Pinhal Golf Course Tips

Hole 1 (Par 5)
498 469 393
Unusually this course opens with a fairly long par 5. As the fairway rises slightly up to the half-way point the green is not in view until you reach the crest. From the tee favour the left hand side for the drive where the line for the second shot is more open to a gentle downward slope. The raised and split level green is well defended with a tree and bunker inset into the bank on the right. On the front left there is a large mound and a shallow bunker behind.

Hole 2 (Par 4)
400 374 337
This is a tough hole with a slight dogleg left for the average player. The drive should ideally be threaded through a narrow gap between pines to set up a good end result. However, then there remains a solitary pine in the middle of the fairway to be negotiated. This is about 64 metres from the front of the green which has a narrow entrance between a pair of bunkers.

Hole 3 (Par 5)
560 495 422
This is a great golf hole due to its fairway layout. Guarded by pine trees along the fairway a straight drive from the tee will be rewarded. There is a slight dogleg right to left on your second shot into a generous fairway. From this position you will be able to attack the flag on your third shot that plays longer than it looks. The green has not many breaks so a good putt could be rewarded with a birdie.

Hole 4 (Par 4)
362 339 275
A scenic hole where water comes into play on the approach and where placement of the tee-shot on the downhill fairway is the key. This will prevent being blocked out by pines right and left for the shot to the green which is played over the left edge of a lake. Two bunkers left defend the tricky and contoured putting surface.

Hole 5 (Par 3)
177 168 122
In hole was extended from its original short layout by adding more metres depending on which tee used. Another undulating green which is well guarded by the lake on the right plus the three threatening bunkers.

Hole 6 (Par 4)
394 379 323
This hole is an excellent test of length and accuracy for those going for the green in two shots along a narrow fairway. The tee shot should be drawn away from two fairway bunkers on the right to be in ideal position for the approach. A restricted entrance to the green is made by bunkers.

Hole 7 (Par 4)
389 365 319
The seventh hole bends gradually right presenting a more generous fairway. Avoid flirting with the trees on the right with your drive. A long- to mid-iron will be needed for the slightly uphill second shot. There is a bunker on the right 39 metres short of the putting surface and another greenside on the left front.

Hole 8 (Par 3)
147 140 114
This short hole is most challenging as it is played by carrying a pond to a two tiered green offset from short right to far left. Three sand traps to the right back and one front left complete the hazards.

Hole 9 (Par 4)
359 325 302
A wide-open fairway where normally only the bunkers should prevent a player from achieving a par or better. The approach however should preferably end up below the flag as downhill putts can be awkward.

Hole 10 (Par 4)
348 307 278
A blind drive from the tee up this hump-backed short hole. The approach is to a very narrow green with a drop off to the left which is so critical that precision is essential to be in a position to putt for an unlikely birdie.

Hole 11 (Par 4)
333 324 302
This hole has a sharp dogleg to the left some 90 metres from the front edge of the green. A fairway wood or even long iron from the tee to gain a position to the right is recommended. The green has a small step half way creating two tiers that can affect placement of the approach.

Hole 12 (Par 3)
168 154 126
A pleasant but fairly straightforward mid length hole to an undulating green guarded by bunkers on either side and mounds at its entrance.

Hole 13 (Par 5)
522 508 460
A hole with a Stroke Index 1 that challenges any standard of golfer. The fairway is uphill most of the way so both the drive and second shot are played blind. Once up on the plateau the approach is to a generous green albeit protected at both sides of the entrance by two bunkers.

Hole 14 (Par 3)
130 113 100
This hole is short at only 130 metres from the white tee but in compensation it has a bunker that defends the left side of the green. A tree just left of this trap also makes the shot problematic for tee positions left of centre.

Hole 15 (Par 4)
319 281 242
Played downhill, this hole is where the driver should be left in the bag as a reachable stream crosses the fairway at an angle close to the raised green. Being devoid of bunkers the hole only requires an accurate wedge shot to a green with undulating putting surface.

Hole 16 (Par 4)
339 314 292
All three fairway bunkers on this flat fairway are bunched on the left between 70 and 112 metres from the front of the green. The green has defending bunkers on either side of the entrance.

Hole 17 (Par 5)
496 487 464
Definitely a dogleg right hole for thinking golfers! By using a driver from the tee the player can easily run out of fairway where the 90º dogleg kicks to the right. As the bend is defended by trees attempting a shortcut is too much of a gamble, so the best option from the tee is a fairway wood. The second is then played over the bend as far as you dare up the rising fairway for the approach to a green guarded by three bunkers.

Hole 18 (Par 4)
412 372 335
This is a tricky finishing hole that can easily be a card wrecker. Initially the fairway is uphill so the green is not visible from the tee. The line from the tee should be right of centre. The downhill approach is treacherous with three deep bunkers controlling the narrowest of entrances to a green full of borrows. Par or better here is a true bonus.

Pinhal Golf Course Layout