Hole 16 at Firestone Country Club - South

Par 5 • 667 Yards • Akron, Ohio

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Brutal

Known as "The Monster," Firestone's 16th hole earned its fearsome nickname after Arnold Palmer's triple bogey here, cementing its reputation as one of golf's most intimidating par 5s. This legendary hole has humbled even the greatest players, with a commemorative plaque on the bridge to the green immortalizing its monstrous reputation.

Tees:

667y590y268y

Green:30y × 25y

Fairway @250y:49y wide

5 BunkersWater dogleg

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Firestone Country Club - South

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Hole Stats

Par: 5
Yardage: 667 yds
Green: 4145 sq ft
Bunkers: 5
Water: Yes
Course Slope: 132
Course Rating: 76.1

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

The tee shot on this legendary 667-yard monster requires careful positioning. With no fairway at 200 yards, you must carry your drive well past that distance to find the fairway, which opens to 49 yards wide at the 250-yard mark. Aim for a 260-280 yard drive to give yourself the best angle for your second shot.

hazard warning

Beware of the fairway bunkers positioned at 280 and 290 yards from the tee. These hazards guard the prime landing area and can destroy your chances of reaching this par 5 in regulation. Club selection is critical - better to be 20 yards short of these bunkers than risk finding the sand.

approach

Your second shot strategy depends heavily on your tee shot position. From the 250-yard area where the fairway is 49 yards wide, you'll still face nearly 420 yards to the green. Most players should lay up to around 100-120 yards, avoiding the greenside bunker at 490.9 yards that guards the approach.

green

The relatively small green at 4,145 square feet (30x25 yards) demands precision on your approach shot. Given Arnold Palmer's famous triple bogey here that earned this hole its 'Monster' nickname, respect this target and prioritize accuracy over distance on your final approach.

approach

At 667 yards, this is truly one of the longest par 5s in professional golf. Even tour professionals struggle to reach in two, so recreational golfers should embrace a three-shot strategy. Focus on keeping the ball in play rather than trying to overpower this historic hole.

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This 667-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 667 yards, A true three-shot hole for most players. Position your layup to leave a comfortable wedge distance.

How difficult is hole 16?

This hole is one of the tougher holes on the course for most golfers. Key challenges include: long par 5, water in play, heavily bunkered, small green.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 16?

Key hazards include: 2 greenside bunkers; water at 637.0 yards. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 16?

The green is small and requires precision. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.

What's a good score on hole 16?

This hole is a true three-shot hole where birdie requires execution. This longer par 5 demands patience. Two good shots set up the scoring opportunity.

Can I practice hole 16 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Firestone Country Club - South. 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 →