#2 is a par four.
368 yards from the black tees.
335 from the green tees, according to the card.
I say "according to the card" because I marvel at how short the hole is based on the scorecard every time I play it. When you play it in the summer wind and then reflect on the round weeks or months later, the hole feels like is plays much closer to 400 yards. Shoe bunker grabs your attention right as you step to the tee. It's small, it's deep, it's right where you want to hit the ball in the middle of the fairway, and it is penal. Based on the yardage on the card, it doesn't seem like carrying it should be an issue from the green tee. As a moderate hitter (with no wind, I'm generally a 230-250 guy with best drives going 260 or 270) I can tell you that the carry isn't a foregone conclusion. Into the wind, I've carried the bunker, I've landed in the bunker, and I've come up short of the bunker. Carrying the bunker and placing your ball on the left side of the fairway is ideal in my opinion. There's plenty of room out to the right, but you get a less visible, more challenging approach shot. Coming up short and left makes the approach long and potentially blind as well.
This hole has one of the best greens on the course in my opinion.
This is the first of many GREAT par 4s on the front nine.
View from the tee
A bit wider view from the tee. I like the look of the giant dune on the right, though it really isn't in play.
A look at the right side of the fairway - the safe landing area
Come up short of the bunker on the left side and you are left with this dreadful approach
Challenge the bunker and this can be your reward on the left side
or this
One look at the wild green (with #6 green in the distance)
A look back on the hole. This is one of my favorite photos. The shadows really compliment the green contours. This is a prime reason this course must be experienced at least once early in the morning (for the front nine) and once in the late evening (for the back nine)
Discuss!