Swan Lake’s Back Nine
Swan Lake’s Back Nine
I have previously reviewed the front nine, based off the 2019 swap. If you haven’t been
there since 2018, you’ll remember this as the front 9. Again, I am basing my observations off of
the whites.
The 10th hole is interesting. I don’t think I have ever actually gone up the fairway. For the
slicers out there, there is water all along the right side. There is a landing area that saves me
from swimming a lot. For the approach shot, there is a big bunker. Go up the actual fairway,
and it doesn’t come in to play.
The 11th hole is straight. It is generally open and gives a nice approach shot. There is a trap
in front of the green that will catch you if you try to stretch a shot in. The green is big, like the
others. This is a good birdie/ par opportunity.
The 12th hole is a nice straight par 5. The only thing I don’t like about this hle is it goes along
a road, and people love beeping their horn. There is a big bunker in front of the green which
has killed many birdie opportunities for me.
The 13th hole is one of the best designed, in my opinion. There is water along the right for
the tee shot, and high grass growing out of it. Hit a low slice and it will catch your ball. I think I
have lost my balls in there than any other spot on the course. Go straight and there are 2
bunkers to contend with depending on where you land. If you hit it right and catch the cart
path, you can get a big bounce and end up 10 feet off the green. The green has bunkers on
each side if you come up short. Go long you end up in the woods.
Hole 14 is my nemesis, a par 3 that plays around 200 yards, and is narrow with a bunker in
front of the green. There are woods to the left, a hill with a lot of trees to the right.One of my
bigger hitting friend’s ball mark on the green was within a foot of the hole. I struggle with
accuracy with my long irons and hybrid, so it tends to end poorly for me. This hole has killed a
few good scores for me. The pin location is usually blind, the bunker in front blocking the view.
This is the 2nd hardest hole according to the score card, but I find it the hardest.
The 15th is a ‘short’ par 5 that is a great birdie opportunity. The tee shot has a lot of woods
to the left. The bad news for slicers is the cart path is on the left, and blocked off, so if you go
far right, you are doing a lot of walking. If you come up the left side of the fairway, the way the
fairway bunkers and bunkers near the green give one of those views like you see for the pros on
tv. This is my favorite hole on the course.
The 16th hole is a par 3 I struggle with most of the time. The tree line to the right is pretty
tight. Come up short and it is an uphill chip. There is a lot of water to the left. Out of 20 tries, I
will hit the green maybe twice.
The 17th is a blind dogleg left. The woods are tight to the left side. There are 2 traps to keep
you from trying to cut the corner. I usually end up out far right in the trees, despite all the
room. The green has woods on 2 sides. This hole crushes me more often than not.
18 has a lot of water to the right side. There is also some in front of the green that is a threat
for the 2nd shot. I have been known to put back to back shots in the water. There is a lot of
room to the left to avoid the water. Depending on pin position, this can be the easiest putt one
day, the hardest the next. An added bonus on this hole during the summer is turtles that I
could ride like a horse come out to be in the sun.
I prefer the back nine to the front nine. It isn’t necessarily easier, but just my personal
preference. I think this is a great local course for players of all abilities. The flow is generally
ready gold, except for on weekends in the dead of summer, but that is the same pretty much
anywhere I play.
I almost forgot the 19th hole. The feel is a local bar, not too big, but pre-covid it had a really
nice atmosphere. There is also a nice patio to enjoy. The food is good for what it is, but it is a
basic bar food menu. They do have catering, but I have never tried it
