Valhalla Golf Club Course Guide

Valhalla Golf Club, located in Louisville, Kentucky, is a private golf club designed by Jack Nicklaus, opened in 1986. In 1992, Valhalla was selected to host the 1996 edition of the PGA Championship, one of golf's four majors. Valhalla also hosted the PGA Club Professional Championship in 2002 and the Senior PGA Championship in 2004.

HOLE-BY-HOLE GUIDE

Par 72 | 7 365 yards

HOLE 2
PAR 5 | 530 YARDS
A slight dogleg left, this long par 4, challenges the players from the tee with a finger of Floyd’s Fork, a waterway that meanders through the front nine and borders the left side of the fairway. The green is well protected by three bunkers as well as Floyd’s Fork, which can attract any ball heading left of the green.

HOLE 3
PAR 3 | 210 YARDS
This is a challenging par 3 with Floyd’s Fork sweeping around to the right of the green, which is guarded by a large bunker to the right and smaller bunkers to the left and behind. The real danger at this hole is misreading the wind, which can push a shot to the right, where the ball can careen off the slope and into the hazard.

HOLE 4
PAR 4 | 375 YARDS
The tee shot on this short par 4 will tempt players into an aggressive line and for the longest players the possibility of driving the green. Although a relatively short par 4 by today’s standards, this hole will still be a test for all players, as the green features significant movement and contours. Distance control is the key for approach shots to this green for those who lay back.

HOLE 5
PAR 4 | 460 YARDS
This is a challenging par 4 with a large fairway bunker on the right side that complements the three bunkers that line the left side of the landing area. Players will take caution to keep the ball in the fairway on this dogleg right. The green has a bunker positioned to grab errant shots to the right or short, and there is a closely mown collection area left of the green. This green allows for a back-right hole location, which is one of the most challenging on the course.

HOLE 6
PAR 4 | 495 YARDS
This is one of Valhalla’s most difficult holes, demanding an accurate tee shot. For some players, this may require less than a driver from the tee as the aim is to get as close to Floyd’s Fork as the player dares. From here, players still face an approach shot of at least 200 yards to a challenging green complex with plenty of trouble. A deep bunker guards the left side of the green and a closely mowed collection area will grab shots to the right. This will be a difficult par.

HOLE 7
PAR 5 | 600 YARDS
The seventh offers a definite risk vs. reward approach. There’s a split fairway here. The shorter route, to the left, shortens the hole by more than 50 yards. However, the landing area is only 26 yards wide and the entire fairway is surrounded by bluegrass rough and water to the right. The approach from this island fairway will be a carry of 210-230 yards, all over water. The fairway to the right is the longer, but safer route. With the water hazard skirting the front and the entire left edge of the green, it’s a brave player who attacks the green from any angle.

HOLE 8
PAR 3 | 190 YARDS
The eighth will require only a short- to middle-iron shot, but the green complex is extremely challenging, with the front protected by a deep bunker and a severe, closely manicured collection area. There also is a bunker to the left and another closely manicured collection area to the rear of the green. The green itself allows for multiple hole locations that will test the very best players.

HOLE 9
PAR 4 | 415 YARDS
The beautiful tee shot at this uphill par 4 is challenged by three fairway bunkers bordering the right side of the fairway and two more to the left. The uphill approach to this green makes judging the yardage difficult, while the presence of one of the largest and deepest bunkers on the course looming just right of the green, does not ease the pain of missed shots.

HOLE 10
PAR 5 | 595 YARDS
The 10th is a double-dogleg par 5 with a fairway bunker on the right side of the driving zone and deep rough and trees to the left. The undulating, two-tiered green is protected by a large, deep bunker guarding the front. Distance control on the approach is a must, as shots missing long will make par extremely difficult and shots coming up short will find the front bunker.

HOLE 11
PAR 3 | 210 YARDS
This par 3 will require a middle- to long-iron shot. The shallow green features a slight false front with one bunker bordering the front of the green and one bunker behind the green. Accuracy will be a must, as shots carrying too far to the left will bound down the hillside, making par a difficult task.

HOLE 12
PAR 4 | 490 YARDS
This par 4 has been an extremely challenging hole in every spectator event at Valhalla. The difficult driving area leaves players with an approach shot of 170-190 yards to an elevated green. The green is punishing to errant shots, with one of the deepest bunkers on the course to the right and gnarly bluegrass rough to the left.

HOLE 13
PAR 4 | 355 YARDS
The shortest par 4 at Valhalla, No. 13 has seen its fair share of excitement over the years. A series of six bunkers on the left of the driving zone must be avoided. The "island" green is one the most spectacular on the course, built up nearly 20 feet on large boulders. Since the green is almost completely surrounded by water, accuracy with controlled spin is a must for this hole.

HOLE 14
PAR 3 | 255 YARDS
The longest par 3 at Valhalla, this hole features a two-tiered green with two bunkers in front and two behind. Shots played from either of the two rear bunkers will make for a challenging up-and-down, as the green slopes from back to front. This hole demands proper club selection.

HOLE 15
PAR 4 | 435 YARDS
This is one of the most scenic holes at Valhalla, with Brush Run Creek running down the right side. The landing area is framed by deep bluegrass rough to the left and a large bunker to the right. However, the green, like the fairway, is skirted by Brush Run Creek, leaving little room for error to the right. 

HOLE 16
PAR 4 | 515 YARDS
This difficult par 4 is a slight dogleg to the right with Brush Run Creek guarding the entire right side. Any tee shot missing right will leave a player either a blocked shot to the green or having to deal with the creek. This has proven to be one of the most difficult holes at Valhalla because of the challenging green complex, which features two bunkers in front and a severe drop-off to a closely manicured chipping area to the right. This hole provides a wonderful, natural amphitheater for great spectator viewing.

HOLE 17
PAR 4 | 475 YARDS
The tee shot at this uphill par 4 must find the fairway, thus avoiding the bunkers on the left and right. The green is well protected by two bunkers to the left and a closely mown chipping area to the right and rear. This is a wonderful hole to view the action.

HOLE 18
PAR 5 | 575 YARDS
The 18th has proven to be a great finishing hole. This par 5 has a large fairway bunker to the left of the landing zone and a spectacular water feature on the right. Most players can reach this hole in two but must avoid the bunker guarding the front of the green as well as the smaller pot bunker on the left. The green complex is unique – offering three distinct putting areas shaped like a horseshoe, which provides a wonderful reminder of the equine heritage found in Kentucky.

Tee Times | Course Guide | Win with Steyn City

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