Golf Top 18 -- The Par Fives
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In addition to ranking the Top 18 Courses I have played, I have taken the chance to isolate my 18 favorite golf holes by Par. Also, please also see my rankings of the best holes by number order, which I've dubbed the "Dream 18" and the "Second 18" or go to the Golf Course Guide for a full description of any course that graced this list with one of its best designed golf holes.
This page of par fives represents the long holes on golf courses that have made the best impression on this golfer who relishes par fives. Ranging from shorter par fives that embody the risk / reward trade-off that makes them great, to long, punishing efforts, this list captures a bit of everything I love in a golf hole. All of the following holes represent the most strategic, unique, challenging and/or beautiful par fives I've played. That being said, drilling down further and trying to rank these 1-18 is too difficult even for me, so I have broken them into larger sections called the "Front Nine", which has the absolute best of the best and the "Back Nine" which may fluctuate more from time to time as more great holes are encountered. Within each of these sub-sections, the holes are in alphabetical order by Course. UPDATED JUNE 2018 |
"The Front Nine"
Course: Edgewood Lake Tahoe
Hole: 16
Location: Stateline, NV
Stats: Black tees: 564 yards
Comments: The sixteenth is a long, and very narrow par 5 that makes its way down to the shores of Lake Tahoe. The amazing pine tree in the middle of the fairway is definitely in play and essentially creates two very narrow fairways. Hitting it will lengthen the hole substantially, but really big hitters can fly it. The second will be played short of the enormous bunker complex short of the green, leaving a fairly wide-open shot to a long, but flat green with a incredible view of the edge of Lake Tahoe.
Hole: 16
Location: Stateline, NV
Stats: Black tees: 564 yards
Comments: The sixteenth is a long, and very narrow par 5 that makes its way down to the shores of Lake Tahoe. The amazing pine tree in the middle of the fairway is definitely in play and essentially creates two very narrow fairways. Hitting it will lengthen the hole substantially, but really big hitters can fly it. The second will be played short of the enormous bunker complex short of the green, leaving a fairly wide-open shot to a long, but flat green with a incredible view of the edge of Lake Tahoe.
Course: Ko'olau Golf Club
Hole: 1
Location: Kaneohe, Oahu, HI
Stats: Black tees: 593 yards
Comments: One of the strongest opening golf holes ever, this one is a long par 5 with ocean views that doglegs left and sweeps down a hill with jungle on both sides and cross bunkers coming into play on the first two shots. The approach is well downhill to a green surrounded by bunkers and jungle that gives a taste of the frightening shots that will plague the golfer all day. Welcome to Ko'olau!.
Hole: 1
Location: Kaneohe, Oahu, HI
Stats: Black tees: 593 yards
Comments: One of the strongest opening golf holes ever, this one is a long par 5 with ocean views that doglegs left and sweeps down a hill with jungle on both sides and cross bunkers coming into play on the first two shots. The approach is well downhill to a green surrounded by bunkers and jungle that gives a taste of the frightening shots that will plague the golfer all day. Welcome to Ko'olau!.
Course: Old Head Golf Links
Hole: 12
Location: Kinsale, Ireland
Stats: 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 and the steep cliffs to the left, creating panic for the golfer who does not trust the club in hand.
Hole: 12
Location: Kinsale, Ireland
Stats: 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 and the steep cliffs to the left, creating panic for the golfer who does not trust the club in hand.
Course: Pebble Beach Golf Links
Hole: 6
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: 6
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.
Course: Pebble Beach Golf Links
Hole: 18
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Stats: Par 5. Black tees: 543 yards
Comments: I really can't imagine anybody who has played this hole having anything negative to say about it. It is a perfect way to end a round with a drive over the Pacific Ocean with trees in the fairway and bunkers right for the timid. The second and third shots are just as scary with ocean and bunkers left and the famous tree short right of the green ready to get in the way on this unbelievably great finish to Pebble Beach.
Hole: 18
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Stats: Par 5. Black tees: 543 yards
Comments: I really can't imagine anybody who has played this hole having anything negative to say about it. It is a perfect way to end a round with a drive over the Pacific Ocean with trees in the fairway and bunkers right for the timid. The second and third shots are just as scary with ocean and bunkers left and the famous tree short right of the green ready to get in the way on this unbelievably great finish to Pebble Beach.
