We have three 9 hole courses here at River Oaks Golf Club and a few years back we decided to number them 1 through 27. It is just a different way to differentiate the courses from each other. The Fox 9 is holes 1-9, the Otter 9 is holes 10-18 and the Bear 9 is holes 19-27. Today we would like to take a look at how to play the 27th hole on the golf course. The finishing hole on the Bear course is that hole and it can be a “Bear” so it is fitting that it is the last hole on the course.
The 27th hole is a par 5 that plays 428 yards from the ladies tee and can play as long as 547 yards from the back tees. Most golfers play the white tees at 470 yards which makes it a relatively short par 5 but not necessarily an easy one. Water guards almost the entirety of the right hand side of the hole to the green and trees line the left side of the fairway making the landing area off the tee look much narrower than it actually is. It is safe to hit driver and is recommended to play for the left side of the fairway. This not only take the water out of play but it makes for a good angle to the green for either a layup shot or to go for it for the longer hitters.
The last half of the fairway bends to the right around a pond. Long hitters can take their second shot over the water either all the way to the green to to just in front. Most players will need to lay up to the left corner of the water leaving a wedge to short iron into the green. That takes the water out of play again and allows for a look straight down the shoot to the hole. The green is deep and round so golfers can be aggressive with this approach and try to get close to the pin.
Once on the putting surface golfers will find it mostly flat with a bit of back to front slope. Par is score that, if the water is navigated properly, should be somewhat easy to get for most. Actually golfers can have a good chance at finishing the round with a birdie. That is what keeps players coming back for more! We are proud of our finishing holes on all three sides here at River Oaks Golf Club.
For more information click on the ‘Course Tour’ tab at the top on the screen to see a hole by hole layout of the entire golf course.