Old Macdonald – Front Nine
No. 1 Double Plateau
Yardage: 304 yards from green tees (par 4)
Description: The landing area for the drive is a huge fairway, the norm for Old Macdonald. The green has two plateaus, and the best approach angle depends on where the flag is. The hole plays into the prevailing wind in the summer, making it longer than its yardage. When the wind isn’t strong, or when it plays downwind in the winter, some players can get close to the green. The principal’s nose bunker guards the front of the green
Inspiration: National Golf Links No. 11.
No. 2 Eden
Yardage: 162 yards (par 3)
Description: The first of three par-3 holes on the front nine is a style that was considered classic when C.B. Macdonald was designing courses. The green slopes from the back to the front, where two bunkers protect the putting surface, including the deep revetted bunker. There is enough fairway between the two bunkers to run the ball up to the green. The hole plays into the prevailing summer wind.
Inspiration: St. Andrews No. 11. Also: National Golf Links No. 13.
No. 3 Sahara
Yardage: 345 yards (par 4)
Description: The classic Sahara hole includes a blind drive over a tall dune. It’s only 150 yards to get over the dune on the right side, but players can get much closer to the green if they challenge the big tree on the left, which has quickly become the signature image of the course to many golfers. The fairway slopes toward the green on the other side of the dune. The green is an enormous sloped putting surface.
Inspiration: Royal St. George’s No. 3. Also: National Golf Links No. 2.
No. 4 Hog’s Back
Yardage: 472 yards (par 4)
Description: This is the longest par 4 on the course, but plays downwind during the summer. A narrow ridge runs diagonally through the fairway from left to right away from the tee box. Any drive to the right side of the fairway that doesn’t get across to the downward side of the ridge leaves a golfer with a long, blind second shot. The rest of the hole plays in a valley between two dunes.
Inspiration: Lundin Links No. 17. Also: National Golf Links No. 16.
No. 5 Short
Yardage: 134 (par 3)
Description: The shortest hole at Old Macdonald comes with one of the biggest, and most challenging greens. There are several distinct levels on the green for pin placements, and getting the right one is important to avoid a difficult putt. A huge bunker slopes away from the right side of the green and a smaller sand trap protects the left front edge. A play to the center of the green is safe.
Inspiration: Royal West Norfolk No. 4. Also: National Golf Links No. 6.
No. 6 Long
Yardage: 520 (par 5)
Description: The longest hole also plays into the prevailing summer wind, making it a true three-shot par-5. The dominating feature from the tee is a gaping sand trap 100 yards short of the green modeled after the famed Hell bunker at St. Andrews, complete with railroad ties. The green includes several levels, with a steep rise on the front right making pitch shots difficult.
Inspiration: St. Andrews No. 14. Also: National Golf Links No. 9.
No. 7 Ocean
Yardage: 345 yards (par 4)
Description: One of two Old Macdonald original holes, this is also the only one that gives the best views of the Pacific Ocean. The hole plays into the summer wind, with the second shot uphill to the huge green, which sits on a dune ridge overlooking the beach. The second shot will play longer than the yardage, and balls hit short or long can run into trouble The safe place to miss is the left side of the green.
Inspiration: None.
No. 8 Biarritz
Yardage: 170 yards (par 3)
Description: The defining feature of this downhill par 3 is the green, which measures about 75 yards from front to back and features a huge swale in the middle. The front of the green also slopes away from the tee, but sits on a hill, so it’s impossible to run the ball up to the putting surface. The original green that inspired this hole, at Biarritz France, no longer exists.
Inspiration: Yale No. 9. Also: Piping Rock No. 9.
No. 9 Cape
Yardage: 352 yards (par 4)
Description: The classic Cape hole design is a dogleg to the right, with a risk-reward tee shot. In the original hole built by C.B. Macdonald at National Golf Links, the hole curves around a pond. At Old Macdonald, the hazard is gorse and a series of bunkers. The safe play is far to the left, but leaves a longer approach shot. Golfers who successfully cut the corner will have a much easier second shot.
Inspiration: National Golf Links No. 14. Also: Chicago Golf Club No. 14.
RELATED POSTS:
