TPC Danzante Bay is blessed with a signature hole that has become an international sensation, at least in golf architecture circles. The par-3 17th hole, which drops sharply from a rocky perch to a slim oblong green yoked by a horseshoe-shaped bunker, commands a land’s end prospect high above the glittering sea and distant islands. Adjectives do it no justice. Jaw-dropping, stupendous, breathtaking—all fall short.
What makes No. 17 truly great is that its beauty is not skin deep. More than mere eye candy, this brilliant strategic par 3 calls for a well-judged shot that can find and hold a green that clings to a rock outcrop at the tip of a peninsula.
While the club’s penultimate hole is fabulous in every way, this extraordinary creation is a double-edged sword. The drawback to having a world-class showstopper such as No. 17 is that it tends to overshadow the many excellent and under-appreciated holes at TPC Danzante Bay.
Course Designer Rees Jones Weighs In
We asked Rees Jones, who created the course routing and meticulously built each hole to fit its setting, to select a few holes he felt were worthy of attention. Here are his selections. All yardages are from the Black tees.
No. 3 – (Par 3, 207 yards)
This challenging all-carry par 3 plays across the edge of a deep arroyo with “unbelievable views of the canyon and mountains” beyond the green, said Jones. The putting surface falls off sharply to the right, with a rocky bluff as a backdrop. The green, swept up in back, will release shots played long for safety back to the pin.
No. 8 – (Par 4, 475 yards)
One of the tougher par 4’s on the course (it’s the No. 1 handicap hole), this sturdy downhill hole transitions out of the canyon, with an arroyo flanking the entire left side of the broad fairway. The green, defended by a trio of bunkers, calls for an accurate approach shot. For the risk-averse, there’s a generous bail-out area to the right of the putting surface.
No. 12 – (Par 5, 580 yards)
A lengthy par 5 that plays directly to the beach, No. 12 marks the start of the dunes holes at TPC Danzante Bay. The tee shot must carry a shallow arroyo and avoid the dune running down the left side. There is ample room to the right up to the point where a finger of sand enters the fairway. The approach to the green is generously wide, but underlying dune contours create slopes that can affect the shot. From the green, enjoy the lovely views of the Loreto islands in the bay.
Seaside Settings & Sand Dunes = Every Designer’s Dream
No. 13 – (Par 3, 191 yards)
Nestled entirely in sand dunes that roll down to the beach, this exquisite par 3 plays over desert and dunes to a large beachfront green encased in sand. The large, receptive putting surface is skewed on a left-to-right angle. A well-played shot presents a birdie opportunity.
NOTE: It’s not surprising that Jones chose Nos. 12 and 13 among his favorite holes at TPC Danzante Bay. Architects LOVE to work in sand. The original links courses in Scotland are sand-based. The medium is very malleable, though the existing terrain and contours at both holes called for subtle shaping, not major earthworks.
No. 18 – (Par 4, 520 yards)
This is the longest and most sharply downhill par 4 on the course and, with its stellar views of the sea and mountains, one of the most dramatic. The tee shot is played over a prominent rock outcrop on the right and should be aimed at a pair of bunkers framing the far side of the landing area. The fairway pitches from right to left and directs shots toward the green. Downhill approach shots should be played well short of the green and onto a ramp that feeds balls to the putting surface. An epic finishing hole, and a grand finale to a round of golf at TPC Danzante Bay.
