North Course at Firestone Country Club
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr.
The North Course at Firestone Country Club, designed by the renowned Robert Trent Jones Sr., has been a cornerstone of the club since its opening in 1969. This picturesque par 72 course features water hazards on over half of its 18 holes, winding seamlessly around the Firestone Reservoir. It offers a diverse and challenging layout with both water holes and tree-lined fairways. The North Course is a true shot-maker’s delight, with doglegs, pristine bunkers, and large, quick greens that demand precision.
Whether you’re a scratch golfer or play for leisure, the North Course offers a welcomed respite from the ordinary. You’ll find more forgiveness than the championship South Course, though ample hazards call for honest risk assessment and precision to avoid penalty strokes. The North Course has not only provided a stunning and challenging playing field for members and guests but has also been the venue for significant tournaments. It hosted the American Golf Classic in 1976 and the World Series of Golf in 1994, demonstrating its competitive pedigree.
How to Play the North Course
- Opening Hole: The first hole sets the tone with thick trees on the right and fairway bunkers on the left. Aim to keep your drive straight and avoid the hazards.
- 10th Hole: A short par 4 with a downhill slope. Play conservatively off the tee to avoid the water hazard on the right and position yourself for a straightforward approach.
- 18th Hole: This long par 5 runs along the Firestone Reservoir. A forced carry over water is required both off the tee and on the approach. Aim to play safe and avoid the greenside bunkers.
Key Challenges
- Tree-Lined Fairways: Precision off the tee is essential to avoid the trees and maintain a clear path to the green.
North Course at Firestone Country Club
# 1 / Hole 1
Par: 4
Handicaps:
Men's 5
Women's 9
Yardage by Tee:
Gold Tee 398
Blue Tee 378
White Tee 367
Red Tee 343
Slope:
Gold - 74.8/134 | Blue - 73.1/130 | White - 71.4/126 | Red - 72.6/126
Pro Tips
Playing 367 yards from the Member Tees, number 1 is a shorter Par 4. The hole is straight out with heavy tree coverage lining the right side. To the right of the trees is a road deemed as O.B. Two bunkers guard the landing zone on the left side of the fairway. The shot into the green can be tricky as wind will play a factor. Going over the green on the right side is unplayable and missing the green short left will put you into the water. Two Bunkers protect the front edge of the green making the green complex a lot tougher to hit in regulation. Playing to the center of the green can alleviate a lot of the stress involved with the second shot
# 2 / Hole 2
Par: 4
Handicaps:
Men's 11
Women's 13
Yardage by Tee:
Gold Tee 387
Blue Tee 360
White Tee 342
Red Tee 265
Slope:
Gold - 74.8/134 | Blue - 73.1/130 | White - 71.4/126 | Red - 72.6/126
Pro Tips
Another shorter Par 4 from the Member Tees, only playing 342 yards, begins with a tee shot over water on the right and the left. Accuracy is more important than distance on this tee shot. Heavy trees guard the right side of the fairway up to the green, with a large bunker on the left. The green is elevated, and the second shot may be tricky. Four pot bunkers guard the front of the green and a large steep hill begins at the back of the green. Any shot over the green will leave a very tricky pitch back onto the narrow green.
# 3 / Hole 3
Par: 4
Handicaps:
Men's 3
Women's 11
Yardage by Tee:
Gold Tee 449
Blue Tee 430
White Tee 403
Red Tee 380
Slope:
Gold - 74.8/134 | Blue - 73.1/130 | White - 71.4/126 | Red - 72.6/126
Pro Tips
Number 3 is a dogleg right Par 4 playing 400 yards from the member tees. A long thick stretch of trees guards the dogleg from an easy driver over the corner. Long and accurate hitters can take on the corner, but risk getting stuck in the tree line. To the left of the fairway straight out from the tee box is a large bunker that is often visited. The fairway begins to go straight downhill at around 180 yards out. A long tee ball can catch the hill to gain extra distance. The shot into the green is no simple task as there are two bunkers that fully guard both sides of the narrow and long green. It is best to play below the hole. This green slopes back to front and can leave fast putts coming down the grain. Does this need to change since they redid the fairway?
