Every golfer has stared down a seemingly endless fairway, driver in hand, and wondered, Is this the longest hole on earth? That feeling of intimidation mixed with a bit of excitement is what golf is all about. This article will answer that very question, not only identifying the officially recognized longest holes in the game but also giving you a practical, coach-approved strategy for conquering any long hole you might face on your own course.
Before we can talk about the longest pars, we need to agree on what "par" actually means. At its core, par is the number of strokes afirst-class, or "scratch," golfer is expected to take to complete a hole. This calculation is primarily based on the distance from the tee to the green.
The United States Golf Association (USGA) provides guidelines that most courses use to set par for their holes, although these are recommendations, not strict rules. Here’s a general breakdown:
As you can see, the ranges overlap. Course architects have some flexibility. They can consider factors like elevation changes, prevailing wind, and the difficulty of the tee shot and green complex. A 480-yard hole might be a par 4 if it's downhill and straight, but it could easily be a par 5 if it's uphill with a dogleg and a well-guarded green.
Notice that the USGA officially recognizes par-6 holes. This is where things start to get really interesting and really long.
When you venture beyond the typical par 5, you enter a realm of golf holes that are more like cross-country expeditions than a walk in the park. These behemoths require not just power, but patience, planning, and a bit of humility.
The undisputed champion of long holes resides at the Satsuki Golf Club in Sano, Japan. The 7th hole on their Satsuki course is a par-7 that measures an incredible 964 yards from the back tees.
To put that in perspective, that's over half a mile. It’s longer than three average par-4s combined. Just finishing this hole feels like an accomplishment, let alone making a respectable score.
So, how do you even approach a hole like this?
As a coach, the first thing I'd tell a student playing a hole like Satsuki's 7th is to throw out their normal expectations. You are not trying to get home in two or even three. You are playing a strategic, multi-stage game. Think of it less as one hole and more as three distinct shots just to get into scoring position.
If a trip to Japan isn't on your radar, the United States has its own legendary long hole. The 12th hole at Meadow Farms Golf Course in Doswell, Virginia, is an 841-yard par-6. The course is known for quirky features, but this hole is its crowning achievement in length.
The strategy is similar to the par-7 in Japan, just with one less lay-up. The challenge here is mental discipline. Standing on the tee, the green is a fictional concept. It feels like it's in another county. But if you break it down, it's manageable:
Most of us will never tee it up on a par-6 or par-7. However, we've all faced monstrous par-5s - the kind that are well over 600 yards and play into the wind. One of the most famous is the 16th hole at Firestone Country Club's South Course, aptly named "The Monster," which can play up to 667 yards.
This is where smart golf coaching makes a huge difference. Here's your step-by-step game plan for tackling any ultra-long par-5 on your card.
This is the single most important piece of advice. Do not try to play a 650-yard par-5 like a 510-yard par-5. The architecture is begging you to be a hero and hit that mighty 3-wood for your second shot. Don't fall for it. Mentally accept that this is a three-shot hole, no matter what. By playing it as a personal par-6, you relieve the pressure to pull off low-percentage shots. Your goal is simple: fairway, fairway, green.
While decent distance helps, your primary goal off the tee is to find the fairway and, if possible, position yourself on the side that gives you the best angle for your second shot. Is the trouble on the left side of the hole down the fairway? Aim down the right-center. Hitting from the short grass is far more important than gaining an extra 15 yards from the rough.
This is where most amateurs lose strokes. They hit their second shot as far as they possibly can, leaving a tricky "in-between" yardage for their third. This is wrong. You need to play smarter.
What is your absolute favorite, most confident wedge distance? Is it 100 yards? 85 yards? 70 yards? Whatever that number is, that becomes your target.
Let's say your "magic number" is 90 yards.
You do not need to hit your second shot 300 yards! You just need to advance the ball to a position that is 90 yards from the green. If your 3-hybrid goes 190 yards, perfect. Hit that. Take out your 5-iron that goes 170. It doesn't matter, as long as you're hitting from the fairway to your target layup spot.
This simple act of planning transforms a monstrous hole into three manageable shots: a drive, a comfortable mid-iron lay-up, and your favorite wedge into the green. Now you’re putting for birdie or, more likely, a stress-free par.
Length is intimidating on any hole. While par-5s and up occupy the extreme end of the spectrum, some par-3s and par-4s can feel just as daunting.
The strategy for these remains the same: play smart. On a 505-yard par-4, don't press. Aim for front-edge of the green and be happy with a five. A bogey is not a "bad" score on holes this difficult.
From the standard par guidelines to the unbelievable 964-yard par-7 in Japan, the definition of a "long hole" can be pushed to phenomenal extremes. The key to tackling any of them isn't about hitting the ball farther, it's about thinking smarter. By breaking the hole into a series of manageable, high-percentage shots, you can conquer any beast the course throws at you.
Having a plan is powerful, but executing it when you're standing over the ball with a little doubt creeping in is another story. On those long, intimidating holes where you're unsure of the correct lay-up distance or the right club to pull, having a dependable source of advice can make all the difference. This is where a tool like Caddie AI becomes so useful, I can get an instant, strategic game plan for any hole, describing the conditions and getting a simple a recommendation in seconds. It allows me to make a confident decision and swing with commitment, silencing the doubt that often leads to blow-up holes.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
