Hole 16 at PGA West (TPC Stadium course)

Par 5 • 600 Yards • La Quinta, California

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Tough

The 16th hole at PGA West's Stadium Course is infamous for its nightmarish 19-foot-deep greenside bunker that has swallowed countless golf balls and dreams. This Pete Dye masterpiece serves as the penultimate test before the legendary island green at 17, demanding precision and nerve from every golfer who steps onto the tee.

Tees:

600y517y474y463y428y

Green:21y × 37y

Fairway @250y:51y wide

4 Bunkers dogleg

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PGA West (TPC Stadium course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 5
Yardage: 600 yds
Green: 4183 sq ft
Bunkers: 4
Course Slope: 150
Course Rating: 76.1

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A dependable fairway wood can turn this par 5 into a real birdie chance.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

On this 600-yard par 5, prioritize accuracy over distance on your tee shot. The fairway widens from 42 yards at the 200-yard mark to 51 yards at 250 yards, so longer hitters have more room to work with. Position your drive in the 250-yard zone to maximize your options for the second shot.

approach

With bunkers positioned at 221.6 yards from the tee, your second shot strategy is crucial. If you're laying up, stay well short of this hazard zone. If going for the green in two, ensure you have enough club to clear these bunkers comfortably while still controlling distance to the relatively compact 4,183 square foot green.

hazard warning

Avoid the infamous 19-foot-deep bunker at all costs - this Pete Dye signature hazard can destroy your scorecard. The bunker sits greenside and is so deep that even professional players struggle to get up and down. Club selection and pin position awareness are critical to stay away from this penalty area.

green

The green measures 21 yards by 37 yards (4,183 sq ft), making it a medium-sized target that demands precision. Given the severe penalty for missing into the deep bunker, favor the safe side of the pin and prioritize getting your ball on the putting surface rather than attacking tight pin positions.

approach

If laying up on your second shot, position yourself in the 100-150 yard range for your third shot approach. This distance gives you better control with wedges and short irons to navigate around the treacherous greenside bunkers while still allowing you to attack accessible pin positions on this compact green.

train this shot at home

This 600-yard par 5 is ideal for working on your driver accuracy. Launch monitors from $600 let you practice this exact shot with real course data from home.

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Scoring Tip

Scoring on par 5s starts with a smart second shot. Laying up to your favorite wedge distance gives you the best birdie chance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can this par 5 be reached in two?

At 600 yards, A true three-shot hole for most players. Position your layup to leave a comfortable wedge distance.

How difficult is hole 16?

This hole is a moderate challenge for most golfers. Key challenges include: long par 5, small green.

How big is the green on hole 16?

The green is small and requires precision. The green is deeper than wide, so club selection is crucial. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.

What's a good score on hole 16?

This hole is a true three-shot hole where birdie requires execution. This longer par 5 demands patience. Two good shots set up the scoring opportunity.

Can I practice hole 16 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for PGA West (TPC Stadium course). You can play this exact par 5 shot-by-shot at home. Entry-level options like the SkyTrak+ (around $2,500) and Garmin Approach R10 (around $600) support course play, while premium systems from Trackman and Foresight offer tour-level accuracy. Most systems pay for themselves in a season or two versus green fees and range balls. Shop home golf simulators →