# 4 / Hole 4
Par: 4
Handicaps:
Men's 7
Women's 7
Yardage by Tee:
Gold Tee 423
Blue Tee 405
White Tee 389
Red Tee 363
Slope:
Gold - 74.8/134 | Blue - 73.1/130 | White - 71.4/126 | Red - 72.6/126
Pro Tips
Number 4 on the North is a slight dog-leg left Par 4 playing 389 yards from the Member Tees. For the longer players, a tee ball over the bunkers on the left side is the ideal target line. With trees and a large bunker on the left, the right side of the fairway is the safer play to have the best look into the green. The green itself is guarded front left and back right, making it tricky to hit in regulation. The green is rather big and slopes back to front with subtle breaks towards the front of the green.
# 5 / Hole 5
Par: 5
Handicaps:
Men's 13
Women's 1
Yardage by Tee:
Gold Tee 533
Blue Tee 515
White Tee 504
Red Tee 451
Slope:
Gold - 74.8/134 | Blue - 73.1/130 | White - 71.4/126 | Red - 72.6/126
Pro Tips
Hole #5 is the first of two Par 5s on the front nine. Playing 505 yards, this hole is straight away. Trees line both sides of the hole starting around 300 yards out from the hole. A bunker sits in the common landing area on the left side of the fairway. A long tee shot may make it tempting to try for the green in two. But 4 well placed bunkers around the green may have you wanting to lay up. The bunker on the right of the green stretches the length of the green. The green itself slopes hard back to front and is around 35 yards long. Knowing where the pin is on the green can be the difference in an easy one putt or a rough 3 putt.
# 6 / Hole 6
Par: 3
Handicaps:
Men's 9
Women's 15
Yardage by Tee:
Gold Tee 214
Blue Tee 179
White Tee 147
Red Tee 127
Slope:
Gold - 74.8/134 | Blue - 73.1/130 | White - 71.4/126 | Red - 72.6/126
Pro Tips
The first of two Par 3s on the front nine comes at hole #6. Straight out playing around 150 yards from the Member Tees, this large green is slightly elevated and is guarded by three bunkers. The green slopes right to left when looking at the green from the tee box. Be mindful of pace on the green as some putts get away easily. It is important not to go over this green.
# 7 / Hole 7
Par: 5
Handicaps:
Men's 17
Women's 5
Yardage by Tee:
Gold Tee 534
Blue Tee 513
White Tee 492
Red Tee 447
Slope:
Gold - 74.8/134 | Blue - 73.1/130 | White - 71.4/126 | Red - 72.6/126
Pro Tips
The par 5 7th on the North Course plays just under 500 yards from the Member Tees. This slight dog-leg right goes straight out with a subtle right dogleg. The ideal target line is down the left side of the fairway to have a good angle and to pick up extra roll from the downhill slope. Trees line both sides of the fairway with a bunker on the right side. The approach shots are into a large green surrounded by water on three sides as well as a large bunker on the right side. Hitting the green in two strokes is doable but very risky. Swirling winds tend to make the hole play a different yardage than what is measured. This green is large, slopes hard back to front and can play very tricky if you are above the hole.
# 8 / Hole 8
Par: 3
Handicaps:
Men's 15
Women's 17
Yardage by Tee:
Gold Tee 178
Blue Tee 161
White Tee 145
Red Tee 116
Slope:
Gold - 74.8/134 | Blue - 73.1/130 | White - 71.4/126 | Red - 72.6/126
Pro Tips
Number 8 is 145-yard Par 3 that is over water onto a very narrow green. The green is surrounded by water on all sides. Three bunkers guard the green front and back. It is important to hit the green as there is not much room to miss without being penalized. The green slopes back to front mostly with a few subtle breaks.
