OPINION: Is this the PERFECT Collection of a Bucket-List 9 Holes?

We all have our “bucket list” courses. And not surprisingly, there are a lot of overlaps. Places like Augusta National, Pebble Beach, and St. Andrews usually sit on top of that list.  

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But what if you could play these, and other courses, all at once? This column will construct the “bucket list” of golf, featuring 18 holes that aim to create the perfect round.

*NOTE: We will stick with traditional course management rules. We entered this process aiming for a par 70-72 course, with as even a front/back split as possible. There was also a goal of no consecutive par 3’s or 5’s. Beyond that, it was about creating as memorable a round as possible.

HOLE 1: Riviera Country Club (Par 5, 523 yards)

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You might think starting on a par 5 gives you a relatively easy shot at birdie, but this is not your typical par 5. An immediate downhill drop, along with barranca that cuts across the fairway in what is normally a run-off zone, and out of bounds to the left makes this an intimidating opening shot. Plus, depending on where the pin is, you are not flag hunting on your approach. On this par 5, par is a fine score.

HOLE 2: Spyglass Hill (Par 4, 349 yards)

This short par 4 is not necessarily a birdie hole. An oblong green is protected by rough, a bunker, and waste areas. Worse yet, the fairway narrows towards its end, so even a lay-up must be precise in order to give yourself a clean approach. Two sound irons can get it done, but tread lightly.

HOLE 3: Oakmont Country Club (Par 4, 426 yards)

If your typical miss is to the left, this is not the hole for you. The famous “church pews” guard both the 3^rd and 4^th fairways. And the second shot is just as daunting, with a blind approach and trouble everywhere.

HOLE 4: Augusta National (Par 3, 240 yards)

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The white-knuckle start to the round continues at one of the toughest par 3’s on tour. “Flowering Crabapple” is a long tee shot to a thin, wide green, guarded by a deep bunker in front and trees to the right and behind. If you make birdie here, keep the ball as if you got an ace.

HOLE 5: Pinehurst #2 (Par 4, 476 yards)

Another diabolical hole. A waste area protects the left edge of the fairway, and is essentially a one-stroke penalty. A false front ahead of the green also creates more danger, requiring absolute precision.

HOLE 6: Oak Hill Country Club (Par 4, 500 yards) 

This stretch of flat-out evil golf continues with a par 4 that is just plain mean. Your tee shot must avoid bunkers to the left, and a stream to the right. Make it that far, and you deal with more water guarding the green. Having walked the 2023 PGA Championship, this hole is absolutely intimidating.

HOLE 7: Pebble Beach (Par 3, 107 yards)

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This provides a relative sigh of relief. A short wedge on a downhill hole gives the average player as good a chance at birdie as you will find on a PGA Tour course. If you survived holes 3-6, this one should let you start to enjoy the middle of the round.

HOLE 8: Pebble Beach (Par 4, 428 yards)

You don’t need to go very far for your next hole. We are back to mind-numbing dread, with the “Cliffs of Doom” looming after a tee shot to a pretty wide fairway. Go right with your approach and it’s just not coming back. Ask Justin Spieth how daunting this hole can be.

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HOLE 9: Muirfield (Par 5, 558 yards)

We go across the pond for the first time to finish off the front nine. The yardage might not seem daunting for tour pros, but if the hole is into the wind they can just about forget about going for it in two. Also, avoiding the bunkers is paramount, or else scrambling for par is best-case scenario.

Front 9 total yardage: PAR 36, 3,607 yards

Let me know what holes you would pick below and stay tuned for my back 9.