This par 4 hole is a challenging beginning to a round. An uncomfortable dogleg right requires players to make a tee decision between a safe layup to a lengthy approach shot or a riskier corner-cut attempt that pays off with a much shorter second shot. The smart play is to lay up to the bend of the dogleg, which leaves approximately 160 yards to the green. The green is two-tiered, and the difference between a front right and back left hole location is usually a club in length. There really isn’t a flat putt on the green. The 1st is a difficult par.

This rather long, uphill straightaway par 5 opens with a blind tee shot. Any chance for a long hitter to reach the green in two depends on the drive finding the fairway. Sand and thick grass bunkers lie to the right of the fairway, and if the drive lands here, a layup for the second shot will be forced, a shot that is made more difficult by the pond on the right. The 2nd's third shot is played into a plateau green with a false front, guarded by bunkers right and left. Once on the green, the putting surface is expansive and flat. Overall, it’s a comfortable par and a makable birdie. If the first hole presented a problem, this is a great opportunity to cancel the frustration.

One of the easiest par 4s on the course, this hole is relatively short with a generously wide fairway. The flat green is protected by bunkers on the left and the rear that rarely come into play. However, the obstacle to avoid is the collection area on the right that is closely mown and situated on a severe slope. Players should find this a gettable birdie and effortless par.

Remarkably, this is the only Eagle Bend hole without a bunker. It doesn’t need one. The lengthy, downhill par 3 includes a two-tiered green that’s situated on a left-to-right sloping hillside. The surrounding grass is always long and thick, enough to clearly convey the importance of hitting the green. Of all the course’s par 3s, a par is very coveted and satisfying on this hole. Putting is challenging, and club selection is at a premium, especially if the hole is cut in the upper tier of the green. If players can land their shot on the tier where the hole is located, they’re in a good spot. Otherwise, obtaining par is a challenge.

When stepping to the tee, players will quickly note the surrounding trees and rocky landscape. Players should lay up their tee shot to the bend. A shot straight down the middle of the fairway, 185-200 yards, leads to the perfect spot, leaving a short second shot to the green. The slight uphill approach always seems to play a club longer than the yardage states, and aside from the slippery front left corner, the green is relatively benign. Overall, the 5th is an unassuming hole that will eat your lunch if you can’t keep it out of the trees. Players must hit the ball straight, and they’ll feel this here more than any other Eagle Bend hole.

Opening from a beautifully manicured multi-tiered tee, the 6th is a relatively short par 3 that leads to a green that’s protected by multiple bunkers. Calculating the yardage can be tricky. The tee shot heads downhill, and players feel protected from the wind while standing on the sheltered tee. Yet the nearby lake’s prevailing crosswind moves from right to left. What isn’t felt from the tee often affects the flight of the ball once it gets above the treetops. Players need to calculate the downhill slope and the wind, which can be strong at times. Sometimes they cancel each other out, but it’s often a gamble. Once on the putting surface, staying below the hole is extremely helpful.

The 7th is a prime birdie opportunity if the opening shot is positioned in the fairway. The hole is a mild downhill, slight dogleg right, but its landing zone is protected by bunkers on the left and trees on the right. The difference between hitting and missing the fairway could determine a birdie or bogey on the scorecard. A successful drive will leave a short wedge to a very large, unguarded green that slopes toward the fairway. On the green, the most difficult hole location is the most distant. It’s best to stay below the hole. Be wary of an aggressive play that could land the ball in thick rough beyond the green. This hole also faces the prevailing wind from the lake, the same wind that complicates play on the 6th.

Rounding the turn after the 7th, this par 5 hole is usually situated downwind, with a slight uphill slant and dogleg right, opening to a generously wide fairway. A big drive can leave players with an opportunity to reach the green in two. The green is protected by deep bunkers both left and right, and the fairway hourglasses to a narrow approach. Getting hole high in two is not the challenge. The real problem lies in landing the ball on a green that is half the size of the prior hole. Plus, the green is marked by a ridge that essentially establishes two greens within one. Being on the wrong side of the ridge makes for a very difficult two-putt.

This long, straightaway par 4 is often considered the most difficult hole on the Eagle Nine. A big tee shot is needed to carry the ball over the crest of a hill. Large speed bumps cause trouble if coursing the right side of the fairway, so players will find significantly fewer obstacles if they are able to hug the fairway on the left. The challenging second shot is complicated by the sloping fairway, and learning how to navigate uneven lies takes lots of practice. The green itself is somewhat benign, but heavily protected. Its front right bunker probably sees more action than all others on the course. A par on the 9th is an extremely satisfying end to the first half of play. Head to Jack’s Shack for a celebratory drink before advancing to the 10th.