Oaks is a challenging strategic dogleg left hole that offers two distinct options off the tee. There is out-of-bounds along the left side, a pinch point in the fairway, and a fairway bunker at the dogleg to catch anything that runs long. The pinch point in the fairway off the tee is at about average driving distance. Players can try to drive the ball through the gap, setting up for an easy shot to the green, or play it short and safe, leaving just the narrowest of windows to the green. Any miss on the longer shot is trouble, but playing it short is also very risky, either way, the player wants to be on the right side of the fairway.

If the player opts for the shorter play, it will force a standard draw or hook into the green. There is a greenside bunker on the right side to punish any shot that doesn't move left around the trees. Many players in the position may simply need to lay up.