. Players should stay clear of the left greenside bunker. The long, narrow green lies beyond a large ridge that blinds the green for players approaching from the right.

No. 5 - 216 yards, Par 3

This long par 3 plays at the ocean, catching the full force of the prevailing wind. The green is located on a sandy knoll surrounded by native heather and sea grasses. The hazards to be avoided are the deep pits on the left side of the green. A tee shot hit too boldly may run through this green, sloping from front to back.

No. 6 - 451 yards, Par 4

The sixth hole asks the player to make an important decision off the tee. A player who risks carrying the left-hand bunker can gain substantial yardage and shorten the hole. The conservative shot to the right gains little extra yardage due to the swale in the fairway that acts as a "speed bump." The left fairway bunker just short of the green blends visually into the natural sand dunes that rise upward and along the back of this hole. Shots that are pushed into the collection area right of the green will be faced with a tricky up and down pitch created by the subtle contouring of the natural dune.

No. 7 - 614 yards, Par 5

This long par 5 plays across the dunes with dramatic views of the historic Obidos coastline. A cross-hazard divides the two landing areas. Though very large, this hazard appears small as the shot is played to an oversized green guarded by an “island” of dunes including a large bunker on the left and a continuum of dunes on the right. The gently contoured green with views of the Atlantic Ocean is quite a stunning setting. A birdie here will require a heroic effort.

No. 8 - 368 yards, Par 4

The long drive played down the left side will gain a strategic advantage. The golfer playing safely away from the diagonal hazard will not be punished. However, depth perception to the green will be obstructed by a fairway bunker well short of the putting surface. This green has panoramic also has views of the Atlantic Ocean. Shots missed left will meet grave consequences in the form of a deep pit.

No. 9 - 376 yards, Par 4

This hole, generally defined as a “cape hole”, presents golfers with a risk-reward challenge. A pond that will collect all the drainage water from the out-course, holes 1 – 9, has been incorporated at a diagonal angle to the line of the tee shot on this dogleg left. If a player overestimates his power and the wind at his back, he is sure to pay a penalty. Players that play safely away from this hazard to the right are not punished but the fairway bunkers short of the putting surface will obstruct the view onto the green. The approach slopes toward the lake on the left and a ball hit short of this green will roll toward this water hazard. Bunkers bracket the green, leaving golfers the option to bounce their shot into the green.

No. 10 - 400 yards, Par 4

Teeing up in front of a clubhouse audience, players hit away toward the ocean, into an undulating dune lined fairway. Golfers will be tempted to swing away into the prevailing wind on this downhill par 4. This drive demands precision. A large fairway bunker just past the landing area awaits the pushed shot. Short hitters need to stay clear of the bunker hugging the right side of the fairway 60 yards short of the green. The approach must avoid a steep fall off to the right and a well-placed bunker if it is to reach the green. Thick dunes placed 10 yards behind the green will snag the overpowered approach. There is a premium on proper club selection.

No. 11 - 392 yards, Par 4

Beware! From the back tee, a carry of 180+ yards over a deep valley of lush scrub vegetation is required before the fairway is reached. A bunker setting up the front edge of the fairway poses little threat but may cause apprehension. The fairway is relatively flat but tapers toward the green allowing the longer the drive to gain advantage into the smaller potential landing area. A fairway bunker lies out in front of the players, hiding enough of the fairway and green to alter depth perception. Another bunker lies 35 yards short of the green while appearing to be green side. The narrow but receptive green demands a well thought approach as the edges of the green fall away in all directions into grassy hollows and present a difficult chip shot to recover.

No. 12 - 209 yards, Par 3

The green stands 209 yards from the back tee and demands a very precise shot. Golfers will hit to a picturesque green that is framed by tall pine trees on both the right and left, while defining the deep ravine behind the green. The shot requires a fade to avoid the long bunkers on the right of the green. A draw will find one of the three bunkers that line the left side of the hole. Any shots hit through the green will roll down a steep slope and end up in the rough 10 meters below the putting surface.

No. 13 - 517 yards, Par 5

The safer drive to the left side will take the lake out of play however the tall pines will block the view to the green and the bunkers protecting the left side of the green. An ideal drive, hugging the lake edge on the right should try to use the left to right tilt of the fairway to help a shot turn on this reachable par 5. If needed, the second landing area is generously located at the base of a steep slope that creates an amphitheater for the greenside. A single pot bunker guards the green on the right. A narrow neck of fairway represents the entrance from a huge bunker defining the entire left side of the green. The green is small and requires accuracy. Two perfect shots should be rewarded.

No. 14 - 550 yards, Par 5

Very little yardage can be gained off this tee due to the native zone that bisects the first and second landing areas. The first landing area is wide although the swale on the left is illusive and playing from there, a golfer will be lucky to record a par. A player having a go at the green in two is given a generous opening but the shot must be straight as an arrow. Bunkers both right and left will be difficult to recover from. You may have to give one back here!

No. 15 - 390 yards, Par 4

With a true links feel, from the elevated tees there is a heroic carry of 200 yards across natural seaside dunes to the fairway. A player that gambles with the left bunkers will gain substantial yardage by taking full advantage of the natural slopes. From the center of the fairway the approach is to a green fortified by bunkers on the right and dunes on the left and rear. The approach calls for a sweeping left to right shot which is difficult for even the most accomplished player. There are many decisions to be made on this hole, particularly when there is a demanding pin position.

No. 16 - 206 yards, Par 3

If the golfer is not careful, the natural vegetation and rich scenery offered here may distract their attention. The hole is located on top of a ridge with views of the entire shoreline. After accessing the on-shore breeze, the player will calculate, hit and hope. If correct, the shot may find the green in regulation. The hidden pitch of the green from right to left is obstructed by the pot bunker short of the green. Errant club selection will often find the grassy hollows surrounding the green. This will require a delicate return to the putting surface. The lack of definition around the green with the ocean as a backdrop distracts the eye, making the actual yardage very elusive.

No. 17 - 428 yards, Par 4

The tees on this dogleg right require a forced carry over a valley to a crowned fairway of ridged dunes. Although the landing area is wide, any mishit shots will find deep, grassy depressions both on the right and left of the fairway. Here the architect has provided the right fairway bunker a target. A properly positioned provides a straightforward approach with a deep right greenside bunker snaring any offline shots. Blasting out too strongly from this bunker may find a downhill putt accelerating back past the cup.

No. 18 - 434 yards, Par 4

This finishing hole plays downhill with a backdrop ocean. The best tee shot appears to be directly at the lake that narrows as it approaches the green. This test tempts golfers to play right side of the fairway but toward the water. In all cases there is a significant carry across the lake that protects the green. If the player doubts his ability to negotiate the water hazard, take the safe route by laying up to the fairway short left. This hole will provide an exciting gallery lined finish.