Copperhead is a shot-maker's course with plenty of risk-reward situations that demand attention on every swing. It was the third most difficult non-major course last season, and the final three holes known as the "Snake Pit" have been the third toughest non-major final three holes on Tour since 2003 (with a scoring average of plus 0.562 strokes).
Distance off the tee will only be an advantage on a few select holes, so don’t expect anyone to overpower the course. You’ll see a lot of long irons into greens.
Signature Hole
Copperhead's par-5, 590-yard, 14th hole is a true signature hole that requires length, accuracy, and strategy to play well. No. 14 is the last par-5 on the course, and features a double-dogleg that will make it a three-shot hole for most players. 
The 14th hole initially plays to the right where it's heavily protected by trees on the inside corner. The hole then turns back left where approach shots will be challenged by a slightly elevated, undulating green that's protected on the left by a large bunker and by a water hazard short of the green on the right.
Birdie Watch
Copperhead opens with a majestic double-dogleg, par 5, 560-yard hole and is the easiest hole on the course, but still requires two strategic shots to set up birdie opportunities. The tee shot should favor the left side, but be careful to not fly into the bunkers protecting that side. 
The placement of the second shot is crucial to leave yourself a clean third shot into the green. Overpower the second shot and you'll find yourself in a fairway bunker or worse, behind trees that protect the left side. On approach the back-to-front sloping green is fairly wide, and protected by bunkers short and left.
Bogey Alert
Players needing to make birdies coming into the treacherous stretch of closing holes on Nos. 16, 17, and 18 will have their work cut out for them. Going back to 2000, past Valspar winners have played hole nos. 1-15 at an average of 11-under par, but they've played the Snake Pit even or over par in 14 of the previous 18 tournaments. And historically, the par-4, 475-yard, 16th hole has been the most difficult hole on the course. 
Precision and control is required off the tee on No. 16 if players are going to avoid big numbers. The hole doglegs right with water stretching along almost the entire right side. Murky, close-set trees protect the left. This is one of the best risk-reward holes on the entire course.
Conservative players can take water out of play by using a wood off the tee and targeting the widest part of the fairway. Using driver over the water will give more aggressive players a shorter approach to the elevated green protected by two front bunkers. However the landing area is narrower, and the risk of running through the fairway is something that has to be considered.
The par-3, 215 yard 17th hole features a large, but very narrow green with a sharp falloff on the front. It's the most heavily protected green on the course with bunkers guarding the left, right, and back.
Shots played to the center of the green will hold, but short side misses almost guarantee a bogey.
No. 18 is a 445 yard, par 4 with a large splatter shaped bunker protecting the left side of the fairway, and four church-pew bunkers protecting the right.
Approach shots into the elevated green will have to avoid massive bunkers guarding the green in front and left. The green slopes downhill from back to front, so players will want to stay below the hole for any pin placement.
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