Hole 8 at Colonial Country Club
- Par
- 3
- Yardage
- 194 yds
- Stroke index
- 17
- Hazards
- 4 bunkers · Water
Aerial source not provided
Green size: 35 yds deep × 22 yds wide
Scorecard yardage is for Championship tees. The aerial shows its labeled reference position; distance rings measure to the green.
Championship tees · Par 3 · 194 yards
The plan for No. 8
Colonial Country Club hole 8 presents a deceptively challenging par 3 that demands precision over power at 194 yards. This straight shot to a compact green epitomizes the strategic design principles that have made "Hogan's Alley" a PGA Tour favorite for decades. The absence of major hazards might suggest simplicity, but the small target requires committed club selection and unwavering accuracy. Wind conditions in Fort Worth can significantly influence play, making proper yardage calculation crucial. The green's modest size punishes wayward approaches, rewarding golfers who can dial in their mid-iron game. This hole serves as a perfect example of Perry Maxwell's architectural philosophy—sometimes the most dangerous holes are those that appear benign but demand surgical precision.
Off the tee
From the tee, your primary focus should be club selection and tempo. At 194 yards, most golfers will be looking at anything from a 6-iron to a 4-iron depending on conditions and personal carry distances. The key is choosing a club you can swing with confidence and control rather than forcing a shot. Aim for the center of the green regardless of pin position - with such a small target, going flag-hunting can lead to trouble. Take one extra club if there's any doubt, as coming up short on a par 3 often leads to more difficult recovery shots than being slightly long. ## APPROACH Since this is a par 3, your tee shot IS your approach shot. Focus on making a smooth, controlled swing rather than trying to muscle the ball to the pin. The small green size means your margin for error is limited, so prioritize finding the putting surface over getting close to challenging pin positions. Pay attention to wind conditions, as they can significantly affect club selection on a shot of this length. A well-struck shot to the center of the green will always leave you with a reasonable birdie opportunity. ## ON THE GREEN With a small green, most putts won't be extremely long, but the compact surface likely features subtle breaks that can be tricky to read. Take time to study your putt from multiple angles, as these shorter putts on smaller greens often have more break than they initially appear. Focus on getting your first putt close rather than being overly aggressive - two-putting from anywhere on this green should be considered a success. ## RISK VS REWARD This hole offers a pure risk/reward scenario: the reward of a birdie or even an ace is there for well-executed shots, but the risk of missing the small green entirely can lead to bogey or worse. The smart play is always targeting the center of the green and letting your putting do the work. Aggressive pin-seeking is only advisable when you're feeling particularly confident in your iron play and the conditions are ideal. ## DIFFERENT SKILL LEVELS **High-handicap players** should focus entirely on finding the green with their most reliable mid-to-long iron. Don't worry about pin positions - aim for the biggest part of the green and be thrilled with any putt for birdie. Consider taking an extra club to ensure you don't come up short. **Low-handicap players** can be more aggressive with pin positions, especially when the flag is in the center portion of the green. However, even skilled golfers should respect the small target and avoid forcing shots to difficult pin positions. Your superior short game skills mean you can still make birdie from anywhere on the green, so don't compound mistakes by missing the target entirely. The 8th hole at Colonial embodies the strategic principles that made this course a favorite of Ben Hogan - it rewards precision, punishes indecision, and demands that every golfer execute under pressure regardless of their skill level.
