This par 72 has an especially attractive and unusual design. It is made up of six par 3s, six par 4s and six par 5s, making it different, demanding and unique.
Did you know that on hole 18, the course designer left his mark by creating a bunker in the shape of an S for Severiano?
Hole-by-hole guide
Hole 1 PAR 4 HCP 2
Dogleg left. By aiming to the right side of the fairway, you will have a better angle to shoot for the green. That way, you avoid having to shoot over the pine trees that protect the green from the left side. Another bunker protects the entrance to the green from the right side. The green is not very big and has a few drop-off spots that are unnoticeable at first glance.
Hole 2 PAR 4 HCP 4
Uphill hole. Avoid the bunkers on the right from the tee shot. The entrance to the green is well defended by bunkers on both sides and pine trees to the right. The raised green has two levels that are undetectable on approach with a sharp drop-off toward the entrance from the lower level.
Hole 3 PAR 5 HCP 8
A slight dogleg left with trees on both sides of the fairway. From the tee box, the best way to set up the second shot is to aim for the right side of the fairway. The hole stands out for its two large bunkers protecting the entrance to the green on the right and left. They both pose a tricky obstacle for any type of player and must be avoided at all costs. The green is wide and has a few slight dips.
Hole 4 PAR 3 HCP 15
On this par 3, you must hit a high shot to avoid the pine trees stretching out over the left rough. This doesn’t leave you much wiggle room, as two bunkers sit to the right of the green. The green is large with multiple drop-offs.
Hole 5 PAR 3 HCP 13
The next few holes reward accuracy over power. This short par 5 features a narrow fairway boxed in by trees on both sides. The hardest part is the approach shot, as the green is shaped like a figure of eight and is protected by a lake in front and a bunker on the left. There is not much margin for error on the back side either, given the sharp drop-off. It’s the sort of hole where taking risks can prove costly.
Hole 6 PAR 3 HCP 13
You need to reach the green on the fly, given the undulation before the green. It’s best to aim left, given the green’s sharp slope towards the right. But don’t forget about the bunker on the left-hand side…
Hole 7 PAR 4 HCP 16
The shortest par 4 on the course, filled with traps. A long tee shot doesn’t guarantee an easy second shot towards the green. If you drift right, there’s a bunker between you and this very narrow green. The shot to the left may be better, but the trees along the fairway can throw a spanner in the works. This small green has two levels, with a sharp slope towards the left.
Hole 8 PAR 3 HCP 14
A very short par 3, but not that easy. The entire green drops off towards a lake looming on the right side. This green is also very long, so club selection can vary significantly depending on where the flag is placed. Taking the safe road to the left doesn’t make things easier, as the narrow green slanted towards the lake leaves a complicated shot.
Hole 9 PAR 5 HCP 5
The best tee shot would aim left in order to have a better angle on this slight dogleg right. The approach shot is a bit more forgiving from the left, but avoid the left-hand bunker and the trees to the right of the green. The wind can change this hole dramatically. When it comes time to putt, take into account that the entire green slopes to the right.
Hole 10 PAR 3 HCP 17
The OB to the left and the hidden lake to the right of the green make this a complicated hole. The small ridges to the left of the green tend to be forgiving of mistakes. It’s the only hole without a bunker, but the lake makes its entrance very narrow.
Hole 11 PAR 5 HCP 6
The tee box, located on the highest point of the entire Sancti Petri, offers sea views and may be the most spectacular hole on the course. Once again, aim your drive left, as it will make your next shot easier on this dogleg right. The ridges in the rough area makes the end of the fairway difficult. The hardest part is the green, with its half-oval shape, making the approach and putting a real challenge.
Hole 12 PAR 3 HCP 12
An uphill par 3. Two very deep bunkers protect the narrow and raised green. The scrub brush to the left side is considered a hazard. The green plays uphill and has a small undulation at the beginning.
Hole 13 PAR 4 HCP 2
Slight dogleg left with a wide undulation at the beginning of the hole. The fairway is wide, but you must take the bunker on the right into account for your tee shot, along with the hazard on the right side of the fairway and another bunker on the left as you get to the green. The approach to the green doesn’t give you much leeway, as it is well protected by the lake on the right-hand side and an undulation and bunker on the left.
Hole 14 PAR 4 HCP 2
This par 4 is undoubtedly the most complicated hole on the course, mainly because it is very long. You need two nice long shots to hit the green in two. Even if you blast a nice drive down the middle of the fairway, a tall pine tree looms to frustrate your free shot towards the green. It gets even more complicated at the green, which is protected by two bunkers at the front and a lake at the back. At least the green is pretty flat though.
Hole 15 PAR 4 HCP 7
Slight dogleg right, uphill. The tee shot is best aimed to the left to avoid the pine trees on the right of the fairway. On the approach shot, two almost undetectable bunkers defend the front of the green. Avoid them, especially the one on the right, as it really gets in the way. The ridges at the end of the green help stop long shots. The green has slight drop-offs that are difficult to notice at first glance.
Hole 16 PAR 3 HCP 9
Keep in mind that this par 3 is long, even if it is downhill. The danger comes from the two bunkers at the front of the green and the lake that surrounds it on the right and at the back. The green is large, with two levels.
Hole 17 PAR 5 HCP 18
One of the few straight holes on the course. The tee box opens to a wide fairway. Approach shots are best from the right side, keeping you from the enormous bunker protecting the entrance to the green. The green has a small mound on its front left, creating a downward slope towards the right throughout its entire surface.
Hole 18 PAR 4 HCP 10
The grand finale with the signature of the course designer, Severiano Ballesteros. The bunker in a shape of an “S” is strategically placed to the right of the fairway to incite players to cut through the fairway and have a better angle towards the green, as a few pine trees get in the way on the left side. The green is very long with a diagonal design towards the right, and is protected by a bunker in front. This last hole can be played in many different ways.
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I think golf, above all, requires one thing: that you have your feet firmly on the ground and are very humble.
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