Parkland at Legends Resort: 3 Best Holes

June 8, 2015

Parkland No 9.jpgNo. 9, 340-yard, par 4: The course’s shortest par 4, No. 9, a dogleg right, plays just 317 yards from the blue tees and 308 from the whites, so it’s definitely reachable for long hitters. The question is whether players should try to drive the green.

There is a monster bunker that is 20-30 feet deep in front of the green, a creek to the right, and out of bounds on the left. The creek and OB are hole-killers and a trip to the bunker isn’t much more inviting. Play conservatively – iron off the tee and wedge in – and it’s fairly simple. But most golfers have a little gambler in them.

“It’s either A or B, you go for it or you don’t,” Biddington said with a smile when asked what advice he would give players.

No. 13, 225-yard, par 3: Lucky number 13 is one of Parkland’s best and there is nothing complicated about what it takes to succeed. For men the hole plays between 175 and 220 yards, depending on the tees, and much of the distance is forced carry. For women it plays 150 yards.

Wetlands loom in front of the teeing area and a large, elevated green is surrounded by deep bunkers, particularly on the left. The green – 35 yards deep, 40 yards wide – offers plenty of real estate but a miss could be costly.

Pick a club you are confident with and don’t come up short.

No. 15, 580-yard, par 5: A true three-shot par 5, natural wetlands cut the 15th fairway in half, challenging high and low handicappers alike. Drives that travel more than 300 yards will end up in the wetlands, which require approximately 70 yards to clear. What high handicappers want to avoid is having to layup before going over the wetlands.

“The second shot is the key,” Biddington said. “You have to get over the wetlands and then you are left with a short iron (to the green), but if not you are left with over 200 yards on your third shot to a par 5, which isn’t good.”

The green is accessible but flanked by bunkers on both sides.