# 9 / Hole 9
Par: 4
Handicaps:
Men's 1
Women's 3
Yardage by Tee:
Gold Tee 431
Blue Tee 416
White Tee 401
Red Tee 388
Slope:
Gold - 74.8/134 | Blue - 73.1/130 | White - 71.4/126 | Red - 72.6/126
Pro Tips
Number 9 is denoted as the toughest hole on the North Course. This hole goes straight out with a pond on the left side of the fairway and a lake down the right side directly off the fairway. The ideal tee shot favors the left side of the fairway to have the best approach angle. The shot into the tough green is important to have a good look at par. This long tiered green slopes back to front with a collection run off on the back right and middle left of the green. Putting from below the hole will give you the best opportunity at rolling one in. Be sure to be mindful of the wind on this hole.
# 10 / Hole 10
Par: 4
Handicaps:
Men's 16
Women's 12
Yardage by Tee:
Gold Tee 364
Blue Tee 352
White Tee 334
Red Tee 308
Slope:
Gold - 74.8/134 | Blue - 73.1/130 | White - 71.4/126 | Red - 72.6/126
Pro Tips
This short Par 4 is more about accuracy than distance. Playing only 335 yards from the Member Tees, it is not the easiest of Par 4s. With a large body of water lining the right side of the hole and deep bunkers on the left, it is important to be in the fairway. The shot into the green can be tricky depending on the hole location. The green slopes hard back to front and is slightly tiered. Three bunkers guard the green as well as a tightly cut runoff into the lake behind the green.
# 11 / Hole 11
Par: 3
Handicaps:
Men's 10
Women's 16
Yardage by Tee:
Gold Tee 201
Blue Tee 183
White Tee 162
Red Tee 104
Slope:
Gold - 74.8/134 | Blue - 73.1/130 | White - 71.4/126 | Red - 72.6/126
Pro Tips
The Par 3 11th hole plays 162 yards from the Member Tees over water into a large and wide green. This oddly shaped green is guarded by three bunkers, one front, left and right. The green slopes back to front and if not careful, could cause a few 3 putts. Playing from below the hole on the green is best chance at making a putt. There are no guarantees on this back to front sloping green as many putts will have quite a bit of break.
# 12 / Hole 12
Par: 4
Handicaps:
Men's 2
Women's 8
Yardage by Tee:
Gold Tee 452
Blue Tee 436
White Tee 415
Red Tee 405
Slope:
Gold - 74.8/134 | Blue - 73.1/130 | White - 71.4/126 | Red - 72.6/126
Pro Tips
Often referred to as the hardest hole on the course, the number two handicap Par 4 12th plays a stout 415 yards down a tight fairway. The tee shot is very important and must be inside the tree lines to have a chance at a good score. An ideal tee shot is down the right side of the fairway to avoid the overhanging tree guarding the green front left. This long green is well protected by 4 bunkers as well as a steep hill left and deep of the green. The green itself slopes back to front with subtle right-left breaks.
# 13 / Hole 13
Par: 4
Handicaps:
Men's 6
Women's 6
Yardage by Tee:
Gold Tee 441
Blue Tee 416
White Tee 394
Red Tee 380
Slope:
Gold - 74.8/134 | Blue - 73.1/130 | White - 71.4/126 | Red - 72.6/126
Pro Tips
This slight dog-leg right plays just under 400 yards from the Member Tees. The tee shot on this hole is blind, but the target line is left center of the fairway as the fairway is sloped left to right. The fairway is lined on the right side by thick trees all the way up to the hole. The left side of the fairway is more open for a miss but going too far left will put the ball out of play in a thick wooded area. The approach shot into this elevated green requires full attention as missing the green can leave a tough up and down. Three bunkers surround the green as well as thick, rough. The green slopes back to front as well as hard left-right back towards the lake.
