Hole 16 at Southern Hills Country Club

Par 5491 Yards • Tulsa, Oklahoma

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Hole 16 at Southern Hills stands as the course's signature hole, showcasing Pete Dye's masterful design within this legendary landscape. This gorgeous par-5 demands both power and precision as it winds through the rolling terrain that defines this championship venue.

Tees:
491y490y471y437y407y
Green:30y × 23y
Fairway @250y:25y wide
5 BunkersWater dogleg

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Hole Stats

Par
5
Yardage
491 yds
Green
3786 sq ft
Bunkers
5
Water
Yes
Course Slope
137
Course Rating
75.2

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A dependable fairway wood can turn this par 5 into a real birdie chance.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

This Pete Dye signature par 5 presents a unique challenge off the tee - there's no fairway at the 200-yard mark, creating a forced carry or layup situation. Plan your tee shot strategy carefully as the landing zone begins at 0 yards from the tee.

approach

If going for distance off the tee, target the 250-yard area where the fairway opens to 25 yards wide. This gives you the best angle for your second shot on this 491-yard hole, but requires precise placement given the narrow landing area.

hazard warning

Three strategic bunkers guard the green area at 485.5, 500.1, and 501.6 yards from the tee. These Pete Dye signature hazards are positioned to catch both aggressive second shots and conservative third shots, so club selection is critical.

green

The green measures 30 yards by 23 yards (3,786 square feet), providing a generous target for approach shots. However, given the bunker protection around 500 yards, precision is more important than power when attacking this putting surface.

approach

At 491 yards total length with bunkers starting at 485.5 yards, most players will need three shots to reach this green safely. Focus on positioning rather than distance, especially given the Pete Dye design philosophy of rewarding strategic play over raw power.

train this shot at home

This 491-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 491 yards, Reachable in two for longer hitters. Consider laying up short of hazards if going for it is risky.

How difficult is hole 16?

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 16?

Key hazards include: 4 greenside bunkers; water at 453.9 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 reachable par 5 with eagle chances for longer hitters. Birdie is very much in play here if you can set up a good approach.

Can I practice hole 16 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

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