Hole #18: GolfScout's Take
Final hole of the round. You've come a long way, and it's time to finish strong. Leave it all out on the course.
The 435 yard par-4 18th is tough but fair. Most players will aim for the relative safety of the real estate between the first and second set of fairway bunkers. It takes a precision tee shot to execute. The four traps you'll greet at the midway point of 18 do their best to spoil your finishing score.
Before long, Wilmette's impressive clubhouse comes into clear view. You're due for a beverage reload up there. But stay patient. You need to perform a crisp iron approach into the green first, ideally from the right side of the fairway so you have an unobstructed view. Trees line the left side of the hole all the way up to the target. In fact a tree overhangs the green itself.
The green surface has some character, but it's manageable. At this point in the round, your flat stick is calibrated to Wilmette's speeds. You know what to expect. It's time to drain that putt and shake hands.