Hole #11 “200 yards”
Playing uphill, and especially when into the wind, the wise player will select enough club to ensure his ball makes it well onto the surface on this stellar par 3. The turf found short of the green is shaved and slick. As such, the base of the hill directly in front of the green is a popular destination, as are the right front bunkers. The brown patches seen in the green played like linoleum. The Tiger tees are set well back and to the left of the other 6 (!) teeing areas provided.
Looking towards the left front of Hole #11 from the 16th tee, the bunker guarding the left flank is apparent, as is the fall away at the left rear. This green is very deep (42 yards), but bailing out long to avoid the slope short of the green will leave a testy putt or recovery shot. If the pin is in the front (as it was for me), it isn’t difficult to knock one’s second shot off the front of the green.
Finding the left hand bunker might leave you with the ball well below (as pictured) or above your feet on a severe upslope. On the plus side, that velvety sand plays much more nicely than the rock-filled mud at your local muni. This green is exposed to the sun and winds, making it very quick (as noted, like linoleum in places on the day of play). Accordingly, recovery shots must land softly to hold to the putting surface. Keep those hands low and open that clubface!
Looking back toward the teeing areas, this photo from the Ballyneal website shows some of the more prominent green contours. The bunker seen at the left center of the photo is behind the 10th green.
A well-struck tee shot should yield a par on this hole, but there is enough challenge to keep things interesting. The hole presents a number of different recovery scenarios, as will the weather, all of which combine to keep things fresh and fun during round after round.