One of my favorite holes on the course. This is the half that I think makes Southern Hills a great course.
Hole 10 – 366 yards
The terrain of Southern Hills takes on a different tone with the back nine. Unlike the fairly even fairways of the opening holes, the rumpled ground plays a significant part in the design of the holes coming up. Maxwell became infamous for his use of the reverse-canted fairways that ran away from the eventual target. The tenth is a perfect example of this aspect of the design. Maxwell routed this hole to run along the slope of the hill and to provide an added challenge to the player as they attempt to fade a shot into the right side of the fairway and avoid a lie in the thick rough to the left.
Unlike the second and third holes, the tenth may be an example of where trees have helped to maintain the original design intent of the hole. Without the trees on the right side, the hole would be open to direct attacks from the tee and have very little in the way of true defenses. Most players will have a pitch into the green on this short par four and have to get a good feel for their shot as it runs up the hill to a green benched into the hillside. Also playing tricks on their mind is a knob short of the green that helps to disguise the true distance to the flag as a depression short of the putting surface is hidden.
As with all the greens at Southern Hills, there is ample protection for the ill struck shot with four sand hazards standing guard. The green is also extremely slick and runs from back to front. Pins in the back will be difficult to get near with the full wedge shots as the spin will take balls to the lower front portion of the green. This hole is a fun introduction to the backside of the course and is perhaps the last legitimate birdie chance in a while for the player.
Hole layout
From the tee in black and white showing the slope off of the hill
A photo from the club's website that shows the knob short of the green
A closer view of the green from the right.
Link to 9th hole