Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Kentucky - Photo Gallery

Somewhat reminiscent of the famed 17th Island Green at TPC Sawgrass, Valhalla's signature hole features a green perched atop huge boulders and almost completely surrounded by water, but I think it's significantly smaller. The 13th is the shortest of Valhalla's par 4's, but just as the 17th at Sawgrass has proved the undoing of many a good round, so this one has proved to be just as tough, and significantly so for several players in the 78th and 82nd PGA Championships. The play will be a long iron shot to the right center of the fairway, then a short iron or wedge shot to the green. The fairway just short of the green is bordered by five intimidating bunkers to the left, another large bunker to the right and, inevitably, thick bluegrass rough beyond the short grass. Should they miss the fairway with their drives, the pros will find it exceedingly difficult to get the ball close to the hole and often will find it almost impossible to hold the ball on the green at all. Just as it is with the 17th at Sawgrass, this will be THE prime spot to watch for birdies, and disasters, as well as some often creative play into this green.

Read my review of Valhalla Golf Club