9th Hole - 362 Yards, Par 4
The all-world front nine at Ballyneal finishes with a short, uphill par 4. Downwind, it's possible to drive the green or close to it, although the prudent play it to take whatever club you need to get to the fat part of the fairway. The fairway is hourglass-shaped with a narrow neck about 270 yards from the tee.
The 9th is not a difficult par if you find the fairway, but it's easier said than done. It's easy to run one into the yucca, and any number is possible from there. My pet shot is the block 60 yards left up into no man's land. Take it from me, 60 yards left is not Position A.
If you find the left-center of the fairway near the neck, you'll get a nice view of the back-to-front tilted green. There's a ridge that bisects the fairway just in front of the green, making shots to a front pin position difficult. The back of the green provides some nice backstops, so plan accordingly.
The view looking back the 9th fairway from this angle is known as "The Ed Oden". The shadows really show the magnitude of the slopes in front of the green.
Anonymous Said,
Other than the 7th and the 11th, the 9th yields the most pars on the course. The punchbowl like effect of the green surrounds often funnel approach shots on to the green.
Posted on 11:07 AM
Anonymous Said,
The 11th yields more pars than #3? I find that hard to believe.
Posted on 7:16 AM