Approach & recovery
Since this is a par 3, your tee shot IS your approach shot. Focus on making a smooth, controlled swing rather than trying to muscle the ball to the pin. The small green size means your margin for error is limited, so prioritize finding the putting surface over getting close to challenging pin positions. Pay attention to wind conditions, as they can significantly affect club selection on a shot of this length. A well-struck shot to the center of the green will always leave you with a reasonable birdie opportunity. ## ON THE GREEN With a small green, most putts won't be extremely long, but the compact surface likely features subtle breaks that can be tricky to read. Take time to study your putt from multiple angles, as these shorter putts on smaller greens often have more break than they initially appear. Focus on getting your first putt close rather than being overly aggressive - two-putting from anywhere on this green should be considered a success. ## RISK VS REWARD This hole offers a pure risk/reward scenario: the reward of a birdie or even an ace is there for well-executed shots, but the risk of missing the small green entirely can lead to bogey or worse. The smart play is always targeting the center of the green and letting your putting do the work. Aggressive pin-seeking is only advisable when you're feeling particularly confident in your iron play and the conditions are ideal. ## DIFFERENT SKILL LEVELS **High-handicap players** should focus entirely on finding the green with their most reliable mid-to-long iron. Don't worry about pin positions - aim for the biggest part of the green and be thrilled with any putt for birdie. Consider taking an extra club to ensure you don't come up short. **Low-handicap players** can be more aggressive with pin positions, especially when the flag is in the center portion of the green. However, even skilled golfers should respect the small target and avoid forcing shots to difficult pin positions. Your superior short game skills mean you can still make birdie from anywhere on the green, so don't compound mistakes by missing the target entirely. The 8th hole at Colonial embodies the strategic principles that made this course a favorite of Ben Hogan - it rewards precision, punishes indecision, and demands that every golfer execute under pressure regardless of their skill level.
On the green
With a small green, most putts won't be extremely long, but the compact surface likely features subtle breaks that can be tricky to read. Take time to study your putt from multiple angles, as these shorter putts on smaller greens often have more break than they initially appear. Focus on getting your first putt close rather than being overly aggressive - two-putting from anywhere on this green should be considered a success. ## RISK VS REWARD This hole offers a pure risk/reward scenario: the reward of a birdie or even an ace is there for well-executed shots, but the risk of missing the small green entirely can lead to bogey or worse. The smart play is always targeting the center of the green and letting your putting do the work. Aggressive pin-seeking is only advisable when you're feeling particularly confident in your iron play and the conditions are ideal. ## DIFFERENT SKILL LEVELS **High-handicap players** should focus entirely on finding the green with their most reliable mid-to-long iron. Don't worry about pin positions - aim for the biggest part of the green and be thrilled with any putt for birdie. Consider taking an extra club to ensure you don't come up short. **Low-handicap players** can be more aggressive with pin positions, especially when the flag is in the center portion of the green. However, even skilled golfers should respect the small target and avoid forcing shots to difficult pin positions. Your superior short game skills mean you can still make birdie from anywhere on the green, so don't compound mistakes by missing the target entirely. The 8th hole at Colonial embodies the strategic principles that made this course a favorite of Ben Hogan - it rewards precision, punishes indecision, and demands that every golfer execute under pressure regardless of their skill level.
Watch for
- Mapped water (1) influences the playing line on this hole.
- Mapped bunkers (4) are in play around the landing areas and green.
Hole 8 Green Complex
Mapped green boundary
Green size: 3,608 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
YouTube creators who filmed or featured Colonial Country Club. · Stats as of Oct 12, 2026 · 6d ago
Kiz breaks down his week at Colonial, his first PGA Tour event since November. @Chevrolet #Ad
Kevin Kisner breaks down his 2017 Colonial WIN over Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm 🏆
The 2025 Year in Review, Part 8: Colonial, Memorial, Canada, & the U.S. Open | The Shotgun Start
Latest from LIV Korea, Rainy Thursday at Colonial, & Golf Advice | The Shotgun Start
Can Scottie win 10 majors, Sr. PGA hits Congressional, & the olds take Colonial | The Shotgun Start
How did Hole 8 play?
How did this hole play today?
Frequently asked questions
Yardage reference: Championship tees · 194 yards.
What club should I use on this par 3?
↓
At 194 yards, most golfers will need a long iron or hybrid (5-iron to 6-iron) to reach this green. Adjust for elevation, wind, and pin position.
How difficult is hole 8?
↓
This hole is one of the tougher holes on the course for most golfers. Key challenges include: water in play, heavily bunkered, small green.
What hazards should I watch out for on hole 8?
↓
Key hazards include: 4 greenside bunkers; water at 73.2 yards. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.
How big is the green on hole 8?
↓
The green is small and requires precision. 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 left side. The right (water) brings more trouble into play and makes recovery difficult.