Golf Top 18 -- "The Third 18"Since I've played over 5,400 different holes in my life thus far, I found myself not being able to contain my favorite holes just in my "Dream 18" and the "Second 18". So, as of 2021, I have herein expanded the list to include now the third best holes for each hole number (the "Third 18"), since this still represents the best 1% of them all and there are just so many great golf holes to share. 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, although this one is currently a par 72, weighing in at 7,139 yards. Also, as with the other lists, there is no quantitative analysis here, just what I consider the amazing combination of challenge, beauty, fun, and uniqueness in a golf hole.
UPDATED FEBRUARY 2021 |
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"The Third 18"
Hole 1
Course: Portstewart Strand Golf Course
Location: Portstewart, Northern Ireland
Stats: Par 4. Back tees: 427 yards
Comments: Considered one of the best opening holes in golf, the tee box offers a beautiful view of the Northern Ireland course and the North Atlantic. The hole itself is a tight, downhill, dogleg right around a forest of gorse. Any shot too far right off tee is either dead or leaves a blind shot over the gorse mountain. Of course, going left is safer, but leaves a much longer shot to the green from there. There are absolutely no bunkers on the entire hole and none are needed with long grasses and mounding providing plenty of trouble on both sides of the hole from tee to green.
Course: Portstewart Strand Golf Course
Location: Portstewart, Northern Ireland
Stats: Par 4. Back tees: 427 yards
Comments: Considered one of the best opening holes in golf, the tee box offers a beautiful view of the Northern Ireland course and the North Atlantic. The hole itself is a tight, downhill, dogleg right around a forest of gorse. Any shot too far right off tee is either dead or leaves a blind shot over the gorse mountain. Of course, going left is safer, but leaves a much longer shot to the green from there. There are absolutely no bunkers on the entire hole and none are needed with long grasses and mounding providing plenty of trouble on both sides of the hole from tee to green.
Hole 2
Course: TPC Las Vegas
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Stats: Par 3. TPC tees: 196 yards
Comments: An island oasis golf hole approached from an elevated tee. For those that miss the green in any direction, they will find the desert that surrounds. What makes it more treacherous is that those that miss left or long will also find themselves (if they find their ball) well below the green having to hit a flop shot off desert high in the air just to hit the green. The green, however, if hit, is relatively easy to read and will yield birdies
Course: TPC Las Vegas
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Stats: Par 3. TPC tees: 196 yards
Comments: An island oasis golf hole approached from an elevated tee. For those that miss the green in any direction, they will find the desert that surrounds. What makes it more treacherous is that those that miss left or long will also find themselves (if they find their ball) well below the green having to hit a flop shot off desert high in the air just to hit the green. The green, however, if hit, is relatively easy to read and will yield birdies
Hole 3
Course: Old MacDonald
Location: Bandon, OR
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 374 yards
Comments: The golfer gets the first real treat / scare of the day at Old MacDonald with the blind tee shot on the third hole. With a massive "Ghost Tree" dead center of the dune, the golfer knows they must hit it high, long and close to the tree, but not into it. From the plateau in the fairway, the golfer can see the rest of the course and the ocean before him before turning his attention to the downhill and extremely difficult and undulating green complex before him.
Course: Old MacDonald
Location: Bandon, OR
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 374 yards
Comments: The golfer gets the first real treat / scare of the day at Old MacDonald with the blind tee shot on the third hole. With a massive "Ghost Tree" dead center of the dune, the golfer knows they must hit it high, long and close to the tree, but not into it. From the plateau in the fairway, the golfer can see the rest of the course and the ocean before him before turning his attention to the downhill and extremely difficult and undulating green complex before him.
Hole 4
Course: Pacific Dunes
Location: Bandon, OR
Stats: Par 4. Back tees: 463 yards
Comments: Possibly among the most difficult golf holes in the world, when it plays into the wind, and certainly one of the most iconic at this Oregon resort. This beast runs along a gorse filled cliff on the right side. The left is riddled with bunkers and worse penalties in the form of gorse-filled areas, and the margin for error on the tee shot is minuscule The green is narrow and nestled between a large dune left and ocean cliff to the right.
Course: Pacific Dunes
Location: Bandon, OR
Stats: Par 4. Back tees: 463 yards
Comments: Possibly among the most difficult golf holes in the world, when it plays into the wind, and certainly one of the most iconic at this Oregon resort. This beast runs along a gorse filled cliff on the right side. The left is riddled with bunkers and worse penalties in the form of gorse-filled areas, and the margin for error on the tee shot is minuscule The green is narrow and nestled between a large dune left and ocean cliff to the right.
Hole 5
Course: Whistling Straits Golf Course
Location: Kohler, WI
Stats: Par 5. 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.
Course: Whistling Straits Golf Course
Location: Kohler, WI
Stats: Par 5. 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 6
Course: TPC Sawgrass (Dye's Valley Course)
Location: Ponte Vedra, FL
Stats: Par 4. Tournament tees: 462 yards
Comments: This long dogleg right par four is difficult from tee to green with water running the entire length right of the fairway and thick "get lost forever" type of Florida forest / swamp to the left. The best drive carries the bunker on the right, which requires length and can only be achieved if it stays less than 15 yards from the water. Anything left of that will require a second shot longer than 200 yards to the green, which is nestled against the water, making par a difficult proposition. Watch out for large reptiles near the water hazards too!
