Ryder Cup Course Guide – Back 9

The back 9 of the Valhalla Country Club course has been sculpted from a forested, elevated plateau, and changes in altitude are used to test golfers’ shot selection skills. The Brush Run Creek runs through the area, and encircles the famous island green of the 13th hole.

Hole 10 – 594 Yards, Par 5: Distance control is the key to unlocking the Par 5 10th hole. The green undulates between forested hills, requiring golfers to hit precise shots off the fairway. A large bunker also separates the 10th hole from the fairway.

Hole 11 – 208 Yards, Par 3: Players who manage to keep their shots on the fairway, will have a good opportunity to birdie this hole. The green is fronted by a large bunker, with another bunker in place to the right, to swallow wayward shots off the fairway.

Hole 12 – 464 Yards, Par 4: The 12th hole features unusual contours that make it one of the most difficult to negotiate on the course. Tee shots are made off an elevated plateau, while shots off the fairway are required to climb onto a raised green.

Hole 13 – 352, Par 4: Known as “the Island”, the 13th hole is the shortest par 4 hole on the course. The green sits atop an island surrounded by the waters of the Brush Run Creek. Precise placement of the ball and controlled spin are crucial elements of a successful approach to this hole.

Hole 14 – 215 Yards, Par 3: At 215 yards, the 14th hole is the longest of the par 3 holes on the Valhalla Country Club golf course. Golfers generally aim to make the green off the tee, however, the hole is well guarded by bunkers and any shot that goes long will most likely result in an expensive recovery.

Hole 15 – 434 Yards, Par 4: The approach shot off the fairway onto the green is the most difficult aspect of the 15th hole to negotiate. With Brush Run Creek running the length of the right hand side of the hole, accuracy off the tee shot is crucial to save bogeys.

Hole 16 – 511 Yards, Par 4: The 16th hole is one of the more straightforward par 4 holes on the Valhalla Country Club golf course. The approach to the green is unobstructed, but golfers need to avoid pulling shots into the section of the Brush Run Creek that runs parallel to the first half of the fairway.

Hole 17 – 477 Yards, Par 4: Some golfers consider the par 4 17th one of the most difficult on the course. While the approach to the green is deceptively clear, it’s the contours and climbing fairways that can easily send a ball into the rough.

Hole 18 – 547 Yards, Par 5: The 18th hole is the very last hole any golfer would want to negotiate in a tight finish. With a large bunker situated to the left of the landing zone and a massive pond located to the right of the fairway, nervous shots off the tee can easily find either.