Palms Golf Course
Hole By Hole Playing Tips
Hole #1 Par 4
This starting hole is a long par four, a good drive is needed straight over the huge palm tree / sand bunker complex to leave your best approach, from here you’re left with a lengthy shot, be mindful of the bunker just short of this shallow green or you will be left with a difficult long bunker shot.
Hole # 2 Par 4
This is a par four that doglegs to the left, a tee shot pulled somewhat to the left will find the water hazard which skirts most of the left side of the fairway, any tee ball hit right will find the palm trees and bunkers that had to be negotiated on the preceding hole, the green is somewhat elevated and surrounded by bunkers.
Hole #3 Par 3
The third hole is a long par three with water on the left and a large island bunker short right, bunkers are also found left and behind the large and fairly flat green, a slight bailout short left will allow a chance to get up and down for par.
Hole #4 Par 5
This # 1 handicap hole is a dogleg right par five with a water hazard to the right that is hidden off the tee, there are bunkers which will grab any tee ball hit to far left, if you can hug the right side of the fairway with the tee shot you are left with a much shorter second shot, although it leaves a blind shot over the water, left is best here and with a good lay up you will only have a wedge to the green.
Hole #5 Par 4
A straightforward mid length par four with little trouble, unless your tee ball is hit well to the right you may reach the water hazard, a couple of bunkers guard the left side of the fairway, but with generous room to the right you are left with a relatively simple second shot to the easiest hole on the front 9.
Hole #6 Par 4
This next hole provides a demanding test, as it usually plays into the prevailing wind. The water on the right is reachable off the tee, the green complex is surrounded by green side bunkers and palm trees, be cautioned that an approach shot hit to far will find a water hazard behind the green as well.
Hole #7 Par 3
The par 3 seventh is a challenging par three with water hazards found in front and behind the green, there is ample bail out room to the right and left but you will find a difficult chip to this two tier green.
Hole #8 Par 4
This lengthy par four can be made easier if you can cut off some distance by playing to the left side of the fairway, be careful of the water hazard on the left as you play your second shot to the green that is guarded by a deep bunker short and right.
Hole #9 Par 4
The long par 4 ninth hole heads back to the clubhouse and is challenging off the tee due to a water hazard left and a huge bunker right, if you can hit the fairway by taking it over the forward tees you are left with a much easier second shot to this large slightly undulating green.
Hole #10 Par 5
The tee shot on the tenth demands a carry over a ravine on this slight dogleg left par 5, your second shot plays downhill to this green complex which is guarded by ample bunkers and palm trees. A large bailout area short right of the green will leave the best angle for your approach and a possible birdie.
Hole #11 Par 3
A beautiful par 3 that plays all downhill, with plenty of room short it is your best chance on this hole, a stray tee ball hit left, right or long will find the desert areas that surround the green.
Hole #12 Par 4
Number twelve is one of the most deceiving holes on the golf course; measuring only 322 yards on the scorecard it plays much longer since it is all uphill and into the prevailing wind. Take 1 to 2 clubs extra as you hit your approach to this long narrow elevated green.
Hole #13 Par 4
This hole is also difficult even though it is short in yardage, with plenty of bunkering to the left, desert to the right and a hidden green from the tee you must land your tee shot middle right to have the best approach to this well guarded green.
Hole #14 Par 3
The fourteenth hole starts a stretch of closing holes that are visually spectacular, this par 3 has trouble that abounds, your tee shot must clear a ravine, abundant natural desert on both sides, and difficulty long. There is a small bailout area short; leaving a complicated uphill chip to a green you can not see.
Hole #15 Par 5
The signature hole at the Palms is a spectacular par five with a 114 foot vertical drop from tee to fairway. A good drive is needed to reach the fairway even though it plays considerably downhill, with a canal on the left and desert to the right finding the fairway is crucial, from here a lay up to the left side of the fairway produces the best angle into the green.
Hole #16 Par 4
Another short but tricky par 4 is the 16th, the water hazard on the right is reachable and the canal on the left is hazardous, a tee shot running to the left will be damp, laying up to the right side of the fairway is the sensible play which will leave a short iron to a elevated green that doglegs slightly to the left.
Hole #17 Par 4
Seventeen requires a precise shot from another elevated tee box, with water hazards and bunkers left and right, finding the center of the fairway is key, stopping your ball short of the water the golfer will need an accurate mid to short iron for their second shot, but be careful since the natural desert area looms closely behind the green.
Hole #18 Par 4
18 is a wonderful finishing hole, long and all uphill it requires a well struck tee ball, make sure you take 1 to 2 clubs extra for your approach to the green. Short is the best place to miss, as bunkers are found left, right and behind the green
