Hole 5 at Colonial Country Club
- Par
- 4
- Yardage
- 472 yds
- Stroke index
- 1
- Hazards
- 3 bunkers · Water
Aerial source not provided
Green size: 27 yds deep × 27 yds wide
Scorecard yardage is for Championship tees. The aerial shows its labeled reference position; distance rings measure to the green.
Championship tees · Par 4 · 472 yards
The plan for No. 5
The climactic finale of Colonial's infamous "Horrible Horseshoe," this 472-yard par 4 stands as the course's signature challenge and most storied hole. Forever etched in golf lore as the site of President Gerald Ford's celebrated hole-in-one dubbed the "Shot Heard Around the World," Colonial Country Club hole 5 demands surgical precision from the championship tee. The Trinity River guards the right side while a treacherous ditch lurks left, creating a narrow corridor that has humbled professionals for decades. The approach shot to the small, well-protected green requires equal commitment, as any wayward iron can spell disaster. This is where legends are made and scorecards are destroyed—a true test of nerve and skill that epitomizes Colonial's unforgiving character.
Off the tee
The tee shot strategy centers on finding the narrow safe zone while avoiding the water that has claimed countless balls over the decades. Target the left-center of the fairway, giving yourself maximum room away from the river on the right. Consider taking one less club than you might normally hit to ensure you stay in the short grass - a 3-wood or hybrid often proves wiser than driver here. The key is positioning yourself for a clear approach shot rather than maximizing distance. Remember, even President Ford found success on this hole with precise play, proving that accuracy trumps power. ## APPROACH From the fairway, your approach shot becomes a test of nerve and club selection. The small green demands pinpoint accuracy, and any shot that finds the wrong level or misses the target can lead to difficult recovery shots. Play to the center of the green regardless of pin position - the putting surface is small enough that you'll have a reasonable putt from anywhere on the green. If you find yourself out of position after the tee shot, resist the temptation to attempt a heroic carry over water. Instead, play conservatively to the safe side and accept a longer approach shot. ## ON THE GREEN The compact green size makes lag putting crucial, as three-putts can quickly turn a well-played hole into a bogey or worse. Focus on getting your first putt to the correct level and within a comfortable two-putt range. Given the hole's difficulty, making par here is always a victory, so don't get aggressive with lengthy putts that could leave you with challenging comeback attempts. ## RISK VS REWARD This hole offers little in terms of risk/reward opportunities - it's purely about damage control and smart course management. The primary risk comes from attempting shots you shouldn't, particularly trying to carry water when out of position. The reward for conservative, precise play is avoiding the big numbers that can derail an entire round. Par here is equivalent to a birdie on most other holes. ## DIFFERENT SKILL LEVELS **High-handicap players** should consider this hole a three-shot par 5 in their minds. Take a mid-iron off the tee for maximum accuracy, then play a conservative second shot to set up a manageable third shot to the green. Focus entirely on keeping the ball dry and in play. **Low-handicap players** can be more aggressive with driver off the tee but must still respect the water. The key is committing to your target line and trusting your swing. These players should focus on approach shot precision, as the small green punishes even slightly off-target shots. This legendary hole has humbled tour professionals for decades and continues to serve as Colonial's ultimate test of golf strategy and mental fortitude. Play it with respect, and you'll walk away with a hard-earned par on one of golf's most challenging holes.
Approach & recovery
From the fairway, your approach shot becomes a test of nerve and club selection. The small green demands pinpoint accuracy, and any shot that finds the wrong level or misses the target can lead to difficult recovery shots. Play to the center of the green regardless of pin position - the putting surface is small enough that you'll have a reasonable putt from anywhere on the green. If you find yourself out of position after the tee shot, resist the temptation to attempt a heroic carry over water. Instead, play conservatively to the safe side and accept a longer approach shot. ## ON THE GREEN The compact green size makes lag putting crucial, as three-putts can quickly turn a well-played hole into a bogey or worse. Focus on getting your first putt to the correct level and within a comfortable two-putt range. Given the hole's difficulty, making par here is always a victory, so don't get aggressive with lengthy putts that could leave you with challenging comeback attempts. ## RISK VS REWARD This hole offers little in terms of risk/reward opportunities - it's purely about damage control and smart course management. The primary risk comes from attempting shots you shouldn't, particularly trying to carry water when out of position. The reward for conservative, precise play is avoiding the big numbers that can derail an entire round. Par here is equivalent to a birdie on most other holes. ## DIFFERENT SKILL LEVELS **High-handicap players** should consider this hole a three-shot par 5 in their minds. Take a mid-iron off the tee for maximum accuracy, then play a conservative second shot to set up a manageable third shot to the green. Focus entirely on keeping the ball dry and in play. **Low-handicap players** can be more aggressive with driver off the tee but must still respect the water. The key is committing to your target line and trusting your swing. These players should focus on approach shot precision, as the small green punishes even slightly off-target shots. This legendary hole has humbled tour professionals for decades and continues to serve as Colonial's ultimate test of golf strategy and mental fortitude. Play it with respect, and you'll walk away with a hard-earned par on one of golf's most challenging holes.
On the green
The compact green size makes lag putting crucial, as three-putts can quickly turn a well-played hole into a bogey or worse. Focus on getting your first putt to the correct level and within a comfortable two-putt range. Given the hole's difficulty, making par here is always a victory, so don't get aggressive with lengthy putts that could leave you with challenging comeback attempts. ## RISK VS REWARD This hole offers little in terms of risk/reward opportunities - it's purely about damage control and smart course management. The primary risk comes from attempting shots you shouldn't, particularly trying to carry water when out of position. The reward for conservative, precise play is avoiding the big numbers that can derail an entire round. Par here is equivalent to a birdie on most other holes. ## DIFFERENT SKILL LEVELS **High-handicap players** should consider this hole a three-shot par 5 in their minds. Take a mid-iron off the tee for maximum accuracy, then play a conservative second shot to set up a manageable third shot to the green. Focus entirely on keeping the ball dry and in play. **Low-handicap players** can be more aggressive with driver off the tee but must still respect the water. The key is committing to your target line and trusting your swing. These players should focus on approach shot precision, as the small green punishes even slightly off-target shots. This legendary hole has humbled tour professionals for decades and continues to serve as Colonial's ultimate test of golf strategy and mental fortitude. Play it with respect, and you'll walk away with a hard-earned par on one of golf's most challenging holes.
Watch for
- Mapped water (1) influences the playing line on this hole.
- Mapped bunkers (3) are in play around the landing areas and green.
Hole 5 Green Complex
Mapped green boundary
Green size: 3,509 sq ft
Course coverage
Tournament and creator videos about Colonial Country Club — shared course coverage, not hole-specific clips.
Tournament coverage
Charles Schwab Challenge highlights
Charles Schwab Challenge | Final Round Highlights
2025
Featured by these creators
Creator videos about this course
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How did Hole 5 play?
How did this hole play today?
Frequently asked questions
Yardage reference: Championship tees · 472 yards.
What's the best strategy off the tee?
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For this 472-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.
How difficult is hole 5?
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This hole is one of the tougher holes on the course for most golfers. Key challenges include: long par 4, water in play, small green.
What hazards should I watch out for on hole 5?
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Key hazards include: 3 greenside bunkers; water at 227.1 yards. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.
How big is the green on hole 5?
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The green is small and requires precision. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.
What's a good score on hole 5?
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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.