The drive from the 4th green to the 5th tee gives you time to contemplate the task ahead as you enter the “Green Mile”, a stretch of three holes under the road comprising two par 5’s and a long par 4. The par-5 5th, which thoroughly warrants its stroke index 1 status, poses a challenge to even the most skilled players. At no point can you allow your concentration to waiver. Depending on the tee box you are playing from, the first task is to select a line from the tee which allows you to carry the mangroves which hug the entire right side of the hole. The sensible play is towards one of the bunkers on the left side of the fairway, reducing the risk of a re-loaded tee shot. Care must be taken to ensure the bunker just over the mangrove does not catch your tee shot leaving a long lay-up shot. Longer hitters can use the “twin towers” in the distance as a guide. Thread them with your drive and it offers an opportunity for the longer hitters to take on a very risky second to a well-protected green. Normally the prevailing wind is straight into your face and must be considered when deciding your line, regardless of which tee you peg it up from.

Decisions, Decisions
Once you are in play off the tee, focus turns to a second shot into a tight landing area. Beware the water on the left which runs from 150 yards out all the way to the green. On the right side there is a large sandy waste area and mangroves beyond waiting to swallow your ball. The braver you are will dictate the length of the third shot where pinpoint accuracy is key. Anything short or left will catch water. Should you carry but not hit the green a steep run off onto a speed zone will catch your ball. To the right and long of the green are small bunkers. These present a very scary shot heading back towards the speed zone and water.

Clever Closing
The green offers a number of great pin positions. Take care wherever it is cut as the green slopes from back to front. The clever design often sees those generating a lot of spin finding themselves bringing the speed zone in to play by spinning the ball off the green, especially with left sided pin positions. The toughest pin position is back right on a small shelf surrounded by subtle breaks.

This really is a hole not to get greedy on. The 5th at Tower Links can bite but also offer a good chance of birdie providing you stick to a plan. Always remember you still have two tough holes ahead as you complete the first phase of the “Green Mile” so use your handicap allowance wisely. — with Kent Gray

BE AT 1 SERIES:
Tame ‘Sea View’, stroke index 1 at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
Tame the 15th, stroke index 1, at The Els Club Dubai
Tame the 15th, stroke index 1, at Yas Links Abu Dhabi
Tame the 7th, stroke index 1, at Dubai Hills Golf Club
Tame the 12th, stroke index 1, at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club
Tame the 13th, stroke index 1, at Al Zorah Golf Club
Tame the 10th, stroke index 1, at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club
Tame the 5th, stroke index 1, at Abu Dhabi Golf Club

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When conjuring images of Quail Hollow, the vaunted “Green Mile” comes to mind. And with good reason: the club’s closing three holes are a nightmare, one of the statistically-toughest stretches in golf. Jordan Spieth referred to it as a site for “triumph and disaster” during this week’s PGA Championship.

However, while the Green Mile packs a mean punch, Quail Hollow’s other 15 holes boast plenty of fireworks in their own right. A perspective especially true following the course’s drastic overhaul for the Wanamaker proceedings. Here are five holes outside the Green Mile that will deliver drama during the 2017 PGA Championship.

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PGA of America

No. 1 — 524 yards, Par 4

One of Quail Hollow’s biggest transformations was essentially combining the first two holes — a 418-yard par 4 and a 178-yard par 3 — into a protracted, left-to-right winding par 4 measuring over 500 yards. With an elevated landing zone, the final 200 hards or so are downhill to a green protected by bunkers. Conversely, because of the wet conditions, a host of guys couldn’t reach the green in two during practice rounds, leading some of the players and caddies to grumble it should be a par 5. A high number is definitely in the cards and could put players in a funk, submarining their round before it starts.

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PGA of America

No. 4 — 184 yards, Par 3

Land that was part of the original par-5 fifth, this is perhaps the most controversial redesign of the bunch. The green is fronted by three bunkers, with multiple mounds and undulations emanating from the center of the green. During practice rounds, players focused on shots off the green, and, to a man, the results were less than stellar. Depending on the pin position, this hole could wreak havoc and correlate to a handful of post-round complaints.

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PGA of America

No. 7 — 546 yards, Par 5

A relatively short par 5 with a raised tee, most of the field will have an iron into the green for their second shot. The seventh ranked as one of the easiest holes at the 2016 Wells Fargo Championship, the field compiling 191 birdies or better against 70 bogeys or worse. Nevertheless, with water guarding the entire right side, this is far from a gimme. Don’t be surprised if a multi-shot swing happens here over the weekend.

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PGA of America

No. 11 — 462 yards, Par 4

On the bright side, two huge oaks that guarded the left-bending dogleg have been taken out. The bad news? Two gigantic bunkers are in their place, penalizing those who get greedy in cutting the corner. The 11th is almost 40 yards longer than it was for last year’s Wells Fargo, and the new elevated green does not make the approach any easier: a shockingly-high number of players have miscalculated the distance during practice, leaving their shots well short. Par will be players’ friends on this long piece of nectar.

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No. 14 — 344 yards, Par 4

Officials alluded that during one round, if not more, the tee box will be in a position that will tempt players into giving the green a go. But the hole is hugged by water on the left for any drive not accurately struck, and six bunkers don’t make the lay-up any easier. With an eagle to a double readily in play, the 14th should be one of the most exciting holes during tournament play.

The post PGA Championship 2017: Five holes outside the “Green Mile” that will deliver drama at Quail Hollow appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.