Golf Top 18 -- The Dream 18
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In addition to ranking the Top 18 Courses I have played, I have elected to pay homage to what I consider the single greatest holes in all of golf. This is organized in a "Dream 18" format where the hole number reigns supreme, not necessarily the par of the hole or the flow of the course (although unintentionally, I must admit that my current rendition of the Dream 18 is a par 71 with yardage of 7,030 yards, which is well within the reasonableness range of today's back tees). Regardless of how I may have ranked the course on which these holes reside, and even independent on what score I may have earned on them, these are the pinnacle of the individual 10-20 minute golfing experiences I've had in my life. Similar to the course rankings, there is no quantitative analysis here, just what I consider the best combination of challenge, beauty, fun, and uniqueness. Also, note that since I've played over 5,400 different holes in my life thus far, I've expanded the list to the top three (the "Second 18") and (the "Third 18") for each hole number, since this still represents the best 1% of them all. For more full detail on each hole's golf course home, go to the Golf Course Guide for each course, as linked below.
UPDATED JULY 2022 |
Want another Top Golf List??? Top 18 Courses played: GolfTop18 Favorite Golf Holes by #: Second 18 Just for fun: Best Par Threes, Top Par Fours & Dream Par Fives |
"The Dream 18"
Hole 1
Course: The Prince Course at Princeville
Location: Princeville, Kauai, HI
Stats: Par 4. Tournament tees: 448 yards
Comments: The start to the Prince course is a perfect taste of things to come as the drive is terrifying, like so many shots on this great course. The elevated tee shot must find its way between jungle short / right and long / left as the angled fairway snakes its way between the two. The second shot will be flat or slightly uphill to the green, over the Anini stream, which guards its front. Thus, the longer the drive, the less heartburn on the approach, where the only real bailout is long and right over the green. The green is large, but tiered, making distance accuracy important. I argue this is close to the hardest opening hole in golf, both on paper, but also in the heart of the golfer, who must endure such fear on the first two shots of the day. Sadly, this course is currently closed as of the update in 2021.
Course: The Prince Course at Princeville
Location: Princeville, Kauai, HI
Stats: Par 4. Tournament tees: 448 yards
Comments: The start to the Prince course is a perfect taste of things to come as the drive is terrifying, like so many shots on this great course. The elevated tee shot must find its way between jungle short / right and long / left as the angled fairway snakes its way between the two. The second shot will be flat or slightly uphill to the green, over the Anini stream, which guards its front. Thus, the longer the drive, the less heartburn on the approach, where the only real bailout is long and right over the green. The green is large, but tiered, making distance accuracy important. I argue this is close to the hardest opening hole in golf, both on paper, but also in the heart of the golfer, who must endure such fear on the first two shots of the day. Sadly, this course is currently closed as of the update in 2021.
Hole 2
Course: Diamante Dunes Course
Location: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Stats: Par 3. Tee I: 229 yards
Comments: This is a wholly unique and outstanding par three. The tee shot is played with the massive sand dune behind the green, which is at least 200 yards away from most tee boxes. The green is wide and has a tier that drops the right third of the green down a bit from the rest to make it partially blind.
Course: Diamante Dunes Course
Location: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Stats: Par 3. Tee I: 229 yards
Comments: This is a wholly unique and outstanding par three. The tee shot is played with the massive sand dune behind the green, which is at least 200 yards away from most tee boxes. The green is wide and has a tier that drops the right third of the green down a bit from the rest to make it partially blind.
Hole 3
Course: Mauna Kea Golf Course
Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, HI
Stats: Par 3. Championship tees: 272 yards
Comments: Pretty much every serious golfer knows about this hole as it is one of the most photographed in the entire world. What most don't know is that from the back tees, it is 272 yards and requires (with no wind) about a 230 carry over the ocean just to reach the front bunker. Also, the green has three distinct areas separate by tiers, making the hole even more difficult as merely avoiding the Pacific won't save the golfer from a frustrating three putt. Clearly one of the world's elite holes from any tee, this one is worth the price of admission (plane flight and all).
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Course: Mauna Kea Golf Course
Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, HI
Stats: Par 3. Championship tees: 272 yards
Comments: Pretty much every serious golfer knows about this hole as it is one of the most photographed in the entire world. What most don't know is that from the back tees, it is 272 yards and requires (with no wind) about a 230 carry over the ocean just to reach the front bunker. Also, the green has three distinct areas separate by tiers, making the hole even more difficult as merely avoiding the Pacific won't save the golfer from a frustrating three putt. Clearly one of the world's elite holes from any tee, this one is worth the price of admission (plane flight and all).
