Rio Secco Golf Club Holes 13-15

Hole 13 Par 4

329 | 313 | 247 | 220 yards

One of the most memorable holes for me was this short par 4.  From the elevated tees you have a large fairway target to aim at before the hole rises again as it approaches the green.

Aiming for the green off the tee is a real possibility for long hitters but a myriad of bunkers guard the front slope of the hill prior to the putting surface.  The far more conventional play is to hit to about 100 yards out which will be to the heart of the landing area.

There are a couple of bunkers on either side of the fairway to watch out for off the tee.  Shots that stray wider can also easily find the desert.

The approach shot must avoid the bunkers.  It is better to be long than short, but an overshot ball can find a touch downhill shot to the green.

You can see how the slope in front will prevent anything hit short from reaching.  In the background is the next hole stretching off towards the green.

Hole 14 Par 4

432 | 413 | 365 | 335 yards

After what may be my favorite hole, the 13th, the next hole turned out be be probably my least favorite hole.  A sharp dogleg left, it features another elevated tee to a fairway landing area before turning left and heading towards the green.

I think a bit of a questionable design on this one forces a tee shot to the right of the large bunker.  Because of the turn of the hole, driver is also not a good option as you can hit through the fairway.  There really is not an option to cut the corner.  With a deep bunker protecting the corner it is hazardous to begin with, but the narrow strip of fairway over the bunker is virtually impossible to hit.  Not only that, but again the desert looms behind that ribbon of grass.

Despite the length of the hole, you are almost forced to hit to the center of the landing zone.  That leaves a long shot into the green.  A shot which also plays uphill and for my straight into the wind.

Your second shot must avoid the large slope to the right of the green that runs off into the desert.  There are also 2 large bunkers short of the green on that side.  Missing left is not much better as the desert runs fairly close up the entire left side of the fairway.  There is room to miss long here though.  A good thing since it is possible your second shot is going to be coming in from a long ways out.

Hole 15 Par 3

189 | 168 | 147 | 134 yards

The 15th is a pretty par 3 that is tucked down into a canyon.  Your target is essentially an island of green surrounded by sloped desert walls.

The entire landing area slopes pretty well from back to front so shots that come up short are either goig to find the large bunker or come back off the slop towards the tee.  The same holds true of the green, so try to keep the ball short of the flag and below the hole.

With another set of elevated tees, you will need less club than the yardage might indicate.

Rio Secco Golf Club Introduction
Rio Secco Golf Club Holes 1-3
Rio Secco Golf Club Holes 4-6
Rio Secco Golf Club Holes 7-9
Rio Secco Golf Club Holes 10-12
Rio Secco Golf Club Holes 16-18