Enjoy a unique golf sojourn in Ayala Greenfield

Cradled within the slopes of Calamba, Laguna, basking in the warmth of magnificent Mt. Makiling, is a new golfing experience within nature’s bounty. 18 holes of lush greenery overlooking majestic Mt. Makiling challenges every player. The front nine is a long, beautiful, winding road of picturesque greens and snaking asphalt. The back nine cuddles little Mt. Masaia and offers a shadowy glimpse of every obstacle that comes your way. World-renowned architect Trent Jones II lent his human touch and designed this par 72 championship course that sits proudly on Ayala Land. Ayala Greenfield Estates’ golf course boasts of a wide range of shot-making options that will surely delight the senses and challenge your creativity. Let this playground surprise you.

Below are descriptions on how to play the hole. Keep in mind that the slopes of playing a mountain course almost always have an effect on how the greens break. So maintain a good strategy, remember not to lose sight of your target and you’ll surely enjoy playing in nature’s embrace.

Hole # 1 368 yard par 4

A good starting hole to set the tone. A slight dogleg left with a bunker on the left fairway which requires just a 230 – yard carry off the tee. Shorter hitters may opt to just aim between the fairway bunkers and still be left with just about 120 yards. (Tip: grain of the green grows towards the hole.)

Hole # 2 512 yard par 5

This is a good challenging hole with a slight double dog leg which may be taken advantage of by long hitters. A good power fade drive or a slight draw cutting the right side corner is rewarded with an option to go for the green in two. A long or mid iron might just be enough to go for it. Fairway bunkers featured towards the hole shouldn’t be in play here; just keep your eyes on the target, remember your shots, and it will go where you want it to.

Hole # 3 147 yard par 3

Be wary. This par 3 may sound like a simple hole but the green is about a 30-yard drop. Take at least a club or two less. A ravine guards the front of the green and a lateral hazard runs through the whole left side. Pay attention where the pin is; the green’s severe undulations will test your putting skills.

Hole # 4 401 yard par 4

The third toughest hole as course management forces you to use the dog leg. Although taking the right side is a shorter route (the fairway of the fifth,) that area is marked as out of bounds to maintain safety especially for players playing through the next hole. The middle bunker is about a 240-yard carry.

Hole # 5 402 yard par 4

One of the scenic holes as it views Mt. Makiling. An uphill, dog leg left which challenges you to carry the cart path or the fairway bunker on the left at around 230 yards. This hole usually plays into the wind and requires you to add a club as you go for an elevated green.

Hole # 6 122 yard par 3

Again, this may seem to be a simple hole…but since the wind simply swirls around, club selection may be a dilemma. It’s going to be a choice from a gap wedge to a 9 iron from the regular tees. As a ravine guards the front of the green, a lot of players usually miss long and over the green, thereby taking the ravine out of play.

Hole # 7 342 yard par 4

Another scenic hole which runs towards Mt. Makiling. This short dogleg left par 4 is a fun hole for long hitters. Carry the lone coconut tree on the left and you’ll be rewarded with a lob wedge for your second. The elevated green which is guarded by bunkers on the front should be no problem.

Hole # 8 368 yard par 4

A short but narrow dogleg right hole which requires you to play short of the ravine to just about 180 – 190 yards. The green is located on the other side of the ravine and its center is about 130 yards from the middle of the short fairway.

Hole # 9 536 yard par 5

Depending on the wind direction, this dog leg left par 5 which meets the clubhouse, may be reached in two with a good drive, but a water hazard and a bunker guarding the left side of the green shall make you think twice. A sound lay up second to the right will set you up for an easy pitch to the green.

Hole # 10 458 yard par 5

Sounds like a short par 5 on paper, but accuracy, on this double dog leg, on both off the tee and second is a must. A safe route off the tee should just go to about 200 yards on the left of the tree, but if you’re confident with your long iron or hybrid, you may opt to cut and carry the tree on the right and give you a chance to go for it in two. But be warned that the landing to that short cut is just about 25 yards wide. This hole stays as a three - shot hole for even the good players as they still have to contend with another ravine and an elevated green.

Hole # 11 137 yard par 3

This hole is not an easy target if the pin is located on its back left portion. Fat side of the green is low right. A medium sized bunker guards the left front portion of the green.

Hole # 12 384 yard par 4

Long hitters who confidently shape their drives to a draw should take advantage of this hole. The approach to this green requires a high shot with lots of spin as this green is guarded by a ravine in the front and doesn’t hold. Any ball that carries to the back part of it rolls off to at least the back fringe so take caution.

Hole # 13 515 yard par 5

This is another fun hole for long hitters as they can cut the dog leg from off the tee. As this hole plays usually with the wind, good players end up with just a short iron for their second. Irony here is, they still either end up with just a par or even a bogey as they always face the task of getting their balls close from their approach. The challenge here is to land the ball accurately to the front to get it close to the pin. This is one firm green to contend with.

Hole # 14 189 yard par 3

This par 3 is played entirely over water on its left and green is about a 30-yard drop from the tees. Since wind direction is always from right to left, this forces the players to use the wind to carry the ball to the green. A bogey here is usually a good score.

Hole # 15 456 yard par 4

A relatively tough dog leg right par 4 for average length hitters, as they have to play the long route off the tee to the left. Although longer hitters may carry the lake guarding the right side, they still face the duel of finding the narrow – horizontal green in two even with a wedge on their hands. This hole will test your short game skills as you will miss this green in regulation at least seven out of ten times.

Hole # 16 150 yard par 3

First hole of the last mini corner. Perfect control using a wedge will suffice as wind usually blows towards the green forcing you to use at least two clubs less. Getting par here should be no problem.

Hole # 17 480 yard par 5

A slight dogleg left and uphill par 5. This hole plays longer than it looks, as players face the wind direction. This hole automatically becomes a three-shot hole when you miss your drive either right or left. The slopes of little Mt. Masaia guard the left and a landscaped area of bahia grass runs through the whole right side of the fairway.

Hole # 18 368 yard par 4

This hole sports a dog leg left which favors the power fade player making the center fairway bunker out of play. A good drive will be rewarded with just a wedge for their approach; usually a birdie hole or an easy par for players whose forte is playing within a hundred yards. This is definitely a nice finishing hole, with the clubhouse greeting you as you make your last triumphant shot.

It is always typical of Trent Jones II to design meeting the 9th and 18th holes. Or at least both holes meeting the clubhouse. Bunkers and hazards are signature trademarks off the front of the greens, to challenge the player. Needless to say, this golf course is not without its fair share of impediments; but as you move from one hole to another, much more can be said about each one. Each hole inspires a natural sense of resilience; as the player embarks on a self-imposed search for solutions and strategies to go about the hole in play. To some, this may just be a golfer’s conventional tendency. But more than that, it is not so far-fetched to think that these are functions of one’s natural communion with Mother Nature. The experience is not merely of golf; but of nature’s fruitful bounty. You’d love golf here.