Architecture: A peek at Tiger's first course: Golf Digest

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Architecture: A peek at Tiger's first course

Courtesy of Tiger Woods Design

A couple of weeks ago, we broke ground on my first golf course design project, Al Ruwaya, at The Tiger Woods Dubai. Although I couldn't be there, I was thrilled. I can't wait to see my designs take shape in the Dubai desert.

Since we announced this project last December, I've been hard at work with my team to create what I think will be a fun, strategic test. Basically, I wanted to design a wide variety of holes that present all skill levels with a lot of different shot options. I think we've achieved that.

We used length, width, topography, wind direction, hazard placement, and greens contouring to create unique, individual holes that test not only the physical but the mental game as well. We're getting close to completing the final designs, but in the meantime, I wanted to share holes 12, 17 and 18 since they showcase the unique, strategic experience I've designed for Al Ruwaya.

Hole 12

Hole 12 is our shortest par 3 at 181 yards, but it is very interesting. Visually it's very dramatic due to the elevations and vegetation, but it's also very strategic. It plays over a 30-foot depression of native grasslands and shrubbery to a somewhat crowned green. Pin position will dictate strategy off the tee and club selection will be very important. Right and left pin positions are guarded by large bunkers, but the contours of the green's crown can be used to access these pins. Because the hole plays downwind, the front of the green has been left open providing a further option to play a running shot to the center. You are really going to have to think on the tee about your shot, especially if the wind is up.

Hole 17

At 341 yards, this par 4 plays slightly uphill but downwind. A longer hitter could drive the left side of the green. But drives drifting right will likely find the deep greenside bunkers or the large depression short right. Shorter hitters can lay up off the tee but will want to favor the left side of the short landing area to preserve the best angle into a left-to-right green.

Hole 18

The 18th is a long par 4 playing into the prevailing wind. It is certainly a strong hole, but I wanted the finish of the round to be a real test both mentally and physically. At its longest, 18 will play at 507 yards, and this strategic test starts with the tee shot. One option is to challenge the right side of the fairway for a shorter approach to the green, but doing so requires contending with the water and playing over it on the approach. Conversely, playing down the left away from the water may provide a better angle of approach. However, shots to the green will certainly be longer, and errant tee shots could find the fairway bunkers on the left. The decision making does not stop after the tee shot. The green is well guarded by the water so golfers will have to decide whether to challenge right side pin positions or play away to the left. Left side "bailouts" are not automatic though, as we have put a very strategically placed bunker long left of the green. Overall, I think if you walk off 18 with a par, you will feel like you made some smart decisions and executed properly.