Hole 18 at Erin Hills Golf Course

Par 5663 Yards • Erin, Wisconsin

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Brutal

The 18th hole at Erin Hills stands as one of golf's most memorable finishing holes, having produced two of the most iconic images from the 1998 U.S. Open. This demanding par-5 finale requires three precise shots to navigate through fescue, elevation changes, and an army of strategically placed bunkers guarding a challenging green complex.

Tees:
663y637y622y542y542y506y
Green:32y × 31y
Fairway @250y:48y wide
30 Bunkers dogleg

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Hole Stats

Par
5
Yardage
663 yds
Green
6075 sq ft
Bunkers
30
Course Slope
145
Course Rating
77.9

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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

On this 663-yard par 5, prioritize accuracy over distance on your opening shot. The fairway widens from 39 yards at the 200-yard mark to 48 yards at 250 yards, so longer hitters can take advantage of the extra room by carrying their drive past the 200-yard bottleneck.

approach

Beware of the bunker complex positioned at 456.9 and 472.4 yards from the tee - these hazards sit right in the landing zone for aggressive second shots. Most players should lay up short of these bunkers, leaving a manageable third shot into the green.

approach

The greenside bunker at 608.6 yards guards the approach to this lengthy par 5. Calculate your layup distance carefully to avoid both the fairway bunkers in the 450-470 yard range and leave yourself the ideal yardage for your third shot.

green

The putting surface measures 32 by 31 yards with 6,075 square feet of green to work with - this substantial target rewards accurate approach shots. The nearly square dimensions suggest pin position will greatly influence your approach strategy and club selection.

hazard warning

At 663 yards, this hole demands three well-executed shots for most golfers. Resist the temptation to force a risky second shot over the bunkers at 456-472 yards - the length of this hole means even a conservative approach can still reach the green in regulation.

train this shot at home

This 663-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 663 yards, A true three-shot hole for most players. Position your layup to leave a comfortable wedge distance.

How difficult is hole 18?

This hole is a moderate challenge for most golfers. Key challenges include: long par 5, heavily bunkered.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 18?

Key hazards include: fairway bunker at 70.6-70.6 yards; 5 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 18?

The green is fairly large with multiple pin positions. Lag putting becomes important on longer putts.

Which side of the fairway is safer on hole 18?

Aim for the left side of the fairway when possible. Missing right brings more trouble into play.

What's a good score on hole 18?

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 18 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Erin Hills Golf 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

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