Hole 9 at Minnehaha Country Club

Par 4 • 396 Yards • Sioux Falls, South Dakota

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Challenging

Minnehaha Country Club hole 9 closes the front nine with a straightforward yet demanding test, playing 396.0 yards as a par 4 that rewards precision over power. The straight layout offers no visual trickery off the tee, but golfers shouldn't be lulled into complacency—a pair of well-placed greenside bunkers guard the putting surface, ready to swallow any approach shot that drifts off target. This hole demands a committed tee shot and an honest, well-struck approach to find the green complex safely. Ranked the 9th handicap hole, it presents a fair but genuine challenge, asking players to execute fundamentals cleanly. It's a memorable finishing statement before the back nine begins, testing accuracy under pressure at this storied South Dakota layout.

Tees:

396y

Green:37y × 32y

Fairway @250y:43y wide

4 Bunkers dogleg

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Minnehaha Country Club

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PGA Tour Venue

Sanford International

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 396 yds
Green: 6732 sq ft
Bunkers: 4

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Recommended Gear

Bunkers everywhere — a versatile wedge is your scoring club on this hole.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

The fairway measures only 33 yards wide at the 200-yard mark, demanding an accurate tee shot if you're laying up short. Longer hitters who can carry it out to 250 yards benefit from a fairway that widens to 43 yards, giving more margin for error.

hazard warning

A cluster of three bunkers sits between 317 and 372 yards off the tee (317.0y, 345.9y, and 372.0y), directly in the landing zone for well-struck drives. Big hitters should club down or aim to carry past 372 yards to avoid this trouble.

tee shot

Since the fairway widens significantly from 33 yards at 200y to 43 yards at 250y, favoring the wider landing zone with a driver or 3-wood that carries at least 250 yards is the higher-percentage play off the tee.

approach

With the hole playing 396 yards and bunkers guarding the 317-372 yard zone, most approach shots will be from 25-80 yards out—plan for a short-to-mid iron and factor in the sand short of the green.

green

This medium-sized green (6,732 sq ft, 37 yards deep by 32 yards wide) rewards precise iron play; missing the target zone can leave long, difficult putts given the green's substantial depth.

train this shot at home

This 396-yard par 4 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

With bunkers guarding the green, pick the side with the most room and let the slope feed the ball toward the pin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 396-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 9?

This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers. Key challenges include: heavily bunkered.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 9?

Key hazards include: 2 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 9?

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 9?

This hole is a medium-length test where par is a solid result. A straightforward par 4 where course management pays off.

Can I watch hole 9 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 9 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 9 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 396-yard par 4 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 →