Hole 1 – Par 4
THE opening hole presents a welcoming introduction to the links-like fairways and rugged dunes that are characteristic of Yas Links. The landing area for the drive is wider than it appears from the tee. A tee shot down the left side that avoids the large bunker will yield the best angle for an open approach shot to the green. In the best tradition of links courses the green is a continuation of the fairway which provides a great opportunity to execute a low running “links-style” approach shot that will be a taste of things to come throughout the round.
Hole 2 – Par 5
THIS is the shortest Par 5 in the outward half and often plays into the wind. Routed through a long valley in the dunes, there are several natural bunkers that frame the fairway. The green is well protected on the right side, but a long, low-running second shot has the best chance of finding the putting surface, which falls away from the line of play. Most players will go right with the second shot as a dune ridge on the left side of the fairway obscures views of the green.
Hole 3 – Par 4
THIS is the first of eight picturesque coastline holes. The fairway bends left around the shoreline to a green tucked just behind a dune. A tee shot that flirts with the water and the bunkers on the inside of the dogleg will leave a shorter approach, especially when the coastal breeze is in your face. The safer line is to the right, but too far right and the fairway drops into a low hollow from where views of the green can disappear. An opening framed by the dune on the right will accept a low-running approach shot, but beware of the front right bunker that will gather any shots that drift offline.
Hole 4 – Par 3
THIS is the only inland Par 3 on the course. It plays to a massive green nestled among the dunes. The safe line to take is to the left side of the green, which is visible from the tee. To reach the pin positioned on the more challenging right side pins, the line of play cuts over the large dune bunker on the right that is actually detached from the front of the green by 20 metres. Two “blind” bunkers lie directly to the right of the green and will gobble up any over- aggressive his to this more dangerous side of the green. Hole 5 – Par 4
THIS is a challenging two-shotter, that plays from an elevated tee with views back towards the coast. A controlled tee shot to the left side of the fairway is ideal, as a large, slightly detached | bunker guards the front right of the green. The green narrows at the back and is protected by bunkers left and back right. Use caution when attacking a pin positioned at the back as the putting surface falls away and over-long shots will trundle down towards the sea. Hole 6 – Par 4
A long par four that plays away from the sea. Tee shots must avoid the left side bunker to maintain a chance of reaching the green in two. The green is large and receptive to approach shots, especially up the right side, but beware of the large dune bunker front right that can gather balls. There are also bunkers left of the green that may not be visible from the fairway, depending on where your drive comes to rest.
Hole 7 – Par 5
THE longest and perhaps most unusual hole on the front nine. The tee shot plays from a high dune ridge, where long views of Yas Links and the sea can be seen in the distance. The downhill drive must negotiate a right side carry bunker that juts out diagonally across the line of play. Beyond this, a large bunker guards the left side. From the landing area, only the flag is visible over the left bunkers. The land before the green rises significantly, obscuring views and leaving somewhat of a mystery as to what lies beyond. In fact, there is ample room to land a second shot. The ideal shot is slightly right of the lone middle bunker, as the ground beyond falls away from right to left and towards the green, allowing long hitters to go for it in two. The green sits beautifully near the sea and is open from the right to accept low-running approaches.
Hole 8 – Par 3
A seaside par three that plays slightly downhill to a green that sits dangerously close to the water’s edge on the right. When the pin is near the water, the wise shot is to the left side of the green where contours will feed the ball back towards the centre of the green.
Hole 9 – Par 4
THIS is the longest and arguably the most challenging par four on the front nine. A classic links-style hole, where the drive must carry the water on the right that runs at a diagonal angle from the tee. Bite off as much as you dare chew to shorten your approach shot to the green. The long bunker on the water’s edge can only be carried by the longest of hitters – shorter ball strikers will have to settle for landing short or left of it. The bunker at the front right of the green can be deceiving as it is actually 35 metres from the green’s edge. Whilst front of the green is void of bunkers, the green falls from front to back making this approach a fun, but delicate shot to execute.
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