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While the first hole appears to be a straight-away par four, most players are pleased with a bogey 5 because of the treacherous two-tiered green which awaits the approach shot. Get above the hole and you will usually find yourself chipping or putting back up the hill.
One of Chicago’s toughest Par 3, the true test of this hole begins after you reach the green. At 32 yards in depth, the well-bunkered green is sloped from back to front and remembered for the subtle crowns that divide it into 3 sections.
While the fairway of this uphill par 4 is one of our widest, the out of bounds on the left and the fairway bunker plus trees on the right makes hitting this fairway difficult. Though kinder than its predecessors, the third green is protected by a greenside bunker on the right, a run-off on the left, and a deep drop off the back.
Even though the driving area is generous to the left, a fairway bunker on the right tends to be a magnet for any drive going that way. The heart of this par 4 lies in the demanding second shot that plays a bit downhill to one of the smallest greens on the course. A large tree on the right and bunkers in front and to the left of the green make any approach very difficult.
The green on this causal dogleg is hidden from the tee and a slight draw will leave the ideal approach shot, just watch for the fairway bunker on the left. Even though the green is quite level compared to most of Midlothian, bunkers on both sides border it and subtle breaks make putting a challenge.
It is not known whether the name applies to the shape of the narrow, deep green or the high scores often recorded. Either way, a very demanding uphill tee shot and out-of-bounds on the left plus trees on the right contribute to make this long par 4 one of Midlothian’s most difficult hole. Miss the green to the right and the runoff areas can take your ball for a ride.
The only par 5 on the front nine. While the large green appears to be straight-away from the tee, the keys to success lie in keeping the second shot to the left of the tree-lined right side and avoiding the severe fairway bunkers. A deep green is protected by bunkers on either side and a creek behind.
One glance at the shallow green sitting quietly in the distance tells you that making par on the front side at Midlothian is not easy. Length, trees, bunkers and a deceptively tricky green make this hole one of the most challenging on the course.
While the landing area for the tee shot on this very long par 4 looks generous, very long fairway bunker on the right can cause havoc for your second shot. Even the most perfectly struck approach shots often settle just short of the green or run through it because of the severe left to right slope that most members call impossible. With a pond on the right of the green and clubhouse patio to the left, this green can make even the best players think twice.
The tenth is probably the most difficult fairway to hit from the tee because the landing area slopes toward the rough and trees on the right side. While “Cottage Row” provides a wonderful view and the pear-shaped green is large, the left greenside bunker and out of bounds over make this is a very challenging par 4.
Eleven begins a stretch of holes that might be our most picturesque. While this is a relatively short par 4, a very narrow landing area with bunkers on the left, out–of-bounds along the right side and a very large, elevated green make this hole one that can never be taken lightly.
Even though only a short iron is required to reach this hole on many days, it had better be well struck and above all, it had better be straight because of an elevated green and the pond with “fingers” that surround the front position of the green. And, if you are above the hole, you might as well mark it down as a three-putt.
Drive the ball long down the right side for an open look at the green just make sure to avoid the two fairway bunkers. Hit your second shot too far left and the thick timber lining the entire left side will lock you out. A challenging green slopes from middle to front and beyond a ridge, from left to right.
A true risk-reward hole for those longer hitters who might go for the green. For the shorter hitters, even an iron is not easy as water, trees and deep bunkers offer enough of a challenge. Another hole where being below it gives you a chance at par.
While this plays as the easiest of the par threes at Midlothian, and our most straightforward hole overall, it always seems to provide more of a challenge than expected. This may be due to a prevailing breeze or the deep bunkers guarding front, left and right of the green.
On this final par five, many of the tee shots will find fairway bunkers lining the right side of the fairway. Approach shots often stray into bunkers surrounding the green and a back-right pin placement can require an occasional “chip” from one side of the green to the other.
Drive it long and straight and you might wonder where the name came from. Hit it anywhere but straight and you will discover that the only thing easy about this long par 4 is the shady walk from the level, yet very difficult front to back sloped green to the home hole.
Another risk-reward hole for the longer hitters. Water and a breathtaking view of the clubhouse make the finishing hole one of the prettiest at Midlothian. One look at the green will confirm that when Walter Hagen birdied this hole to win the 1914 U.S. Open, he kept his approach shot below the hole.