‘ Your strategy depends on if it’s a two or three-shotter’

There aren’t many par-5s that aren’t a decent eagle opportunity for the bigger hitters on Tour but scoring well on these longer holes is no easy task for most club golfers. Your strategy all depends on whether you can reach the green in two. If you can then it’s worth taking on the more di cult drive. But if you can’t, there’s simply no point. Take the safer tee shot and put yourself in a good position for your third. Plan back from the green to give yourself the best chance to make a birdie without hitting any shots that you aren’t totally comfortable with.

Allow for the slope

This is a tricky driving hole with seven bunkers in your landing area and a fairway that slopes noticeably from left-to-right. The ideal shot is a draw to hold the ball straight against the slope when it lands, but you don’t want to be hitting a shape you’re not comfortable with when you have to be so accurate. If you’re a natural fader, pick a specific line to the left edge of the fairway and let the slope naturally bring the ball back into the centre.

Analyse the pin position

Most par-5 greens are designed to take a wedge so it can be di cult to stop a longer shot, especially if it slopes away from you like this one. It’s protected by five huge bunkers so you need to think about where the good miss is depending on the pin position. Where the flag is will also influence the angle you want to leave if you lay up, so take this into account before hitting your second shot.

Play to your strengths

If you’re a longer hitter like me and can reach the par-5s in two then you should take them on as much as you can because this gives you a massive advantage over your competitors. But be realistic. If you aren’t going to get there in two, then your strategy should give you the safest way of setting up the distance and angle you want into the green. This may mean you can take a safer club than driver o the tee.