Costa Esuri East Course - Playing Guide

This is my course guide for the East Course, which I enjoy more every time I play it.

The latest news is that it should be open within 2 or 3 weeks! So be prepared, the Torneo Esuri Pro will soon be played on the new course.

Costa Esuri East Course Playing Guide

Hole 1: Par 4 – Stroke 14

Teeing off from well above the fairway the hole is shorter than it looks. You must avoid the right side of the fairway as water awaits. Aim well left towards the bunker down the left side of the fairway. The green is above the fairway so make sure you take enough club to get up the hill. The green has a steep platform so leaving your ball on the wrong one will leave a tough putt.

Hole 2: Par 4 – Stroke 10

A good drive is necessary on this narrow hole. To avoid problems it might be advisable to hit a fairway wood from the tee to avoid the water down the right side. Aim just inside the second fairway bunker along the left side of the fairway. On your approach try to keep the ball just to the right of the bunker to the left of the green.

Hole 3: Par 3 – Stroke 18

A fairly straightforward par 3 where the most demanding aspect is the wide but fairly shallow green. Club selection is vital.

Hole 4: Par 4 – Stroke 6

Aim your drive to the right of the fairway bunker unless you are a very big hitter. Once up onto the fairway the approach to the green is relatively short so there is no need to risk too much on the drive. The green is elevated and heavily sloped, so make sure you take enough club to get up the hill. You can use the slopes at the back of the green to stop the ball or even to bring it back towards the hole.

Hole 5: Par 4 – Stroke 2

Toughest par 4 on the course and a superb hole. You need a long drive to be able to reach the green comfortably. Trying to hit this small green over the water from a long way out will not be easy. There is a bail out area short left of the green but be careful as it slopes down towards the water.

Hole 6: Par 3 – Stroke 12

If you cannot carry the bunker with enough height to stop the ball on the small green of this long par 3, try to play towards the bail out area to the left of the green. The chip back down the hill from over the green is not too demanding though. Better long than short here.

Hole 7: Par 4 – Stroke 4

A very tough driving hole and a tough par 4. If you can make it through the bottleneck between bunker and water go for a long drive aimed out over the bunker on the right of the fairway. If not play short and try to make a pitch and putt par. Watch out for the way the fairway slopes down towards the water before the green.

Hole 8: Par 4 – Stroke 16

A bit of a breather after the tough preceding holes. Make sure you keep your drive on the fairway and this should be a birdie opportunity. It would probably be a good idea to hit a fairway wood off the tee as the hole is short and the fairway narrow.

Hole 9: Par 5 – Stroke 8

If you can keep your drive down the left side of the fairway there are some steep slopes that will kick your ball forward and into the center of the fairway. On your approach to the green, make sure you do not miss to the right. You can use the slopes on the left of the green to bring your ball in towards the flag.

Hole 10: Par 4 – Stroke 7

Against the wind this is a tough drive over the water so make sure you give it a good hit. The green is small so club selection is vital on your approach.

Hole 11: Par 3 – Stroke 17

A tough par 3 where the best shot is to draw the ball into the green. Watch out however for the way the slope short of the bunker to the right of the green will take your ball right down into the bushes.

Hole 12: Par 4 – Stroke 3

A superb risk and reward hole. Long hitters can try and drive the green and although it is a long way with risk you can turn the hole into a certain birdie. Medium hitters should play onto the fairway and then try to reach the green with the second shot. It is a long way around however so be prepared for a pitch and putt par.

Hole 13: Par 3 – Stroke 15

An excellent par 3 that requires nerves of steel to make par. The green is triangle shaped offering very little space and steep slopes all around. Be careful, there is no putting surface over the bunker to the right of the green. And don’t forget to enjoy the superb view down to the bridge, a perfect sunset hole.

Hole 14: Par 4 – Stroke 9

A beautiful looking hole with the possibility for a nasty bite. It is vital to keep your drive on the fairway, perhaps even hitting a fairway wood to take the water and bunkers out of play. On your approach try to keep your ball on the same platform as the pin as the green has some steep slopes.

Hole 15: Par 4 – Stroke 13

A tight driving hole where the large bunker is in play off the tee. Play short of it as there is not far to go to reach the green. Do not miss the green over the bunker to the right of the green as there is a severe slope down with deep rough.

Hole 16: Par 5 – Stroke 1

The sight lines from the tee are slightly blocked as you tee off into a valley. The best line is down the left side of the fairway as the trouble down the right is closer than you think. On your second you need to get the ball down as close as possible to the corner or you will have a long third over water into the green.

Hole 17: Par 4 – Stroke 11

Try to get your drive up and over the hill to take advantage of the slope and get as close to the green as you can. Club selection on your approach to the green is vital as the green is shallow and the water waits short.

Hole 18: Par 5 – Stroke 5

A fairly uncomplicated par 5 to finish off with a chance for a birdie. If you can make it over the water on your second shot you will have a short pitch up to the green. As the saying goes, keep it straight, and you’ll have no problems.