The 13th is the shortest par-4 on the back-nine playing 293 yards from the Black tees. The fairway steadily narrows the nearer the green the golfer gets and is pinched by bunkers at 200 yards on the right and 240 yards on the left. A noticeable in person (but not so noticeable in pictures) ridge splits the fairway between an upper (right) portion and a lower (left) portion. I think the 13th is a very good short par-4, but if there is a criticism it is that I'm not convinced many golfers will be tempted to 'thread the needle'. I tend to think this would always be a hybrid-SW hole for me, but repeat plays may prove that wrong.
Hooking a tee shot to the lower portion of the fairway is a big mistake, arguably worse than finding the fairway bunker on the right. Shots going left will propel forward, leaving a 60-90 yard uphill pitch to a green that falls off long and right.
As seen from behind, the green tilts away from the line of play.
The 14th continues in the same direction as the 13th and despite its uphill nature will be reachable in two for longer hitters. Those hoping to reach the green in two will find that challenging the fairway bunkers leaves a much preferred angle of approach.
A second shot from the left-centre of the fairway shows the hazards that lay between the golfer and the green. The lay-up from here is simpler, though, and a single, small centreline bunker dictates decision-making on the second shot.
The 14th as seen from behind. Another green that ties into the external contouring flawlessly.
There is some visual ambiguity on the 15th tee, with the ideal line not clear to this golfer. With the wind blowing from the left and trouble to the right, it is a difficult tee shot for most righties.
The approach is very cool. Playing to the left off the tee leaves a blind approach over an alps-like mound. The green is shallow and wide and contoured like a biarritz green turned 90 degrees.
