Hole by hole description of the
Nicklaus Golf Course at Birch River
Hole #1
A good driving hole opens the round, with a slight dogleg right, hitting from an elevated tee to a landing area framed by trees on the left and a large fairway bunker on the right.
Hole #2
Birdie is possible on the uphill par 4. A well struck tee ball down the left center of the fairway hugging the large fairway bunker cut into the hillside on the left will allow the player to have a better angle into the green.
Hole #3
The shortest par 3 on the course, cut through a stand of mature hardwoods and wetland area-- a stream emerges from the left and borders an approach angling the right side of the green.
Hole #4
This hole is a unique par 5 with a double fairway bisected by a tributary, which runs parallel to both fairways, before opening up into the Chestatee River. The second shot will require the player to lay up or go for the elevated island green.
Hole #5
Destined to be one of Birch River's most enticing holes, the 177-yard island par 3 borders the Chestatee River, a low to mid iron shot will be required to reach the green.
Hole #6
A 170-yard carry off the island and across the mouth of the Chestatee is required to reach the fairway on the 587-yard hole. A large waste bunker on the right and tree-lined slope left sets up the first landing area. The second shot favors a ball placed left center of the fairway, in order to take advantage of the diagonally placed green.
Hole #7
This hole needs an accurate tee shot right, on this tight driving hole with trees guarding the right side of the fairway and one bunker protecting the left. A soft second shot will be needed to hold the soft contoured green, otherwise gathering errant shots are bunkers short right, small and deep, a small splash bunker, back left or a grassy hollow located short and left of the green.
Hole #8
A moderately long par 4 dogleg left with a short fairway bunker located on the left and a steep slope that runs the entire right side. There is a large directional bunker well past the landing area on the right. Players will relish hitting their approach shots from the left side of the fairway into a green situated right to left with a small bunker protecting the back left pin placements.
Hole #9
The player will be required to hit their tee shots over a wetland and those that succeed in using the distant right fairway bunker for a target will be rewarded with the most advantageous approach shot into the green that is located across the Chestatee River. A small area of fairway is provided for those that wish to lay up to the kidney shaped green with bunkers that protect both the right and left sides. The gently contoured green has high, medium and low pin placements.
Hole #10
Drive from elevated tees, out of a chute to a generous landing area located across a lake. The large body of water to the right of the landing area will be distressing to some, but presents the best view into the green. Wayward shots short right will find an expansive, deep bunker over or out of, which to play. Those short and left will contend with uneven lies and grassy hollows.
Hole #11
The longest par 3 will require an accurate iron shot into a long narrow green due to the marsh located in front of the green. The hole is tree-lined on both sides with a medium-size bunker on the left side of the green to protect back pin placements; this will be one of the more challenging greens to putt.
Hole #12
Situated in the valley with the Chestatee River running along the left side, one large bunker marks the turn of the fairway. Use the left edge of the bunker for a target line for the most opportune approach to the green. Some may want to gamble and try to cut through the gap between the bunker and the trees on the inside of the dogleg. The second shot will require a medium to short iron over a deep greenside bunker protecting the front portion of the green.
Hole #13
Only with extraordinary luck will one find any advantage in "cutting" the corner of this short dogleg right. The tee shot will require a 200-yard carry across the Chestatee River to a large landing area protected by a bunker cut into the left hillside and along waste bunker, which runs up the entire hole between the fairway and the river. The softly contoured green is tucked between a tributary and the river.
Hole #14
The first of back-to-back par 5's birdie is possible if the drive avoids the right side peppered with waste bunkers and grassy hollows planted in native grasses. A well-struck second shot down the right center just might end up on the two-tier green that is protected by a deep small bunker on the left and large formal bunker on the right. A soft touch will be needed to hold the green.
Hole #15
The last par 5 is a dogleg right, one of Birch River's most tested driving holes. Too far right from the tee and large native areas will impede a second shot whereas too far left, the bank of the Chestatee threatens even more serious trouble. The river bisects the two landing areas requiring the player to go for the green or lay up. The small-elevated green has a swale that sweeps from the left side and across the front. There is a greenside bunker on the left to collect any errant shots before the river.
Hole #16
This picturesque hole will test even the straightest drivers. Bunkers guard both sides of the landing area and a well-hit ball off the tee down the center will be rewarded with a roll past the landing area toward the green. This hole features a tributary located in front of the elevated green that is protected by a deep bunker in front and splash bunker back left, with large green slopes both back to front and off the sides.
Hole #17
The final par 3 plays downhill from tees that are carved out of the hillside. A deep bowl in the front of the green places a premium on club selection to any pin position on the back half of the green. A small bunker left will protect the back pin placement. The deep bunker located on the back left of the green will require a delicate recovery shot to hold the green.
Hole #18
This hole is visually difficult, with a lake on the right and tree-lined slope left. This dogleg right favors the left side fairway, as it will afford the golfer with the best angle for the approach. The heavily contoured green sits on the water's edge with a series of grass hollows on the left. If you were going to miss this green, it would be best to be short.
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