The nerve-tingling thrill of the island green is one few golfers can resist. The all-or-nothing challenge of standing on the tee looking across the water to a small patch of grass really gets the blood pumping.
It’s often these “signature” holes alone that attract golfers to a particular golf course. We’ll travel for miles, pay exorbitant green fees and whizz around the rest of the course just to get to the point where we have the chance to lose three balls into the water or claim glory by finding the green! (even the sand is considered a victory for most of us!).
We love these island holes – even though most of them actually aren’t islands in the truest sense of the word but who’s counting!
So here are our 10 (plus a bonus 11th!) of the best island greens in golf and how we played them – with varying results it has to be said! Some on our list you’ll have heard of, may even have played, in real life or virtually on a Tiger Woods console game! Others might not yet be on your golfing radar but that’s what we’re here for!
Let’s dive into the list starting with perhaps the most famous and notorious of them all…
TPC Sawgrass, Stadium Course – Hole 17
How else can you start a list titled “The best island greens in golf” other than with the most recognisable and “bucket-listed” in the sport?
The par 3 17th at TPC Sawgrass. The annual host of The Players Championship is one of the most famous golf courses in the world and you could easily make an argument that its signature hole of the whole game of golf!
It may only measure 137 yards and during The Players Championship it often plays even shorter than that, but it will strike equals levels of fear and excitement into even the world’s best players. Depending on the swirling wind You might only need a 9 iron or a wedge to reach the putting surface, but under-hit your tee shot and a watery grave awaits!
OUR VERDICT: What can we say about one of the most famous and best island golf greens in golf?! A busket-list experience every golfer must try if they get the opportunity.
We’ve played it without the crowds and stands and there’s no doubt the hole looks very different in “raw” format. But you can’t help but imagine what that must be like for the pro’s and how they keep a lid on the adrenalin rush! Awesome!
And this is what it feels like to ace the iconic island green on 17 at TPC Sawgrass!
| Hole Stats | TPC Sawgrass Hole 17 |
| Men’s Tee Yardage | 128 Yards |
| Ladies Tee Yardage | 115 Yards |
| Club we hit | 9-Iron |
| Result | Made the green – talked about ever since! |
| Thrill Seeker Star rating | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Coeur d’Alene Golf Club – Hole 14
How do you up the challenge and grab the attention from the world famous island green on the 17th hole at Sawgrass? Well, the 14th hole at Coeur d’Alene Golf Course has golfers flooding to Idaho to test themselves against the first and only floating island green in golf!
Only accessible by boat the island green is built on a huge platform connected to a pulley system which means course managers can move the target – increasing the challeneg every time you play the course!
This means one day you’ll need an accurate 90 yard sand wedge but the next you’ll be looking at a 275 yard baffler!
While many see this hole as a novelty rather than a serious golf hole, it is undoubetedly one of the biggest challenges in golf, but also good fun! The 14th at Coeur d’Alene has been drawing golfers from around the world since it was first floated out into the lake.
OUR VERDICT: Well worth a visit if you’re in the region but be sure to pack plenty of floating golf balls or just skip the hole and hand a sleeve of three balls to a nearby diver!
| Hole Stats | Coeur d’Alene Golf Club – Hole 14 |
| All Yardages | Variable! |
| Club we hit | PW to Driver! 😉 |
| Thrill Seeker Star rating | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Blue Canyon CC, