Hole 2 at Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course)

Par 5 • 523 Yards • Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Enhanced Content

Challenging

The second hole at Oakland Hills continues the demanding test that earned this course its fearsome nickname "The Monster" from Ben Hogan. This lengthy par 5 presents an early opportunity for birdie, but the small green demands precision on the approach. Strategic positioning off the tee sets up the risk-reward decision that defines this challenging opener to the back nine.

Tees:

523y490y485y423y

Green:31y × 40y

Fairway @250y:29y wide

10 Bunkers dogleg

Loading map...

Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Play This Course at Home

Practice Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course) Year-Round

Launch monitors from $600 and simulators from $2,500 include real course data. Play every hole without leaving home.

Browse Launch Monitors & Simulators

Amazon · Top brands compared · Free returns on most items

We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

Hole Stats

Par: 5
Yardage: 523 yds
Green: 7613 sq ft
Bunkers: 10
Course Slope: 135
Course Rating: 75.5

Navigate

Back to Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course)View Full Scorecard

Recommended Gear

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

Shop Fairway Woods →

Strategy Tips

hazard warning

This par 5 presents an unusual challenge with no traditional fairway at the typical landing zones. The fairway measures 0 yards wide at both 200 and 250 yards from the tee, indicating severe rough or hazards dominate the driving area. Consider laying up short or playing conservatively off the tee.

tee shot

With bunkers positioned at 315.8 yards from the tee, longer hitters must be extremely careful with driver selection. The combination of zero fairway width and strategic bunkering suggests this hole requires precision over power - consider a 3-wood or hybrid to stay short of trouble.

approach

At 523 yards, this par 5 is reachable in two for long hitters, but the bunkers at 494.8 and 495.1 yards create a fortress around the green. These hazards are positioned just short of the putting surface, making aggressive second shots extremely risky.

green

The green measures 31 yards by 40 yards (7,613 square feet), providing a generous target for approach shots. However, with bunkers guarding the front at 495 yards, focus on carrying these hazards with enough club to reach the putting surface safely.

approach

Given 'The Monster's' reputation and the strategic bunker placement at 494.8 yards, consider playing this as a three-shot hole. Lay up to a comfortable wedge distance rather than attempting the risky carry over the greenside bunkers that have challenged champions like Hogan and Nicklaus.

train this shot at home

This 523-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.

See launch monitors & simulators

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.

Play Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course) from Your Living Room

Launch monitors and simulators now include real course data. Practice your strategy on every hole before your round — or just for fun.

Compare Systems

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this par 5 be reached in two?

At 523 yards, A true three-shot hole for most players. Position your layup to leave a comfortable wedge distance.

How difficult is hole 2?

This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers. Key challenges include: heavily bunkered, large green requiring good lag putting.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 2?

Key hazards include: 4 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 2?

The green is large and can play quite long. Three-putt territory if you don't manage your approach distance well.

What's a good score on hole 2?

This hole is a solid birdie opportunity with smart layup strategy. Most golfers can reach in three. Position your layup to leave a comfortable wedge.

Can I practice hole 2 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 →