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Hole #1

HOLE DESCRIPTION: This is one of the toughest opening holes in the city of Sioux Falls, measuring 431 yards from the back tee. This slight dog-leg right, par four will require a well positioned tee shot for a mid-iron into a large green protected by water short left of the green. Par is an admirable score on this opening hole.

PLAYING TIP: Avoid losing your tee-shot to the right as you will more than likely be faced with an uneven lie and interfering trees. Too far left and the sloped mounds may deliver an unfortunate bounce out of bounds. Club selection on this tee-shot is important as a well placed tee shot significantly relaxes the hole.

Hole #2

HOLE DESCRIPTION: The second hole is a par 5, generally playing into a south wind. This dog-leg left hole has water that comes into play on the tee shot and runs along the left side of the hole. A bunker protects the front right of the generous green that slopes from back to front. This medium length par 5 can be reached in two with a lengthy drive and accurate second shot.

PLAYING TIP: Long hitters may choose to carry the fairway bunker on their tee shot for a mid to short iron into the green. To safely navigate this hole keep your tee-shot right of the fairway bunker. Place your approach to the green wisely as a short sided miss will more than likely add to your score.

Hole #3

HOLE DESCRIPTION: Hole #3 requires an accurate tee shot as the large fairway bunker splits the fairway and awaits your miscue. The green slopes from back to front and is guarded by water on the left.

PLAYING TIP: Players wanting to challenge this hole will need to play down the left side of the fairway in order to ensure a mid to short iron approach. Place your approach shot underneath the hole location for an uphill putt.

Hole #4

HOLE DESCRIPTION: Hole #4 is a slight dog-log right and features water right of the optimal landing zone. The fairway severely narrows about 130 yards away from the hole. A bunker front left is all that protects the green.

PLAYING TIP: Leave you driver in your bag and lay up short/left of the water on your tee-shot. This strategy still leaves you with a mid-iron to a fairly large green.

Hole #5

HOLE DESCRIPTION: This is the first of five par 3′s that some consider to be the most demanding in the city. Hole #5 features a bunker right of the green and water all along the left side. Playing 229 yards from the back tee, a typical stiff south wind can make this hole the most challenging par 3 on the course.

PLAYING TIP: Smart players will aim for the center of the green and forget about the hole location. Ensure your misses are short of the green and in the fairway as this will leave you with the easiest up and down. Unless you are playing from a forward tee, par on this hole is your goal.

Hole #6

HOLE DESCRIPTION: This par 5 features a wide fairway with water bordering both sides. There is one fairway bunker and two greenside bunkers that can add to the challenge. The green however, is one of the largest on the golf course and is relatively flat.

PLAYING TIP: Swing hard on hole #6. Usually playing downwind, a good drive should allow you to get home in two. Locals are familiar of the firm landing zone into the green. This is the first true scoring hole on the course so take advantage by selecting the correct club on your approach shot.

Hole #7

HOLE DESCRIPTION: This shorter par 4 still requires accuracy off the tee box if you want to find the short grass. With water all along the left side and thick rough and mounds on the right side, this can be an intimidating hole.

PLAYING TIP: Better players consider this a scoring hole. Almost any shot placed in the fairway will leave you with a mid to short iron into the green. Beware of a front hole location as any approach past the hole will require delicate touch on your next shot to ensure your par.

Hole #8

HOLE DESCRIPTION: Hole #8 is one of the easier par 3′s on the golf course. This medium length hole features water to the right and a small pond long left that will quickly consume any errant shots.

PLAYING TIP: Take advantage of this massive green as this hole usually plays into a slight crosswind. It is best to leave your tee-shot in the center of the green and putt outwards to the hole. If pinseeking is more your style, this hole sets up nicely as well.

Hole #9

HOLE DESCRIPTION: The shortest par 4 on the front 9 features two fairway bunkers and a large greenside bunker. The water on the left of this hole should never come in to play as there is ample room to miss the fairway right. This deceiving green will often leave players scratching their heads.

PLAYING TIP: Either lay up short of the fairway bunker for an easy mid-iron approach, or hit your driver over it for an easy flip wedge and likely birdie opportunity.

Hole #10

HOLE DESCRIPTION: The back nine starts with a medium length par 4 that features bordering fairway bunkers. Playing shorter than the yardage, a successful drive will leave you with a medium to short iron into the green. Water guards the left side of the green.

