Favorite Hole in Championship Golf

[dagolfer18]

What’s your favorite hole in all of championship golf? My favorite is #13 at Augusta. It’s only a 510-yard par-5, but it’s a challenge. Rae’s Creek runs all along the left side of the hole, and the front and right of the green. Even a slight mishit on your first or second shot can take your ball for a swim. All this makes a double or worse just as probable as an eagle here. I love short par-5s in general, especially when there’s a high-risk high-reward scenario, but this hole definitely stands out to me as one of my favorite holes, not just at Augusta, but in the entire world.

[bkuehn1952]

The one that stands out most is #17 at TPC Sawgrass.  Unless a player is leading by 4 or more shots, the island has to seem pretty small.  There is no real bail out area unless one is absolutely spot on with distance, in which case middle/left on the green is likely no worse than a 3-putt bogey.  Plus, the player knows that #18 is no push over, either, so a sloppy 17 is really bad.

All the back nine holes at Augusta have their own history, too.

[klineka]

On 4/13/2020 at 1:03 AM, dagolfer18 said:

 It’s only a 510-yard par-5, but it’s a challenge. 

All this makes a double or worse just as probable as an eagle here.

The stats don't really agree with you on this. At least not for pro golfers.

Since 1934 it has ranked as the 2nd easiest hole on the course.

In 2017, 2018, and 2019 it was ranked the easiest hole relative to par.

In 2019 over all 4 rounds there were more birdies than everything else combined, the only hole on the course where that was the case. I don't consider a hole challenging if more than 57% of the scores on a hole were under par.

I think it is a good hole, but the stats don't reflect the idea that it is challenging to tour players. 

[dagolfer18]

43 minutes ago, klineka said:

The stats don't really agree with you on this. At least not for pro golfers.

Since 1934 it has ranked as the 2nd easiest hole on the course.

In 2017, 2018, and 2019 it was ranked the easiest hole relative to par.

In 2019 over all 4 rounds there were more birdies than everything else combined, the only hole on the course where that was the case. I don't consider a hole challenging if more than 57% of the scores on a hole were under par.

I think it is a good hole, but the stats don't reflect the idea that it is challenging to tour players. 

I did say it was a challenge, but I guess I meant like sneaky-hard. Probably should’ve mentioned that fact. Slight mishits can put you in trouble, especially when, on that hole and all of Amen Corner, water is directly fronting the green, the left side in the case of #11. Look at Spieth in the 2016 Masters. He was leading the tournament, if I’m not mistaken, up until the 12th hole when he hit two balls into the creek and made quad. Those little misses cost him the tournament. I was just saying in theory, a double is just as probable as an eagle.

Edited April 15, 2020 by dagolfer18

[CarlSpackler]

On 4/13/2020 at 1:03 AM, dagolfer18 said:

What’s your favorite hole in all of championship golf? My favorite is #13 at Augusta.

That would be mine as well, but for different reasons. Primarily for aesthetics, but the fact that the tee box is in a remote part of the course not accessible by patrons.

[klineka]

5 minutes ago, dagolfer18 said:

He was leading the tournament, if I’m not mistaken, up until the 12th hole when he hit two balls into the creek and made quad. Those little misses cost him the tournament. 

A bit of semantics here, but I wouldn't consider his misses in that instance "little". His tee shot barely cleared the water and had absolutely no chance of reaching the green, short by at least 5 if not more yards. His next shot had absolutely no chance, it almost didnt even reach the front of the water let alone clear it, and his 3rd try basically one hopped into the bunker long. That's 3 big misses in a row.

11 minutes ago, dagolfer18 said:

I was just saying in theory, a double is just as probable as an eagle.

That's not really accurate either, at least not recently, in the last 3 years there have been twice as many eagles (32) as doubles (16)

[gbogey]

I'm not sure it qualifies as a championship hole but I love watching #10 at Riviera.  To me it's the best short par 4 in the world.  Watching all the different strategies.  Seeing player after player scramble to make par / bogey / DB if so much fun.

