The set of par 3’s at Heathlands are particularly strong. Starting with the fifth hole, a long one shotter, for which players must hit a high and soft long iron into – easier said than done. This green complex's main features are the deep run off area left, a set of flashed bunkers along the right, and its angled and narrow orientation. Unlike so many other greens at Heathland’s, the small opening in front and the tilt away from the line of play limits running shots. It's evident that upon playing the first few holes, the collective set of unique green complexes really elevate the Heathlands apart from most other public access golf courses.

If there was ever a controversial hole at Heathlands, the ninth would be it. The tee shot is framed by a long embankment of large dunes along the left and a meandering ditch up the right. Often playing into the wind, players most often are required to lay up, but that’s a rather tricky matter as the narrow green sits on a small knoll offset from the line of play. Those who play left must face the tall artificial dune, protruding into the line of play, making any second or third shot blind. While those taking a less direct line up the right get a better view towards the target but must play over the water hazard into its narrower orientation. It’s a clever little greensite that takes full advantage of the surrounds to emphasis the details for golfers to avoid. Like most golf holes at good courses, things that appear mostly straightforward often have more intricate details to uncover and trouble lurking around every corner.

In 2025, Osprey Valley unveiled a brand-new clubhouse and changed the routing at Heathlands as a result. This allowed the club to restore the 10th (previous 14th) as the courses opening hole on the second nine. Just as it was during the courses formative years. The 10th is a long and straight par 5 that is highlighted by a section of cross bunkers which are situated perfectly in the landing zone of your second shot. The diagonally stretch bunkers lean from left-to-right and ask the question as to which blind shot you prefer. Players can play over the short side (left) on their second shot but run the risk of dumping it in the bunker. Or play parallel to the hazards further down the long side (right), leaving the blind shot for their third and shorter approach. One thing the Heathlands does so well in the public sphere is deliver high quality strategic golf questions and the 10th is a great example of that.

The 11th is a good example of a drive and pitch par 4. Players have plenty of options off the tee given the generous fairway widths. And with the green open in the front, you can happily run the ball into this one on our approach if played strategically from the tee. Yet, there is a neat knoll that sits on the front-right corner propelling those low running shots in many different directions. Like most holes at Heathlands, its short grass area is tightly mown to accentuate these contours and will feed errant shots far down and away from the putting surface.

One of the most difficult holes to navigate is the 13th - a stout dogleg right par 4 playing upwards of 500 yards from the championship tee. Players choosing to cut off as much of the corner as possible tempt fate with the long fescue grasses that cover the knolls and grassy areas right of the fairway. The long approach shot plays into a green which, again is perched above its surrounds – highlighted by the deep rolling run offs up the left and right sides. The green is split into three sections which places emphasis on accuracy from long distance to score well. A rewarding hole that is highlighted by its delightful contours.

A vast majority of the holes at Heathlands play along the same North-South corridor. With only a small handful of holes that deviate to play East-West. One of those examples is the par 3 17th which is the finest one shotter on the entire property. At 178 yards, the hole likely requires a mid-iron approach to a green that sits perpendicular to the playing line and perched above its surrounds. This embankment wraps around the green, propelling ill-fated incoming shots that attempt to run the ball or lack spin. A central lions mouth style bunker is situated front and centre adding further complexity to this approach and recovery shots that must play over or around it. A fine example of a challenging par 3 with plenty of shot options.