Riptide

Set along the coast of Northern California, this par 5 encourages teams to challenge the small area between the central fairway bunkers and the beach. Those who successfully land their ball in this zone will be rewarded with the opportunity to reach the island green in two shots.

On the other hand, those playing safer from the tee box out to the left will most likely have to take three into the green. They will be faced with a decision: Lay up short in the fairway and leave a longer third shot or attempt to carry the low dunes to reach the far side of the second landing area, which brings risk but drops out closer to the green.

Hole Strategy

Hole Designer: Nicklaus Design

Nicklaus Design senior design associate Chad Goetz talks us through the thought process on Riptide and discusses how our teams may approach it:

Chad says: "This hole is very flexible, but can top out at over 600 yards and it is conceptually set in the northern Californian coast with rocky shorelines and dunes beyond it.

"The tee shot is kind of reminiscent of Pebble Beach, the 18th hole, except this one goes left to right. Players can be very daring and try to hit it along the coastline, which they'll pick up a little more distance and be able to go for the green in two shots.

"If they miss it out to the left it's very safe, but the carry to reach the green can become very challenging so they will most likely have to lay up.

"The green itself is an island on a rocky cove and it should have some exciting shots."