[Hoganman1]

On 4/13/2020 at 1:03 AM, dagolfer18 said:

What’s your favorite hole in all of championship golf? My favorite is #13 at Augusta. It’s only a 510-yard par-5, but it’s a challenge. Rae’s Creek runs all along the left side of the hole, and the front and right of the green. Even a slight mishit on your first or second shot can take your ball for a swim. All this makes a double or worse just as probable as an eagle here. I love short par-5s in general, especially when there’s a high-risk high-reward scenario, but this hole definitely stands out to me as one of my favorite holes, not just at Augusta, but in the entire world.

Mine too. I've been to the tournament several times over the years and always spend extra time watching the play there. Also, when the azaleas and dogwoods are in bloom it is gorgeous. I actually have a painting of 13 hanging in my den. 

 

Edited April 15, 2020 by Hoganman1

[Shindig]

2 hours ago, gbogey said:

I'm not sure it qualifies as a championship hole but I love watching #10 at Riviera.  To me it's the best short par 4 in the world.  Watching all the different strategies.  Seeing player after player scramble to make par / bogey / DB if so much fun.

Depends whether one means "major championship" or "top-level professional" when they say "championship."  Some complexes use the term "championship golf course" in such a way that I think they think the word means "18 holes."

#10 at Riviera is a lot of fun, both on TV and in person.  

My favorite might be #16 at Augusta, especially on Sunday.   Maybe it's because I think of the highlights of hole-outs and near holeouts, both off the tee and out of the sand.  Maybe that's recency bias on my part though.

Another one:  #13 at Torrey Pines South.  Especially if they have a tournament where some days they play that one from the tips and another day from the forward tees. 

[woodzie264]

On 4/13/2020 at 1:03 AM, dagolfer18 said:

What’s your favorite hole in all of championship golf? My favorite is #13 at Augusta.

 

3 hours ago, CarlSpackler said:

That would be mine as well, but for different reason.

 

1 hour ago, Hoganman1 said:

Mine too. I've been to the tournament several times over the years and always spend extra time watching the play there. Also, when the azaleas and dogwoods are in bloom it is gorgeous. I actually have a painting of 13 hanging in my den. 

Me four. 

[iacas]

On 4/13/2020 at 1:03 AM, dagolfer18 said:

Rae’s Creek runs all along the left side of the hole, and the front and right of the green.

That's a tributary to Rae's Creek. 🙂

My favorite? Uhm… might go off the beaten track and choose… 17 at Oakmont?

[DeadMan]

My favorite is probably the postage stamp at Royal Troon.

8th Hole : Old Course : Royal Troon Golf Club

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Although I wouldn't be too interested in a tournament where all the holes are like this, I really enjoy watching the pros struggle with a hole when they're hitting wedges into it. It's extremely entertaining to watch pros miss the green and try to get up and down.

[gbogey]

1 minute ago, DeadMan said:

My favorite is probably the postage stamp at Royal Troon.

8th Hole : Old Course : Royal Troon Golf Club

---

 

Although I wouldn't be too interested in a tournament where all the holes are like this, I really enjoy watching the pros struggle with a hole when they're hitting wedges into it. It's extremely entertaining to watch pros miss the green and try to get up and down.

My 2nd choice.  Would have been my first choice if I stuck to major championship courses only.

[jamo]

In addition to the ones people have said, 18 at the Old Course comes to mind. 18 at Carnoustie too. 8 at Pebble.

Shoutout to 18 at Valhalla. A lot of that course seems meh but 18 has produced a lot of fun moments. 

[bwdial]

I'd have to go with the 12th at Augusta, because it has has such a pivotal role in so many Masters, whether it be a ball staying up miraculously, a'la Fred Couples in 1992, or detonating an atomic bomb in a player's tournament a'la Jordan Spieth in 2017. 

[JGus]

For courses that I have walked or played:

10 & 18 at Congressional;  17 & 18 at the Old Course;  11, 13, & 15 at Augusta; 18 at Torrey Pines

Favorite hole from TV that I would like to play:

12 at Austin Country Club

 

[Wally Fairway]

#17 The Road Hole,  St Andrews, The Old Course 
a) having a hotel on the flight line, or very close
b) the wall across the road is in play
c) hell bunker, perhaps having to play away from the pin
d) and Sunday typical pin is near the slope from the bunker

[JGus]

49 minutes ago, Wally Fairway said:

#17 The Road Hole,  St Andrews, The Old Course
c) hell bunker, perhaps having to play away from the pin
 

I think the Hell Bunker is on 14.