Course: The Plantation Course at Kapalua
Hole: 18
Location: Kapalua, Maui, HI
Stats: Championship tees: 663 yards
Comments: The final hole at Kapalua is the most sweeping, grand, downhill par five the author has played that actually pulls it off where so many others fail. At 663, it’s long on paper, but 300+ yard drives are easy to come by. The second shot is the real masterpiece as the distance is incredibly difficult to judge and the layout of the land will make any ball roll left towards the ravine running down the left side of the hole. The green is snuggled up against that ravine and any left pin placement will make the knees shake on the last shot of the day. Of course, the Ocean views also make the finish fantastic.
Hole: 18
Location: Kapalua, Maui, HI
Stats: Championship tees: 663 yards
Comments: The final hole at Kapalua is the most sweeping, grand, downhill par five the author has played that actually pulls it off where so many others fail. At 663, it’s long on paper, but 300+ yard drives are easy to come by. The second shot is the real masterpiece as the distance is incredibly difficult to judge and the layout of the land will make any ball roll left towards the ravine running down the left side of the hole. The green is snuggled up against that ravine and any left pin placement will make the knees shake on the last shot of the day. Of course, the Ocean views also make the finish fantastic.
Course: Spyglass Hill Golf Course
Hole: 1
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Stats: Black tees: 595 yards
Comments: A grand downhill par 5 starts the round at Spyglass and is the only hole that really combines the forested feel and dunes feel into one. With sweeping views of the ocean and thick forest on either side for the first two downhill shots, the 3rd shot is a real beauty. If the first two shots are positioned well enough to avoid the large trees on the left side of the fairway, the approach will be wide open to a green dubbed “Treasure Island” as it surrounded left, right and short by sand traps so large and deep it’s scary. The green is two-tiered and slopes away from the player, making having a short shot to the green key.
Hole: 1
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Stats: Black tees: 595 yards
Comments: A grand downhill par 5 starts the round at Spyglass and is the only hole that really combines the forested feel and dunes feel into one. With sweeping views of the ocean and thick forest on either side for the first two downhill shots, the 3rd shot is a real beauty. If the first two shots are positioned well enough to avoid the large trees on the left side of the fairway, the approach will be wide open to a green dubbed “Treasure Island” as it surrounded left, right and short by sand traps so large and deep it’s scary. The green is two-tiered and slopes away from the player, making having a short shot to the green key.
Course: TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course)
Hole: 11
Location: Ponte Vedra, FL
Stats: 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: 11
Location: Ponte Vedra, FL
Stats: 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: Whistling Straits Golf Course
Hole: 5
Location: Kohler, WI
Stats: Blue tees: 563 yards
Comments: Not only does the fifth at Whistling straits dogleg to the right over a lake and dunes and then back to the left over a different lake and wetlands, but it gives the golfer the option to bite off as much or as little of the dogleg as they choose, with the difficulty of one shot and the next one being directly impacted by the choice and successful (or not) execution of the prior decision. The green is more wide than deep and has a ridge in the middle making front pins much easier than those back of center that go away from the golfer.
Hole: 5
Location: Kohler, WI
Stats: Blue tees: 563 yards
Comments: Not only does the fifth at Whistling straits dogleg to the right over a lake and dunes and then back to the left over a different lake and wetlands, but it gives the golfer the option to bite off as much or as little of the dogleg as they choose, with the difficulty of one shot and the next one being directly impacted by the choice and successful (or not) execution of the prior decision. The green is more wide than deep and has a ridge in the middle making front pins much easier than those back of center that go away from the golfer.
"The Back Nine"
Course: Ballybunion (Old Course)
Hole: 16
Location: Ballybunion, Ireland
Stats: Blue tees: 509 yards
Comments: From tee to green, this par five dazzles. A massive dogleg left, the drive sees the Ocean to the right but can't bite off more than they can chew or they face deep heather and dune. From the fairway, the hole heads straight uphill narrowly between two dunes to a green that seems to be framed only by the sky beyond.
