The PGA Tour in 2024 saw a total of 738 holes used in tournament play, with the top 18 most difficult holes being par 4s. The 19th hardest hole was a par 3, and it wasn’t until the 90th hole that a par 5 appeared on the list. The most challenging par 3 and par 5 were both at Royal Troon, the host of the 2024 Open Championship. The 220-yard fifth hole had an average score of 3.340, while the 623-yard sixth hole played to an average score of 5.183 during the final major of the season.
Looking at the top 10 most difficult holes, the 18th hole at Quail Hollow Club had an average score of 4.5, with 13 birdies out of 272 recorded scores in 2024. Other tough par 4s included the 11th hole at Royal Troon, the first hole at East Lake Golf Club, and the ninth hole at TPC Twin Cities. These holes all had average scores ranging from 4.425 to 4.446, making them challenging for the pros during tournament play.
The fourth toughest par 4 was the 12th hole at Torrey Pines South Course, with an average score of 4.406. The second hole at the U.S. Open and the 18th hole at Farmers Insurance Open also made the list of the top 10 most difficult holes on the PGA Tour in 2024. With average scores of 4.398 and 4.397, respectively, these par 4s proved to be a test for the players during the season.
The par 4 eighth hole at Pinehurst No. 2 and the 11th hole at the Masters Tournament were also among the hardest holes on the PGA Tour in 2024. Featuring yardages ranging from 486 to 510, these par 4s challenged the players and resulted in high average scores. Overall, the top 18 most challenging holes were par 4s, showcasing the difficulty of these types of holes on the tour.
As the season comes to a close with the Tour Championship, the 2024 season stats are now official, revealing the toughest holes that players faced throughout the year. With a mix of par 3s and par 4s, Royal Troon emerged as the host of two of the most difficult holes on the PGA Tour in 2024. The variety of challenges presented by these holes tested the skills of the pros and added excitement to the tournament play.