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Hole 4
Course: Spyglass Hill Golf Course
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 370 yards
Comments: The fourth at Spyglass hill is the perfect risk/reward par four. With a daunting field of ice plant and sand dunes down the left of the hole, the golfer is tempted to lay up off the tee for accuracy or stay way to the right. However, this hole has the skinniest green in the entire world with a large tier separating front from back, and running away from the golfer, all the time surrounded by thick, wispy grass, and dunes a little farther away. Thus, approaching the green from far away is very, very dangerous. With the pin cut in the front, hitting a shorter tee shot is acceptable, but it must hug the left side to cut some of the distance off, which is frightening. For any pin middle or back, the only real option is to hit a longer drive, which is generally means a tighter landing area, and any preferred miss when then be to the right. Overall, the hole is so unique and the experience can differ tremendously depending on the wind conditions and the decisions of the golfer that it is truly a one of a kind experience.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Course: Spyglass Hill Golf Course
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 370 yards
Comments: The fourth at Spyglass hill is the perfect risk/reward par four. With a daunting field of ice plant and sand dunes down the left of the hole, the golfer is tempted to lay up off the tee for accuracy or stay way to the right. However, this hole has the skinniest green in the entire world with a large tier separating front from back, and running away from the golfer, all the time surrounded by thick, wispy grass, and dunes a little farther away. Thus, approaching the green from far away is very, very dangerous. With the pin cut in the front, hitting a shorter tee shot is acceptable, but it must hug the left side to cut some of the distance off, which is frightening. For any pin middle or back, the only real option is to hit a longer drive, which is generally means a tighter landing area, and any preferred miss when then be to the right. Overall, the hole is so unique and the experience can differ tremendously depending on the wind conditions and the decisions of the golfer that it is truly a one of a kind experience.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Hole 5
Course: Kinloch Golf Club
Location: Kinloch, North Island, New Zealand
Stats: Par 4. Blue tees: 304 yards
Comments: It is rare to find a golf hole that almost perfectly aligns with a players visual tastes, architectural preferences and gives enough excitement to be labelled a fantastic hole. The 5th at Kinloch is one such effort. The slightly elevated tee shows the player all the options they have and all the danger. Being a short par four, most clubs in the bag are available depending on risk tolerance and confidence. The approach is slightly uphill to a contoured and angled green with many pin placement options. All of this with a part of the course that feels as far from civilization, with a New Zealand archetypal backdrop.
Course: Kinloch Golf Club
Location: Kinloch, North Island, New Zealand
Stats: Par 4. Blue tees: 304 yards
Comments: It is rare to find a golf hole that almost perfectly aligns with a players visual tastes, architectural preferences and gives enough excitement to be labelled a fantastic hole. The 5th at Kinloch is one such effort. The slightly elevated tee shows the player all the options they have and all the danger. Being a short par four, most clubs in the bag are available depending on risk tolerance and confidence. The approach is slightly uphill to a contoured and angled green with many pin placement options. All of this with a part of the course that feels as far from civilization, with a New Zealand archetypal backdrop.
Hole 6
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Stats: Par 5. Black tees: 500 yards
Comments: Sometimes it is easy to see the differences between the professionals and the normal golfer, and this hole is one where that distinction is painfully obvious. In the pro tournaments, this is the hole at Pebble where the big boys hit smooth 3-wood followed by a rescue club to the green and walk away slightly miffed with birdie. For us mortals, I think this is one of the most iconic "short" par 5 holes on earth. The drive must avoid the 80-yard long bunker left and Stillwater Cove to the right. From the tee, the fairway seems wide enough but pinches enough for the longer shot to make the golfer think about staying short of all the trouble, which is the big mistake. The second shot will be played up an enormous hill to a plateau fairway. For the golfer who hit a short shot or one into the bunker or heavy rough left off the tee, scaling that hill is much more difficult than one would anticipate, whereas the bold golfer off the tee will have no such trouble and may indeed try for the green in two. The famous tree framing the green is awesome, along with sense of history and awe when you stand on that green and see the rest of Pebble's famous stretch of holes unfold before your eyes.
