Golf's Most Dangerous Finishing Water Holes Around the World

It's not always safe to go in the water.

Long before the movie Jaws hit the big screen in 1975, golf course designers have routed courses so that some of the toughest holes on the PGA and LPGA Tours conclude in risk/reward fashion.  

These dastardly watering behemoths are doling out more than two strokes as watery graves.  Some water holes have a knack for drama on the 72nd hole.  And, some have a knack for swallowing golf balls like gummie bears.  Others, have earned nicknames like Blue Monster, Home and Gauntlet.  These golf holes have taken on personalities that far exceed their beautiful exteriors.

Some of the holes around the world are not as feared for their set-up, but more for the injuries caused when jubilant players use them as a playground for their post victory celebrations.  Let's take a look:

18th at Doral

The Blue Monster played host to the Doral Open from 1962 to 2006.  In 2009, the Blue Monster joined the PGA Tour's TPC network of courses and rebranded as the TPC Blue Monster at Doral.  A great finishing hole, the 18th at Doral provides the perfect combination of driving placement and approach shot precision.

And, it has proved its worth in championship fashion.  It is still a menace to resort guests and, for one week out of the year, the PGA Tour's finest.  

18th at Mission Hills

Stacy Lewis captured her first LPGA Tour title at the season's first major championship at the Kraft Nabisco Championship.  Her three-shot victory over the world’s top ranked Yani Tseng took place at Mission Hills.  Has been tradition since Amy Alcott jumped into the pond green-side in 1988, Stacey, her caddie and her family decided to follow tradition.

Her mother, Carol Lewis, was part of the plunge and the result was a fractured fibula and a soft cast.

The 18th hole has been attacked in two strokes, but is typically a three-shot par five.  

18th at TPC Sawgrass

In 1982, Jerry Pate won the Tournament Player's Championship and he enjoyed taking Pete Dye and Deane Beman into the watery zone next to this 72nd hole.  No injuries, but the last two holes at the self proclaimed fifth major are exciting enough for the common golf fan.  Water comes in play on both shots, and with this hole, the length (462 yards) plays a role in the ability to get the second shot close to the pin.

Don't look left, or hit it left.

18th at Atlanta Athletic Club

This long par four provided the drama in 2001 when David Toms won the PGA Championship.  The excitement continues later this summer as the PGA Championship returns to the Highland Course in Johns Creek, GA for another spectacular finish.  The 18th will play as a 507-yard par four.

18th at Pebble Beach

Not just for the waves crashing the Monterey peninsula, or the seals barking their approval of errant shots. This breathtaking hole is more than just beauty.  It provides a different degree of difficulty with each day's weather report.  Pebble Beach has beautiful vistas, but don't let the scenery grab your attention or a double bogey will wind up on your scorecard.

18th at Carnoustie

It will not happen this year, since the British Open is being played at Royal St. George's. 

But, there is no escaping this British Open traffic light for a closing hole.  And, in the case of the 1999 British Open, it was a car wreck at Carnoustie for Jean Van de Velde.  

With a three-shot lead, Van de Velde chose to use his driver off the tee, and that's where his accident began.  His decision to go for the green in two was the beginning of the drama.  The shot bounced off the the bleachers and back into deep rough.  Then, it became a water hole. Van de Velde's third shot flopped into the Barry Burn.  The adventures continued until he made a seven, somehow still able to buoy himself for a playoff with Paul Lawrie and Justin Leonard.

For well executed shots, the Barry Burn rarely comes into play.   

17th at TPC Sawgrass

Take a short hole, say 145-155 yards, and surround it with water.  The result is the 17th at the TPC at Sawgrass.  It has become a menacing hole for the best players on Sunday, or even Thursday.  It's not a finishing hole, but for a penultimate test—bravo!

18th at Le Golf National

A spectacular finishing hole, the 18th at Le Golf National near Paris offers the length (470 yards) to make it a challenge from tee to green.  It played to a 4.63 stroke average at last week's French Open.  The second shot over water is not quite as difficult as the celebratory plunge.  Ask Thomas Levet who will miss this week's British Open with a shin injury.  Bon voyage!