how to tell the hardest hole on a golf course

Full Answer

How to identify the most difficult holes on a golf course?

As a player, you can quickly identify the golf course’s most challenging hole by looking at the stroke index. The stroke index is a technique that ranks a golf course’s holes from the hardest to the simplest. The front nine golf hole receive odd numbers (1-17), whereas the back holes receive even numbers (2-18).

What is the hardest hole on the PGA Tour?

This is a massive par four at 495 yards. The likes of Stephen Gallacher and Bruce Sorley have professed that this hole gives them nightmares, that it’s one of the hardest holes in the world. On the left of the fairway, you’ve got thick rough.

Is'Golden Bell'the hardest hole in golf?

When the great Jack Nicklaus selects 'Golden Bell' as 'the hardest hole in all of golf', you won't hear us arguing with the 18-time major champion. This short par-3 can cause many problems. As countless golfers have realised to their detriment over the years, the toughest part of this hole is getting the right wind and picking the right club.

What is the longest hole on a golf course?

It’s the course’s signature hole referred to as ‘Pirate’s Plank’, played 800ft above the Pacific Ocean. This par four is at the Royal Melbourne West in Victoria, Australia. It’s 428 yards and your first two shots need to be on point if you’re to have any chance of making par.

Is 1 or 18 the hardest hole in golf?

15 is easily the toughest hole," said Vaughn. For the record, the 409-yard par-4 No. 4 hole is the No. 1 handicap hole at Pine Crest.

What are the hardest holes in golf?

The toughest holes on the PGA Tour during the 2019-'20 seasonNinth hole, TPC Harding Park, 515 yards, par 4.Sixth hole, PGA National (Champions Course), 479 yards, par 4. ... 16th hole, El Camaleón Golf Club, 515 yards, par 4. ... Ninth hole, Monterey Peninsula Country Club (Shore Course), 223 yards, par 3. ... More items...•

What does #1 handicap hole mean?

The hole identified as "1" on the handicap line has been rated the hole where a golfer is most likely to need a stroke in competition against a better player.

What is the easiest hole on a golf course?

The 12th hole is the easiest of the course. It's a par four and is 373 yards. Most get to the green in two, setting up a simple putt for a birdie.

What's the most famous hole in golf?

The Road Hole, 17th, St Andrews Perhaps the most famous hole in all of golf, the 17th at St Andrews (opens in new tab) is called the Road hole and is also one of the hardest golf holes on the Open rota.

What is the bear trap in golf?

The Bear Trap is one of the most demanding three-hole stretches in golf and, craftily, is placed near the very end of the 18-hole test. It was coined in honour of the legendary Jack Nicklaus who helped restore the par 70. A plaque and bear statue celebrate the challenge, if celebrate is the right word.

What holes do I get strokes on?

1:042:22How To Determine Your Golf Handicap, Strokes and Net Score ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHe takes a stroke on every hole and two of them on the most difficult hole for men which is theMoreHe takes a stroke on every hole and two of them on the most difficult hole for men which is the first hole on this course. We figure out the other handicaps for the other players.

Is handicap 1 or 18 Harder?

Each hole is assigned a level of difficulty from one to 18, so the most difficult hole is the No. 1 handicap hole, the second most difficult is No. 2 and so on up to 18.

What is SI in golf?

Every golf scorecard has a column headed “Stroke Index” or “SI” and each hole has a number allocated to it between 1 and 18.

What's the worst handicap in golf?

Handicap systems are not generally used in professional golf. A golfer whose handicap is zero is referred to as a scratch golfer, and one whose handicap is approximately 18 as a bogey golfer.

Can you get strokes on par 3?

In many instances, this need for strokes does occur on the most difficult holes, but not always. Consider, for example, a 225-yard par-3 with all sorts of difficulty around the green. The hole may prove to be a tough par for even the very best golfers at that club and may sport a high overall scoring average.

What par is the hardest?

Par 4s are the most difficult holes to score on, as they have the highest scoring average of nearly +1 shot (0.96). Par 3 are are deemed to be only slightly easier than Par 4s, with an average score of 3.89. Across all handicaps, Par 5s are the easiest holes on the golf course, with an average of 0.47 over.

How Do Golf Courses Handicap Their Holes?

Golf handicaps help in providing equitable golfing conditions for all players on the course. In the US, the USGA provides a clear-cut handicap system that golf clubs can use when golfers have a legitimate disadvantage.

How Do You Find The Hardest Hole On A Golf Course?

According to their own opinion, golf clubs typically identify handicaps by ranking golf holes in terms of the hardest to the simplest. As mentioned earlier, this system helps to formulate the handicap hole numbers.

How Do You Determine The Difficulty Of A Golf Course?

If you are new to golfing, two terms you will commonly encounter are course rating and course slope. These two golf terms are critical in determining the difficulty of a course.

What is the best golf course in the world?

Pebble Beach in California is renowned for being home to one of the best golf courses in the world. People flock to Pebble Beach from around the world in order to try and conquer the challenging course. The 6 th hole in particular is seriously tough. The hole has coastal dunes, fairway bunkers and a sloping green.

How many yards is the par 4 hole in the world?

This is a massive par four at 495 yards. The likes of Stephen Gallacher and Bruce Sorley have professed that this hole gives them nightmares, that it’s one of the hardest holes in the world. On the left of the fairway, you’ve got thick rough. But it’s the wind that makes this hole so challenging.

How many yards is the 12th hole at Augusta National?