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Stats: Par 5. Black tees: 500 yards
Comments: Sometimes it is easy to see the differences between the professionals and the normal golfer, and this hole is one where that distinction is painfully obvious. In the pro tournaments, this is the hole at Pebble where the big boys hit smooth 3-wood followed by a rescue club to the green and walk away slightly miffed with birdie. For us mortals, I think this is one of the most iconic "short" par 5 holes on earth. The drive must avoid the 80-yard long bunker left and Stillwater Cove to the right. From the tee, the fairway seems wide enough but pinches enough for the longer shot to make the golfer think about staying short of all the trouble, which is the big mistake. The second shot will be played up an enormous hill to a plateau fairway. For the golfer who hit a short shot or one into the bunker or heavy rough left off the tee, scaling that hill is much more difficult than one would anticipate, whereas the bold golfer off the tee will have no such trouble and may indeed try for the green in two. The famous tree framing the green is awesome, along with sense of history and awe when you stand on that green and see the rest of Pebble's famous stretch of holes unfold before your eyes.
Hole 7
Course: The European Club
Location: Brittas Bay, Ireland
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 470 yards
Comments: This fantastic par four heading right towards the Irish Sea features a difficult drive both visually and in actuality. The player is faced with a shoot of gorse bushes to fire down, being fully aware of the creek to the right of the fairway that is partially hidden from sight but not out of mind and the reed-filled lake to the left that is fully in sight, even if tough to reach. The approach after a good drive still must find the green with bunkers left and a hill right pushing shots towards the small creek. This great links hole features both a creek and a lake, but doesn't feel at all out of place.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Course: The European Club
Location: Brittas Bay, Ireland
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 470 yards
Comments: This fantastic par four heading right towards the Irish Sea features a difficult drive both visually and in actuality. The player is faced with a shoot of gorse bushes to fire down, being fully aware of the creek to the right of the fairway that is partially hidden from sight but not out of mind and the reed-filled lake to the left that is fully in sight, even if tough to reach. The approach after a good drive still must find the green with bunkers left and a hill right pushing shots towards the small creek. This great links hole features both a creek and a lake, but doesn't feel at all out of place.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Hole 8
Course: Pebble Beach Golf Links
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 416 yards
Comments: Having this hole on my "Dream 18" is like trying to surprise people by saying that I think The Beatles are one of the most influential musical groups in history. A blind uphill tee shot (for the longest hitters, driver can even be too much if hit right of center) leads to one of the most frightening and memorable approaches in golf, all the way over a treacherous cove, so the drive must be in the fairway. The second shot to the green will be over the ocean to a disturbingly small and well-guarded green and seems impossible to pull off. The putting green has few flat putts and chips from anywhere but below the hole will be tough to negotiate.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Course: Pebble Beach Golf Links
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 416 yards
Comments: Having this hole on my "Dream 18" is like trying to surprise people by saying that I think The Beatles are one of the most influential musical groups in history. A blind uphill tee shot (for the longest hitters, driver can even be too much if hit right of center) leads to one of the most frightening and memorable approaches in golf, all the way over a treacherous cove, so the drive must be in the fairway. The second shot to the green will be over the ocean to a disturbingly small and well-guarded green and seems impossible to pull off. The putting green has few flat putts and chips from anywhere but below the hole will be tough to negotiate.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Hole 9
Course: Royal County Down Golf Club
Location: Newcastle, Northern Ireland
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 486 yards
Comments: The finishing hole to the front nine is known as one of the top rated par fours in all the world, and I have to agree. This hole features a blind tee shot over the top of the dune into apparent oblivion. However, the correct line is marked by the top of the Slieve Donard hotel and the fairway is very generous, making it more than fair, even if scary from tee. From the top of the dune, the view to the fairway below is spectacular. The approach to the green is flat and the green is between dunes right and bunkers left. The creativity in the overall design of this hole is one-of-a-kind and fantastic.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Course: Royal County Down Golf Club
Location: Newcastle, Northern Ireland
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 486 yards
Comments: The finishing hole to the front nine is known as one of the top rated par fours in all the world, and I have to agree. This hole features a blind tee shot over the top of the dune into apparent oblivion. However, the correct line is marked by the top of the Slieve Donard hotel and the fairway is very generous, making it more than fair, even if scary from tee. From the top of the dune, the view to the fairway below is spectacular. The approach to the green is flat and the green is between dunes right and bunkers left. The creativity in the overall design of this hole is one-of-a-kind and fantastic.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Hole 10
Course: Turnberry Ailsa Course
Location: Turnberry, Ayrshire, Scotland
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 452 yards
Comments: Following the world-famous 9th hole at the Ailsa course sits the incomparable tee shot at the 10th, sitting under the shadow of the Turnberry lighthouse and close to the snack shack where a large selection of Irish beverages to boost the courage can be purchased. This one features a long tee shot over a cove (and close to the former residence of Robert the Bruce) that must be hit solid and can't go left. The bunkers recently placed in the middle of the split fairway make this tough hole even trickier. The approach must then avoid the massive bunker 30 yards short of the green, but is otherwise quite accessible to a relatively flat green.
