The Preserve · Hole 5
Back
115
Forward
95
An uphill par-3 that plays to an elevated green perched above the tee. The elevation gain adds meaningful yardage to what looks like a short-iron distance, and the uphill angle makes it difficult to judge carry precisely. The green is one of the more elevated on the course, giving it the feel of shooting at a target on a pedestal.
Shot-by-Shot Strategy
Tee Shot
Add a full club for the elevation gain — 115 yards uphill plays more like 130–135 in still air, and potentially 150+ with a headwind. The angle makes it critical to carry the ball fully to the putting surface; shots that land on the slope below the green will reject sharply and leave a difficult chip. Fly the ball all the way to the green.
Putting
The elevation creates a green that slopes back toward the tee — meaning putts from the back of the green will be fast and tricky downhillers toward the front. Leave approach shots on the front half whenever possible to ensure uphill putts. Back-pin positions are particularly dangerous.
⚠Gotchas — What Kills Your Score
- •Players consistently under-club here. The visual illusion of a short shot to a clearly visible green makes the uphill factor easy to dismiss.
- •Balls that land short of the green face a steep bank that deflects them far left or right. There is no soft miss short — carry the green fully.
- •The front of the green is the best miss area. A chip from the front fringe is straightforward; a chip from the bank is not.
Wind Intelligence
A headwind on this hole is compounded by the elevation gain — in a strong headwind, the effective distance can be 40 yards more than the marker. When the wind is helping from behind, be careful not to over-club and fly the green, which slopes sharply off the back. Read the conditions carefully before deciding on trajectory.
Hazard Map
- ▲Steep bank below green — no soft miss allowed short
- ▲Fescue left and right of the approach bank