Hole: 16
Location: Ballybunion, Ireland
Stats: Blue tees: 509 yards
Comments: From tee to green, this par five dazzles. A massive dogleg left, the drive sees the Ocean to the right but can't bite off more than they can chew or they face deep heather and dune. From the fairway, the hole heads straight uphill narrowly between two dunes to a green that seems to be framed only by the sky beyond.
Course: Blackwolf Run River Course
Hole: 11
Location: Kohler, WI
Stats: Par 5. Blue tees: 562 yards
Comments: This outstanding long par five sweeps to the right following the course of the Sheboygan River. It takes three outstanding shots to avoid the river, bunkers and well "placed" trees that come into play on all the shots. The green complex is especially daunting, sandwiched between sand traps and the river bank.
Hole: 11
Location: Kohler, WI
Stats: Par 5. Blue tees: 562 yards
Comments: This outstanding long par five sweeps to the right following the course of the Sheboygan River. It takes three outstanding shots to avoid the river, bunkers and well "placed" trees that come into play on all the shots. The green complex is especially daunting, sandwiched between sand traps and the river bank.
Course: Hapuna Golf Course
Hole: 11
Location: Kohala Coast, Hawaii, HI
Stats: Black tees: 550 yards
Comments: This downhill par five is one of the most visually enticing in the world. From the tee the golfer can see Maui and has wide views of the ocean,and surrounding Big Island volcanoes. There is even a stream to the right of the hole where wild goats can be seen catching a drink. The tee shot itself must stay on the fairway or find lava or, worse, expensive houses left. The second then must cross a depression on the left and avoid more lava to the right. The green is protected by a large bunker to the front.
Hole: 11
Location: Kohala Coast, Hawaii, HI
Stats: Black tees: 550 yards
Comments: This downhill par five is one of the most visually enticing in the world. From the tee the golfer can see Maui and has wide views of the ocean,and surrounding Big Island volcanoes. There is even a stream to the right of the hole where wild goats can be seen catching a drink. The tee shot itself must stay on the fairway or find lava or, worse, expensive houses left. The second then must cross a depression on the left and avoid more lava to the right. The green is protected by a large bunker to the front.
Course: Kauai Lagoons
Hole: 6
Location: Lihue, Kauai, HI
Stats: Black tees: 519 yards
Comments: A great Hawaiian par 5 dog leg right. The drive has a forced carry over a deep mango jungle and the farther right the drive goes, the longer the carry, but the shorter the second shot will be. This shot also brings the huge fairway bunker into play. However, if the aggressive drive is mastered, the green is relatively wide open and can be reached in two, although anything right is still dead. The more conservative golfer can hit way left off the tee (still carrying jungle, but less) and play it as a longer par five.
Hole: 6
Location: Lihue, Kauai, HI
Stats: Black tees: 519 yards
Comments: A great Hawaiian par 5 dog leg right. The drive has a forced carry over a deep mango jungle and the farther right the drive goes, the longer the carry, but the shorter the second shot will be. This shot also brings the huge fairway bunker into play. However, if the aggressive drive is mastered, the green is relatively wide open and can be reached in two, although anything right is still dead. The more conservative golfer can hit way left off the tee (still carrying jungle, but less) and play it as a longer par five.
Course: Lahinch Golf Club
Hole: 12
Location: Lahinch, Ireland
Stats: Back tees: 577 yards
Comments: This classic dogleg left par five curls around a beach with a castle ruins in the background. The player can go for the green in two if a perfect, gutsy drive is hit over the corner, but at their peril if it comes up short or left. The green complex is sandwiched between the cliff left and dunes right, with bunkers in between making an exacting approach necessary.
Hole: 12
Location: Lahinch, Ireland
Stats: Back tees: 577 yards
Comments: This classic dogleg left par five curls around a beach with a castle ruins in the background. The player can go for the green in two if a perfect, gutsy drive is hit over the corner, but at their peril if it comes up short or left. The green complex is sandwiched between the cliff left and dunes right, with bunkers in between making an exacting approach necessary.
Course: The Links at Spanish Bay
Hole: 14
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Stats: Black tees: 576 yards
Comments: Visually stunning, this long par 5 rolls down to the Pacific Ocean with the green no more than 50 yards from the beach. A three shot hole for sure, a hazard runs all the way down the right, but is avoidable since the fairway is very wide, until it pinches in just right of the green. Enormous bunkers split the fairway about 100 yards out and force the golfer to flirt with the rough, lay up or fly them to be avoided. The green runs away from the golfer but is one of the largest and most puttable on the course.