Course: Turnberry Ailsa Course
Location: Turnberry, Ayrshire, Scotland
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 452 yards
Comments: Following the world-famous 9th hole at the Ailsa course sits the incomparable tee shot at the 10th, sitting under the shadow of the Turnberry lighthouse and close to the snack shack where a large selection of Irish beverages to boost the courage can be purchased. This one features a long tee shot over a cove (and close to the former residence of Robert the Bruce) that must be hit solid and can't go left. The bunkers recently placed in the middle of the split fairway make this tough hole even trickier. The approach must then avoid the massive bunker 30 yards short of the green, but is otherwise quite accessible to a relatively flat green.
Hole 11
Course: TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course)
Location: Ponte Vedra, FL
Stats: Par 5. Tournament tees: 558 yards
Comments: Pete Dye's design is well known for incorporating railroad ties, water and bunkers lying below steep banked greens, usually combined in some menacing form. This fantastic par five has all of those, but features a uncharacteristically wide and docile landing area for the drive. But, the second shot has options, depending on how good the the drive was and the nerve of the golfer. Lay-ups are afforded right and left of the central water hazard. The right is much easier, but leaves a worse angle to most pins, but the shot to the left must carry water and sand to a sliver of fairway to earn the easier approach. The adventurous player can go for the green in two. However, any miscue on the approach to the green will lead to penalty strokes or, at best, a tricky deep bunker shot.
Course: TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course)
Location: Ponte Vedra, FL
Stats: Par 5. Tournament tees: 558 yards
Comments: Pete Dye's design is well known for incorporating railroad ties, water and bunkers lying below steep banked greens, usually combined in some menacing form. This fantastic par five has all of those, but features a uncharacteristically wide and docile landing area for the drive. But, the second shot has options, depending on how good the the drive was and the nerve of the golfer. Lay-ups are afforded right and left of the central water hazard. The right is much easier, but leaves a worse angle to most pins, but the shot to the left must carry water and sand to a sliver of fairway to earn the easier approach. The adventurous player can go for the green in two. However, any miscue on the approach to the green will lead to penalty strokes or, at best, a tricky deep bunker shot.
Hole 12
Course: Old Head Golf Links
Location: Kinsale, Ireland
Stats: Par 5. Black tees: 554 yards
Comments: There can be no doubt that God is a golfer. Otherwise, the plot of land upon which Old Head Golf Links is built would not exist. The 12th hole at this great location may also have the best spot on the course and is a long, brilliant par five. The tee shot has a stunning view of the rugged coastline below and the drive is partially blind to a fairway well above the tee box. Thus, the golfer must trust his caddie or yardage book to pick a line and stick to it. The heather covered cliffs are prominent in the view of the golfer, but the more of them that are cutoff by the drive, the easier the rest of the hole. Once safely above, the fairway narrows considerably and uncomfortably as the green approaches. The green itself is impossibly skinny and long between a massive row of mounds to the right & the steep cliffs to the left, creating sheer panic for the golfer who does not trust the club choice.
Course: Old Head Golf Links
Location: Kinsale, Ireland
Stats: Par 5. Black tees: 554 yards
Comments: There can be no doubt that God is a golfer. Otherwise, the plot of land upon which Old Head Golf Links is built would not exist. The 12th hole at this great location may also have the best spot on the course and is a long, brilliant par five. The tee shot has a stunning view of the rugged coastline below and the drive is partially blind to a fairway well above the tee box. Thus, the golfer must trust his caddie or yardage book to pick a line and stick to it. The heather covered cliffs are prominent in the view of the golfer, but the more of them that are cutoff by the drive, the easier the rest of the hole. Once safely above, the fairway narrows considerably and uncomfortably as the green approaches. The green itself is impossibly skinny and long between a massive row of mounds to the right & the steep cliffs to the left, creating sheer panic for the golfer who does not trust the club choice.