PLAYING TIP: The water tower in the distance provides for a good aiming point with your tee ball. The deep green is receptive to most ball flights. Play to your strengths and walk away with a great score.

Hole #11

HOLE DESCRIPTION: This long par 3 requires a forced carry over water with out of bounds to the right that often comes in to play. Any left hole location requires precision as a small greenside bunker awaits your miss.

PLAYING TIP: Another par 3 with a very large green awaits. Any shot on the green should result in a fairly straight forward two putt. Errant shots that are pin high and just right or left of the green will provide you with the best chance at getting up and down.

Hole #12

HOLE DESCRIPTION: Playing 564 from the back tees, hole #12 is the longest hole on the course. This par 5 features a large open fairway and out of bounds to the right of the hole. The water left of the fairway is hidden from the tee and may come in to play on longer tee shots. Short of the elevated green, deep bunkers provide a line of defense that is sure to cause havoc on any miscue.

PLAYING TIP: There is plenty of room to swing away on this tee shot but be sure to avoid going out of bounds right. Big hitters beware of the water left as it is reachable on your tee shot. Hit your second shot over the fairway bunker into a large fairway leaving you with less than 100 yards into this severely sloped green. Birdies are possible but bogeys lurk everywhere.

Hole #13

HOLE DESCRIPTION: The shortest of all the par 3′s will generally play into a South wind. Measuring 174 yards with a moderate sloping green, this is your best chance for birdie of all the par 3′s. The water and bunker short of the green should not come in to play on a well struck shot.

PLAYING TIP: Base your strategy for this hole on the wind and the hole location. Back hole locations provide for the best scoring opportunities. Front hole locations are often tempting but can bring trouble into play quickly. Block out the hazards and make a good swing to score here.

Hole #14

HOLE DESCRIPTION: Tipping out at 459 yards, hole #14 is the longest and most difficult par 4 on the back nine. Watch for water on the left side of this uphill sloped fairway. With one of the larger greens on the course, you are sure to see a variety of short game shots.

PLAYING TIP: A long and accurate tee shot is a must leaving you with a long to mid-iron into a large open green. Favor the right side of the fairway for a shorter approach to the green.

Hole #15

HOLE DESCRIPTION: This newly renovated slight dog-leg right par 4 is sure to challenge. Two fairway bunkers and 2 greenside bunkers play the role of defender here. Proceed with caution for any back right hole location on this severely undulated green.

PLAYING TIP: If the hole is playing down wind, tee it high and let it fly to leave you with a short iron and good birdie chance. Otherwise, an accurate tee-shot into the fairway will leave you in position to attack this difficult green from a distance.

Hole #16

HOLE DESCRIPTION: This is the last par five on the golf course. Two bunkers guard each side of the fairway. Water short right of the green comes in to play and cannot be seen from most second shot locations. Out of bounds runs down the entire right side of the hole and many golf balls will find their way there. This green is sloped from back to front and is protected by a greenside bunker on the front left.

PLAYING TIP: Wind will be a big key for this hole. Keep your drive down the left side and you will have a nice view into the green with a mid to long-iron approach. Playing into a south wind, the hole plays longer. If the wind is calm watch out, birdies are going to be plentiful.

Hole #17

HOLE DESCRIPTION: Playing 233 yards from the back tee with bunkers front right and front left, hole #17 is the most demanding par 3 at Bakker Crossing. Heralded as the most difficult hole on the golf course, par here almost feels like a birdie.

PLAYING TIP: Aim for the center of the green and two putt your way to #18. It’s better to be long than short on your tee-shot to avoid a difficult up and down. The out of bounds right is closer than it looks off the tee.

Hole #18

HOLE DESCRIPTION: If there was a signature hole at Bakker Crossing #18 would be in the running. Length is not an issue on this tricky 349 yard par four. Anything right of the fairway will find the water and you will be digging another ball out of your bag. The toughest pin placement on the golf course is back right. Birdies will be hard to come by when you see this intricate hole location.

PLAYING TIP: Long iron off the tee is the smart play leaving you with a short iron into the most severely sloped green on the course. Driver off the tee is almost never worth it. Play smart for a chance at birdie.