Some more pics of the 18th hole:
From the yellow tees
From the blue tees
Just in front of the two left bunkers
The view of the green once over the bunker
The view of the green from the right side
Looking back over the hole from behind the green
Hole 18 is probably the hardest hole for people playing the course for the first time, especially when they get stuck in a piece of unfinished sand after hitting a perfect drive (poor David, but you got a free drop
).
Funny enough I have scored very well on this hole the 10 times I have played the course. The other funny thing is that I ALLWAYS play left with my second shot. That is the smartest way to play unless you goof up your drive. The choice you have is then to go directly for the green (a driver and 3 wood for me if no wind), play over the left bunkers and let the ball release towards the green (the slope behind the bunkers helps a lot) or if your drive is short lay up before the left bunkers. The visual decption is that there is a lot more space on the left than you think.
Most players do play over the right, and then do not play right enough and then end up in the water. Again there is ton of space on the right, its just a longer route to be safe.
Jur vd Vaart, who plays on the secondary US Tour, made easy birdie from the blacks (driver, 3 iron, chip, put) when we played the course together.
The critical part on this hole is the center line bunker on the drive. To go for the green in two you really need to be left of it. If your drivers length is shorter the choice to make is do you go left or right.
I thought long and hard about putting in the first bunker, my worry being that wihout it, it would lack the challenge on the tee shot. Still not sure that is the issue that makes the hole so difficult with players. I rather think the second bunker on the right is the bunker too much, it confuses the hell out of people playing their second shot right.
Maybe also the stroke saver should tell people that going left is a lot better option (and easier) than they think....