Hole: 14
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Stats: Black tees: 576 yards
Comments: Visually stunning, this long par 5 rolls down to the Pacific Ocean with the green no more than 50 yards from the beach. A three shot hole for sure, a hazard runs all the way down the right, but is avoidable since the fairway is very wide, until it pinches in just right of the green. Enormous bunkers split the fairway about 100 yards out and force the golfer to flirt with the rough, lay up or fly them to be avoided. The green runs away from the golfer but is one of the largest and most puttable on the course.
Course: Pacific Grove
Hole: 12
Location: Pacific Grove, CA
Stats: Back tees: 513 yards
Comments: One of the prettiest driving holes anywhere and the only one hailing from a municipal course on any of the Top18 lists. The views of the nearby ocean, wind-swept dunes, ice plant and green fairway angling to the right are outstanding. However, the golfer cannot be distracted as the ideal shot is played over the leftmost dune on the right side of the hole and anything right of that is dead. Once this shot is mastered, the rest of the hole is wide open, but still pretty all the way to the shallow and elevated green nestled against a hill covered with ice plant.
Hole: 12
Location: Pacific Grove, CA
Stats: Back tees: 513 yards
Comments: One of the prettiest driving holes anywhere and the only one hailing from a municipal course on any of the Top18 lists. The views of the nearby ocean, wind-swept dunes, ice plant and green fairway angling to the right are outstanding. However, the golfer cannot be distracted as the ideal shot is played over the leftmost dune on the right side of the hole and anything right of that is dead. Once this shot is mastered, the rest of the hole is wide open, but still pretty all the way to the shallow and elevated green nestled against a hill covered with ice plant.
Course: Palmas del Mar - Palm Course
Hole: 1
Location: Humacao, Puerto Rico
Stats: Blue tees: 549 yards
Comments: This is an outstanding par five that doglegs left around native wetlands. However, there are also wetlands and thick trees to contend with to the right as well starting right in the driving landing area and continuing throughout the hole. The second shot is daunting with the fairway pinching in very tight around the 150 yard mark between hazards. The green is narrow and stuck between two deep bunkers and wetlands beyond those. So, this is a great hole from tee to green requiring a solid opening effort.
Hole: 1
Location: Humacao, Puerto Rico
Stats: Blue tees: 549 yards
Comments: This is an outstanding par five that doglegs left around native wetlands. However, there are also wetlands and thick trees to contend with to the right as well starting right in the driving landing area and continuing throughout the hole. The second shot is daunting with the fairway pinching in very tight around the 150 yard mark between hazards. The green is narrow and stuck between two deep bunkers and wetlands beyond those. So, this is a great hole from tee to green requiring a solid opening effort.
Course: Troon North (Monument Course)
Hole: 3
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Stats: Par 5. Black tee: 556 yards
Comments: The signature hole at the Monument Course at Troon has one of the greatest desert course drives in golf. From the elevated tee, after the golfer scans the sweeping vista, the eye is drawn to the 20 foot high "Monument" boulder in the middle of the fairway. The player then has to ask themselves "what is the chance I'll hit that?", which is a fair question with its base sitting about 240 yards from the back tees. The player can lay up, go left or right, or over the Monument with the ideal shot being over and right of it to shorten the approach to the green on this dogleg right. The fairway is relatively tight to the green with several bunkers and desert right being the worst mistake to make.
Hole: 3
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Stats: Par 5. Black tee: 556 yards
Comments: The signature hole at the Monument Course at Troon has one of the greatest desert course drives in golf. From the elevated tee, after the golfer scans the sweeping vista, the eye is drawn to the 20 foot high "Monument" boulder in the middle of the fairway. The player then has to ask themselves "what is the chance I'll hit that?", which is a fair question with its base sitting about 240 yards from the back tees. The player can lay up, go left or right, or over the Monument with the ideal shot being over and right of it to shorten the approach to the green on this dogleg right. The fairway is relatively tight to the green with several bunkers and desert right being the worst mistake to make.
