Golf Top 18 -- "The Second 18"
Since I've played over 5,400 different golf holes in my life thus far, I found myself not being able to contain my favorite golf holes just in my "Dream 18". So, I have herein expanded the list to encapsulate the top two for each hole number (the "Second 18"), since this still represents the best 1% of them all and there are just so many close calls. For more full detail on each hole's golf course home, go to the Golf Course Guide. Similar to the "Dream 18", this list is set up based on the actual hole number, regardless of how the overall "course" would look, so no judging me on that account, please (although it's a par 70 at 7,042 yards). Also, there is no quantitative analysis here, just what I consider the penultimate combination of challenge, beauty, fun, and uniqueness in a golf hole.
UPDATED FEBRUARY 2021 |
Want another Top Golf List???
Top 18 Courses played: GolfTop18 Favorite Golf Holes by #: Dream 18 Just for fun: Best Par Threes Top Par Fours & Dream Par Fives |
"The Second 18"
Hole 1
Course: Spyglass Hill Golf Course
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Stats: Par 5. Black tees: 595 yards
Comments: A grand downhill par 5 starts the round at Spyglass and is the only hole on the golf course 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.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Course: Spyglass Hill Golf Course
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Stats: Par 5. Black tees: 595 yards
Comments: A grand downhill par 5 starts the round at Spyglass and is the only hole on the golf course 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.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Hole 2
Course: Saticoy Country Club
Location: Somis, CA
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 352 yards
Comments: The second hole at S.C.C. is a short, but unbelievably great dogleg left par four. The golfer is strongly encouraged to hit a shot between 170-200 yards through a shoot of trees, avoiding going left as any approach shot from there will be blocked by a mammoth tree on the left side of the fairway. Of course going right too far equals OB or a side hill or sand trap shot at best. The ideal drive is either right center, or hit far enough to catch the slope of the shelved fairway, leaving a wedge to the green. This green is surrounded by bunkers, slopes heavily from back to front and is terribly narrow. Any miss (other than just short and right of the green) is bad for the golfer, but those to the left or long will leave a downhill chip or bunker shot running away from the player, rendering an up and down nearly impossible. I've rarely played a short par four that calls for no more than a long iron followed by a wedge (or two mid to short irons) that is so consistently difficult to conquer.
Course: Saticoy Country Club
Location: Somis, CA
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 352 yards
Comments: The second hole at S.C.C. is a short, but unbelievably great dogleg left par four. The golfer is strongly encouraged to hit a shot between 170-200 yards through a shoot of trees, avoiding going left as any approach shot from there will be blocked by a mammoth tree on the left side of the fairway. Of course going right too far equals OB or a side hill or sand trap shot at best. The ideal drive is either right center, or hit far enough to catch the slope of the shelved fairway, leaving a wedge to the green. This green is surrounded by bunkers, slopes heavily from back to front and is terribly narrow. Any miss (other than just short and right of the green) is bad for the golfer, but those to the left or long will leave a downhill chip or bunker shot running away from the player, rendering an up and down nearly impossible. I've rarely played a short par four that calls for no more than a long iron followed by a wedge (or two mid to short irons) that is so consistently difficult to conquer.
Hole 3
Course: Kananaskis (Mount Kidd)
Location: Kananasiskis, Alberta, Canada
Stats: Par 4. Back tee: 413 yards
Comments: This par four is at the edge of the property (watch for bears) and it is a stunner. From the elevated tee, the view of "the wedge" mountain is spectacular with acres of forest stretching as to all the surrounding foothills. The hole itself is a medium length par four, slight dogleg left around a white sand bunker. The second shot has to deal with some more sand but there is plenty of bailout room short/right and a relatively docile green.
Course: Kananaskis (Mount Kidd)
Location: Kananasiskis, Alberta, Canada
Stats: Par 4. Back tee: 413 yards
Comments: This par four is at the edge of the property (watch for bears) and it is a stunner. From the elevated tee, the view of "the wedge" mountain is spectacular with acres of forest stretching as to all the surrounding foothills. The hole itself is a medium length par four, slight dogleg left around a white sand bunker. The second shot has to deal with some more sand but there is plenty of bailout room short/right and a relatively docile green.
Hole 4
Course: Royal County Down Golf Club
Location: Newcastle, Northern Ireland
Stats: Par 3. Black tees: 228 yards
Comments: I had the honor and extremely rare fortune of playing this course in May with little wind and blue skies. With the gorse in full bloom, from the elevated tee, the view to the green is frightening for the shot, but exhilarating for the experience. With most of the course in view, the mountains of Mourne, the sea and the town of Newcastle in the background, the player must negotiate the forest of gorse between the tee and the green, taking care not to go right or long as well, as either of those mistakes is very bad.
