The Preserve · Hole 4
Back
140
Forward
120
Fully exposed on the clifftop headland with no shelter from any direction, Hole 4 is the crosswind laboratory of the Preserve. At 140 yards it is mid-iron territory in still air — but the perpendicular wind that sweeps across this headland makes it play like a puzzle with a changing answer every few seconds. Read the wind, commit to your aim point, and swing with conviction.
Shot-by-Shot Strategy
Tee Shot
Pick an aim point well to the upwind side of the flag and swing normally — do not try to curve the ball into the wind with extra spin, as the wind will overpower the shape. Determine wind strength at flag level by watching the pin. If the pin is nearly horizontal, add two full clubs and aim 15–20 yards upwind of the target.
Putting
The crosswind exposure continues on the green itself. Greens at exposed clifftop positions often have a pronounced slope toward the prevailing wind side — expect putts to break more than they appear. Factor the wind into very long lag putts; a stiff crosswind can move a lagging ball several inches offline.
⚠Gotchas — What Kills Your Score
- •Crosswind holes tempt players to steer the ball — this tightens muscles and destroys strike quality. Commit to an aim point and make a free swing.
- •Club selection in crosswinds is less about going up or down and more about flight height. Control height first, then worry about distance.
- •The wind can gust between your practice swing and your actual swing. Develop a short pre-shot routine to minimize elapsed time in the wind.
Wind Intelligence
This is the most exposed hole on the course. The headland geography creates a true crosswind with no mitigation from the cliff edge or any tree coverage. In a strong southwest crosswind, aim at the far left edge of the green and let the wind bring the ball to center. Wind assessment here is non-negotiable — do not step up without watching the flag for at least 10 seconds.
Hazard Map
- ▲Cliff exposure on both left and right sides
- ▲Deep fescue runs around the entire green complex