Hole 13
Course: Sand Hollow Golf Course
Location: Hurricane, UT
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 320 yards
Comments: The "little brother" to the previous golf hole at Sand Hollow (see the "Second 18"), this one is shorter and a little tighter, but the concept is still the same: avoid going right or left at all costs. The real dilemma here, which makes the hole all the more exciting, is whether or not to challenge the green. From the tee it seems perched on the cliff but there is actually about 10 yards of rough long and left that do make going for this green in one possible, even if a little crazy. This added choice brings the golfer's mindset into play along with just enjoying, and fearing, the sheer cliff views.
Course: Sand Hollow Golf Course
Location: Hurricane, UT
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 320 yards
Comments: The "little brother" to the previous golf hole at Sand Hollow (see the "Second 18"), this one is shorter and a little tighter, but the concept is still the same: avoid going right or left at all costs. The real dilemma here, which makes the hole all the more exciting, is whether or not to challenge the green. From the tee it seems perched on the cliff but there is actually about 10 yards of rough long and left that do make going for this green in one possible, even if a little crazy. This added choice brings the golfer's mindset into play along with just enjoying, and fearing, the sheer cliff views.
Hole 14
Course: Hokuala Ocean Course
Location: Lihue, Kauai, HI
Stats: Par 3. Black tees: 207 yards
Comments: This is a world-class, one-shot masterpiece over a cove in the Pacific Ocean. It is so beautiful and serene that my wife and I would not mind having our earthly remains scattered here: her in the cove below and I in the left green-side bunker (morbid...yes, funny...I think so, especially if any reader of this review finds themselves in that bunker many years from now) Anything hit short or left will find the hillside or largest water hazard in the world. The green has a tier and the surrounding traps are plentiful. It is very scary, but very fun, and a golf hole the player will never forget.
Course: Hokuala Ocean Course
Location: Lihue, Kauai, HI
Stats: Par 3. Black tees: 207 yards
Comments: This is a world-class, one-shot masterpiece over a cove in the Pacific Ocean. It is so beautiful and serene that my wife and I would not mind having our earthly remains scattered here: her in the cove below and I in the left green-side bunker (morbid...yes, funny...I think so, especially if any reader of this review finds themselves in that bunker many years from now) Anything hit short or left will find the hillside or largest water hazard in the world. The green has a tier and the surrounding traps are plentiful. It is very scary, but very fun, and a golf hole the player will never forget.
Hole 15
Course: Banff Springs Golf Course
Location: Banff, Alberta, Canada
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 470 yards
Comments: There are only a handful of teeing areas as serenely perfect as the 15th at Banff Springs. Formerly the 1st hole, the tee box sits underneath the famous Banff Springs hotel with a view of mountains and hanging glaciers in the distance. The elevated tee shot will then fly over the Bow River below and hang in the air against the forested backdrop of Mt. Rundle for a long, long time. The distance on the drive can also be mammoth in the high-altitude air. The approach shot is challenging as 6 bunkers surround the green, and often at least six elk may surround your golf ball at any time.
Course: Banff Springs Golf Course
Location: Banff, Alberta, Canada
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 470 yards
Comments: There are only a handful of teeing areas as serenely perfect as the 15th at Banff Springs. Formerly the 1st hole, the tee box sits underneath the famous Banff Springs hotel with a view of mountains and hanging glaciers in the distance. The elevated tee shot will then fly over the Bow River below and hang in the air against the forested backdrop of Mt. Rundle for a long, long time. The distance on the drive can also be mammoth in the high-altitude air. The approach shot is challenging as 6 bunkers surround the green, and often at least six elk may surround your golf ball at any time.
Hole 16
Course: Hokuala Ocean Course
Location: Lihue, Kauai, HI
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 330 yards
Comments: The second submission on my "Dream 18" from Hokuala Ocean Course is the short par four that inspired me to start ranking holes in the first place as it was the first golf hole I can remember playing that had me wanting to take pictures, video and otherwise just sit and stare at it (my poor wife can attest to spending more time than she would have liked doing this, but still looked happy in the picture). Set on a lava peninsula by a lighthouse, the tee shot should be an iron hit about 200 yards. If pushed right, it will find a steep hillside, which will make the approach shot a lot more dangerous. However, if pulled, it will find the Pacific Ocean. The straight shot will leave a wedge to the downhill peninsula green with ocean short or left and a deep collection bunker behind. The green is rock hard and the ideal shot will find the right front edge of the green and collect to the middle. Chasing after a left pin placement is foolhardy and should never be attempted. The views of Lihue harbor and the surrounding Kauai mountains are great.
