Hazeltine National course guide, venue for the 2016 Ryder Cup

As the Ryder Cup heads to Minnesota, Ewen Murray provides you with a hole-by-hole guide on how to tackle Hazeltine National.

Hole 1, 442yds, Par 4:

The drive zone is pinched by three fairway bunkers, sitting around 250 yards from the tee. The green has distinct tiers, with a steep slope separating the front portion of the green from the rest. 

Hole 2, 429yds, Par 4:

This dogleg provides a birdie opportunity early in the round. A bold drive around the corner can leave a wedge to the green, while a carry of 300 yards is required to carry the left hand fairway bunker and cut the corner. The green is heavily guarded by four bunkers.

Hole 3, 633yds, Par 5:

Two traps sit down the left side of a fairways which narrows, with trees enclosing the lay-up area. Hugging the left will open up more of the green, which is guarded by a deep front bunker.

Hole 4, 210yds, Par 3:

Surrounded by bunkers, the green features a shelf in the back that is difficult to hold and a flat area across the front of it. In between is a relatively severe slope, so that a tee shot that is on the green but not close to the hole can easily lead to a bogey.

Hole 5, 352yds, Par 4 (previously 14th hole):

This is the first of the changes that Davis Love III has influenced. There is a chance for the longer hitters to have a go at the green, depending on the direction of the wind.  A cross bunker sits short of the green, which has a ridge running across the middle of it.

Hole 6, 642yds, Par 5 (previously 15th Hole): 

The trio of bunkers down the left hand side are waiting for any wayward drives, as the hole doglegs to the left.  The lay-up area is surrounded by a cluster of four traps and judging the distance of any approach in to the green will be tricky.  

Hole 7, 402yds, Par 4 (previously 16th hole):

Johnny Miller said that this hole was "probably the hardest par 4 I ever played." The drive has to carry the Lake, and must also be kept short of the creek on the left side of the fairway. The right rough is no bargain either, since the narrow, elevated green angles away and is difficult to hold.

Hole 8, 186yds, Par 3 (previously 17th hole):

A difficult green site is surrounded by bunkers and water. A large bowl in the front-left portion of the green will capture any shots that are off the mark when the hole is cut along the relatively narrow shelves on the right side and in the back of the putting surface.

Hole 9, 475yds, Par 4 (previously 18th hole):

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This hole plays every bit of its yardage as it climbs uphill back to the clubhouse.  The landing area off the tee is protected by four bunkers, while the elevated green has three distinct tiers. The green slopes from back-to-front, so it is possible to use the contours.

Hole 10, 452yds, Par 4:

The perfect drive is to the corner of the dogleg, carrying the furthest bunker on the left.  The hole then plunges down the hill towards Hazeltine Lake, with back-left pin locations bringing the lake into play for approach that end up right of the ridge of the green.

Hole 11, 606yds, Par 5: 

Two bunkers down the right hand side lurk for any wayward drives, with the left side offering a good chance of reaching the green in two.  Anything short will likely find one of the four traps protecting the putting surface, which also has a steep false front.

Hole 12, 518yds, Par 4: 

One of the toughest holes on the golf course, the tee shot is relatively wide open and plays in to the wind. Three bunkers await anyone who tries to cut the corner, while a shallow and firm green makes it tough to holed the ball on the surface.

Hole 13, 248yds, Par 3: 

The putting surface is severely protected by a pond on the left, trees on the right, and bunkers to the front and right. The green feeds from front-right to back-left, down towards the water.

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Hole 14, 448yds, Par 4 (previously 5th hole): 

Another par 4 which doglegs to the left, with the landing strip narrowing near the fairway bunkers. Thick rough left of the fairway and deep bunker to the front and side of a tight green are also to be avoided.

Hole 15, 405yds, Par 4 (previously 6th hole): 

The hole curves from right to left, with woods either side of the narrow fairway. The long, narrow green falls away to the front, with the back portion feeding down towards the water.

Hole 16, 572yds, Par 5 (previously 7th hole): 

A severe dogleg from left to right, with bunkers down the left and trees covering the other side. Water again lurks to the left of the green, with bunkers waiting for any wayward approach.  

Hole 17, 176yds, Par 3 (previously 8th hole): 

The small green is encircled by water and sand, with three bunkers on the left-hand side and the hazard on the right. A relatively flat green leaves a birdie chance for any player who takes the aggressive option.

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Hole 18, 432yds, Par 4 (previously 9th hole):

Three fairway bunkers on either side of a narrow landing area make it one of the toughest driving holes on the course.  A potentially-blind uphill approach follows, to a green which slopes from back to front.

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