At Padre Isles we use the term "heather.' to define our deep rough that borders one or both sides of most holes. Also the prevailing winds from the southeast are in the 18 -25 mph range, so are a factor to consider on each hole. All putts consider the wind first, and gravity second. Besides the wind, the grain grows down wind making any slope less important.

Hole#1 Don't be fooled by the relatively soft start. Medium length hole played generally down wind can result in short iron to green. Heather on left extremely hard to reach on tee shot, so aim drive left to give OB on right even more room.

Hole#2 Short hole, but add two clubs for wind. Heather both sides but should not be a factor, especially if you keep the ball down.

Hole#3 A real foolery at under 300 yds for a par four. It ranks as sixth easiest on our handicap scoring average. Strong crosswind makes OB right a real possibility. Best play is an iron to the hundred yard marker, leaving a full shot into the smallest green on the course. Hit enough as the bulk headed lake will grab any short or miss hit shot. Once on the severe slope is not evident because of the small size. A three putt from left of, or above the hole can surprise you.

Hole#4 This par five is not reachable if the prevailing wind is blowing, so play smart. The first two shots need to be long but not "maxed out," since you can not reach. Lake left, and heather right can get both shots. A miss hit third can end up in the hazard right, so favor left of pin.

Hole#5 Another par five with the same problems, but lake both sides and no heather. Bunker in front of green catches the miss hits.

Hole#6 After four holes into the wind we turn for four holes down wind and moving right to left. Play this shot well right of pin as well as remaining downwind holes. Let it go left and the lake behind the green is in play.

Hole#7 Again what you see is what you get. Favor right side because of wind and also better approach angle between the bunkers at green.

Hole#8 A real birdie opportunity if you stay center or right. Almost impossible to hit through the fairway into right heather, so start your shot there.

Hole#9 Very difficult par four even down wind. Lake right and left on tee shot very in play, especially since length is required. You can not hold the elevated green with a long iron unless you can cut it in. If you decide to bounce up, the first bounce must be on the "flats" before the up slope which will kill most shots landing there.

Hole#10 Back to work with four into the wind. Length required to make approach shot into a very small green reasonable. Heather right and left tee shot forces a good tee shot. Bail out room left of green not evident for second shot, so favor left. Even a slight miss of the green right will bounce into heather. Again, Stay left.

Hole#11 Tee shot again very demanding. Must be long, but you may not be able to clear lake on tee shot. A fade around the lake best percentage. A perfect tee shot still leaves very long iron into a large green, but if you miss OB left and the heather right are very close. Hardest par 4 on course.

Hole#12 Reachable par five with two big shots. However lakes and heather on both will grab any miss hit. Birdie still very possible with two controlled shots to inside 100 yds.