Hole 18 at Merion Golf Club (East Course)
- Par
- 4
- Yardage
- 463 yds
- Hazards
- 1 bunker
Aerial source not provided
Green size: 31 yds deep × 33 yds wide
Scorecard yardage is for Pro tees. The aerial shows its labeled reference position; distance rings measure to the green.
Pro tees · Par 4 · 463 yards
The plan for No. 18
The 18th at Merion Golf Club (East Course) is a 463.0-yard par 4 that plays straightaway.
Off the tee
The tee shot sets up everything on this hole, and finding the fairway is absolutely critical. With 463 yards ahead, most players will need driver to have a reasonable approach distance remaining. Aim for the center-left portion of the fairway to create the best angle into the small green. The key is avoiding any rough or uneven lies that could compromise your approach shot accuracy. Without major hazards to navigate, focus on hitting a controlled drive that prioritizes position over maximum distance. A drive of 250-270 yards leaves an ideal approach distance while keeping you in the short grass. If conditions are firm, consider taking a more conservative line to ensure you don't run through the fairway.
Approach & recovery
The approach shot to Merion's 18th green is where holes are won and lost. With a small target, precision trumps power every time. Depending on your drive, you'll likely face anywhere from a mid-iron to hybrid for your second shot. The key is committing fully to your club selection and target line. Aim for the center of the green regardless of pin position - the small putting surface makes going flag-hunting extremely risky. Take one more club than you think you need to ensure you clear any front trouble and give yourself the best chance at a stress-free two-putt. Missing short on this green is often the worst miss, so err on the side of being long rather than coming up short.
On the green
Merion's 18th green, while small, can present subtle breaks that become magnified under pressure. Focus on lag putting to the correct quadrant rather than being overly aggressive with birdie attempts. The green's size means that even longer putts are manageable if you can read the slope correctly. Pay attention to the grain and any subtle tiers in the putting surface. With such a small target, getting above the hole can create challenging downhill putts. Your primary goal should be avoiding three-putts, as two-putting from anywhere on this green represents solid execution.
Watch for
- Fairway bunker crossing the landing zone
Hole 18 Green Complex
Mapped green boundary
Green size: 6,477 sq ft
Course coverage
Tournament and creator videos about Merion Golf Club (East Course) — shared course coverage, not hole-specific clips.
Official & tour
Tour & network videos
Official coverage mentioning Merion Golf Club (East Course).
2026 U.S. Amateur: Quarterfinals at Merion Golf Club | Full Broadcast
2026 U.S. Amateur: Round of 64 at Merion Golf Club | Full Broadcast
2026 U.S. Amateur: Round of 16 at Merion Golf Club | Full Broadcast
Featured by these creators
Creator videos about this course
YouTube creators who filmed or featured Merion Golf Club (East Course). · Stats as of Oct 12, 2026 · 6d ago
We Played a Match at My Favorite Course (Merion Golf Club)
Merion Golf Club's Sneakiest Hole | Great Golf Holes
The 18th Hole at Merion Golf Club: A Presentation Problem #golf
Merion Golf Club 101: 2026 U.S. Amateur Host | Designing Golf
How did Hole 18 play?
How did this hole play today?
Frequently asked questions
Yardage reference: Pro tees · 463 yards.
What's the best strategy off the tee?
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For this 463-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.
How difficult is hole 18?
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This hole is a moderate challenge for most golfers. Key challenges include: long par 4.
How big is the green on hole 18?
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The green is fairly large with multiple pin positions. Lag putting becomes important on longer putts.
What's a good score on hole 18?
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This hole is one of the tougher holes where par feels like birdie. A challenging par 4. Accept that bogey happens and avoid big numbers.