PGA West (Nicklaus Tournament course) Hole by Hole - 5th Hole
PGA West (Nicklaus Tournament course), California
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Hole 5 at PGA West (Nicklaus Tournament course) is a challenging par 4 with a slight dogleg left. Located in La Quinta, California, this hole measures 364 yards from the championship tees and has a handicap of 5. The other tee box options are Pro (320 yards), Men's (299 yards), Seniors' (288 yards), and Women's (225 yards).
The fairway width for this hole is approximately 30 yards, providing enough room to land your tee shot but still requiring accuracy to avoid potential hazards. With only three bunkers on the entire hole and greenside bunkers making up just 2% of the total green area, avoiding sand should not be too much of a concern.
However, wind can play a major factor on this hole as it is situated near mountains that can cause unpredictable gusts. In addition, the high altitude of La Quinta may impact ball flight distances by adding extra distance to shots.
For an average golfer who hits their driver around 217 yards off the tee, using their driver or possibly even a fairway wood would be recommended to reach the green in regulation. However, if they struggle with accuracy off the tee or if there are strong headwinds present, using a long iron or hybrid club may be more beneficial.
On approach shots to the green which measures at roughly 8,199 square feet in size, using either a mid-iron such as a seven iron (~140 yards) or pitching wedge (~120yards) would be ideal depending on how far you hit your drive. Due to its relatively flat curvature and lack of water hazards surrounding it directly , landing on this green should not be overly difficult for most golfers.
Overall,this scenic yet challenging par four offers many strategic opportunities for players looking to score well while enjoying beautiful views throughout all four seasons here in sunny Southern California.
Teebox type:
Championship
Par:
4
Distance:
364 yards
Handicap:
5
Green Area:
8199
Approx Fairway Width:
30
Has Water:
False
Curvature:
Slight dogleg
Percent Bunkers Near green:
2
Bunker Count:
3
Bunkers:
Some fairway bunkers, with the majority (51%) strategically placed around the area.
Club Recommendations
Here are some playing tips for the average golfer on Hole 5 at PGA West:
1. Study the wind: As mentioned, this hole is susceptible to unpredictable gusts due to its location near mountains. Pay close attention to the direction and strength of the wind before teeing off and adjust your shot accordingly.
2. Use a driver or fairway wood off the tee: With a fairway width of 30 yards, using a driver or fairway wood will give you enough distance to reach the green in regulation without sacrificing accuracy.
3. Consider using a long iron or hybrid club: If you struggle with accuracy off the tee or if there are strong headwinds present, consider using a long iron or hybrid club instead of your driver. This will help keep your ball in play while still giving you enough distance to reach the green.
4. Aim for center-left on approach shots: The slight dogleg left design of this hole means that aiming for center-left on approach shots can give you an easier angle towards the green and avoid potential hazards such as bunkers.
5. Choose mid-iron or pitching wedge for approach shots: Depending on how far you hit your drive, choosing either a mid-iron (such as seven iron) or pitching wedge would be ideal for approaching this large green.
6. Avoid greenside bunkers: While there are only three bunkers on this hole, they should still be avoided as they make up just 2% of the total green area but can significantly impact scoring if landed in.
7. Enjoy beautiful views throughout all four seasons: Take some time during your round to appreciate the scenic views offered by this challenging par 4 located in sunny Southern California - it's not every day that one gets to play golf surrounded by mountains!
"The most important shot in golf is the next one."
- Ben Hogan
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