Hole #1 – Par 3
The first hole at Covesea is a long par 3 at 207 yards. You play from a slightly elevated tee to a large, flat green. It played slightly into the wind on the cold morning we were there meaning that G had to hit her driver. Cam, on the other hand, chunked his 4 iron and left himself a 50 yard pitch into the green.
Once on the green, it slopes from back to front. Usually this means you are better leaving your approach short leaving an uphill putt. A par 3 on this hole is a very good score to begin your round at Covesea with!
Hole #2 – Par 4
The second hole is a short par 4 measuring 304 yards. This would normally be around the distance Cam hits his driver, however, there were gorse bushes on either side of the fairway meaning that a 210 yard lay-up is the safest play.
There are a couple of bunkers that cut into the green, meaning it is a very small target to hit and would not be out of place at a course like Pebble Beach. The pin was on the back left of the green and just over a bunker on the day we played. G took on the pin with her approach and ended up just long in some tricky rough. This green is very tricky to hit meaning the hole is not as simple as the yardage on the card might suggest.
Hole #3 – Par 4
The third hole is of very similar length and lies parallel to the second hole. It is framed by large dunes to the back and to the left of the hole. It is best to be aggressive with the teeshot on this hole as the hole gets wider the closer you get to the green. Cam tried to say he could drive the green on this hole, but left himself 30 yards short. All in all, this was not a bad position and left him with a good chance of birdie (which he did not convert).
The green slopes from back to front and has a few difficult tiers to navigate. There is also a large slope to the left, meaning if you miss your approach left it is still possible that the ball will bounce onto the green.
Hole #4 – Par 4
The fourth hole is, by far, the most difficult hole on the course. It plays 402 yards and was into the wind on the day we played. The tee box is nestled into the dunes that you played up to on the third hole. It plays as a slight dogleg from left to right following the coastline. The fairway pushes you left and further away from the green towards the rough. Deep rough lines both sides of the hole and unfortunately G found herself in some of this.
Up at the green, things don’t get any easier. There is a tricky false front to the green meaning that anything short will be repelled. Anything landing on the front of the green can chase through the back as there is a sharp downslope that comes into play directly over the false front. Overall, this hole is incredibly difficult and would not be out of place on a championship layout.
Hole #5 – Par 3
The longest hole is quickly followed by the shortest hole – the 90 yard fifth hole. From the tee it plays completely blind up the hill and requires a commitment to your line and yardage (even if you aren’t sure of either).
The green is on a little plateau that forms the highest point on the course. The green gives very scenic views of the area and the rest of the course. Run offs are on both sides of the green, meaning precision with the tee-shot is needed on this hole. The green slopes from back to front so an approach just short of the flag is preferred. A par is a very good score on the fifth and it provides the perfect photo opportunity.
Hole #6 – Par 3
The sixth plays back down the hill you have just climbed up for the fifth. It is an incredibly long 221 yard par 3. Playing downhill, it tends to play around 25 yards shorter than the yardage marker suggests. G opted to hit driver and both of us managed to find the green. A tee-shot landing short and running up to this green is preferred as there is quite a bit of gorse and rough over the green.
The green is relatively small for how long the hole is. It slopes from back to front, so an approach that is short will leave an easier uphill 2nd shot. A half in 3s on this hole was a great result given the stiff wind into us and the rain shower that soaked us on the previous hole.
Hole #7 – Par 3
The seventh is a medium length par 3 that requires a mid iron played high over a large outcrop of rock that obscures the view of the green. It is almost just as well this is a blind hole as the green comprises of a chaotic mix of severe slopes and tiers that is bound to make you feel uneasy.
The green has 3 distinct tiers and it slopes severly from back to front. You walk past the seventh green when playing the sixth and it is important to take note of where the pin is as you do not want to hit the wrong tier like Cam did. If you are on the wrong tier a 2-putt is a miraculous result.
Hole #8 – Par 4
The 8th tee is cut into the rockface and is a short par 4 at 232 yards. With very little elevation change, it plays all of its yardage and is a classic short par 4. Again, the green complex is challenging with a depression in the middle and a raised front and back. A 3 on this hole deserves a circle on the card as it requires a well-judged tee-shot combined with some good short game to put you in the right position.
Ideally you want to be short and to the right off the tee as there is rough to the left and a bunker long and right. Cam and G did not listen to this and both had very difficult second shots.
The pin on the day we played was right on the edge of a small tier at the back of the green. This meant that getting a chip close to the flag was almost impossible. A half in 4s was a good result given the tee-shots and left the match all to play for on the last hole.
Hole #9 – Par 3
Finally, the 9th hole sees the welcome return of the short par 3. At 104 yards the punch bowl green provides the perfect back drop for the conclusion of a fun match with friends. The tee plays from just under the cliff face and you play back towards the sea to a green that has been build on the top of a large dune. Distance control is imperative with the tee-shot as the green has a sharp drop off at the front and back. As it is bowl shaped, anything left or right should bounce in towards the flag.
Cam and G both hit great tee-shots to within 15 feet and had great looks at birdie. Only G was able to convert meaning the match ended in a friendly half.
To watch all of our shots from this round see the video below:
CGgolfs⛳️ 