Course: Hokuala Ocean Course
Location: Lihue, Kauai, HI
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 330 yards
Comments: The second submission on my "Dream 18" from Hokuala Ocean Course is the short par four that inspired me to start ranking holes in the first place as it was the first golf hole I can remember playing that had me wanting to take pictures, video and otherwise just sit and stare at it (my poor wife can attest to spending more time than she would have liked doing this, but still looked happy in the picture). Set on a lava peninsula by a lighthouse, the tee shot should be an iron hit about 200 yards. If pushed right, it will find a steep hillside, which will make the approach shot a lot more dangerous. However, if pulled, it will find the Pacific Ocean. The straight shot will leave a wedge to the downhill peninsula green with ocean short or left and a deep collection bunker behind. The green is rock hard and the ideal shot will find the right front edge of the green and collect to the middle. Chasing after a left pin placement is foolhardy and should never be attempted. The views of Lihue harbor and the surrounding Kauai mountains are great.
Hole 17
Course: PGA West Stadium Course
Location: La Quinta, CA
Stats: Par 3. Black tees: 168 yards
Comments: There are a lot of beloved island par threes, and two of the most famous are courtesy of Pete Dye. The most accolades usually go to the 17th hole featured at The Players Championship every year in Florida as it brings various pros to their knees. I've played it and it demoralized me as well, yet I found myself still liking it. However, my preferred 17th hole is the the island known as Alcatraz at the Stadium course at PGA West in La Quinta. It is slightly longer, but the green is a little bigger, without being comfortably large. Additionally, the tee shot is a little elevated, allowing for a little more visual suspense and a nice mountain backdrop. Finally, surrounding the green with rocks is great as shots hit on the edge will careen this way and that, sometimes saving the golfer, and sometimes destroying them.
Course: PGA West Stadium Course
Location: La Quinta, CA
Stats: Par 3. Black tees: 168 yards
Comments: There are a lot of beloved island par threes, and two of the most famous are courtesy of Pete Dye. The most accolades usually go to the 17th hole featured at The Players Championship every year in Florida as it brings various pros to their knees. I've played it and it demoralized me as well, yet I found myself still liking it. However, my preferred 17th hole is the the island known as Alcatraz at the Stadium course at PGA West in La Quinta. It is slightly longer, but the green is a little bigger, without being comfortably large. Additionally, the tee shot is a little elevated, allowing for a little more visual suspense and a nice mountain backdrop. Finally, surrounding the green with rocks is great as shots hit on the edge will careen this way and that, sometimes saving the golfer, and sometimes destroying them.
Hole 18
Course: Ko'olau Golf Club (CLOSED 2020)
Location: Kaneohe, Oahu, HI
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 476 yards
Comments: There is something strangely attractive to me about having the 18th hole be a tough finish, as it is all that sometimes stands between the golfer and shooting a personal best or winning a match. Based on that criteria alone, the 18th at Ko'olau has to be the winner as it is definitely the hardest finishing hole ever. At 476 yards, this beast is amazingly difficult. The drive requires a 220-yard carry over the jungle just to hit one of the fairway bunkers 250 yards from the green. To hit the fairway requires a minimum 240 yard carry and really needs something longer to leave a manageable approach to the green. This slanted green is back over the jungle and is surrounded by deep, unforgiving bunkers. A huge tree guards the left side and will nab anything hit over there. Par is an unbelievably good score here.
Course: Ko'olau Golf Club (CLOSED 2020)
Location: Kaneohe, Oahu, HI
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 476 yards
Comments: There is something strangely attractive to me about having the 18th hole be a tough finish, as it is all that sometimes stands between the golfer and shooting a personal best or winning a match. Based on that criteria alone, the 18th at Ko'olau has to be the winner as it is definitely the hardest finishing hole ever. At 476 yards, this beast is amazingly difficult. The drive requires a 220-yard carry over the jungle just to hit one of the fairway bunkers 250 yards from the green. To hit the fairway requires a minimum 240 yard carry and really needs something longer to leave a manageable approach to the green. This slanted green is back over the jungle and is surrounded by deep, unforgiving bunkers. A huge tree guards the left side and will nab anything hit over there. Par is an unbelievably good score here.
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