Tees, Trees, Turkeys

Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Course
Carmel Valley, California
Part 3

by Anthony Scaggs
Golf Clubs, Golf Resorts, Golf Courses

From tee number 11, there is a dogleg right. It appears to be slice heaven until turning the corner. The fairway suddenly narrows with trees constricting the ball’s flight to the green. Facing the green, there are homes and a barrier as well as trees to the right. A grove of trees is on the left. At the fairway’s end it appears that the trees are touching to block any approach to the green.

Standing on the professional tee of Hole 12, you look down to a dogleg left towards the green. Trees and bunkers guard this elevated green.

The 13th green is reached from an elevated tee. Approaching the green from the far right gives you the best chance of using the full length of the green thus avoiding the natural slope to the left or over shooting the green and landing in the trees.

The 14th Hole is a three tier elevated tee.

It reminded me of my trip to the Andes.

The native Indians climbed the mountains that rose tens of thousands of feet above sea level to terrace the mountainsides and planted the crops that would support the entire Indian population. On the 14th tee you look down to the green that drops into the trees on the right unless you land in the bunker. Go for the green.