Lake Merced Golf Club
Hole
7
Hole 8
Par: 5
Yards
Plates: 628
I: 604
II: 583
III: 508
IV: 458
HCP: 1
Hole
9
Hole 8 Discussion

The eighth is a true par 5. The hole can feel like a dogleg left on the tee, but anywhere alone the fairway will allow players to make strategic decisions. Two fairway bunkers will make the tee shot quite challenging. Folks that are uncertain they can carry the right bunker may want to lay up, as it is deep, and will require a short iron to get out.

The second shot will be defined by two more fairway bunkers in the center and left, that flow along the right-to-left slope of the fairway in this area. The left side of the fairway will make accessing the green a bit easier, but will bring more fairway bunker risk into play.

The approach plays to an extremely interesting green. There is a spine that separates the right and left side of the green. If the green is on the right, players could work the ball center-to-right to take some of the bunker risk out. If the pin is in the back, however, players will want a higher shot, as the ball could roll off the back on either side of the green.

The green is contoured. It's central spine will leave complex putts for anyone who does not end up in the same area of the green as the hole.