Steele Canyon Golf Club

Risky proposition

9/20/2020

The par-5 fourth hole on the Canyon nine at Steele Canyon Golf Club in Jamul.

Great golf hole at Steele Canyon can produce big – and small – numbers

With 27 holes designed by golf great Gary Player and set in the natural beauty of Jamul, there’s no shortage of great golf holes at Steele Canyon Golf Club.

But there’s something about the par-5 fourth hole on the Canyon nine that will give you goosebumps, which is what the hole is named.

At 524 yards from the back tees (489 from the white), you can reach the green in two with a couple good shots, but you’ll have to avoid the numerous skin-crawling penalty areas, on the left side of the fairway, in front of the green, and on the hill to the right.

“Every shot poses a threat,” said Alan Scheer, PGA Director of Golf at Steele Canyon.

For the best chance at success, Scheer recommends making a confident swing and getting your tee shot in the fairway so you’ll have a mid- to-long iron or hybrid for a second shot.

Penalty areas lurk in front of the green and can derail golfers trying to reach the green in two.

“If you have a comfortable yardage, go for it,” he said. “Otherwise, the smarter play may be to lay up and leave a wedge in.”

Over its history, many double-digit scores have been recorded on the fourth hole that have dashed the hopes of competitors in club championships and Tour-qualifying events.

“There have also been numerous albatrosses,” Scheer said. “With the most recent occurring September 13.”

Making a two on a par 5 would definitely qualify as a great golf hole for someone.