Hole 10 Par 4 at The Mines Golf: A Tight Window to Open Your Back Nine
- Mines Golf Management
- Jul 14
- 2 min read
Overview
Hole 10 signals the start of the back nine with a deceptively inviting short Par 4. Set against a lush canopy and played from an elevated tee, it offers a beautiful opening view, but also a tightly framed challenge. Though modest in length at 332 metres, the hole demands accuracy over aggression, especially when wind picks up against play. It’s a thinking player’s start, asking you to shape both shot and mindset as you enter the inward journey.
The Tee Shot
From the tee box, the landing zone appears broader than it truly is. A gentle dogleg left is bordered by jungle rough on the left and a creek that tracks along the base of the hill. Out-of-bounds lines the right perimeter, and a sprawling tree guards the approach line.
The ideal tee shot is a controlled drive favouring the left half of the fairway. This not only avoids the trouble on the right but also provides a clear angle to attack the pin. Stray right, and the large tree combined with a cavernous greenside bunker will test your recovery options.
📝 Pro Tip: Don't get greedy off the tee. A fairway wood or long iron that hugs the left side is often the smarter play than a full-blooded driver, especially into a headwind.
The Approach
Assuming you’ve found the fairway, the approach is still no giveaway. The green sits perched with subtle protection, guarded by a sculpted front-left bunker and narrowed further by tree shadows and undulating turf.
Depending on pin position, the challenge varies dramatically. Right-side pins demand a high, soft landing to clear the tree line. Left-side targets are more accessible but flirt closely with sand.
📝 Pro Tip: Elevation plays tricks with depth perception here. Trust your yardage and take an extra half club if you’re unsure, especially with the wind swirling through the trees.
The Green
Measuring 19 metres wide by 23 deep, the green is generous in space but deceptive in contour. Front-to-back slopes require delicate touch, particularly if chipping from below the surface or pitching from the bunker.
Miss long, and you’re left with a nervy downhill chip. Miss short, and the front lip of the bunker may catch your ball, and your confidence.
📝 Pro Tip: Middle of the green is always a safe zone here. Putting uphill is far preferable to a cautious downhill lag across unpredictable breaks.
Visual Landmarks
From the tee, players look down across a tree-lined amphitheatre with thick canopies on both flanks. A red-timber bridge, lush plantings, and bursts of tropical colour add character to the opening visuals.
Midway up the fairway, a lone mature tree stands sentinel, both beautiful and formidable. Behind the green, the ridge backdrop creates a sense of enclosure, sharpening the contrast between freedom off the tee and focus required on approach.
Summary
Hole 10 at The Mines is a compact but cerebral Par 4, a reintroduction to the course’s demands after the turn. It offers scoring chances, especially for those playing left and keeping their nerves in check. But miss your line or underestimate the breeze, and the hole quickly bites back. A quietly elegant hole, it sets the tone for the strategic battles of the back nine.
