Hole 14 at PGA West (Nicklaus Tournament course)
- Par
- 4
- Yardage
- 442 yds
- Stroke index
- 16
- Hazards
- 4 bunkers
Aerial source not provided
Green size: 41 yds deep × 22 yds wide
Scorecard yardage is for Championship tees. The aerial shows its labeled reference position; distance rings measure to the green.
Championship tees · Par 4 · 442 yards
The plan for No. 14
The 14th hole at PGA West's Nicklaus Tournament course presents a deceptively straightforward par 4 that demands precision over power. At 442 yards, this straight layout appears generous from the tee, but the small green complex transforms what seems routine into a genuine test of approach play accuracy. The absence of major hazards shifts focus entirely to course management and green-reading skills. Players must resist the temptation to attack aggressively, as the compact putting surface punishes wayward approach shots with challenging recovery situations. This hole exemplifies Jack Nicklaus's design philosophy of rewarding strategic thinking, making it a memorable challenge that separates calculated golfers from those who rely solely on distance.
Off the tee
Your primary objective off the tee is finding the ideal position for your approach shot rather than maximizing distance. A controlled drive with a 3-wood or hybrid can often be the smarter play, leaving you in the optimal yardage range for your favorite approach club. The straight layout allows you to aim down the center of the fairway without concern for doglegs or hidden hazards. Focus on hitting the fairway rather than bombing your driver. A fairway lie from 160-180 yards out is far preferable to a rough lie from 130 yards, especially given the small target you'll be attacking on your approach.
Approach & recovery
The small green size makes this approach shot all about precision and club selection. Take one extra club to ensure you reach the putting surface, as coming up short leaves you with a challenging chip to a small target. Study the pin position carefully - with limited green real estate, there's little margin for error. Aim for the center of the green regardless of pin position unless you're feeling particularly confident with your iron play. The green's compact size means even a center hit will leave you with a reasonable putt to most pin locations.
On the green
The small green typically features subtle breaks that can be deceptive. Take extra time to read your putts, as the limited surface area means slopes can be more pronounced than they appear. Focus on speed control above all else - with less green to work with, pace becomes critical for avoiding three-putts. Pay attention to the grain direction, which can be particularly influential on smaller putting surfaces in desert conditions. Putts may break more than expected late in the day as the greens firm up. ## RISK VS REWARD This hole offers a classic risk/reward scenario in club selection off the tee. The aggressive play is hitting driver to leave yourself a short iron, but the conservative approach of laying back with a fairway wood provides better angle control and reduces the chance of missing the small green. The real reward comes from recognizing this as a birdie opportunity - the handicap rating of 16 suggests this should be one of the easier holes on the course, making par the minimum acceptable score. ## DIFFERENT SKILL LEVELS **High Handicappers**: Play this hole conservatively with a 3-wood or hybrid off the tee, then focus entirely on hitting the green with your approach. Don't worry about pin hunting - aim for the center and take your two-putt par gladly. **Low Handicappers**: This is a hole where you should be targeting birdie. Consider the aggressive driver line if you're confident in your approach play, but remember that the small green punishes misses severely. Your short game skills become crucial if you do miss the target. **Scratch Players**: Use your course management skills to identify the perfect approach yardage and work backward from there. This hole should play to your strengths in precision iron play, making it an excellent opportunity to gain strokes on the field.
Watch for
- Course conditioning and mapped hazards may affect line selection; confirm from the aerial.
Hole 14 Green Complex
Mapped green boundary
Green size: 4,815 sq ft
How did Hole 14 play?
How did this hole play today?
Frequently asked questions
Yardage reference: Championship tees · 442 yards.
What's the best strategy off the tee?
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For this 442-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.
How difficult is hole 14?
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This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers.
How big is the green on hole 14?
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The green is medium-sized with moderate targets. The green is wider than it is deep, rewarding shots that find the correct tier. Pay attention to pin placement when selecting your approach club.
What's a good score on hole 14?
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This hole is a demanding hole where bogey is not unusual. This longer par 4 will test most golfers. Focus on position over distance.