Hole 13 at Southern Hills Country Club

Par 5 • 537 Yards • Tulsa, Oklahoma

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Challenging

The 13th hole at Southern Hills stands as arguably the most famous on the course, earning praise from Ben Hogan as "one of the best in all of golf." This challenging par-5 features dramatic up-and-over terrain that culminates in a demanding approach to a green guarded by two small ponds.

Tees:

537y527y497y470y446y

Green:25y × 20y

Fairway @250y:8y wide

6 BunkersWater dogleg

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Southern Hills Country Club

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Hole Stats

Par: 5
Yardage: 537 yds
Green: 3061 sq ft
Bunkers: 6
Water: Yes
Course Slope: 137
Course Rating: 75.2

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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

Position your tee shot strategically around the 200-yard mark where the fairway offers a generous 40-yard width, giving you optimal positioning before the dramatic narrowing ahead.

approach

Exercise extreme caution on your second shot as the fairway pinches to just 8 yards wide at the 250-yard mark - this is where many rounds are lost. Consider laying up short of this bottleneck if you're not confident in your accuracy.

hazard warning

Three greenside bunkers guard the approach at 518, 536.6, and 543.9 yards from the tee, creating a formidable defensive barrier around this compact green that demands precise distance control.

green

The green measures only 3,061 square feet (25x20 yards), making it one of the smaller targets you'll face - prioritize accuracy over distance on your approach, as Ben Hogan recognized when calling this one of golf's finest holes.

approach

At 537 yards, this par-5 is reachable in two for longer hitters, but the risk-reward calculation heavily favors a conservative three-shot strategy given the severe fairway narrowing and well-defended green complex.

train this shot at home

This 537-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 537 yards, A true three-shot hole for most players. Position your layup to leave a comfortable wedge distance.

How difficult is hole 13?

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

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 13?

Key hazards include: 5 greenside bunkers; water at 490.4 yards. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 13?

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

What's a good score on hole 13?

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 13 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Southern Hills Country Club. 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 →