Hole 1
Par 4 – 320 Yards
A lay-up for most, with a hidden pond awaiting 230 yards off the tee gives the “big hitter” a choice to drive the pond which is a 275 yard carry and reach the green. Driving the pond may not give you an easier approach shot than if you lay-up. The green is closely guarded by two bunkers front left and right. From there the green is sloped back to front and left to right.
Hole 2
Par 5 – 495 Yards
A slight dogleg left par 5 is reachable in two by long hitters setting up a chance for eagle. Be wary of the hazard that runs along the right side. For the average hitter a lay-up to 100 yards is best as a full wedge to this green guarded by two bunkers, one on the front left and one on the right side. This green has several undulations, but it is the subtleties that make it difficult to drain putts.
Hole 3
Par 4 – 370Yards
A hazard on the right and a daunting tree 150 yards off of the tee on the left and playing slightly up hill gives the golfer a tough challenge. A blind shot and long narrow green gives the golfer a deceptively difficult approach. The raised green and false front and back to front sloping target add to the task awaiting.
Hole 4
Par 3 – 173 Yards
A downhill par 3 plays a club shorter but be careful of the bunker short left and the hazard on the right. A small slope in the front of the green may help the ball bounce onto the putting surface. The green does slope from right to the left and many balls landing on the left side of the green may funnel off. Do be aware of the prevailing wind as it may be behind you and influence your club selection on this hole as well.
Hole 5
Par 4 – 413 Yards
This is one of the toughest holes on the course as it doglegs left. Favor the right side of the fairway as the left is guarded by several trees and a large shrub. The approach shot may be influenced by the prevailing wind and the slight downhill slope. The green is nestled between two large bunkers on the right and left. Do not go long as the green slopes from front to back and makes it a very difficult up and down.
Hole 6
Par 4 – 375 Yards
This hole slightly aims you to the right off of the tee, which may be good as a lateral hazard runs along the left. There are also several trees on the right side which makes this a difficult driving hole. A good tee shot sets up an approach from 150 to 100 yards. The “Ross” like raised green sloping back to front makes several approach shots come up short and makes getting up and down difficult.
Hole 7
Par 3 – 145 Yards
This uphill into prevailing wind shot makes this shortish par 3 play a club longer. Once you reach the green the challenge just begins as this is the most sloped green on the course. The green slopes severely from back to front making it important to keep the ball below the hole. However the green has a false front and is raised which makes the tee shot and getting up and down a challenge for all golfers.
Hole 8
Par 4 – 375 Yards
This is a dogleg right that has several obstacles. The first being the tee shot to a fairway that has trees on the right and left sides. After a well hit tee shot favoring the left side, you are left with an approach shot from 125 to 100 yards. A pond in front of the green and a bunker on the right makes the approach shot visually intimidating. The green slopes from back to front, but has a swale in the middle left part of the green which funnels the balls off the green. This hole as a rule plays as one of the hardest holes on the course.
Hole 9
Par 5 – 555 Yards/485 Yards
This par 5 has a tough tee shot as it is deceptive on where to land the ball from the back tee. From the forward tee position the fairway runs out at 240 yards giving players an option to lay up or hit it down in a gully filled with 3 inch rough. Also from the forward teeing area is a lurking pond on the left 275 yards off the tee. This hole does provide chances for eagles from the forward tee but can also bring double bogey into play. The approach shot is often from the 100 yard range as full shots are easiest to the green. The green has a bunker on the right to guard against players who try and reach this green in two shots. This green slopes slightly from back to front and right to left.
Hole 10
Par 3 – 154 Yards
This wonderful looking medium length par 3 can be one of the most challenging on the course. Hitting your tee shot short will leave you a difficult up and down as you are well below the green surface; however, shot landing long or left will also leave a tough second shot to get close, thus putting a high priority on choosing the right club and hitting an accurate shot to one of the smallest greens on the course.
Hole 11
Par 4 – 352 Yards
A dogleg left with a lateral hazard that can come into play extending the length of the hole on the right side and mature trees guarding the left puts a decision in the golfers mind. The average hitter can hit driver to the edge of the dogleg at 125 yards, and the long hitter taking some risk can try to drive over the trees to cut the corner and get close to the green. The green is very unique as it is difficult to hold a variety of shots, a ball rolling over the green could catch a large bunker which sets well below the green surface.
Hole 12
Par 4 – 378 Yards
The only blind tee shot on the course makes this hole unique. The fields on right are out of bounds and the large trees on the right create a tough driving hole. A good drive will leave an approach shot of 125-100 yards left to the green. This green which is rather flat, has a bunker on the right and out of bounds long. The green has many subtle breaks and is one reason its tough to make birdies on this downhill par 4.
Hole 13
Par 4 – 300 Yards
A drivable par 4 for the long hitters, but can be a realistic scoring possibility for all level or length golfer. The landing area narrows about 70 yards from the green and has numerous trees and shrubs that can hinder the approach shot if not cleared from the tee. One bunker is guarding the right side of the green for the golfers who try and drive the green. The golfer who cannot drive the green is left with a blind shot to the green making it difficult even though it is only of 100 yards or less. The green has a ridge in the middle of the green and subtle breaks on both sides of the ridge.
Hole 14
Par 4 – 337 Yards
One of the easier holes on the course lays right out in front you. Trees lining both sides of the fairway and out of bound beyond the fence behind of the green are the only obstacles in the golfers way. This is a birdie hole for some and a par for the majority of golfers.
Hole 15
Par 5 – 553 Yards
This is one of the toughest holes on the course for any skill level. The tee shot is key as a couple large trees and a menacing on the right come into play. The fairway is sloping towards the creek that runs along on the left. The second shot does not get much easier as it is a dogleg right from here. There is a grove of trees on both right and left sides of the fairway and a creek that separate the two fairways, the best shots will end about 100 yards from the green. The approach shot is straight forward; the green is gently sloped from back to front and from left to right and surrounded by mounds. After playing this hole a golfer realizes why this is the #1 handicapped hole on the course.
Hole 16
Par 3 – 195 Yards
The tee shot gives the appearance of going through a chute making seem tighter than it is, with a long club this can be intimidating. Trees guarding the right side of the green can be hazardous as they can deflect balls into the creek below. The green is sloping from back to front and with many subtleties making it tough to drain a putt for birdie, par, or bogie.
Hole 17
Par 4 – 363 Yards
A medium length par 4 provides another scoring opportunity for most golfers. This appears to be a dogleg right because of a large tree on the right, which visually shapes the hole. A good tee ball will land 125-100 yards from the green leaving a short approach to this large green. The green has small undulations, and gently slopes from right to left.
Hole 18
Par 4 – 390 Yards
In 1922 when Riceland Golf Course opened this was hole #1, but in 1968 when the present day clubhouse was built it became the finishing hole. The hole is slightly up hill but nothing tricky about it. An approach shot after a good drive would be from about 150-125 yards. The green has a large mound on the right and a bunker on the left to help guard this undulated green. The green slopes from back right to front left, be careful as putts can get away if not fully focused.