Hole 13 at Black Lake Golf Club

Par 4 • 455 Yards • Onaway, Michigan

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Tough

The signature hole at Black Lake Golf Club, this demanding 455-yard par 4 stands as the course's ultimate test, earning its status as the number one handicap hole. With its straight-forward layout cutting through the pristine Northern Michigan landscape, this hole challenges golfers with length and precision rather than trickery. The absence of significant hazards means every shot must be executed with purpose, as there are no excuses for wayward strikes. A generous fairway invites an aggressive tee shot, but the approach to the small, subtly contoured green demands pinpoint accuracy. The green's compact dimensions and unknown undulations create a deceptive target that can quickly turn a solid approach into a challenging up-and-down. This hole epitomizes strategic golf design, where course management and shot execution determine success more than raw power.

Tees:

455y439y

Green:44y × 32y

Fairway @250y:48y wide

5 Bunkers dogleg

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Black Lake Golf Club

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 455 yds
Green: 7401 sq ft
Bunkers: 5

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Gear Tip

Pack your best sand wedge — this hole is bunker-heavy.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

Target the center of the fairway with your tee shot, as you have a generous 49-yard wide landing area at the 200-yard mark. This sets up the ideal angle for your approach to the green.

hazard warning

Be aware of the bunker cluster between 233-262 yards from the tee. Longer hitters should consider a controlled tee shot or laying up short of the 233-yard bunker to avoid trouble.

approach

Plan your approach carefully to this substantial 7,401 square foot green. The large putting surface offers multiple pin positions, so club selection should prioritize the correct tier rather than just distance.

tee shot

On this 455-yard par 4, most golfers should aim for a 220-230 yard tee shot to stay short of the bunkers while leaving a manageable mid-iron approach of 200+ yards.

green

The green measures 44 yards deep by 32 yards wide, so pay attention to pin position. Front pins play shorter while back pins can add significant yardage to your approach shot.

train this shot at home

This 455-yard par 4 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

With bunkers guarding the green, pick the side with the most room and let the slope feed the ball toward the pin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 455-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 13?

This hole is a moderate challenge for most golfers. Key challenges include: long par 4, heavily bunkered, large green requiring good lag putting.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 13?

Key hazards include: 1 greenside bunker. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 13?

The green is fairly large with multiple pin positions. The green is wider than it is deep, rewarding shots that find the correct tier. Lag putting becomes important on longer putts.

What's a good score on hole 13?

This hole is one of the tougher holes where par feels like birdie. A challenging par 4. Accept that bogey happens and avoid big numbers.

Can I practice hole 13 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Black Lake Golf Club. You can play this exact 455-yard par 4 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 →