# 14 / Hole 14
Par: 4
Handicaps:
Men's 4
Women's 10
Yardage by Tee:
Gold Tee 441
Blue Tee 420
White Tee 405
Red Tee 320
Slope:
Gold - 74.8/134 | Blue - 73.1/130 | White - 71.4/126 | Red - 72.6/126
Pro Tips
This severe dog-leg left plays right around 400 yards at the Member Tees. A 230-yard shot is all that is safely needed to give yourself an opportunity from the fairway. Cutting the corner on this one is protected by a large, wooded area and two large bunkers on the left and tall pines down on the right side and through the fairway. O.B stakes line the back side of the tall pines through the fairway. The ideal tee shot is on the right line of the right bunker. A longer iron is typically the club required to hit into this severely sloped green. The green is large and slopes very hard back to front; be sure to hit enough club to the back hole location as shots into the center of the green will spin and roll off the front, leaving a frustrating chip back up the hill.
# 15 / Hole 15
Par: 4
Handicaps:
Men's 18
Women's 14
Yardage by Tee:
Gold Tee 356
Blue Tee 341
White Tee 327
Red Tee 278
Slope:
Gold - 74.8/134 | Blue - 73.1/130 | White - 71.4/126 | Red - 72.6/126
Pro Tips
This short Par 4 also relies on accuracy over distance. With tall trees lining the fairway and two fairway bunkers, it is important to be in the fairway for the best chance at a good score. The green is large but is guarded by a large bunker at the front of the green. This green is elevated and slopes back to front hard. Putting from below the hole is the best opportunity at a made putt.
# 16 / Hole 16
Par: 5
Handicaps:
Men's 8
Women's 2
Yardage by Tee:
Gold Tee 560
Blue Tee 536
White Tee 524
Red Tee 492
Slope:
Gold - 74.8/134 | Blue - 73.1/130 | White - 71.4/126 | Red - 72.6/126
Pro Tips
The first of two Par 5s on the back nine plays 525 yards from the Member Tees. The hole goes out and slightly dog-legs down a long hill to the left. A bunker sits straight out in line with where the dogleg begins. Playing this hole as a three-shot approach is the best chance at avoiding a big number. The green is the longest on property, stretching 40 yards. The green also sits with water guarding the entire left side and long of the hole. Wind and hole location play a big factor hitting into this green.
# 17 / Hole 17
Par: 3
Handicaps:
Men's 12
Women's 18
Yardage by Tee:
Gold Tee 218
Blue Tee 180
White Tee 146
Red Tee 103
Slope:
Gold - 74.8/134 | Blue - 73.1/130 | White - 71.4/126 | Red - 72.6/126
Pro Tips
This iconic and picturesque island Par 3 plays around 150 yards from the Member Tees. Bunkers guard the green short and long of the green. The green itself is wide but not long. Breaks on this green are subtle. Be mindful of the wind direction as there could be a big difference in club selection. Regardless of pin location, hitting the green can be considered a win.
# 18 / Hole 18
Par: 5
Handicaps:
Men's 14
Women's 4
Yardage by Tee:
Gold Tee 545
Blue Tee 520
White Tee 491
Red Tee 319
Slope:
Gold - 74.8/134 | Blue - 73.1/130 | White - 71.4/126 | Red - 72.6/126
Pro Tips
The final hole of the North Course is a 500-yard Par 5 across a large body of water. This hole is a true high risk-high reward. Longer hitters can cut off a lot of distance hitting over the larger part of the lake, leaving a short iron for the second shot into the Par 5. The safe play is to aim online with the club house and play the hole as a three-shot approach. Around 100 yards out from the green, a small canal connects a small lake to the large one. This canal is not very apparent and must be accounted for when laying up. The green is guarded by three bunkers around the front of the green. The green slopes back to front with subtle breaks depending on hole location.
Experience the North Course
Experience the scenic North Course by becoming a Member or booking a Stay & Play trip to Firestone Country Club. Contact us to learn more about membership, or fill out the form below to start planning your Stay & Play reservation.