The Golf Course at Carrington is designed to be a Championship Style 18-hole facility that incorporates the beauty of rolling fairways and
large greens with the naturally rolling terrain and
tall pines which are native to the site. The golf course is grouped into corridors that are surrounded by residential areas. The relationship between the golf and residential is designed so that the residential in no way affects the relaxing experience of the game. In most cases the houses overlook two or three golf holes that are grouped together. The value of this type of design style is very conducive to a pleasurable and peaceful atmosphere to the user and to the homeowner.
Measuring at 7,063 total yards, the golf course is a Par 72 Regulation layout. Hole numbers one through nine play to the south of the clubhouse and incorporate large waste areas of native sand, large stormwater detention areas that are grassed in a variety of species, and standing water that comes in play on four of the golf holes.
The back nine holes play to the north of the clubhouse area and incorporates much more of the rolling terrain of the site. Again, large sandy waste areas are prominent and there are many retention areas that contain native plant species. Many of the golf holes on the back nine run adjacent to wetlands areas. The transition from wetland to maintained fairways sets the design style on this nine.
The golf course also features a very large practice area that incorporates a large grass tee space, a short game practice area including a bunker, and practice target greens that are designed to enhance shot value and realization of ball flight.
Hole by Hole Analysis
Hole #1
Par 4 – 467 yds
This is a great opening hole as it plays downhill and doglegs to the left. There is an initial forced carry depending on the tees you play as the forward tees are built around a retention/wetlands area.The back tee is enveloped by the clubhouse structure and is an amazing setting for tournament play and introduction of players.There are several target bunkers built into side slopes that define the fairway.There is a long retention pond on the left side of the hole that sets up the dogleg as the actual playing surface plateaus well above the low lying native grasses.
Hole #2
Par 4 – 467 yds
Another very scenic par 4 as this hole plays downhill from the tee to a landing area that is surrounded by standing water on the left and a large waste bunker and water on the right.The second shot is into a green that is fronted by a running water feature and deep bunker on the right side.
Hole#3
Par 5 – 538 yds
The first par 5 on the course and the tee shot plays predominantly uphill over a forced water carry that is adjacent to tee area.A relatively flat hole once the drive is hit to the plateau.There is a large bunker to navigate leading into the green. The green is backed by native wetlands.
Hole #4
Par 4 – 434 yds
There is a forced carry of a retention area directly off the tee and the fairway is very open.This hole plays somewhat uphill with a dogleg to the right that is flanked by a large fairway bunker shaped into some natural vegetation.If you drive the ball through the fairway there is a severe downhill slope that leads into a detention area on the left side of the fairway.
Hole #5
Par 3 – 202 yds
The first Par 3 on the course.The green is protected by a very deep bunker guarding the left portion of the putting surface. A very majestic Par 3.
Hole #6
Par 4 – 386 yds
This hole plays slightly downhill and turns to the right.The entire left side is a retention area that is overgrown with native grasses.The green is tucked into a large mounding complex.
Hole #7
Par 4 – 395 yds
This is a very dynamic hole that is characterized by a very large waste bunker that meanders between this par 4 and the next hole which is a par 3. The fairway is set above the bunker by about 5 feet and the fairway is defined by the steep slope leading out of the waste area.The hole is actually a dogleg left but it is very much a risk reward hole because the dogleg can be shortened if you feel you can hit the ball far enough over the waste area to make the fairway.The green is protected by two large fronting bunkers.
Hole #8
Par 3 – 135 yds
The shortest of the Par 3s playing to the biggest green. The entire hole plays over the waste bunker with a ribbon of fairway leading into the green. Very picturesque and could be considered the signature hole.
Hole #9
Par 5 – 591 yds
A long uphill par 5 that has a forced carry tee shot over water at the tee.There is a large deceptive fairway bunker on the second shot that may trick the players’ depth perception to the green.
Hole #10
Par 4 – 445 yds
A very scenic hole that plays downhill with wetlands on the left.The holes fairway plateaus into a side slope that runs right to left. The drive is tricky but the green opens up nicely and you are rewarded for hitting the fairway.There is a waste bunker above the wetlands running the entire length of the hole on the left and the wetlands wind around the back of the green as well.
Hole #11
Par 4 – 402 yds
An uphill par 4 with a forced carry of wetlands off of the tee.The green is cut into the slope and creates an amazing amphitheatre effect.There are stately pines surrounding the green and this is a very good uphill par 4 to a marvelous green setting.
Hole #12
Par 4 – 404 yds
A downhill par 4 that has a forced carry second shot over a retention area that is full of waving native grasses.There is also a finger of wetlands that punches in at the landing area on the left. Maybe a good hole to hit an iron off of from the tee.
Hole #13
Par 3 – 171 yds
This is the first par 3 on the back nine.It is engrossed in native forest and has a forced carry over wetlands. It is a very unique and scenic par 3.
Hole #14
Par 4 – 369 yds
The shortest Par 4 on the golf course.This hole is also the hardest driving hole as there is a large wetland area that runs across the hole from left to right. The drive is crucial for success. The green is very elevated and protected by massive bunkering. This is a very beautiful but challenging hole. It is definitely the number one handicap hole of the round.
Hole #15
Par 3 – 177 yds
A nice par 3 that plays slightly downhill to a green that is backed and sided to the right by wetlands and a large meandering waste bunker.
Hole #16
Par 4 – 407 yds
An uphill par 4 with a green that is cut into the slope to create an amphitheatre background.There are several stately pine trees to navigate which add a vertical dimension to the hole that compliments the elevation change.
Hole #17
Par 5 – 507
The shortest of the par 5s on the course but also the most difficult. The drive is downhill and is terminated by a waste bunker and wetlands.The green sets across the wetlands and is perched atop a hill. The lead in to the green is flanked by fairway leading in from the left to the right. You may feel good about trying to hit the green in two shots but there are very penal bunkers that fit into the frontal slope that you will need to carry.There is a large wall structure to the right of the green that drops into wetlands. This is an amazing second shot decision hole. The correct and safe play is to hit a draw off the tee and then this will set you up with the decision to go for the green in two or play down the fairway. This is definitely the hole that will win or lose tournaments.
Hole #18
Par 5 – 583 yds
A great finishing hole that plays entirely uphill.The hole is flanked to the left by a large waste area leading into wetlands and a large slope leading into the hole from the right.The green is set into the slope for an amazing amphitheatre finish that will support large galleries.
