Hole 18 at Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course)

Par 5 • 492 Yards • Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

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The 18th hole at Oakland Hills' legendary South Course serves as a dramatic finale to "The Monster" that Ben Hogan famously conquered in 1951. This closing par 5 has witnessed countless championship moments since the course opened in 1918, often playing as a demanding par 4 during major tournaments. It's a fitting end to one of golf's most storied and challenging venues.

Tees:

492y470y467y441y

Green:35y × 23y

Fairway @250y:31y wide

4 Bunkers dogleg

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Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 5
Yardage: 492 yds
Green: 4849 sq ft
Bunkers: 4
Course Slope: 135
Course Rating: 75.5

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Hole 17

Par 3 • 201y

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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

From the elevated tee on this 492-yard par 5 opener, focus on accuracy over distance. The fairway narrows from 42 yards wide at the 200-yard mark to just 38 yards at 250 yards, making position more critical than maximum distance off the tee.

hazard warning

Beware of the strategic bunker complex positioned at 282.7 yards from the tee. This hazard guards the ideal layup position and can catch aggressive second shots, so plan your tee shot to leave a clear approach angle.

approach

With bunkers at 295.5 and 329.7 yards protecting the green approach, most players should lay up short of the 282-yard bunker complex on their second shot, leaving a manageable wedge into the green rather than attempting to carry the hazards.

green

The relatively compact green measuring 4,848 square feet (34 yards by 23 yards) demands precision on your approach shot. Club selection and distance control are paramount on this putting surface that has challenged legends like Hogan and Nicklaus.

approach

For longer hitters attempting to reach in two, you'll need to carry the greenside bunker at 329.7 yards while finding the narrow 23-yard depth of the green - a high-risk, high-reward play that requires perfect execution on 'The Monster's' opening hole.

train this shot at home

This 492-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 492 yards, Reachable in two for longer hitters. Consider laying up short of hazards if going for it is risky.

How difficult is hole 18?

This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers. Key challenges include: heavily bunkered.

How big is the green on hole 18?

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 18?

This hole is a reachable par 5 with eagle chances for longer hitters. Birdie is very much in play here if you can set up a good approach.

Can I practice hole 18 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Oakland Hills Country Club (South 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 →