Hole # 1
The opening hole at karambunai measures 375m and plays to a par
of 4. A sprawling bunker encroaches into the fairway from the right
and is in play for only the longest drive. The approach to the green
sets up best from the right side of the landing area as a bunker
and grass hollow guard the left side of the landing area as a bunker
and grass hollow guard the left side of the putting surface. This
hole presents the golfer with a straight forward challenge to allow
a quick clean start to the round.
Hole#2
The second hole I a stern straight away par 4 measuring 410m which
requires powerful, accurate ball striking. The directional bunker
well beyond the landing area provides an alignment aid and a lake
flanks the right side of the fairway. Having successfully negotiated
the tee shot, even the best players will have a long iron approach
to an elongated and undulating putting surface. A par on this
difficult hole will almost certainly vanquish your opponent.
Hole#3
The first of the par 3's, hole #3 stretches 194m. To reach the
safety of the right half of the putting green, the player must
negotiate a bunker while access to the left half of the green
requires a force carry over water. For those who are up to this
stringent challenge, birdie opportunity awaits on the gently contoured
green.
Hole#4
The 485m, par 5, fourth hole offers the golfer a distinct choice
of alternatives. After a solid tee ball, one can elect to carry
over a pond to set up an easy pitch to the green, or play to the
more generously sized ribbon of fairway to the right. From here,
though, a delicate wedge or 9 iron shot over a massive 90m long
bunker is required. Although selecting the appropriate course
of action may be difficult, the strategically minded golfer will
revel in it. The key to success on this hole may be remaining
focused on your game rather than the scenic view through the ironwood
trees to the ocean on your left.
HOLE#5
The 320 dogleg right fifth hole is a challenging mid length par
4. Water parallels the entire right side of the hole and a cluster
of three fairway bunkers frame the outside the outside dogleg.
Under favorable wind conditions, the big hitter may attempt a
shortcut by playing to a lobe of fairway which protrudes into
the lake. From here, only 50m pitch shot is left to set up a birdie
opportunity.
HOLE #6
Although the scorecard distance of the par 4, 6th hole is 338m,
many golfers may be playing mid irons into this green. By selecting
a fairway wood or long iron from the tee, one plays to generous
stretch of fairway and avoids the bunker and lake which narrow
the landing area to a mere 20m. Having chosen the more conservative
tee shot, the player must now approach the smallish green projected
by bunkers to the right, with as much as a 4 or 5 iron. To score
a birdie here, the player must be in control of both the mental
and physical aspects of his game.
HOLE#7
This 167m, par 3, features a diagonally oriented green guarded
by water. The back right portion of this green offers a challenging
tournament pin position at which only the boldest will shoot.
For the less aggressive, bail out room is available at the left
front of the green. From here, the golfer must rely on the short
game to salvage par.
HOLE#8
After a series of confining driving holes, the 490m, par 5, 8th
hole offers the opportunity to swing freely at their driver. The
second and third shots, though, again require both mental clarity
and precise ball striking. The second landing area is criss-crossed
by bunkers which greatly define potential targets and consequently
the golfers options. These bunkers completely extend to the green
to both protect its front and complicate the approach shot, regardless
of the route selected.
HOLE#9
The 314 dogleg left, par 4, 9th hole returns the player to the
clubhouse through a grove of flowering tropical trees. The tee
shot must negotiate a bunker on the right and series of grass
hollows at the landing area, and the green is similarly surrounded
by grassy depressions. This hole offers a competitor one last
chance to affect the outcome of his front nine match.
