Great Hazard Template

Alex Elias

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Courtesy of Evan Schiller (@evan_schiller_photography)

Although C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor are most associated with template holes, fellow Golden Age architect A.W. Tillinghast pioneered the ‘Great Hazard,’ a massive expanse of waste area that typically comes into play on a player’s second shot on a Par-5.

Chris Gabriele, Lead Assistant Golf Professional at Quaker Ridge Golf Club (pictured above), said, “The Great Hazard template is an amazing design that stands the test of time. It definitely puts a ton of pressure on the drive in order to play the Par-5 as you wish.”​

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@LinksGems)

Baltimore Country Club (East) - No. 14 - 607

The Great Hazard at Baltimore Country Club: East, also known as Five Farms, stretches across the entire fairway, roughly 225 yards from the green and spanning more than 150 feet. Successfully carrying it rewards players with a favorable downslope, setting up a short wedge approach for their third shot.

Courtesy of Evan Schiller (@evan_schiller_photography)

Baltusrol Golf Club: Lower - No. 17 - 655

Magnificently restored by Gil Hanse in 2020, the Great Hazard at Baltusrol Golf Club, known as the ‘Sahara,’ spans the width of the fairway and has been reshaped to include grassy church pews.​

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@linksgems)

Bethpage State Park: Black - No. 4 - 517
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Often considered A.W. Tillinghast’s finest Par-5, No. 4 is a double dogleg over a diagonal Great Hazard.

Courtesy of Evan Schiller (@evan_schiller_photography)

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@linksgems)

Fenway Golf Club - No. 7 - 636

Unlike other renditions, the Great Hazard at Fenway Golf Club does not span the entire fairway. Positioned on the right, it forces players left, where they must be cautious of OB.

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@LinksGems)

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@LinksGems)

Pine Valley Golf Club - No. 7 - 636

The first Great Hazard ever built is No. 7 at Pine Valley Golf Club, as A.W. Tillinghast convinced course architect George Crump. Known as Hell’s Half Acre, the Great Hazard stretches 100 yards and places immense pressure on the tee shot.

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@linksgems)

Courtesy of Evan Schiller (@evan_schiller_photography)

Philadelphia Cricket Club - No. 7 - 553
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Philadelphia Cricket Club, Tillinghast’s home club and the site where his ashes were scattered, is renowned for its superb bunkers. The Great Hazard on the Par-5 7th is one of the most famed renditions. To avoid it on the second shot, players must first find the fairway with their drive.

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@LinksGems)

Ridgewood Country Club - No. 4 (West) - 606

Rather than a massive expanse of waste area, Ridgewood Country Club features ‘a series of moguls covered with deep rough,’ known as ‘Muckle.’