Sol Vista Course Detail
The day we played, the greens were downright shaggy, and therefore really slow. If you’re used to fast greens, these make you think they’re defying the laws of motion. Balls appear to go from full speed to a dead stop very quickly. I don't play this course often enough to tell if they were just overdue to mow the greens, or if they keep them this slow on purpose.
The opening hole is a modest par 5 (520 yards from the white tees, with a slight bend to the right, and playing slightly downhill. There are bunkers strategically located near favored landing zones. These will serve to encourage hitting clubs that will keep the ball under control, more or less. Not to worry, the green is easily reachable in three for Bogey Golfers, especially because of the thinner air. This is a forgiving opening hole -- take advantage of it, and leave the driver in the bag while you find your swing.
The second hole is a challenging 208 yard par 3, with a pond down the right hand side. This is the kind of a hole that I don't "go for". If I can get a bogey, I'm happy. Rather than try to stretch out with a four iron, I'll be more inclined to hit an eight and a wedge. Sometimes you can make up-and-down pars with this approach, but bogey is an okay score on a hole like this.
The third hole is a short (358 yards) par 4. However, it's still not time to take out the driver. The landing zone is a bit constricted (native areas left and right), and there's a creek running straight across the fairway. Patience is a virtue -- keep your swing slow and steady, and place your shots carefully.
Hole #4 is also a short par 4 (347 yards). It's one of the few places where the forest comes into play (don't slice into the woods on the right!). Plus there's a pond on the left, which contributes a definite feeling of claustrophobia here. Again, hit the ball straight, even if you have to drop down to a short iron, and take three shots to reach the green. Just to emphasize the importance of an accurate approach, that pond reaches a finger in from the left right in front of the green.
Hole #5 is really short (334 yards). There are bunkers everywhere, but it's a short enough hole that even us bogey golfers can get there in two. Plan it backwards -- if you can place a 180 yard tee shot safely, then you're left with 150 into the green. "Place" is the operative word here -- bunkers everywhere...
Hole #6 is a par four 432 yard monster. The pond on the left lurks in the back of your mind, but because of the length, I'd still recommend hitting the driver. By now, you should be pretty well limbered up, and there's plenty of room to the right. The green is well bunkered, so place your approach shots carefully -- if you need to lay up on your second shot, that's probably better than risking a blast out of a bunker.
Hole #7 is a long par 5 (558 yards). It's pretty wide open, and driver is a good play here. The fairway narrows down next to the green, so make sure your second shot leaves you in good shape for a final approach shot.
Hole #8 is an interesting par 3. At 173 yards, it's more approachable than #2. There's no water; however, there's a huge bunker to the left, which the green wraps in behind. The Bogey Golfer's advice: don't mess with the bunker. Play your tee shot to the right side of the green, even if the pin is left.
Hole #9 goes back up the hill toward the clubhouse. It's pretty long (394 yards), and plays even longer because of the climb. A pair of fairway bunkers squeeze the fairway down severely right about where a well-hit drive would land. Respect those bunkers! Lay up with a three wood, and pay the price of an extra stroke climbing the hill if you need to.
Hole 10, Par 3, 155 yards. It’s uphill, so take one extra club (it’s an optical illusion because the hill doesn’t look that steep. Take the extra club anyway! The hole is well protected by bunkers.
Hole 11, Par 4, 403 yards. It’s a half mile drive between 10 and 11 - I don’t recommend walking the back nine! The tee shot is over a lake, so you have to pick the right line to match your carry. This is a bit more difficult because Sol Vista’s carts don’t have GPS. It takes a pretty big drive to aim for the 150 yard market. You might want to aim right of it if you don’t have a 200+ yard carry.
Hole 12, Par 5, 487 yards. This is almost an exact replica of Hole 11, except that it’s a par 5. Same problem with teeing over the lake. Don’t be too aggressive on the line you take. The hole is short, so you can afford a conservative tee shot. The second shot has tons of room available - aim for the middle of the fairway. The third shot comes into a green that’s protected on the left by a large bunker.
Hole 13, Par 4, 360 yards. This hole is another long drive in your cart. When you finally get to the top of the ridge, the view is spectacular in all directions. Especially notice the ski runs on the mountain behind you as you line up for the tee shot. The hole is not especially long, so pick a club you can hit straight. The second shot comes into a green that’s protected on the left by a bunker.
Hole 14, Par 4, 378 yards. This hole runs back alongside #13. It feels a bit constricted on the left because of the cart path and the natural area. If you run too far away to the right, there’s a bunker strategically placed to catch your tee shot. But don’t panic - there’s plenty of room in the fairway.
Hole 15, Par 4, 384 yards. The trick on this hole is to get a decent tee shot, which doesn’t need to be long. There’s no room right on your second shot, and the green has a huge bunker in the front left.
Hole 16, Par 4, 433 yards. This is the toughest hole on the back. The hole is long, very narrow, and downhill. Let the downhill roll work in your favor, because there is no room on either side. Your only bail out is short. The tee shot must be straight. On your second shot, be aware that there’s a big natural area in front of the green. If your tee shot was too short, you’ll need to lay up. However it’s still downhill, so you’ll get an extra 10 yards or so for free!
Hole 17, Par 3, 161 yards. Very intimidating hole over water. If you’re going to miss, miss left. The farther right you hit, the more of the pond comes into play. There’s a bunker guarding the green’s backside, so think about the bunker, not the pond.
Hole 18, Par 5, 526 yards. This is a very interesting hole. The tee shot has to carry a big natural area in order to intersect with the fairway which wraps around it from the right. Don’t be too aggressive picking your line. The distances are longer than you think. It’s important to reach the fairway on your tee shot. Aim at the first bunker on the far side of the fairway. The hole is downhill, so adjust your club on the third shot coming into the green.
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