A look at the course with Chris Card, director of golf at Westin Innisbrook Resort.
By Times Staff
Published October 29, 2003
The Front Nine (No. 1 easiest, No. 6 hardest)
No. 1, Par 5, 560 yards
This double-dogleg opening hole offers an excellent opportunity to get off to a good start. Despite its length, players will be disappointed if they don't make a birdie. This ranked as the easiest hole on the course during the 2002 Tampa Bay Classic. Although the green is protected by bunkers both short and to the left, there is the possibility of running a second shot onto the green if the tee shot is long enough. Most players will lay up their second shot, however, allowing for a short wedge and a birdie opportunity.
CHRIS CARD SAYS: "This is a great opening hole, and a birdie here may lead to more good things."
This hole moves slightly to the left, and the second shot can be blocked by trees if the drive is not far enough to the right. The green is elevated and guarded by huge bunkers in front. A pond can come into play off the tee if the drive is too far right.
CHRIS CARD SAYS: "Proper club selection for your second shot is a must if you hope to make a birdie here."
The tee shot presents a dilemma. If you want to be assured of staying out of the water, you will leave yourself a long second shot. To hit the ball farther, however, leaves less room for error. It's a narrow landing area between the water and out of bounds.
CHRIS CARD SAYS: "The pros will have a difficult time making par here if they miss the green."
One of the course's signature holes. It is a demanding, tree-lined, uphill hole with a blind second shot. It would be nearly impossible to reach this green in two shots, and the second must avoid a tree that is in the fairway. It is rare when a par 5 plays over par, as this one did last year. The green is small and well-bunkered.
CHRIS CARD SAYS: "This is a great par 5 for pros and amateurs. Once you get to the green, it is large, undulating and deceptively quick."
The most difficult hole during last year's tournament, the sixth is a brute at 465 yards, even though it's downhill. Woods guard the hole on both sides, and the fairway slopes to the left but curves to the right, making for an awkward tee shot. The second shot will be no bargain, either. The lie likely won't be flat, and a long iron could be necessary to reach an elevated green that is severely contoured. This hole yielded the least birdies of any on the front nine during the 2002 tournament.
CHRIS CARD SAYS: "The toughest par-4 on the front side. No. 6 won't yield too many birdies."
Bunkers protect the landing area, and the fairway curves slightly right and uphill toward the green, which makes the hole play longer.
CHRIS CARD SAYS: "This scenic, uphill par 4 offers a tight landing area protected by bunkers on both sides. With an elevated green and some wind, the second shot plays at least 10 yards longer than the card."
THE BACK NINE (No. 10, hardest. . . No. 14 easiest).
No. 10, Par 4, 445 yards
Each of the first two days, half the field must start on this hole, a tough way to begin a round of golf. Last year, No. 10 was the second-hardest hole at Copperhead, and it yielded the least birdies for the week. The tee shot is downhill, which makes the hole look shorter than it is. The fairway is guarded by a bunker to the left and woods on the right. Then there are bunkers that guard a green that slopes severely from back to front.
CHRIS CARD SAYS: "Don't be surprised if you see a few three-putts here. On this back-to-front sloping green, putting will be very difficult."
There is plenty of trouble if a player doesn't find the fairway, but in truth, this is one of the few scoring holes on the course. Some players will be able to reach it in two if conditions are right.
CHRIS CARD SAYS: "A great drive will tempt the pros to go for the green in 2. But the treacherous bunkers surrounding the green can be devastating if those second shots are off the mark."
A relatively short hole. It typically doesn't require a driver off the tee. In fact, players will want to figure out the best club to perfectly position their tee shots behind a pond for an approach to a small green.
CHRIS CARD SAYS: "Driving your tee ball too far on this hole will get you into trouble. An accurate mid-to-short iron should leave you with a good opportunity for birdie."
A downhill tee shot over water is deceiving because the hole never plays as short as it seems. A ball hit short or to the right will find the water, and there is a bunker guarding the green to the left.
CHRIS CARD SAYS: "With water short, and bunkers to the left and right, this beautiful par 3 requires accurate club selection."
You will be hard-pressed to find any player who believes this hole is "easy." But it turned out to be the easiest, at least according to the statistics, in 2002. A good tee shot will allow some players to go for the green in two shots, but that is no easy proposition as the second shot is blind and will have to fly over a pond that is short of the green. The fairway is a double dogleg and players will need to know the exact yardage if they want to lay up their second shot in perfect position. The green is long, and is guarded on the left by Innisbrook's largest bunker.
CHRIS CARD SAYS: "The Copperhead's signature hole is one of the great par 5s in golf, and the double dogleg is tricky and narrow, even for the pros."
Considered one of the best holes in the Tampa Bay area. It is especially tough coming down the stretch. With water guarding the right side and woods on the left, the landing area is very small off the tee. Even a good drive leaves a long second shot to a well-guarded green.
CHRIS CARD SAYS: "This starts a fantastic stretch of finishing holes. With water running the entire length of the hole, this par dogleg right is not only the longest but might be the most difficult par 4 on the course. This hole could very likely determine the outcome on Sunday."
A deceptively difficult par 3 that has bunkers and trees protecting both sides of the hole, which has a long green. After the 16th and before the 18th, this hole appears to be easy, but it is not.
CHRIS CARD SAYS: "Accuracy is key off the tee on this par 3, as the swales and undulations on the slick green can present some problems."
This uphill finishing hole that will be surrounded by tents and luxury suites can be an intimidating place to complete a round of golf. It is not a hole where a birdie is expected. The approach is to an elevated, hidden green, which slopes back to front and is surrounded by bunkers.
CHRIS CARD SAYS: "An awesome finishing hole. No. 18 requires the ideal tee shot to be right-center. It's all uphill from there to a severely sloping, two-tiered green that is well-bunkered."
