Hole 7 – Whispering Pines
This strategic par-4 winds through a quiet corridor of pines where precision from the tee is crucial. A well-positioned drive opens the door to an inviting approach, and the green’s gentle breaks reward players who leave themselves the right angles for a confident mid-iron shot.
Hole Information
Handicap: 7
Blue Tees: 416 yards
White Tees: 391 yards
Red Tees: 358 yards
Origins of Whispering Pines
Whispering Pines was sculpted through a dense section of the property where tall pines naturally funneled the routing. Rather than widen the corridor excessively, architects embraced the tight lines and used them to shape a strategic par-4 favoring precision. The green’s modest ripple contours were added later to enhance challenge without disrupting natural serenity. The hole remains a quiet, focused test that honors the site’s wooded character.
How to Play the Hole
Whispering Pines emphasizes precision over power, requiring golfers to thread their tee shot through a narrow, tree-lined fairway. The hole’s strategic demands reward controlled swings and thoughtful planning, particularly on the approach into a subtly contoured green. Its quiet, wooded setting heightens the focus required to execute clean shots. Playing the hole well hinges on discipline rather than distance, making accuracy your greatest advantage.
Targeting the left-center of the fairway provides the safest landing area while maintaining an ideal angle into the green. The corridor of pines magnifies the cost of offline shots, so a smooth, controlled swing is far more valuable than chasing extra yards. Tee shots drifting too far right can become partially obstructed, complicating the approach. Commit to a compact motion that favors precision and keeps you in scoring position.
Approaches into this green demand subtle understanding of slope and depth, as the surface includes gentle movements that can influence both carry and rollout. The best play is often a mid-iron aimed toward the center, minimizing the danger from pin positions tucked near the edges. Shots missed short may funnel back into chipping areas, while shots pushed long can leave downhill recovery shots. Trusting your yardage and executing with a smooth tempo helps secure a solid birdie or par chance.
Playing from around the green requires careful consideration of lie and angle, as some recovery shots must be threaded between tree shadows or subtle mounds. The right side offers the easiest up-and-down possibilities, giving golfers a clean look at the putting surface. Misses left or long introduce tougher, sloping lies requiring soft hands and creativity. Small mistakes can compound quickly, so patience is essential.