*** 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 3. Black tees: 228 yards
Comments: I had the honor and extremely rare fortune of playing this course in May with little wind and blue skies. With the gorse in full bloom, from the elevated tee, the view to the green is frightening for the shot, but exhilarating for the experience. With most of the course in view, the mountains of Mourne, the sea and the town of Newcastle in the background, the player must negotiate the forest of gorse between the tee and the green, taking care not to go right or long as well, as either of those mistakes is very bad.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Hole 5
Course: Chambers Bay Golf Course
Location: University Place, WA
Stats: Par 4. Championship tees: 465 yards
Comments: Long and straight, this downhill par four has one of the best views on the golf course and requires a big drive to the undulating fairways between the massive bunkers on either side. The cunning of the golf hole, however, resides in the green complex that uses a deep central bunker to create havoc. A longer approach shot will require a shot to run up either side of the trap, which is tough because the back half of the green runs away from the player, down into a low chipping area. Higher, shorter shots have a better chance of stopping, but working the way around the undulations for different pin placements requires pure perfection.
Course: Chambers Bay Golf Course
Location: University Place, WA
Stats: Par 4. Championship tees: 465 yards
Comments: Long and straight, this downhill par four has one of the best views on the golf course and requires a big drive to the undulating fairways between the massive bunkers on either side. The cunning of the golf hole, however, resides in the green complex that uses a deep central bunker to create havoc. A longer approach shot will require a shot to run up either side of the trap, which is tough because the back half of the green runs away from the player, down into a low chipping area. Higher, shorter shots have a better chance of stopping, but working the way around the undulations for different pin placements requires pure perfection.
Hole 6
Course: Greywolf Golf Course
Hole: 6
Location: Panorama Village, British Columbia, Canada
Stats: Tournament tees: 200 yards
Comments: The signature hole is one of the most fantastically beautiful and scary par threes in the world. Named "Cliffhanger", the only bailout option is right, and there isn't too much room over there unless the shot still has the correct distance. Anything missing the green elsewhere won't be found, at least without a back-country guide.
Course: Greywolf Golf Course
Hole: 6
Location: Panorama Village, British Columbia, Canada
Stats: Tournament tees: 200 yards
Comments: The signature hole is one of the most fantastically beautiful and scary par threes in the world. Named "Cliffhanger", the only bailout option is right, and there isn't too much room over there unless the shot still has the correct distance. Anything missing the green elsewhere won't be found, at least without a back-country guide.
Hole 7
Course: Makai Course at Princeville
Location: Princeville, Kauai, HI
Stats: Par 3. Green tees: 213 yards
Comments: The Makai’s signature golf hole is a brutal test of nerves and ability as a 200+ yard shot over the Pacific awaits the golfer. To make matters worse, the trade winds are usually blowing right into the Pacific. There are also bunkers and a tough green to putt on this one. The golfer can bail out to the left of the green, which at least gives an "easy bogey", but what's the fun in that?
Course: Makai Course at Princeville
Location: Princeville, Kauai, HI
Stats: Par 3. Green tees: 213 yards
Comments: The Makai’s signature golf hole is a brutal test of nerves and ability as a 200+ yard shot over the Pacific awaits the golfer. To make matters worse, the trade winds are usually blowing right into the Pacific. There are also bunkers and a tough green to putt on this one. The golfer can bail out to the left of the green, which at least gives an "easy bogey", but what's the fun in that?
Hole 8
Course: The Plantation Course at Kapalua
Location: Kapalua, Maui, HI
Stats: Par 3. Championship tees: 203 yards
Comments: If there is one hole on my favorites list that absolutely owns me, it is this one. I've played "Gorge” four times to date and found a way to screw it up in every direction, except for the one time I hit it to 3 feet...and then missed the putt, which still felt bad. Simply put, this is a fantastic par three and if the golfer misses anywhere, the ball is gone or in a deep unforgiving bunker. This is no easy task as the tee is also elevated and the trade winds usually have plenty of time to mess with the tee shot. The green is also shallow and heavily sloped, so the fun isn’t over till the ball is in the hole.
