In the world of golf, some of the most enduring memories are not made in the middle of a round, but at the very end. The finishing hole of a great golf course is more than just the final stretch of turf; it’s a crucible where championships are won and lost, where heroes are forged, and where a single, clutch shot can live on in history forever. These holes are designed to test a player’s nerve, skill, and strategic thinking at a time when the pressure is at its absolute peak. They are a stage for drama, with backdrops that range from stunning ocean vistas to historic clubhouse views, each one contributing to an atmosphere that is uniquely its own.
A truly great finishing hole is a microcosm of the course itself, bringing together all the elements that make the layout special. Whether it’s a risk-reward par five or a daunting par four that demands two perfect shots, the final hole provides a fitting and unforgettable conclusion to a round.
This is our definitive list of the Top 10 Golf Courses with the best finishing holes in the world, a collection of legendary layouts where the final chapter of a round is always an unforgettable one. From the shores of California to the hallowed ground of Scotland, these Top 10 Golf Courses provide a perfect ending to any round. These are the Top 10 Golf Courses where the final shot is often the most important.
10. Harbour Town Golf Links
Harbour Town Golf Links, a masterpiece designed by Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus, is a classic example of a course where the final holes are as iconic as the course itself. The 18th hole is a dramatic and visually stunning par four that requires both precision and nerve. The hole plays along the Calibogue Sound, with a narrow fairway and water lining the entire left side.
The famous red-and-white striped lighthouse stands sentinel behind the green, providing a picturesque backdrop that is instantly recognizable to any golf fan. It’s a finale that truly tests a player’s mettle, and is a key reason this is one of our Top 10 Golf Courses.
The tee shot on the 18th is one of the most intimidating on the PGA Tour. Players must hit a precise drive to a landing area bordered by a salt marsh on the left and out-of-bounds on the right.
The approach shot, often played with a mid-to-long iron, must carry a large expanse of marshland to a green that is well-guarded by bunkers. The wind, which often swirls off the water, adds another layer of complexity to a hole that has decided many a PGA Tour event. This strategic challenge and beautiful setting are why it’s on this list of the Top 10 Golf Courses.
| Stat | The lighthouse at Harbour Town is 93 feet tall and was built in 1970, the year after the course opened. |
9. Muirfield Village Golf Club
The 18th hole at Muirfield Village, a par four designed by Jack Nicklaus, is a fitting final test for any player. The hole is a perfect example of strategic design, with a long, uphill fairway that requires a well-placed drive. The approach shot is equally demanding, with a large, undulating green that is guarded by a massive bunker on the front left. The hole is a fitting tribute to Nicklaus’s design philosophy and is a key reason this course is among the Top 10 Golf Courses with the best finishing holes.
The hole is famous for its difficulty and has been the site of countless dramatic moments at the Memorial Tournament. The approach shot is often a blind one, with players hitting to a green they cannot see from the fairway.
This makes club selection and distance control paramount, adding another layer of pressure to an already challenging hole. The clubhouse, with its famous statue of Nicklaus, stands behind the green, providing a perfect backdrop for the conclusion of the tournament. The combination of design, difficulty, and history is why it’s one of the Top 10 Golf Courses in the world.
| Stat | The 18th hole at Muirfield Village has been the site of more than 70 playoffs in the history of the Memorial Tournament. |
8. Royal Birkdale
The 18th hole at Royal Birkdale, a famous Open Championship venue, is a truly spectacular finishing hole. Playing as a par four for the pros and a par five for amateurs, the hole is a long, difficult test that requires a well-struck drive and a precise approach. The hole is framed by the iconic art-deco clubhouse, a stunning visual that provides a fitting conclusion to a round on one of the world’s great links courses. It is a hole that has decided many an Open Championship, and is a key reason why Royal Birkdale is on this list of the Top 10 Golf Courses.
The tee shot on the 18th is played to a fairway lined by towering sand dunes, with a treacherous bunker on the left that catches any errant tee shot. The approach is played to a green that is well-guarded by a large, deep bunker on the front left. The wind, which is a constant factor on the links, can make the approach shot a true test of nerve and skill.
