Valhalla Golf Club: Hole-by Hole
The course at Valhalla Golf Club - host to the 2008 Ryder Cup - poses unique challenges, with tiered and often elevated greens, rough in the form of Kentucky bluegrass and fescue, a total of 42 sand bunkers, and water coming into play over four holes.
The First Nine at Valhalla Golf Club
|
Hole |
Par |
Distance (yards) |
| 1 | 4 | 448 |
| 2 | 4 | 505 |
| 3 | 3 | 206 |
| 4 | 4 | 375 |
| 5 | 4 | 463 |
| 6 | 4 | 500 |
| 7 | 5 | 601 |
| 8 | 3 | 190 |
| 9 | 4 | 416 |
The
first nine all pose challenges, although the first hole - a par 4 at 446 yards
- provides a comparatively gentle introduction to the course.
Some of the particularly challenging holes to watch are numbers 3, 5 and 7.
Hole 3 requires a mid to long iron to a narrow elevated green, avoiding Floyd's Fork to the right. Play at this hole is affected strongly by wind direction.
Hole 5 includes three new fairway bunkers to the left and Kentucky bluegrass rough to the right. A slightly elevated green is guarded by a massive bunker to the right and a closely mown collection area to the left. Don't expect many birdies here.
Hole 7 is the most difficult of the par 5s at the Valhalla Golf Club. It features a dual fairway. The left fairway is shorter but more challenging, and is completely surrounded by rough. The green is elevated and protected by two bunkers. A natural amphitheatre makes for good viewing of the play.
The Last Nine at Valhalla Golf Club
|
Hole |
Par |
Distance (yards) |
| 10 | 5 | 594 |
| 11 | 3 | 208 |
| 12 | 4 | 464 |
| 13 | 4 | 352 |
| 14 | 3 | 215 |
| 15 | 4 | 434 |
| 16 | 4 | 511 |
| 17 | 4 | 477 |
| 18 | 5 | 547 |
The final nine holes are played in tricky, tree-covered terrain, bisected by Brush Run Creek.
Among the especially demanding holes are numbers 12, 13, 16 and 18.
Hole 12 features a narrow, sloped, undulating green with one of the deepest bunkers and areas of bluegrass rough. This hole proved the most difficult in the 78th and 82nd PGA Championships.
Hole 13 is the signature hole at Valhalla Golf Club, with a green perched on boulders and almost totally surrounded by water. The fairway is bordered by five bunkers to the left, a bunker to the right, and thick bluegrass rough. This is a good hole for spectators.
Hole 16 is a very demanding hole for which the tee shot is critical. A narrow fairway is protected by Brush Run Creek on the right and a forested area on the left. The green is elevated.
Hole 18 - the final hole - features a narrow fairway and a large bunker on the left, and a horseshoe-shaped green requiring an uphill second over a large bunker.
Golf fans everywhere will be watching as Team USA and Team Europe battle it out at the Valhalla Golf Club in the 2008 Ryder Cup Matches.
For live golf betting we use William Hill, one of the world's largest betting companies.