Course: The Plantation Course at Kapalua
Location: Kapalua, Maui, HI
Stats: Par 3. Championship tees: 203 yards
Comments: If there is one hole on my favorites list that absolutely owns me, it is this one. I've played "Gorge” four times to date and found a way to screw it up in every direction, except for the one time I hit it to 3 feet...and then missed the putt, which still felt bad. Simply put, this is a fantastic par three and if the golfer misses anywhere, the ball is gone or in a deep unforgiving bunker. This is no easy task as the tee is also elevated and the trade winds usually have plenty of time to mess with the tee shot. The green is also shallow and heavily sloped, so the fun isn’t over till the ball is in the hole.
Hole 9
Course: Pebble Beach Golf Links
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 462 yards
Comments: At Pebble Beach, this long par four is the toughest hole on the front side. It is long, straight and runs along the Pacific the entire way. However, the contours of the fairway lean heavily from left to right, which means that almost every approach shot will have the tendency to slide right, due to the player's lie. This makes the second especially scary (although beautiful) as it must carry or shape around a deep bunker front left to a green nestled on cliffs above the beach to the right.
Course: Pebble Beach Golf Links
Location: Pebble Beach, CA
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 462 yards
Comments: At Pebble Beach, this long par four is the toughest hole on the front side. It is long, straight and runs along the Pacific the entire way. However, the contours of the fairway lean heavily from left to right, which means that almost every approach shot will have the tendency to slide right, due to the player's lie. This makes the second especially scary (although beautiful) as it must carry or shape around a deep bunker front left to a green nestled on cliffs above the beach to the right.
Hole 10
Course: Royal Isabela
Location: Isabela, Puerto Rico
Stats: Par 5. Black tees: 558 yards
Comments: This strategic par five requires accuracy and commitment to a plan. The tee shot has water left and trees and a bunker that plague the landing area. Laying up short of them is prudent and will allow for a second shot to be played across the corner of the dogleg left. A big drive can afford a chance to cut the corner to hit the green in two with a draw or leave a chip to the green. However, there is an enormous bunker front and left of the green and thick trees on both sides. The green in very unique as it is long, narrow and actually three-tiered, running away from the front to the back of the green, which drops off at its end. Ocean views are afforded throughout.
Course: Royal Isabela
Location: Isabela, Puerto Rico
Stats: Par 5. Black tees: 558 yards
Comments: This strategic par five requires accuracy and commitment to a plan. The tee shot has water left and trees and a bunker that plague the landing area. Laying up short of them is prudent and will allow for a second shot to be played across the corner of the dogleg left. A big drive can afford a chance to cut the corner to hit the green in two with a draw or leave a chip to the green. However, there is an enormous bunker front and left of the green and thick trees on both sides. The green in very unique as it is long, narrow and actually three-tiered, running away from the front to the back of the green, which drops off at its end. Ocean views are afforded throughout.
Hole 11
Course: Ballybunion Old Course
Location: Ballybunion, Ireland
Stats: Par 4. Back tees: 473 yards
Comments: This par four is legendary and is widely regarded as one of the better seaside par fours in the world. The fairway is like a rollercoaster heading down towards the green, with many levels and undulations between. The approach is to a green settled between dunes and general golfing misery if it should be missed.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Course: Ballybunion Old Course
Location: Ballybunion, Ireland
Stats: Par 4. Back tees: 473 yards
Comments: This par four is legendary and is widely regarded as one of the better seaside par fours in the world. The fairway is like a rollercoaster heading down towards the green, with many levels and undulations between. The approach is to a green settled between dunes and general golfing misery if it should be missed.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Hole 12
Course: Sand Hollow Championship Course
Location: Hurricane, UT
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 443 yards
Comments: This amazingly unique par four challenges the golfer with a tee shot between two cliffs. The cliff to the left is straight down into oblivion, and the cliff to the right is in the form of a red rock wall that might throw an incoming shot in any number of directions. The hole is long and, after a downhill tee shot, back uphill to a green with deep bunkers in front and a tier separating its front half and back.
Course: Sand Hollow Championship Course
Location: Hurricane, UT
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 443 yards
Comments: This amazingly unique par four challenges the golfer with a tee shot between two cliffs. The cliff to the left is straight down into oblivion, and the cliff to the right is in the form of a red rock wall that might throw an incoming shot in any number of directions. The hole is long and, after a downhill tee shot, back uphill to a green with deep bunkers in front and a tier separating its front half and back.
Hole 13
Course: Pacific Dunes
Location: Bandon, OR
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 444 yards
Comments: The signature hole on this course is one of two long par fours that runs along the the ocean cliffs (#4 heads the opposite direction). This one features enormous and beautiful sand dunes to the right side. The fairway is pretty wide, but the approach to the green is easier from the left side. The green itself is deep and leaves little room for error as left is gone, right is in trouble and anything short won't make it up the steep hill...so the golfer must keep his concentration even though the views are fantastic.