The atmosphere of a major championship on this hole is unlike any other, making it a perfect example of a great finishing hole, and why this is one of our Top 10 Golf Courses.
| Stat | Royal Birkdale’s 18th hole is a par-4 for the Open Championship, but a par-5 for regular play, showcasing the hole’s versatility and difficulty. |
7. The Old Course at St Andrews
The 18th hole at the Old Course at St Andrews, known as “Tom Morris,” is the most historic and revered finishing hole in golf. The hole is a short par four, but its significance is immense. The famous Swilcan Bridge, the Valley of Sin, and the backdrop of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club clubhouse all contribute to an atmosphere that is truly electric. While not the most difficult hole on this list, its historical significance and its strategic nuances make it one of the Top 10 Golf Courses with the best finishing holes.
The tee shot is played to a massive fairway that is shared with the first hole, and it seems to be an easy drive. However, the approach shot to the green is where the real drama begins. The “Valley of Sin,” a deep swale in front of the green, has swallowed countless balls over the years, turning a simple approach into a treacherous test of nerve.
It’s a hole where a player can easily make a birdie or a bogey, and a key reason why this is one of the Top 10 Golf Courses in the world.
| Stat | The Swilcan Bridge, which players cross on the 18th hole, is believed to be over 700 years old, adding to the historical significance of the hole. |
6. Quail Hollow Club
The 18th hole at Quail Hollow Club is the culmination of “The Green Mile,” a three-hole stretch that is one of the most difficult in all of golf. The final hole is a long, daunting par four that requires a well-struck tee shot and a precise approach. The hole is defined by a meandering stream that runs along the left side of the fairway and a series of deep bunkers on the right. This combination of water and sand makes the 18th a brutal test of nerve and skill. Its difficulty is why it’s on this list of Top 10 Golf Courses with the best finishing holes.
The tee shot on the 18th is a daunting one, with players needing to thread the needle between water and bunkers. The approach shot is equally demanding, with players hitting to a green that is well-guarded by more bunkers and the ever-present stream.
The hole has been the site of countless dramatic moments at the Wells Fargo Championship and the PGA Championship, and its difficulty and dramatic setting make it a perfect fit for a list of the Top 10 Golf Courses in the world.
| Stat | The 18th hole is a part of the “Green Mile,” a stretch of holes (16, 17, and 18) that is consistently ranked among the toughest finishing stretches on the PGA Tour. |
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5. Augusta National Golf Club
The 18th hole at Augusta National, known as “Holly,” is one of the most famous finishing holes in all of golf. The hole is a long, uphill par four that has been the site of more historic moments than almost any other hole in the world.
The tee shot is played through a narrow chute of trees to a fairway that is guarded by bunkers. The approach is played to a two-tiered green that is well-guarded by two deep bunkers on the front left. It’s a finish that truly tests a player’s nerve, and is a key reason this is on our list of the Top 10 Golf Courses.
The hole is famous for its dramatic finishes, with players needing to make a clutch putt or a clutch shot to win the Masters. The atmosphere on this hole is unlike any other, with a gallery that is roaring with excitement and anticipation.
The uphill approach to the green, with the famous Eisenhower Cabin in the background, is a visually stunning scene that provides a fitting conclusion to the Masters. The combination of history, drama, and difficulty is why Augusta is on this list of the Top 10 Golf Courses.
| Stat | The 18th hole at Augusta National has been a part of the Masters since its inception in 1934. |
4. TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course)
While many will point to the famous 17th hole, the 18th hole at TPC Sawgrass is a truly spectacular and dramatic finishing hole in its own right. The hole is a long par four that features a lake that runs all the way down the left side of the fairway. The tee shot is a daunting one, with players needing to hit a precise drive to a landing area that is bordered by water on the left and a series of bunkers on the right. Its strategic layout makes it one of the Top 10 Golf Courses with the best finishing holes.
The approach shot to the green is played over water, a key element for our list of the Top 10 Golf Courses. The hole has been the site of countless dramatic moments at the Players Championship, with players needing a clutch shot to win the tournament, and is a key reason this is one of the Top 10 Golf Courses.