Course: TPC Sawgrass (Dye's Valley Course)
Location: Ponte Vedra, FL
Stats: Par 4. Tournament tees: 462 yards
Comments: This long dogleg right par four is difficult from tee to green with water running the entire length right of the fairway and thick "get lost forever" type of Florida forest / swamp to the left. The best drive carries the bunker on the right, which requires length and can only be achieved if it stays less than 15 yards from the water. Anything left of that will require a second shot longer than 200 yards to the green, which is nestled against the water, making par a difficult proposition. Watch out for large reptiles near the water hazards too!
Hole 7
Course: Cabo del Sol - Ocean Course
Location: Los Cabos, Mexico
Stats: Par 3. Tournament tees: 139 yards
Comments: First, let me say that I'm devastated that the resent re-design of this course (and making it private) moved the tee across the beach, losing this special shot. However, until I play it again, this hole will stay on the list as a great memory. It is truly unique par three, this one has tee boxes on the rocky edge of the Sea of Cortez and the player shoots a wedge or short iron over a wide sandy beach to a multi-level green. the surface is surrounded by rocks and long-grass covered hills that give the hole a mesmerizing links feel to it, which is contrasted by the cactus-filled desert / ocean landscape of the tee box, filling the senses with three types of golf on one shot. The three bunkers also make distance control paramount on this one-of-a-kind hole.
Course: Cabo del Sol - Ocean Course
Location: Los Cabos, Mexico
Stats: Par 3. Tournament tees: 139 yards
Comments: First, let me say that I'm devastated that the resent re-design of this course (and making it private) moved the tee across the beach, losing this special shot. However, until I play it again, this hole will stay on the list as a great memory. It is truly unique par three, this one has tee boxes on the rocky edge of the Sea of Cortez and the player shoots a wedge or short iron over a wide sandy beach to a multi-level green. the surface is surrounded by rocks and long-grass covered hills that give the hole a mesmerizing links feel to it, which is contrasted by the cactus-filled desert / ocean landscape of the tee box, filling the senses with three types of golf on one shot. The three bunkers also make distance control paramount on this one-of-a-kind hole.
Hole 8
Course: Royal Troon Old Course
Location: Troon, Ayrshire, United Kingdom
Stats: Championship tees: 123 yards
Comments: The “Postage Stamp” needs no introduction to most golfers. It is the short hole by which all other short holes are measured. However, as short as it is, it cannot be overstated how deadly any miss of this tiny green surely is, in any direction, which is exactly what makes it great...simple on paper, not in the mind, especially when the golfer knows as soon as anybody finds out they've played Royal Troon, that they'll be asked how they did on this hole, and the mental anguish of admitting defeat at the hands of the Postage Stamp would be too much to bear.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Course: Royal Troon Old Course
Location: Troon, Ayrshire, United Kingdom
Stats: Championship tees: 123 yards
Comments: The “Postage Stamp” needs no introduction to most golfers. It is the short hole by which all other short holes are measured. However, as short as it is, it cannot be overstated how deadly any miss of this tiny green surely is, in any direction, which is exactly what makes it great...simple on paper, not in the mind, especially when the golfer knows as soon as anybody finds out they've played Royal Troon, that they'll be asked how they did on this hole, and the mental anguish of admitting defeat at the hands of the Postage Stamp would be too much to bear.
*** On Golf Magazine's List of Top 500 Golf Holes in the World ***
Hole 9
Course: Blackwolf Run (River)
Location: Kohler, WI
Stats: Par 4. Back tees: 337 yards
Comments: This outstanding short par four has a massive group of trees dead center of the hole. The player can easily go left of them with even an iron or fairway wood and still have a wedge in. The golfer can also flirt with the river and go right of the trees and try to hit the green in one shot or get close. the green slopes strongly to the river and is nestled on its banks, ready to punish any miss, whether it be wedge, chip, or aggressive drive.
Course: Blackwolf Run (River)
Location: Kohler, WI
Stats: Par 4. Back tees: 337 yards
Comments: This outstanding short par four has a massive group of trees dead center of the hole. The player can easily go left of them with even an iron or fairway wood and still have a wedge in. The golfer can also flirt with the river and go right of the trees and try to hit the green in one shot or get close. the green slopes strongly to the river and is nestled on its banks, ready to punish any miss, whether it be wedge, chip, or aggressive drive.
