Hole 14 – Pelican Reach
A short but cleverly designed par-3, Pelican Reach invites players to take direct aim while respecting the green’s deceptive contours. Proper club selection is essential to avoid tricky downhill putts on a hole that offers both charm, precision, and excellent scoring potential for many.
Hole Information
Handicap: 18
Blue Tees: 144 yards
White Tees: 131 yards
Red Tees: 112 yards
Origins of Pelican Reach
Pelican Reach was intentionally designed as a short, charming par-3 to provide a quick scoring opportunity late in the round. The architects leveraged a natural hollow to cradle the green, allowing for multiple pin positions that challenge depth perception. The hole’s short length was chosen to contrast with the difficulty of the surrounding holes. It remains a fan favorite for its fun, approachable design.
How to Play the Hole
Pelican Reach offers a refreshing scoring opportunity with its short length, but the hole still requires discipline and precision to avoid subtle pitfalls. Its clever green design, set within a natural hollow, challenges depth perception and trajectory control. Players must rely on focus and confident execution to take advantage of the hole’s playability. Success often comes from matching your club selection to the day’s conditions and committing fully to the swing.
Choosing the right club is crucial, as even minor fluctuations in trajectory can influence whether the ball holds the green or funnels into the surrounding collection areas. Aiming for the center of the surface maximizes scoring potential and minimizes risk from the subtly sloped edges. Shots launched too high are vulnerable to crosswinds drifting over the hollow, while low, flat trajectories may skip or release farther than intended. A controlled swing with a balanced, stable follow-through helps maintain accuracy and keeps the ball on the intended line.
Longer putts on this green require careful reading, as the subtle tiers and gentle slopes can create more break than appears at first glance. Uphill putts call for a firmer stroke to counter the natural tendency of the ball to die early on this slightly elevated middle tier. Downhill or sidehill putts must be approached with delicate touch to prevent overrun, particularly when the hole is cut near the edges. When putting from the fringe or closely mown surrounds, a bump-and-run approach can be more predictable than lofted shots, allowing for safer control of speed and direction.
The natural hollow framing the green can offer helpful containment on some misses, but recovery shots must still be executed with precision due to varying lies and slopes. Misses short or right often yield straightforward chips with ample green to work with, allowing for simpler bump-and-run or lofted approaches depending on the pin position. Misses left, however, encounter steeper banks that require more height and softness to stop the ball near the hole. A clear plan, steady hands, and precise touch are essential to secure an up-and-down and avoid turning a scoring opportunity into an unexpected bogey.