Three Best Holes at Man O’War Golf Club
Man O’War Golf Club is built around a 107-acre lake, has consecutive island greens, and a stretch locals refer to as Amen Corner. Identifying the three best holes at the Dan Maples layout is a matter of taste as opposed to consensus.
With that in mind, course owner Claude Pardue shared his three favorites, and they are, not surprisingly, long on water and challenges.
No. 9, 433-yard, par 4 – In the middle of a three-hole stretch Man O’War refers to as its Amen Corner, the ninth is as unique as it is challenging.
It’s an island hole, meaning it’s completely surrounded by water. The fairway is 100 yards wide, though it doesn’t appear that way from the tee which can make for a daunting tee shot.
The ninth plays into the prevailing wind and often plays like a par 5.
“It’s a beautiful hole, but in my opinion it’s the toughest hole on the course,” Pardue said.
No. 12, 423-yard, par 4 – Another substantial par 4, water runs up the right side of the 12th hole and surrounds three sides of the green. A large, fairway bunker provides a buffer between the fairway and water on the right and the distance from the regular (395 yards) and senior (367 yards) tees mitigates some of the length.
A straight tee shot is critical because the fairway narrows in the optimum landing spot 130 yards from a large green.
No. 16, 367-yard, par 4 – A shortish par 4, Man O’War presents risk-reward opportunities on the 16th. The conservative play is to take a 3-wood (or whatever you hit 220-235 yards) off the tee and find the wider part of the fairway.
It’s more challenging to make birdie from that spot, but the risk of a big number is reduced. Players with a little gambler in them can pound the ball off the tee to get closer to the green, but water on the right side becomes a factor the further your drive travels.
“You can layup, but there are huge rewards the closer you get to the green,” Pardue said. “Those are the type of holes I love.”
