Hole 18 at National Golf Links of America

Par 5 • 502 Yards • Southampton, New York

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Moderate

The 18th hole at Charles Blair Macdonald's masterpiece brings golfers home with a fitting finale that embodies the timeless links design principles borrowed from Scotland's greatest courses. This concluding par 5 challenges players to navigate strategic decisions while reflecting the architectural genius that has made The National a revered destination since 1908.

Tees:

502y478y

Green:63y × 52y

Fairway @250y:80y wide

10 Bunkers dogleg

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National Golf Links of America

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Hole Stats

Par: 5
Yardage: 502 yds
Green: 16834 sq ft
Bunkers: 10
Course Slope: 141
Course Rating: 74.3

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Hole 17

Par 4 • 375y

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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

This classic Macdonald par-5 demands strategic positioning off the tee. With the fairway measuring 62 yards wide at the 200-yard mark, accuracy is more important than distance. Focus on finding the short grass to set up your approach to this lengthy 502-yard hole.

approach

The fairway opens up significantly for longer hitters, expanding to 80 yards wide at the 250-yard mark. If you can carry your drive 250+ yards while staying in play, you'll have much more room to work with for your second shot on this 502-yard test.

hazard warning

Bunkers positioned at 207.6 yards from the tee create a strategic decision point. Conservative players should lay up short of these hazards, while aggressive players must ensure they carry well beyond this distance to avoid trouble.

green

The massive green complex measures an impressive 16,834 square feet (63 yards by 52 yards), typical of Macdonald's Scottish-inspired design philosophy. Pin position will be crucial - study the flag location carefully as approach shots to different sections of this enormous putting surface require vastly different strategies.

approach

At 502 yards, this par-5 is reachable in two for longer hitters, but the strategic bunkers and green size demand precision. Consider laying up to your favorite wedge distance to attack specific pin positions on the expansive 63-yard-long green rather than forcing a risky long approach.

train this shot at home

This 502-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 502 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: large green requiring good lag putting.

How big is the green on hole 18?

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 18?

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 18 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for National Golf Links of America. 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 →