Course: Pacific Dunes
Location: Bandon, OR
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 444 yards
Comments: The signature hole on this course is one of two long par fours that runs along the the ocean cliffs (#4 heads the opposite direction). This one features enormous and beautiful sand dunes to the right side. The fairway is pretty wide, but the approach to the green is easier from the left side. The green itself is deep and leaves little room for error as left is gone, right is in trouble and anything short won't make it up the steep hill...so the golfer must keep his concentration even though the views are fantastic.
Hole 14
Course: Edgewood Lake Tahoe
Location: Stateline, NV
Stats: Par 4. Gold tees: 447 yards
Comments: One of the most gorgeous holes in all of golf starts with a tee shot through a shoot of trees. Anything left is in a lake, while a bunker looms right to grab the timid or greedy. The approach turns the corner and presents a wide open view of the green with Lake Tahoe and Mt. Tallac directly behind it. It is a striking hole and embodies all that is memorable about Edgewood.
Course: Edgewood Lake Tahoe
Location: Stateline, NV
Stats: Par 4. Gold tees: 447 yards
Comments: One of the most gorgeous holes in all of golf starts with a tee shot through a shoot of trees. Anything left is in a lake, while a bunker looms right to grab the timid or greedy. The approach turns the corner and presents a wide open view of the green with Lake Tahoe and Mt. Tallac directly behind it. It is a striking hole and embodies all that is memorable about Edgewood.
Hole 15
Course: Mauna Lani Resort South Course
Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, HI
Stats: Par 3. Championship tees: 196 yards
Comments: This hole is why cameras should be taken on golf courses, and it makes many framed cameos on office walls all over the world. Not many holes can offer shots clear over a beautiful lava-ringed cove of the Pacific Ocean, to a green ringed by bunkers and palm trees, but this one can. It is not oppressively long or difficult on paper, but the nerves of the player can play a big part on this shot.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Course: Mauna Lani Resort South Course
Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, HI
Stats: Par 3. Championship tees: 196 yards
Comments: This hole is why cameras should be taken on golf courses, and it makes many framed cameos on office walls all over the world. Not many holes can offer shots clear over a beautiful lava-ringed cove of the Pacific Ocean, to a green ringed by bunkers and palm trees, but this one can. It is not oppressively long or difficult on paper, but the nerves of the player can play a big part on this shot.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Hole 16
Course: Bandon Dunes
Location: Bandon, OR
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 363 yards
Comments: This phenomenal short par four along the ocean gives the driver his pick of poison. The lay-up offered will leave around 150 to the green, but the area of the lay-up is close to the ocean cliffs. The adventurous player can clear the waste area leaving 100 yards and go more to the left, but it is a good poke to clear the trouble and there is more trouble to the far left. The approach is terrifying (and more so from the right) as the green is perched on the cliffs where anything going a little offline is dead.
Course: Bandon Dunes
Location: Bandon, OR
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 363 yards
Comments: This phenomenal short par four along the ocean gives the driver his pick of poison. The lay-up offered will leave around 150 to the green, but the area of the lay-up is close to the ocean cliffs. The adventurous player can clear the waste area leaving 100 yards and go more to the left, but it is a good poke to clear the trouble and there is more trouble to the far left. The approach is terrifying (and more so from the right) as the green is perched on the cliffs where anything going a little offline is dead.
Hole 17
Course: The Challenge at Manele
Location: Lanai, HI
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 444 yards
Comments: This is the best par four on the island of Lanai and one of the most challenging drives anywhere on earth. The tee box is perched on one side of a cove of the Pacific Ocean and the fairway is on the other. The hole then doglegs right around the cliffs down to a shallow, but wide green on the cliffs, with a huge bunker short and hazard right and long.
Course: The Challenge at Manele
Location: Lanai, HI
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 444 yards
Comments: This is the best par four on the island of Lanai and one of the most challenging drives anywhere on earth. The tee box is perched on one side of a cove of the Pacific Ocean and the fairway is on the other. The hole then doglegs right around the cliffs down to a shallow, but wide green on the cliffs, with a huge bunker short and hazard right and long.
Hole 18
Course: Pebble Beach Golf Links
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.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Course: Pebble Beach Golf Links
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.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Top 500 Golf Holes in the World | Ranking the 25 Most Scenic Golf Holes on Earth
Agree or disagree with our lists? Post a comment on Facebook. |
|