Straight away, #1 allows you to loosen up and make a mistake off the tee.
Beware, the slope of this well-protected green will test your putting mettle early!
#2 from the tee seems like an easy par hole, but a tee shot landing above the stick or pin high leaves a tricky put on this fast and sloping green. Miss it right and you’re OB. Miss it left and you’re swallowed by a deep bunker. This hole is easier said than done!
Talk about a tough golf hole…#3 has it all! This tree lined test of skill demands a straight tee shot in anticipation of an approach shot into a sloping, well protected green surrounded by trees, water and sand. A par is an applaudable score on this beauty! Welcome to HC’s Amen Corner!
A long accurate tee shot is critical in taming #4. If you can block out the view from the tee and thread the tree trouble on each side of the fairway, par or even birdie can be had…a tee shot that lands too far left or right may result in bogey or worse!
Accuracy off the tee also necessary to aid in setting up #5. This mild dog leg right, carved out of the woods with an elevated fairway leading to a sloping green, makes this hole another fine golf challenge. A par here is a great score… a birdie on #5 is very rare and very rewarding!
After the last few holes you deserve a break! #6 let’s you let your guard down slightly, but still offers plenty of challenge due to a well protected sloping and speedy green. A tee shot above the pin placement on this green and three putting is not out of the ordinary… choose your weapon accordingly!
As Hickory Creek offers up so many times, #7 forces an accurate tee shot to set up this hole. Length is a plus here…smack a drive long and in the fairway and you’ll have a nice approach into a sloping green which is well protected by two deep and difficult bunkers…
A par five is usually synonymous with distance. But the farther you want to take it off the tee on #8, the less fairway you have to work with and the more trouble you bring into play between the tree-lined fairway and huge fairway bunker. Keep the ball in play and discover three trees protecting this green from the fairway! What this hole lacks in distance, it surely makes up in difficulty…
It’s time to score. #9 allows you the room to lay up or go for it off the tee. An accurate tee ball will leave you with anything from a short wedge to a mid-iron into the green. Take advantage of this gift as you’ll need it after the turn! Now that you have the first nine holes under your belt. Stop by the Greenside Tavern to grab a snack and beverage of your choice for the turn!
As with the front nine, Hickory Creek offers a degree of forgiveness on the first two holes heading in, but don’t under estimate #10. Although forgiving, a misguided tee shot will cost you dearly on the score card.
When a par 3 looks easy at Hickory Creek, you can bet the green is tricky. #11 green is well protected by bunkers and a tree grouping on the righthand side that is a ball magnet. Below the cup on any placement is where you have to be on this sloping green…
Ready for the Amen Corner on the back nine? #12 starts it off. This par five is a great test of golf for the low handicappers. The farther out you launch it from the tee the narrower the fairway gets bringing the trouble into play. Trees on the left and water on the right makes accuracy a must. Two putt this two tiered green and you’ll feel very good about yourself!
Choose your club wisely from the tee because you want to get your shot to the 150 marker and avoid the water that crosses the fairway. From tee to green, #13 will make you think. Thread the trees from the tee to a sloping fairway that introduces you to a sloping green that is surrounded by a berm and bunker. You will score better on this hole the second time you play it!
#14 is the toughest hole on the course…this hole rewards the long hitter. Water comes into play off the tee and the Hickory Creek runs across the fairway 100 yards from the green. A tree tightened fairway means an accurate tee shot must be followed by an accurate approach. The trick of this green adds to the difficulty as severe breaks make any pin placement a challenge! Good luck!
Ready for a BIG dogleg? #15 is gracious to the golfer who can cut the angle by controlling a big, high tee shot that clears the trees and moves left to right. Your approach will be directed by the pin placement on this severely sloping, back to front, green with plenty of trick. STAY BELOW THE HOLE!
#16 offers a dogleg left and an opportunity to cut some yardage off the hole if you can place your tee shot long and in the left center portion of the fairway. Trees on the left, the Hickory Creek running through the fairway and a deep rough on the right side of the fairway adds difficulty to the errant tee shot.
The Signature Hole at Hickory Creek, there is no room for error on #17. An island green with bunkers embedded in a berm behind, accuracy is a must. This hole has decided the outcome of many a match. The picture says it all…it’s all or nothing
The Grand Finale, #18 is a dogleg right that is well receptive to a good score. Play this hole in three shots and par or birdie is very possible. Try to cut yardage off by playing it down the right side and you’re asking for trouble.
When you’re finished, add your score in the Greenside Tavern. Enjoy a beverage of your choice and an extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menu.
Thank you for taking the tour, we look forward to seeing you at Hickory Creek!