Hole 10
Course: Sandpiper Golf Course
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 381 yards
Comments: This superb short dogleg left par four has a great view of the ocean from tee to green. The golfer can lay up right or try to cut the corner of the dogleg over the bunkers. A miss short or left however will either be in the hazard or leave, at best, an awkward lie. The green is perched along the cliff top and has strong break from back to front. The shorter the approach and 1st putt, the better. Bumped off the "Second 18" listing in July 2015
Course: Sandpiper Golf Course
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Stats: Par 4. Black tees: 381 yards
Comments: This superb short dogleg left par four has a great view of the ocean from tee to green. The golfer can lay up right or try to cut the corner of the dogleg over the bunkers. A miss short or left however will either be in the hazard or leave, at best, an awkward lie. The green is perched along the cliff top and has strong break from back to front. The shorter the approach and 1st putt, the better. Bumped off the "Second 18" listing in July 2015
Hole 11
Course: Hapuna Golf Course
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: Hapuna Golf Course
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 12
Course: Lahinch Golf Club
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 beach edge left and dunes right, with bunkers in between making an exacting approach necessary.
Course: Lahinch Golf Club
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 beach edge left and dunes right, with bunkers in between making an exacting approach necessary.
Hole 13
Course: TPC Las Vegas
Location: Summerlin, NV
Stats: Par 4. TPC tees: 423 yards
Comments: Named “Death Valley” after the huge desert wash that must be crossed on the drive and avoided right all the way down the hole, it t is an intimidating hole from tee to green and visually stunning with the green grass, brown / red desert and blue sky providing a great contrast.
Course: TPC Las Vegas
Location: Summerlin, NV
Stats: Par 4. TPC tees: 423 yards
Comments: Named “Death Valley” after the huge desert wash that must be crossed on the drive and avoided right all the way down the hole, it t is an intimidating hole from tee to green and visually stunning with the green grass, brown / red desert and blue sky providing a great contrast.
Hole 14
Course: Oak Quarry Golf Course
Location: Riverside, CA
Stats: Black tees: 214 yards
Comments: This par three is built near the low point of the golf course property, above the quarry lake and below the sheer white face of the remaining rock face. It is pretty in an unusual way and very daunting. Although it is downhill, the distance is still 214 yards, requiring a longer iron. There is no room left and very little short, but there is some respite to the right. The ball will hang in the air for awhile so the player will get time to despair or be elated by what unfolds.
Course: Oak Quarry Golf Course
Location: Riverside, CA
Stats: Black tees: 214 yards
Comments: This par three is built near the low point of the golf course property, above the quarry lake and below the sheer white face of the remaining rock face. It is pretty in an unusual way and very daunting. Although it is downhill, the distance is still 214 yards, requiring a longer iron. There is no room left and very little short, but there is some respite to the right. The ball will hang in the air for awhile so the player will get time to despair or be elated by what unfolds.
Hole 15
Course: Cape Kidnappers
Location: Napier, North Island, New Zealand
Stats: Par 5. Championship tees: 655 yards
Comments: This par five is on the longest "finger" at Cape Kidnappers and is a beast of a straight par five. Don't go left, don't go right, don't go long of the green and definitely stay away from all steep/deadly cliffs on either side, but enjoy the truly unique location that this golf hole provides.
Course: Cape Kidnappers
Location: Napier, North Island, New Zealand
Stats: Par 5. Championship tees: 655 yards
Comments: This par five is on the longest "finger" at Cape Kidnappers and is a beast of a straight par five. Don't go left, don't go right, don't go long of the green and definitely stay away from all steep/deadly cliffs on either side, but enjoy the truly unique location that this golf hole provides.
Hole 16
Course: Reflection Bay
Hole: 16
Location: Henderson, Nevada
Stats: Black tees: 454 yards
Comments: The sixteenth hole is a split-fairway masterpiece of a par 4 with a creek dissecting it. The safer play is to lay up about 230 yards, to the left of the creek. However, this leaves a very long approach to the shallow green, which is surrounded by bunkers, including one behind the green that will actually save most balls hit too long from rolling into the lake. The aggressive drive must fly at least 250 (it is a little downhill), but will leave a short pitch to the beautifully designed green that wraps around a pesky pot bunker front and center. This is a truly gorgeous hole and a fun test of golfing skill and decision making.
Course: Reflection Bay
Hole: 16
Location: Henderson, Nevada
Stats: Black tees: 454 yards
Comments: The sixteenth hole is a split-fairway masterpiece of a par 4 with a creek dissecting it. The safer play is to lay up about 230 yards, to the left of the creek. However, this leaves a very long approach to the shallow green, which is surrounded by bunkers, including one behind the green that will actually save most balls hit too long from rolling into the lake. The aggressive drive must fly at least 250 (it is a little downhill), but will leave a short pitch to the beautifully designed green that wraps around a pesky pot bunker front and center. This is a truly gorgeous hole and a fun test of golfing skill and decision making.
Hole 17
Course: TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course)
Location: Ponte Vedra, FL
Stats: Black tees: 137 yards
Comments: Arguably the most notable un-natural par three in the world, the island green seems so small from the tee, the golfer can’t help but feel a little squeamish at the fate that awaits the less than perfect shot. I simply must say the hype of this hole is not overestimated as it is a great one.
Course: TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course)
Location: Ponte Vedra, FL
Stats: Black tees: 137 yards
Comments: Arguably the most notable un-natural par three in the world, the island green seems so small from the tee, the golfer can’t help but feel a little squeamish at the fate that awaits the less than perfect shot. I simply must say the hype of this hole is not overestimated as it is a great one.
Hole 18
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.
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.
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