This is the longer of the two courses at El Prado, playing to 6,850 yards from the back tees to a par of 72. This course requires long, accurate driving and solid mid-range irons to be successful. Many of the fairways on Chino Creek are more narrow and challenging than those on Butterfield Stage. The greens are small and many are protected by sand and thick Kikuyu rough. Creeks and water hazards come into play on seven of the holes, adding to the degree of difficulty. The course features six par 4’s measuring more than 390 yards. Two of the four par 5’s may come within two-shot range for the longer hitters.
Hole Overview
Hole #1 Par 4 Yardages – Blue: 384, White: 364, Red 306
Description: This opening hole demands an accurate drive in order to find the narrow tree-lined fairway. A monster trap guards the left side and can be in play off the tee. A successful tee ball leaves a medium-range shot to a green guarded by two traps on the left.
Hole #2 Par 4 Yardages – Blue: 377, White: 339, Red 306
Description: After the first hole, this fairway looks bigger than a football field. Be aware the generous landing area slopes gently to the right and tee shots tend to bounce and roll in that direction. There’s a small pond right of the cart path that may come into play off the tee. The shot from the fairway is all uphill to a shallow deceptive green. Getting the distance right is the challenge. Shots tend to come up short so be sure to select enough club.
Hole #3 Par 4 Yardages – Blue: 399, White: 389, Red 341
Description: Straightforward hole. A tee ball in the fairway sets up a second shot to a green that is protected by traps on both sides waiting to catch errant balls.
Hole #4 Par 3 Yardages – Blue: 178, White: 144, Red 118
Description: Club selection is the key here. The green is deep and slopes from back to front. A well-positioned trap in front protects the front third of the green. Best place to miss this hole is right!
Hole #5 Par 5 Yardages – Blue: 552, White: 517, Red 450
Description: This is a serious hole! A drive in the fairway will avoid the trees on the left and the heavy rough on the right. A well-positioned second shot will avoid the trees on the right and the heavy rough on the left. The approach is uphill to a deep green protected by traps on both sides. Be sure distance planning includes the elevation change.
Hole #6 Par 4 Yardages – Blue: 371, White: 358, Red 313
Description: A slight dog leg right that eventually runs downhill to the green. The hole sets up for a fade off the tee. The approach shot is downhill to a severely sloping green that is trapped on the right.
Hole #7 Par 3 Yardages – Blue: 180, White: 142, Red 118
Description: The toughest and most scenic par 3 on the golf course. From the tee it’s all carry, and a big pond provides visual distraction as it waits to penalize any balls that come up short. Better to be long than wrong here!
Hole #8 Par 4 Yardages – Blue: 429, White: 399, Red 335
Description: This is the toughest par 4 on the front nine. A left-center tee ball will avoid the sand on the right. The lengthy shot from the fairway is all uphill to a green that is trapped on the left. The tendency is to come up short.
Hole #9 Par 5 Yardages – Blue: 555, White: 504, Red 460
Description: Another serious par 5! Best to play down the left half of the fairway, but avoid the deep rough. A second shot requires precision to lay up to a comfortable yardage. The approach shot is uphill to an elevated green so club selection will be a challenge.
Hole #10 Par 4 Yardages – Blue: 385, White: 368, Red 321
Description: An accurate drive is needed here in order to find the narrow fairway. Deep rough and trees on both sides await those who miss. Chino Creek crosses the fairway 100 yards from the green before turning and running along the left side of the fairway. The second shot carries the Creek to a green that is protected on the left by big mounds and deep rough.
Hole #11 Par 4 Yardages – Blue: 398, White: 350, Red 310
Description: A big pond guards the right side of this hole and there’s out of bounds on the left so a wayward tee shot can lead to a big number on the scorecard. But a well-placed tee ball will leave a medium-distance approach to a green that is trapped on the right.
Hole #12 Par 4 Yardages – Blue: 401, White: 384, Red 333
Description: A lengthy but straightforward hole. The challenge here is to get the distance selection correct for the approach shot to a very deep green that is trapped on the right.
Hole #13 Par 5 Yardages – Blue: 520, White: 506, Red 458
Description: Long hitters who can carry the fairway trap on the left off the tee have a shot at reaching this hole in two! Aim just right of the tower. Otherwise, a tee ball in the fairway leads to a second shot that can be laid up to a comfortable approach distance. The green is deep and trapped on both the left and right sides.
Hole #14 Par 3 Yardages – Blue: 181, White: 150, Red 124
Description: Another challenging par 3. Shots lacking precision may find one of the traps or the heavy rough that guards the green.
Hole #15 Par 4 Yardages – Blue: 413, White: 406, Red 360
Description: One of the most difficult holes on the golf course. Wayward shots will lead to an assortment of troubles. There is OB to the left and deep rough and trees to avoid off the tee. Chino Creek runs across the fairway 80 yards short of the green. A shot from the fairway has to either carry across the Creek or be laid up short, leaving another approach shot from 100+ yards away to a shallow, elevated green. Be sure distance planning includes the elevation change.
Hole #16 Par 3 Yardages – Blue: 175, White: 146, Red 121
Description: A giant trap guards the frontal approach to this green. The challenge here is getting the club selection correct. Best not to miss this green to the right!
Hole #17 Par 5 Yardages – Blue: 512, White: 442, Red 409
Description: Considering risk/reward, this is another hole long hitters can take advantage of. Chino Creek runs across the fairway and can come into play off the tees. From the Blues a shot of 300 yards could reach the Creek. From the Whites it is a mere 250! From the back of the Creek it is about 200 yards to the green so players who are just short of the Creek have a chance to get home in two. Otherwise it is a layup to set up the approach shot to a green that is trapped on both sides.
Hole #18 Par 4 Yardages – Blue: 440, White: 401, Red 393
Description: A very difficult finishing hole! The tee shot must carry across Chino Creek. Once in the fairway most shots will need to carry 200+ yards to reach the putting surface as the balance of the hole is all uphill. The elevated green is trapped on the left and slopes from back to front.
