Hole 8 at Minnehaha Country Club

Par 3159 Yards • Sioux Falls, South Dakota

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Moderate

Minnehaha Country Club hole 8 delivers a compact but demanding test, a par 3 measuring 159.0 yards that rewards precision over power. The tee shot plays straight to a green guarded by a trio of sand bunkers positioned to punish any miss, forcing golfers to commit fully to their club selection and trust their swing. Despite its modest handicap ranking of 15, the hole's true challenge lies in its green complex, where surrounding bunkers create a visual squeeze that can rattle even confident players. Strategic golfers will favor the correct iron and a controlled trajectory to find the putting surface safely, avoiding the sand that frames this deceptively tricky one-shotter. It's a hole where finesse trumps distance every time.

Tees:
159y
Green:36y × 20y
3 Bunkers dogleg

PGA Tour Venue

Sanford International

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Hole Stats

Par
3
Yardage
159 yds
Green
4193 sq ft
Bunkers
3

Recommended Gear

Dial in your mid-irons — accuracy is everything on a short par 3.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

This 159-yard par 3 requires a precise iron shot to a small green (4,193 sq ft, 36 yards long by 20 yards wide). Club selection should account for the full carry distance, as there's little margin for error on a target this size.

hazard warning

A bunker positioned at 127.4 yards guards the front portion of the green complex, catching shots that come up short. Take one extra club if you're between distances to ensure you clear this hazard.

hazard warning

A second bunker sits at 149.4 yards, close to the green's edge, penalizing shots that drift slightly off-line or come up just short of the putting surface. Aim for the center of the green to avoid this hazard.

green

With a small green measuring only 36 yards by 20 yards (4,193 sq ft), precision is critical—favor the widest part of the green (the 36-yard dimension) as your target line to maximize your margin for error on approach.

hazard warning

An additional bunker positioned at 57.4 yards may come into play for players laying up or mis-hitting a shorter tee shot; plan your tee shot to avoid leaving an awkward angle from this hazard.

train this shot at home

This par 3 is ideal for working on your mid-iron. Launch monitors from $600 let you practice this exact shot with real course data from home.

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Scoring Tip

Short par 3s reward precision. Pick the right club for the front-center of the green and trust your swing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What club should I use on this par 3?

At 159 yards, most golfers will need a mid-iron (7-iron to 8-iron) to reach this green. Adjust for elevation, wind, and pin position.

How difficult is hole 8?

This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers. Key challenges include: small green.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 8?

Key hazards include: fairway bunker at 57.4-57.4 yards; 2 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 8?

The green is small and requires precision. The green is wider than it is deep, rewarding shots that find the correct tier. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.

Where is the best miss on hole 8?

If you're going to miss the green, favor the right side. The left brings more trouble into play and makes recovery difficult.

What's a good score on hole 8?

This hole is a solid par with birdie chances for precise approach shots. Making par is a good result here. Focus on hitting the green and avoiding three-putts.

Can I watch hole 8 at the Sanford International in person?

Yes — the Sanford International at Minnehaha Country Club is one of the PGA Tour's most-attended events, drawing over 200,000 spectators across the week. Hole 8 is a popular viewing spot. StubHub typically lists single-day grounds passes starting around $75–$150, with premium grandstand and hospitality options available for serious fans. Prices tend to climb as the tournament approaches, so buying early often saves 30–40%. Buy Sanford International tickets on StubHub

Can I practice hole 8 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Minnehaha Country Club. You can play this exact par 3 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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