Hole 4 at Merion Golf Club (East Course)

Par 5 • 600 Yards • Ardmore, Pennsylvania

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Tough

The longest hole at Merion Golf Club (East Course), this 600-yard par 5 presents a deceptive challenge that has tested champions since the course's storied history began. Despite its straight layout and absence of major hazards, the fourth hole demands precision and course management over three carefully orchestrated shots. The generous fairway invites aggressive play off the tee, but the approach to the small, subtly contoured green requires pinpoint accuracy. What appears straightforward from the championship tees reveals its true character in the intricate green complex, where even tour professionals have struggled during major championships. This hole epitomizes Merion's philosophy that strategic design trumps overwhelming length, rewarding thoughtful play over pure power.

Tees:

600y560y541y

Green:36y × 31y

Fairway @250y:12y wide

1 BunkerWater dogleg

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Merion Golf Club (East Course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 5
Yardage: 600 yds
Green: 5841 sq ft
Bunkers: 1
Water: Yes
Course Slope: 144
Course Rating: 72.9

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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

Target the wider landing area at 200 yards where the fairway is 24 yards wide, rather than trying to bomb it past the trouble ahead. This sets up a manageable second shot while avoiding the narrow squeeze.

hazard warning

Exercise extreme caution around the 250-yard mark where bunkers guard a fairway that narrows dramatically to just 12 yards wide. Any aggressive play here significantly increases your risk of finding sand or rough.

approach

With bunkers positioned at 250 yards, plan your layup to stay short of this danger zone. A conservative 230-yard tee shot leaves you with a comfortable 370-yard approach to attack this reachable par 5.

green

The generous green measuring 36 yards by 31 yards (5,841 square feet) rewards aggressive approach shots. With this much target area, don't be afraid to attack the pin once you're in good position.

approach

At 600 yards total, this hole offers birdie opportunities for longer hitters who can navigate the fairway bottleneck. Consider laying up short of 250 yards, then using a mid-iron to position for a wedge into the large green.

train this shot at home

This 600-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 600 yards, A true three-shot hole for most players. Position your layup to leave a comfortable wedge distance.

How difficult is hole 4?

This hole is a moderate challenge for most golfers. Key challenges include: long par 5, water in play.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 4?

Key hazards include: water at 544.5 yards. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 4?

The green is medium-sized with moderate targets. Pay attention to pin placement when selecting your approach club.

What's a good score on hole 4?

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 4 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Merion Golf Club (East Course). 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 →