As you take the field for “Inning #1”, and someone in your foursome yells “Play Ball!”, focus on leading off with a line drive over the small pond.  The green is tough, and that will become familiar.  All the Yankee Clipper greens have distinct slants and ripples – like putting on a pitching mound.  Inning #2 is virtually the same shot as 1.  But Inning #3 requires you to hit for the fences – it’s the longest par three on the course, over 170 yards from the gold tees.  You’ll need a frozen rope to land this green.  Get your driver out for the 4^th inning – it’s the first of two par fours.  This one has lots of fairway sand that will vacuum in any bad hops.  But it’s got a huge welcoming green so it’s the better of the two fours for a par.  The 5^th inning is Yankee’s signature hole – as often the case, the shortest holes are some of the most challenging.  It’s like laying down the perfect bunt - it's harder than it looks.  Today’s baseball players have their own “walk-up” song.  You’ll have yours on #5!  Music from the nearby Sea Breeze Pool will get you pumped up as you approach the batters box.  So, enjoy that moment of pre-stroke swagger, choke up and swing confidently at this beauty! Then focus on reading the signals on this tough rolling green.  

You’ll round the bases for a long cart ride to #6 – another par four.  Take an easy swing for the centerfield fairway to set up the best approach shot because this is the toughest green of the day.  It slopes hard down to the left – so aim your approach shot to a landing zone for an uphill putt.  The 7^th inning stretch requires hitting a different club for the first time today, so take a few extra practice swings in the on-deck circle before teeing off.  “Ducks on the pond” are visible, literally, from the 8^th tee box, but don’t look at the water and just make good contact to advance the runners and avoid the sand and the splash.  Get your closer up and out of the pen for the 9^th inning.  It’s uphill and plays into the predominant wind, so play it a bit longer than it looks.  Get a par, then “walk off” with a great feeling knowing you’ll be coming back soon for a Yankee Clipper curtain call!

Toughest to Easiest:  

3, 6, 7, 5, 8, 1, 4, 9, 2 – toughest green - 6