6 Of The Most Diabolical Holes In Golf

Bryan Cromlish

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Golf is a game that gives you a chance to witness some spectacular scenery. It’s also a game that can make you want to rip your hair out if you let the spectacular views lull you into a false sense of security.



Here, in no particular order, are 6 of the most diabolical holes in golf, holes that have terrorized and teased golfers of all skill levels.

1. The 16th at Cypress Point

You have to hit your ball 220 to 230 yards over the ocean.

Yes, the ocean.

If you are able to clear the 230 gap, you also need to hit your ball hard enough and with enough accuracy to clear the stone retaining wall on the other side.

2. The 5th at Pinehurst No. 2

The green on this course is like an upside down bowl – high in the middle and sloping towards the edges. If that wasn’t bad enough, the green is protected by a couple of serious bunkers.

If you’re really lucky, you will end up taking an iron onto a tough green and you must strike with accuracy.

3. The 12th at Augusta

“It’s a short par 3, what’s to worry about?”

I wonder how many naive golfers have said those words just before they teed off on 12.

Golf Digest has called this hole, “… the scariest 155 yards in golf.”

No wonder.

You need to clear a creek, one intimidating water hazard, to get on the green. If you overshoot, you end up in a bunker. The shot from the bunker is terrifying. If you hit the ball too hard, you’re in the water.

Add into the mix the regular ferocious winds golfers experience on this hole and you’re in for one hell of a challenge.

4. The 18th at Whistling Straits

The 18th at Whistling Straits is the most confusing hole on the course.

“At the Straits Course, no hole is more confusing than the 18th, a hole that bridges two huge dunes and already has been renovated three times,” writes Golf Week’s Bradley Klein. “The semi-blind tee shot has to carry a vast wasteland but not go too far lest it tumble into oblivion.”

It’s been called Dye-abolical, in honor of its designer Pete Dye. Your tee shot, if hit well, sets you up for a downhill battle to a torturous green that will test your will, your skill, and your sanity.

5. The 17th at Kiawah Island

This hole is messed up.

For success, you need to clear a sizeable pond, avoid deep bunkers, and hit the horizontal green just right.

Easy, isn’t it?

Writing for the New York Times, Adam Shupak notes the 17th is another Pete Dye creation and is his most “diabolical,” or Dye-abolical.

He explains its challenge well: “From an elevated tee along the northeastern shore of the island, the 17th plays 229 yards for the pros over water lining the entire right side of the hole and front of the green. The putting surface may measure 44 yards deep, but the swath of green to land a ball safely is about 15 yards wide, punishing any tee shot that does not hew to the right line.”

6. The 17th at TPC Sawgrass

This hole is a personal favorite of the Foursum crew, we had a chance to play it earlier this year. This is a spectacular golf hole for both it’s beauty and its history.

The Golf Channel’s Joe Posnanski, when writing about the 17th at TPC Sawgrass, said, “It is certainly one of the most iconic holes.”

We think he’s right.

Any golf fan knows the hole. They have watched their favorites cross the narrow path to the green (and if they’re lucky they’ve walked it themselves).

We’ve seen golf’s legends make their approach hoping to catch the green, just wherever they can to stay out of the water.

It’s do or die.

The Associated Press’s Doug Ferguson wrote, “The 17th green rarely decides who wins, rather who loses.”

He couldn’t be more right.

One of the most astounding statistics about the 17th is that it has claimed 481 balls in the last decade of play at the Player’s Championship.

This surely isn’t an all inclusive list, but these holes are indeed diabolical. If you’re a masochist, you should give them a try.

What do you think are some of golf’s hardest? Let us know and we’ll profile the holes you mention below in another post.