Old Mac · Hole 2
Blue
461
White
386
Gold
321
Red
221
A long par 4 featuring one of the course's Sahara-inspired cross bunkers — a massive sandy waste stretching across the fairway that must be carried on the second shot. The hole demands two quality strikes and is one of the more demanding par 4s on the front nine at 461 yards into a typical headwind.
Shot-by-Shot Strategy
Tee Shot
Driver to the maximum comfortable carry distance. The Sahara-style cross bunker requires a second-shot carry — the further the tee shot, the shorter the carry over the bunker. A drive of 260 yards leaves approximately 180 yards to carry the cross bunker. From short of 250 yards, the cross bunker requires a longer iron carry that is difficult to execute precisely.
Approach
The cross bunker forces a full commit on the second shot — there is no short-side bailout. Carry it fully and aim at the center of the green. The green is wide but slopes away from the approach; land the ball past center to keep it from rolling through the back. A ball on the front portion of the green is a very makeable par putt.
Putting
The green slopes from back to front with a subtle left-to-right lean on the right half. From above the hole, pace down significantly — this green can be the fastest on the front nine when the course is playing firm. Aim putts from left of center with right-to-left break allowance.
⚠Gotchas — What Kills Your Score
- •The Sahara cross bunker is massive and unavoidable — there is no route around it. You must carry it. Under-clubbing on the approach is the most common error on this hole.
- •The headwind into hole 2 makes the cross bunker carry feel even further. Add one to two clubs to your typical distance for this shot.
- •A green that slopes away from the approach means long is often worse than short — but landing short of the cross bunker requires a recovery over it from even more difficult conditions.
Wind Intelligence
Hole 2 runs into the prevailing southwest wind, compounding the difficulty of the cross bunker carry. In a stiff headwind, even a well-struck second shot needs to be a fairway wood or long hybrid to comfortably carry the hazard. In a rare tailwind, longer hitters may be able to carry it with a mid-iron — a genuine birdie opportunity.
Hazard Map
- ▲Sahara-inspired cross bunker requiring full carry on approach
- ▲Back slope behind green collecting overhit approaches
- ▲Fescue rough both sides of fairway