Year In Review: Top 5 Golf Holes of 2015
What a great year 2015 proved to be. In addition to parting ways with my desk job to pursue professional golf, my wife Brittany and I had the opportunity to travel to some great golf courses and resorts for The Dapper Drive blog. While it’s always tough to choose favorites, I wanted to share my top 5 golf holes from the past year of travels.
Top 5 Golf Holes From Our Year of Travel
5) The Ocean Course at Kiawah Golf Resort: Hole 17 | 220 Yards | Par 3
With water in front and down the entire right, and two large bunkers on the left, there’s little room for error on this lengthy par 3. Tall sea grass, ocean views, signature Pete Dye railroad ties and an uninhibited view of the beautiful clubhouse all make this hole a winner in my book. When the wind blows from the East, you’ll understand exactly why the 17th at The Ocean Course is often referred to as a “diabolical” golf hole. Read more about my experience at The Ocean Course here.
4) Harbour Town Golf Links: Hole 18 | 452 Yards | Par 4
After winding your way through narrow fairways and larger than life oaks, the round at Harbour Town Golf Links ends with a stunning oceanside par 4. Take dead aim at the famous candy-striped lighthouse in the distance off the tee and be sure to have cameras ready for your approach into the narrow green. Hold that finish – it’s the picture perfect moment you’ve been waiting for all round. Read more about this great course here.
3) Pebble Beach Golf Links: Hole 6 | 506 Yards | Par 5
This golf course certainly needs no introduction. Routinely ranked as one of the top courses in all the land, Pebble Beach Golf Links has a number of top choices for best golf holes. One of my favorites is the 6th hole. The elevated tee box provides great views of the property with the Pacific Ocean set nicely in the distance. After smoking a drive down the left center of the fairway, the second shot takes you back up a steep hill, where the green will provide a closer look at the sea. A great chance for a birdie before heading into a challenging 4 hole stretch that continues to wind its way along the ocean-side cliffs. Read more about my round at Pebble Beach here.
2) Kapalua Resort Plantation Course: Hole 5 | 532 Yards | Par 5
With panoramic ocean views on nearly every hole, one could argue that Kapalua Resort’s Plantation Course could fill all 5 spots for top golf holes played. The 18th hole gets a lot of talk (rightfully so), but a personal favorite of mine is the 5th hole. This hole stretches up the hill toward the high point on the front 9, and features a massive canyon down the entire right side of the hole. It also provides plenty of those aforementioned spectacular views from tee to green. A reachable par 5, two well struck shots may give you a look at an early round eagle putt to get you going.
1) Pebble Beach Golf Links: Hole 18 | 543 Yards | Par 5
My top hole of 2015 is one of the most iconic golf holes in America: the 18th at Pebble Beach Golf Links. This dogleg left hole is snugged nicely against the coast from tee to green, providing plenty of excitement to close out the round. It’s been the site of countless prestigious golf tournaments, with big time winners to boot.
If you have the chance to tee-it-up at Pebble Beach Golf Links, be sure to soak in the atmosphere one last time as you walk the final fairway. Who knows – maybe even a birdie on this reachable (yet challenging) par 5 18th to close your bucket list round of golf! Read more about my round at Pebble Beach here.
I’m looking forward to continuing to provide golf travel enthusiasts with a first hand look at our experiences at more great courses during 2016. As you may be aware, we will be hitting the road in a few days time to become full-time travelers! This means content on golf courses from all over North America, as well as updates and insights into life on the road as a professional golfer.
I hope everyone has a Happy New Year and I look forward to sharing a great 2016 with you all!