The 15th at Mad River plays straightaway and straight uphill, with pine forest lining both sides of the fairway. A large maple guards the left side of the generous fairway in the landing area. Pin location determines the strategy for the second. A right pin should be approached from the left side, which brings into play a complex of bunkers. The same is true of a left pin.

The approach also gives numerous options. Shots may be bounced onto the left or right side of the green, taking care to avoid a deep grass bunker that lies centre-front. Flying the ball to the hole demands careful club selection that takes into account a very shallow green, some 20 feet of elevation change and swirling winds in this part of the course. A miss left, which is ‘backstopped’ by the hillside, is always preferable to a miss right, which will require a very difficult pitch. Perched on a hillside, the green can be confounding to read, with numerous pin positions that beguile even the most experienced members.