The 12 th hole at the Augusta National is a par 3. It’s just 155 yards. Hearing that, you may be thinking what’s all the fuss about? But you golfers out there will know that the shortest don’t necessarily mean they’ll be easier.

What is the 18th hole at Doral?

The 18 th hole at Doral, Florida, is known as the Blue Monster. That should tell you all you need to know about the difficulty of this hole. It’s a par four, and 473 yards. Even pros find this hole a beast. The last person to make an eagle here was in 2005. Bubba Watson sums up what most people think: it’s an “impossible hole.” People get tripped up on this hole due to the water on the left. There are also trees on the right, and then of course there’re the bunkers. As a finishing hole, it doesn’t get tougher than the 18 th at Doral.

How many yards is the Dye Abolical hole?

This par four is 500 yards and has tripped up many a pro over the years. It’s coined the nickname Dye-abolical – after its creator and the fact it sends shivers down the spines of golfers. You golf fans might remember this hole as the one the essentially defeated Dustin Johnson at the 2010 PGA Championship. It is one of the most amazing approaches and finishing holes in golf, in terms of the picturesque setting, although that doesn’t factor into the minds of serious golfers wishing to make par. Due to the setting, you’ll have to contend with swirling winds during your approach, then navigate your way around numerous hazards as you get towards the green.

What was golf considered back in the day?

Back in the day, golf was thought of as a sport for the elite, the privileged. Old fuddy-duddies would get decked out in their often outlandish golfing attire and drive their fancy cars down to the country club to spend a leisurely afternoon swinging the iron. There are many who still have this general perception of golf.

Which country has the best golf course?

The UK has some of the best golf courses in the world. Southport would claim it has the best. You’d be hard-pressed to disagree. The Royal Birkdale in Southport is a massive course, and the 6 th, which is a par five at 488 yards is one of the biggest and toughest to conquer.

What is the hardest hole in golf?

Augusta National - 12th Hole. When the great Jack Nicklaus selects 'Golden Bell' as 'the hardest hole in all of golf', you won't hear us arguing with the 18-time major champion. This short par-3 can cause many problems.

What is the 17th hole in St Andrews?

The 17th Hole at St Andrews is a regular stop on the Open Championship rota so any golf fan knows the peril that awaits upon the tee of the 'Road Hole'. That very tee shot, over the corner of the hotel, is one of the most famous in the world. The approach shot is where the main danger lies.

Is Cypress Point a good golf course?

Though it's one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world, Cypress Point has the ability to bear its teeth on a number of holes. In fact, the difficulty of the track is provided by those beautiful surroundings and that is no more evident than on the monstrously punishing 16 th.

Is the 18th at Carnoustie difficult?

There's no doubting the 18th at Carnoustie is a fearsome test. It's revered as one of the toughest finishing holes in the game, and made all the more difficult due to the Barry Burn meandering through the layout on three separate occasions. The hole requires steely nerve and a few confident hits.

What is the hardest hole in golf?

The 13 toughest stretches of holes in golf. Coined by Herbert Warren Wind, Augusta's 11th, 12th and 13th constitute the most famous three-hole stretch in golf. While the 11th (the second-hardest hole during the 2019 Masters at 4.27 strokes) and 12th (3.05 strokes) live up to their tenacious reputation, the 13th has ranked as the easiest hole ...

How many strokes is the 11th hole?

While the 11th (the second-hardest hole during the 2019 Masters at 4.27 strokes) and 12th (3.05 strokes) live up to their tenacious reputation, the 13th has ranked as the easiest hole the past two years.

What is the name of the golf course that Jack Nicklaus designed?

PGA National Golf Club: Bear Trap. Named for Jack Nicklaus, who redesigned the course, PGA National's 15th, 16th and 17th holes are more than a marketing ploy: At the 2019 Honda Classic, the Bear Trap registered 257 bogeys or worse. Photo By: Getty Images.

How many yards is the Horrible Horseshoe?

The Horrible Horseshoe is highlighted by the fifth, a 480-yard, dogleg par 4 hugged by a creek and tree line. Dan Jenkins included the fifth hole for his book The Best 18 Golf Holes in America. Photo By: WireImage. Bethpage Black: Nos. 10-12.

How many holes are there in TPC Sawgrass?

TPC Sawgrass: Closing three holes. The par-3, island-green 17th is one of the most famous holes in the world. But it's merely a part of TPC Sawgrass' closing puzzle; the 18th hole is actually tougher, boasting a +.215 scoring average during the 2019 Players, the highest number on the course.

What is the 16th hardest hole in the PGA Tour?

The 16th-hardest hole on the PGA Tour in 2016 (4.392) and so far the 15th-toughest in 2017 (4.257) is this consistently nasty two-shot hole, that is actually a converted par-5, with water hugging the entire left side. Just ask Rickie Fowler, who double-bogeyed the sixth during the final round of the 2017 Honda, ...

What is the toughest hole in the OHL Classic?

Home to the OHL Classic at Mayakoba, the 1st hole at El Camaleon sports a cave in the middle of the fairway, but its toughest test, however, is the 14th. The hole slithers through dense mangroves and is inevitably into the wind, which invariably affects approaches to an elevated green guarded by deep bunkers.

What holes did Pete Dye play in 1976?

It features greenside amphitheaters that taught Pete Dye about Stadium Golf, which frame holes 11-15, the Valley holes, which are crisscrossed by 16-Mile Creek.