Hole 9 at Waialae Country Club

Par 5 • 551 Yards • Honolulu, Hawaii

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Challenging

The ninth hole at Waialae Country Club showcases the strategic brilliance of Seth Raynor's template design philosophy, serving as a pivotal finishing hole for the front nine at this iconic Sony Open venue. This challenging par-5 demands precise course management and rewards thoughtful strategy over pure distance. As the only remaining Raynor design on the PGA Tour, it exemplifies the timeless architectural principles that have tested professionals for decades.

Tees:

551y520y469y

Green:27y × 25y

Fairway @250y:40y wide

7 Bunkers dogleg

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Waialae Country Club

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Hole Stats

Par: 5
Yardage: 551 yds
Green: 4215 sq ft
Bunkers: 7
Course Slope: 135
Course Rating: 75.1

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Recommended Gear

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

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

With the fairway expanding to 40 yards wide at the 250-yard mark, longer hitters should take advantage of this generous landing area to set up the best angle for their second shot on this 551-yard par 5.

hazard warning

Three bunkers guard the fairway between 229-278 yards from the tee, creating a strategic decision point - lay up short of 229 yards for safety or carry the bunkers to reach the wider fairway beyond 278 yards.

approach

For players laying up on their second shot, target the 200-yard area where the fairway is 36 yards wide, leaving a comfortable wedge distance to the green while avoiding the fairway bunkers.

green

The relatively compact green measuring 27 by 25 yards (4,215 sq ft) demands precision on approach shots - focus on hitting to the correct tier rather than going for pins in difficult positions.

tee shot

Conservative players should consider hitting to the 200-yard mark where the fairway is 36 yards wide, staying well short of the bunker complex and setting up a manageable three-shot strategy on this 551-yard hole.

train this shot at home

This 551-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 551 yards, A true three-shot hole for most players. Position your layup to leave a comfortable wedge distance.

How difficult is hole 9?

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

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 9?

Key hazards include: fairway bunkers at 278.6-307.3 yards; 2 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 9?

The green is small and requires precision. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.

Which side of the fairway is safer on hole 9?

Aim for the left side of the fairway when possible. Missing right brings more trouble into play.

What's a good score on hole 9?

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 9 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Waialae Country Club. 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 →