Hole 4 at Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course)

Par 4 • 430 Yards • Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

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Tough

The fourth hole at Oakland Hills Country Club continues the demanding test that earned this South Course the nickname "The Monster" from Ben Hogan after his 1951 U.S. Open victory. This par-4 maintains the course's reputation for precision and strategic shot-making that has challenged golf's greatest champions for decades.

Tees:

430y416y410y343y

Green:29y × 30y

Fairway @250y:23y wide

12 Bunkers dogleg

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Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 430 yds
Green: 5551 sq ft
Bunkers: 12
Course Slope: 135
Course Rating: 75.5

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Recommended Gear

Bunkers everywhere — a versatile wedge is your scoring club on this hole.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

The opening hole at 'The Monster' demands precision from the elevated tee. Target the center-left of the fairway which measures 30 yards wide at the 200-yard mark, as accuracy is more critical than distance on this demanding opener.

tee shot

Avoid the aggressive line down the right side - the fairway continues to narrow to just 27 yards at the 250-yard distance, making longer drives increasingly risky on this historically challenging hole.

hazard warning

Three strategic bunkers guard the landing area and approach at 276, 296, and 395 yards from the tee. The bunker at 395 yards is particularly dangerous as it sits near the green complex on this 430-yard par 4.

approach

With the hole playing 430 yards total, most players will face a mid-to-short iron approach shot. The relatively compact green measures just 29 by 30 yards, demanding precise distance control and accurate iron play.

green

The green's modest size of 5,551 square feet requires committed approach shots. Ben Hogan's nickname 'The Monster' for this course started here - respect the tight target and prioritize the center of the putting surface.

train this shot at home

This 430-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 430-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 4?

This hole is a moderate challenge for most golfers. Key challenges include: heavily bunkered.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 4?

Key hazards include: 5 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 4?

The green is medium-sized with moderate targets. Pay attention to pin placement when selecting your approach club.

What's a good score on hole 4?

This hole is a demanding hole where bogey is not unusual. This longer par 4 will test most golfers. Focus on position over distance.

Can I practice hole 4 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 430-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 →