The ninth is a narrow par 5 and is, far and away, the most challenging hole on the course. This hole can be punishing and is dramatic as a finishing hole. The extremely narrow fairway makes any attempt to reach the green in two extremely risky, if not foolhardy.

The tee shot is marked by out-of-bounds directly along the fairway on the left side. The risk here actually increases as you get closer to the landing zone. Note that there is an the uphill section of the fairway in the main section of the landing zone. Longer hitters will be able to clear this, but shorter hitters may have an uphill lie on their second shot.

Supposing a player hits a very long drive and is attempting to reach in two. They would need to surgically guide a shot in between the redwoods to a small green. There are no bunkers, but there is effectively no room for error.

There are multiple ways to play in three. If you are above the hill, there is a easily reachable gap in the trees on the right side (about 125 yards from the green). This will provide some margin of safety for a wedge in. For players who cannot reach the top of the hill, the hole is much more challenging. There aren’t many options, but most will benefit placing their second shot on the right side of the fairway.

The approach shot has a couple factors. The trees create a pinch point about 90 yards out from the green, and there is a trough in front of the hole. Players putting their shot in the air must contend with these overhanging branches.

The green slopes strongly back to front, so putts will remain a challenge here.