On some tees, you'll need to carry a marshy or protected area, but the carry is manageable for anyone who can drive at least 100 yards. There are four sets of tees and the front tees' advantage is deceptive. This is also true for the fourth tee, which looks easier than it plays because of tee placement. Hole No. 8 is a long par 5 with a severe dogleg left. The average golfer has 586 yards to a small green, while those playing the front tees have a 448 yard trip.
Players often try to carry the trees to cut off the somewhat sharp left turn.
Although that cuts off some yardage, it is probably not the best choice, since the left side of the fairway both before and after the dogleg is lined with trees. There are many opportunities to hit a tree and lose yardage. The fairway narrows after the dogleg turn, but the shot at the green is straight from the turn. The fairway is bunkered on both sides prior to the green, giving the golfer the challenge of hitting straight toward the tree or to either side of the tree putting the bunkers in play for the shot to the green. Although it seems as if it is a straight shot to the green from the tee, the trees and bunkers offer a unique challenge.