The combination of water, sand, and the pressure of a championship makes this a truly unforgettable finishing hole. The drama and difficulty of this hole are a key reason this is one of our Top 10 Golf Courses in the world.
| Stat | The 18th hole at TPC Sawgrass is one of the toughest on the PGA Tour, with a scoring average that is consistently over par. |
3. Carnoustie Golf Links
The 18th hole at Carnoustie, known as “Home,” is widely regarded as one of the toughest finishing holes in all of golf. This long par four is defined by the Barry Burn, a narrow stream that snakes its way across the fairway, not once but twice. The hole has been the site of some of the most dramatic collapses and victories in Open Championship history, a testament to its brutal difficulty and unrelenting challenge. The relentless difficulty is why it’s one of the Top 10 Golf Courses with the best finishing holes.
The tee shot is played to a fairway that is squeezed by bunkers and the Barry Burn. The second shot is even more daunting, with players needing to hit an iron over the burn to a green that is well-guarded by more bunkers. The wind, which is a constant factor on the links, can turn a simple shot into a treacherous test of nerve and skill. The dramatic and difficult nature of this hole is a key reason this is one of the Top 10 Golf Courses in the world.
| Stat | The infamous Barry Burn on the 18th hole at Carnoustie must be crossed on a player’s tee shot and approach shot. |
2. Whistling Straits (Straits Course)
The 18th hole at Whistling Straits, “Dyeabolical,” is a dramatic and visually stunning finishing hole that provides a perfect conclusion to a round on one of the most unique courses in the world. The hole is a long par four that is played along the shores of Lake Michigan, with a series of bunkers and deep fescue that line the fairway. The hole is a true test of a player’s nerve and skill, and is a key reason this is one of our Top 10 Golf Courses.
The tee shot on the 18th is played to a fairway that is bordered by a series of bunkers and the fescue grass. The approach shot is played to a green that is well-guarded by a creek that runs along the front and side of the putting surface. The wind, which can be a constant factor on the lake, can make the approach shot a true test of nerve and skill. The combination of a visually stunning backdrop and a difficult strategic layout make this one of the Top 10 Golf Courses in the world.
| Stat | The 18th hole at Whistling Straits has over 30 bunkers, making it one of the most heavily-bunkered finishing holes in golf |
1. Pebble Beach Golf Links
The 18th hole at Pebble Beach is arguably the most famous finishing hole in all of golf. This dramatic and picturesque par five is played along the cliffs of Stillwater Cove, with the Pacific Ocean hugging the entire left side of the fairway.
The hole is a perfect combination of beauty and challenge, with a well-placed Cypress tree in the middle of the fairway and a series of bunkers that guard the green. It is a hole that has been the site of countless dramatic moments, and is the clear winner for our list of the Top 10 Golf Courses.
The tee shot on the 18th is a daunting one, with players needing to hit a precise drive to a fairway that is bordered by the ocean on the left and out-of-bounds on the right. The second shot is equally challenging, with players needing to hit a long iron or a fairway wood to a landing area that is guarded by the Cypress tree.
The approach shot is played to a green that is well-guarded by bunkers, and the wind, which can be a constant factor on the ocean, can make the approach shot a true test of nerve and skill. The unparalleled beauty and historical significance of this hole make it the number one choice for our list of the Top 10 Golf Courses.
| Stat | The 18th hole at Pebble Beach was originally a par-4, but was lengthened to a par-5 in 1922 to add to its dramatic finish |
FAQs
Q1: What defines a “great finishing hole” on a golf course?
A1: A great finishing hole is one that is both visually stunning and strategically challenging, often featuring water hazards, bunkers, or a dramatic setting that can make or break a round. These Top 10 Golf Courses are known for just that.
Q2: Why are so many famous finishing holes on Open Championship courses?
A2: The Open Championship is played on some of the world’s most historic and challenging links courses, which often feature dramatic, wind-swept finishing holes. The pressure of a major championship on these holes makes them even more famous, and a key reason why they are a part of our list of the Top 10 Golf Courses.
Q3: What makes the 18th hole at Pebble Beach so special?
A3: The 18th hole at Pebble Beach is special because of its combination of stunning beauty and strategic challenge. With the Pacific Ocean on the left and a long, demanding layout, it’s a hole that provides a perfect conclusion to a round, and a key reason it is on our list of the Top 10 Golf Courses.
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