Hole 9 at Hazeltine National Golf Club

Par 4432 Yards • Chaska, Minnesota

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Tough

Hazeltine's signature 9th hole stands as one of golf's most iconic finishing holes, featuring the legendary Payne Stewart Bridge and creating constant tension with water hazards that threaten from tee to green. This downhill par-4 has witnessed countless dramatic moments in major championships, where champions have hoisted trophies surrounded by thousands of spectators.

Tees:
432y425y389y376y320y
Green:29y × 35y
Fairway @250y:50y wide
8 BunkersWater dogleg

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Hole Stats

Par
4
Yardage
432 yds
Green
5794 sq ft
Bunkers
8
Water
Yes
Course Slope
155
Course Rating
78

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

Target the center-left portion of the fairway to avoid the three fairway bunkers positioned at 265, 290, and 315 yards. The fairway widens from 44 yards at the 200-yard mark to 50 yards at 250 yards, giving you more room if you can carry your drive past the 250-yard marker.

approach

With the green measuring 29 yards wide by 35 yards deep and sloping from back right to front left, aim for the center or left side of the putting surface. The compact 5,794 square foot green demands precision, especially when the pin is positioned in the narrow front opening.

hazard warning

Be extremely cautious of lake positioning along the right edge of the hole. Right-side pin positions bring the water directly into play on approach shots, creating significant risk for aggressive plays toward the flag.

green

The green's slope from back right to front left means uphill putts from the front portion will be more manageable than downhill putts from the back. Target the front half of the 35-yard deep green when possible to leave yourself uphill birdie chances.

tee shot

Consider laying up short of the fairway bunkers with a 3-wood or hybrid if you're not confident carrying the bunker at 265 yards. This leaves a manageable approach from the wider 44-yard fairway section while avoiding the hazards that guard the landing zone.

train this shot at home

This 432-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

When water is in play, commit to a conservative target. A bogey beats a big number every time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 432-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 9?

This hole is one of the tougher holes on the course for most golfers. Key challenges include: water in play, heavily bunkered.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 9?

Key hazards include: 2 greenside bunkers; water at 146.9 yards. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 9?

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 9?

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 9 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Hazeltine National Golf Club. You can play this exact 432-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

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