Back-to-Back Par 5s

[Tom_Doak]

There are lots of famous courses with back-to-back par-5's.  It's been mentioned here before, but worth repeating that Inwood has three of them in a row (holes 3-4-5, due to an early change in the routing:  the 3rd hole was originally #18).

It's not a bad thing just as long as the holes each have a character of their own.  It's not so good if they are both approximately the same length, and especially not if they both play in the same direction (as at Ballybunion).  Nevertheless, sometimes it is the best solution for a given piece of property, whether people like it conceptually or not.

[Tom_Doak]

Sean:

They only changed the 18th at Portrush to a par-4 about 10-15 years ago, it used to be a second consecutive par-5.  But it played very short, and they didn't have room to expand the tee backward.

[Mike Benham]

With the bonus question, back to back Par 3s: Cabo Del Sol 6 & 7

Don't forget Pacific Dunes #10 and #11

Cypress Point 15 and 16 ...

[Peter Zarlengo]

Two ends of the Denver golfing spectrum:

Cherry Hills 17 and 18 (for members)
City Park GC 10-11

In Minneapolis:

Minikahda 13-14
Interlachen 11 (for members) and 12

City Park flipped its 9's so now what was 10&11 are now 1&2. I know that there is another (much more more famous) course that begins with back to back par 5's, and a golden age architect or writer who advocated this type of start, but can't remember who. I never understood the rationale, however, as it seems that the weaker player might be beat up too much right off the bat and the better player facing fewer birdie opportunities late in the round.

The back-to-back par 5's at Colorado Golf Club (Holes 15&16) also represent in the Denver area. Two fun, interesting, and dramatic golf holes late in the round.

[JLahrman]

NCR South #5 and #6 are back to back par 5s.  They are almost parallel and are about the same length, but the greensites are much different.

[SPDB]

Nevertheless, Royal Portrush does have back to back par 5s at 9 and 10, which in my opinion play very similarly.

[Nick Church]

A newer course, Bridgewater Club (Dye / Liddy), features par 5's on the 4th and 5th.

It was an oddity initially, but I grew to like it.  It did not feel out of rhythm to me.  Both were challenging, somewhat reachable from the tips.  The 5th hole was distinct because a water hazard came into play for the 2nd and 3rd shots.  The 4th featured an uphill tee shot.

[Yannick Pilon]

You guys won't beleive it, but I am working on a course that will feature not one, but two sets of back to back par 5's!!

It's a new nine addition to a small course on the east coast of Italy named Riviera Golf....

If it works and the holes are different, I don't have a problem with it....

YP

[Paul Stephenson]

My home course has back-to-back par 5s on holes 16 and 17.  With a long par 4 18th, I sometimes feel our course closes with three par 4.5 holes.  It certainly makes matches interesting.

The old Boxgrove/IBM Golf Club near where I live used to open with 2 par 5s and close with 2 par 5s.  I don't believe that they ever had double tee starts, but if they did you may have found yourself playing a 4 par 5s in a row.

The course has been reduced to 9 holes (development) and is now called Markham Green.  None of the par 5s survived.

[tlavin]

Bob O'Link, in suburban Chicago, has back-to-back par 5's on both nines.  Can anybody match that?

[Tim Gavrich]

You guys won't beleive it, but I am working on a course that will feature not one, but two sets of back to back par 5's!!

It's a new nine addition to a small course on the east coast of Italy named Riviera Golf....

If it works and the holes are different, I don't have a problem with it....

YP

I believe it, Yannick!

Manchester CC in Manchester, CT has two sets of back-to-back par 5s at 3 & 4 and then at 14 & 15.  It's neat, and doesn't feel weird at all.

[Jeff_Mingay]

Phil and Yannick,

Cape Breton Highlands Links has TWO SETS of back-to-back par 5s, at holes 6 and 7 and 15 and 16.

[Anthony Gray]

     It is all golf. If it makes for the best routing then great. At Pac Dunes I did not even notice back to back par 3s until after the round was over and I looked at the course guide.

[Tom Jefferson]

The Valley Club, in Montecito, Ca............back to back par 5s...holes #1 & #2.
(Mackenzie)

Baywood Golf and Country Club, in Arcata, Ca.....back to back par 5s....holes #1 & #2.
(Bob Baldock)

Tom

[Jeff_Mingay]

Sunningdale Old is back-to-back par-5s to start, too, isn't it?

And, of course, Baltusrol ends with two par-5s.

[Wade Whitehead]

Cascades (Hot Springs, VA) had the 16th lengthened so it is now a par 5 preceding the par 5 17th.  I think it was better as a long par 4.

Many agree with Mr. Morrison that the 16th should have been left alone.  However, the 3-5-5-3 finish is certainly unique and, as anyone who has played the Upper can attest, truly anything can happen on 16 and 17.  I think they're wonderfully complimentary holes.

WW

[Dan Kelly]

Bob O'Link, in suburban Chicago, has back-to-back par 5's on both nines.  Can anybody match that?

Mississippi Dunes.

Cottage Grove, Minnesota.

Par-5 #7 and #8.

Par-5 #13 and #14.

Perhaps my least favorite course, anywhere.

[John Handley]

Walden on Lake Conroe outside of Houston has holes 8, 10 and 11 as par 5s.  11 is a fantastic hole that is a double dogleg on the lake.  The course was designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert Von Hagge and is one of their best designs.

[JESII]

I swear the 16th at the Homestead was a par 5 the one time I was there, about 10 or 12 years ago.

[JWinick]

Holston Hills ends with two Par 5s, a 520 followed by a 541 from the tips.

[Mike Hendren]

Langford's Gatlinburg Country Club had three consecutive par fives:  9,10,11.

[Jeff Shelman]

My home club has back-to-back par 5s (Nos. 12 and 13).

Tot Hill Farm also has consecutive par 5s.

[Mike Boehm]

Muskegon CC, a hidden gem Ross in Muskegon, MI has back-to-back par 5's for #13 and #14.

Champion Hill, more hidden but less of a gem in Beulah, MI, closes with par 5's as #17 and 18.

[Joe Bausch]

Not only does Twisted Dune in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, has back-to-back par 5's at #9 and #10, it has three in four holes with the par 5 12th.

[Kevin Pallier]

Bob O'Link, in suburban Chicago, has back-to-back par 5's on both nines.  Can anybody match that?

Mississippi Dunes.

Cottage Grove, Minnesota.

Par-5 #7 and #8.

Par-5 #13 and #14.

Perhaps my least favorite course, anywhere.

Victoria GC (Australia)

8 & 9

17 & 18