Old Mac · Hole 9
Blue
370
White
295
Gold
230
Red
130
A shorter par 4 that ends the front nine with an approach to a punchbowl green — one of the most distinctive design features at Old Macdonald. The punchbowl collects approach shots from a wide surrounding area and channels them toward the center, making this one of the more forgiving approach shots on the course despite its distinct visual character.
Shot-by-Shot Strategy
Tee Shot
Three-wood or driver to the center of the wide fairway. The approach angle to the punchbowl green is excellent from any part of the fairway — the bowl shape eliminates the typical left-right approach angle concern. Aim center and place the ball in any short grass position.
Approach
The punchbowl green gathers shots from a wide area — even approaches from 10 yards off line will typically funnel toward the center. The key is distance: land the ball at the correct level on the bowl's slope and it rolls to the center where most pins are placed. Under-shooting the bowl finds the front slope and rolls back off; over-shooting the bowl runs through the back.
Putting
Putting in a punchbowl green means most putts break from all sides toward the center low point. From anywhere in the back portion, the putt breaks toward the front-center. From the sides, the break is toward the center. First-time visitors are surprised by how much break there is even on seemingly flat putts.
⚠Gotchas — What Kills Your Score
- •The punchbowl gathering effect tempts players into careless approach shots. You must still land the ball at the correct distance — the bowl gathers laterally, not in distance.
- •The front slope of the bowl is the most common miss — the ball rolls back 10–20 yards down the slope. Take enough club to reach the bottom of the bowl.
- •Putts from the back of the bowl are among the fastest on the course — pace is the critical variable, not direction.
Wind Intelligence
Hole 9 runs back toward the clubhouse in a direction that typically plays in a crosswind or slight tailwind from the southwest. After the brutal headwinds of holes 7 and 8, this tailwind hole provides welcome relief. In a tailwind, the approach plays shorter — don't fly through the back of the punchbowl.
Hazard Map
- ▲Front slope of punchbowl rejecting short approaches
- ▲Back of green — overhit approaches run through
- ▲Fescue rough surrounding the approach zone