Target-rich golf took on greater meaning for certain designers.
But even those who weren’t otherwise known for it snuck in a hole or two along the way that certainly defined the M.O. These five holes aren’t simply odes to the dogleg.

It’s frequently two.

With water. Or sand. Or rough. Or OB.

Let the fun begin.

FOUNDERS CLUB OF PAWLEYS ISLAND, NO. 2
Although the lightest of the bunch, the sucker is not only the earliest in any of the given rounds – it is also among the narrowest. The 390-yard Par 4 includes a sand carry (big shock) off the tee into a slender landing area that feeds into a short rough and then a no-man’s land of a rough. From there, a pond all the way up the right continues to squeeze the acceptable targets all the way to a putting surface that comes back toward that side.

LEGENDS RESORT AND GOLF, PARKLAND COURSE, NO. 14
The hardest hole (via handicap purposes) at Parkland is 369 yards (pictured right) from the white tees. That should tell you something. Now look at the heavily guarded green that starts straight and then juts right and up in a pair of 90-degree angles and you see why it fits the category. Most players, regardless of tees, will have to muscle into a nearly perfect tee shot to avoid all that trouble early. Most players don’t have that ability.

PAWLEYS PLANTATION GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, NO. 14
Removing that polyp in the belly of the digesting snake helped some, sure. It also removed a target of sorts. The tree that was smack dab in the middle of the fairway – some 260 yards from the white tees – leaves unsuspecting players launching it all willy-nilly into the huge landing area. Those who go too far left find themselves covered by a huge marsh area that forces them right on back to the middle with a near-wasted stroke to avoid a drop.

RIVER HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, NO. 17
The double-water carry is such a focal point on the 491-yard Par 5 (top photo) that golfer frequently ignore the angling of the last long hole here. A blind tee shot over the first patch of water has led to more scrambling than most. From there, drop or no, it’s another fly over water. Simply, right? Now take into consideration the lengthy waste bunker on the right side of the final 30-40 yards of the fairway that pushes you back to the left.

WHISPERING PINES GOLF COURSE, NO. 14
Go ahead and forget about cheating. It’s not even possible the most recognizable hole at Whispering Pines. Without the presence of a wicked fade, the 479-yard Par 5 is going to drive you straight off the tree, avoiding the water and thin tree line to the left. Get to that point, and one of the thickest swaths of pines force you back to the left. Get to that point, and it’s back to the right again. Try not to get swallowed.