Best par 5's

[Gib_Papazian]

There seems to be an endless list of yeech par 5's on great courses (see front side of Ballybunion Old, Merion). Ecclectic selections being faithful to the hole numbers would be a bit tough for everyone but Tom Doak, but how about a loose list of 10 par 5's that you find inspiring or just plain original enough to be entertaining. I will start with my personal favorites, some of which are obscure, some not:16th - Olympic Lake (purists choice)17th - Pelican Hill Links5th  - Lahinch (Klondike is my favorite)17th - Turnberry15th - The Pit GL (buttonhook around dunes)14th - Old Course (enuf said)14th - Spanish Bay2nd  - Cypress Point17th - Muirfield18th - NGLA5th  - Plantation (Maui) 16th - Shinnecock7th  - Pine Valley 9th  - Eagle point (Medford, Oregon)1st -  Spyglass HillOh hell, I lost count. Well so be it. Your turn.  

[Ran Morrissett]

Trying to stay away from the 13s at Augusta household name holes, I would nominate in no order:1. 11 Hillside, England2. 16 Pennard, Wales3. 9 Westward Ho!4. 16 Sand Hills5. 5 New South Wales, Australia6. 6 Cruden Bay7. 18 Kapalua (because of the green that runs away)8. 12 Oakmont (same as above)9. 16 The Cascades10. 18 Capilano11. 4 at Bethpage Black

[T_MacWood]

Some of par-5s that should be better known: 10-Kirtland7-Cape Breton15-Shoreacres8-Fishers Island16-Crystal Downs15-Muirfield Village7-The Golf Club6-Long Cove14-Sand Hills17-Prarie Dunes11-Whistling StraitsCourses with the best set of par-5s:Cape Breton-6,7,15,16Cypress Point-2,5,6,10The Golf Club-4,7,14,17Pebble Beach-2,6,14,18Muirfield Village-5,7,11,15Lost Dunes-4,8,10,15Augusta Nat'l.-2,8,13,15Whistling Straits-2,5?,11,16Sand Hills-1,14,16Pine Valley-7,15Crystal Downs-8,16Why are there not more great sets of par-5s? When a designer analyzes a property and identifies the most interesting features, is it only natural that he picture par-3s and par-4s utilizing those features?  Especially when that feature or features are finite, MacKenzie didn't route any par-5s on the ocean at CP and was able design 3-holes to take advantage of the coastline. We are fortunate to have holes like 13-Augusta,7-Cape Breton,15-Shoreacres,7-Pine Valley or 8-Fishers Island, they could have just as easily been a par-4 and par-3 or two par-4s, had it not been for the vision of their designers.

[jim heinrich]

check out the 3rd and the 15th at victoria national ------- truly wonderful par 5s with decision to be made at every shot. they blow away the 5s at whistling straits

[Terry F(?)]

Heinri - VNGC is good - Hoch and Golf Digest along with several of us who have played it agree - but 3 may be the worst hole on the premises, and I think 9 is the best par 5. As to a comparison with the Straits, 5 at WS is worse than 3 at VNGC, but the other 3 are MUCH better - and I'm not a big Dye fan!

[Ran Morrissett]

To Tom MacWood:As usual, a very good point, this time on 11 at Whistling Straits. The interior holes at WS are often overlooked but 11 is one of the best three shotters built in recent memory. I hooked my drive a touch and thus couldn't go for the carry on my second, but, my word, I look forward to the next opportunity. Did you play the River course as well? If so, I am curious as to its omission of courses with a great set of three shotters? I know of no better set.

[T_MacWood]

RanUnfortunately I wasn't able to get to Blackwolf, I was short on time and had to get back to meet a friend in Chicago. I hope to get back there some day soon. My round at WS, in a 3-4 club wind, was one of the most enjoyable in recent memory.

[Ran Morrissett]

Tom,The only people I know who critise WS have not played it. I can't wait for the other course to open there - I think summer of next year? As for reachable par fives, you nailed it with 15 at Shoreacres - that may be my favorite new hole that I have seen this year.Talk about vision on behalf of Raynor!

[Scott Kraus]

The most demanding par 5 in North or South Carolina must be hole 2 at the Ocean Course at Kiawah. Every shot is exacting, probably too much so for a second hole. Do other people here like that hole or is it too much? The next best par 5 might even be 16 on the Ocean course (and no, I don't work for them).

[JP Morgan]

Scott-- I like the hole you alluded to at Kiawah (Ocean Course).  It seems to be one you need to play a few times to get used to, or if not, hope to be lucky.  My first time out I laced an 8 on the card, and hated the hole.  Two days later, chipped in for birdie and loved it.  

[crc]

Here's a few good par 5s from my travels to Ireland and Scotland:3rd - Prestwick (the Cardinal hole)14th - Old Course (obviously)6th - Carnoustie6th - Cruden Bay11th - Waterville2nd - Tralee14th - Ballybunion (Cashen)5th - Lahinch (the Klondyke hole)3rd - The European Club17th - CastlerockIt is amazing how few really good 5-pars exist.  Both of my two favorite courses (Royal Dornoch and Royal County Down) don't have any (although Dornoch's 9th and RCD's 1st are at least decent holes).

[Ran Morrissett]

Scott:I think you are right - the only thing "wrong" with 2 at Kiawah might be its place in the round. Boy, it's a hard hole and it hates me   but I've come to like it even if it holds up play from getting off to a quick start.Chris:Interesting comment on 1st at RCD. GOLF Magazine listed the 3 best starting holes in golf about 4-5 years ago and RCD made it in, much to my surprise. On return visits, I have come to think it is a much better hole than I originally thought, and would put it in the same league as 1 at Riviera.Also, how good is 6 at Cruden Bay!!  That was a great surprise on a course full of surprises. Muirfeild would love it as its 4th three shotter.