Pacific Dunes · Hole 2
Blue
532
White
452
Gold
382
Red
282
A long par 5 that drops dramatically down through the dunes, giving long hitters a genuine opportunity to reach the green in two while punishing anyone who lets the excitement of the downhill tee shot lead to an errant drive. The fairway tumbles through a series of natural dune ridges before opening up on a large, complex green. This is one of the most exhilarating tee shots at Pacific Dunes — the ball simply seems to fly forever downhill.
Shot-by-Shot Strategy
Tee Shot
The downhill tee shot adds 20-30 yards to your normal carry. Aim for the center of the fairway and resist the urge to swing out of your shoes — the ball is already going to go a long way. The fairway pinches at the base of the first dune drop; drives that are 30 yards offline will find thick native rough that makes reaching the green in two impossible. The right side of the fairway is generally safer; the left side drops off into a dune hollow.
Approach
From the fairway at 220-240 yards out, long hitters can consider going for the green. The main danger is the bunker complex that guards the right side of the approach — a push or fade from this range will find sand. Layup players should aim for 80-100 yards from the green, leaving a full wedge. The green is large and receptive but tilted, so know which third of the green the pin occupies before committing to a target.
Putting
The large green at 2 has significant undulation from back to front with a pronounced ridge across the middle. Eagle putts from the back half require careful navigation of this ridge — the ball will change direction significantly as it crosses. On birdie putts, focus on getting the ball to the correct side of the ridge based on hole position and let the contour do the work.
⚠Gotchas — What Kills Your Score
- •The exhilaration of the downhill tee shot leads many players to swing too hard and lose control — trust your tempo.
- •The fairway pinches at the base of the dune and catches drives that are not precisely aimed.
- •The right-side bunker complex on the approach is in exactly the line of a slightly pushed long iron or fairway wood.
- •The ridge in the middle of the green divides it into two entirely different putting contexts.
Wind Intelligence
The southwest wind is a tailwind on this hole, which combined with the downhill gradient makes the hole play significantly shorter than its yardage. A 280-yard drive in calm conditions becomes a 320-yard drive with wind and elevation working together. From the back tees, strong players can legitimately threaten the green with a well-struck fairway wood second shot. Into a rare headwind, this hole plays much closer to its true yardage.
Hazard Map
- ▲Native dune rough pinching the fairway at the base of the first drop
- ▲Dune hollow on the left side of the fairway
- ▲Bunker complex right of the green approach
- ▲Ridge through the middle of the green creating two distinct putting surfaces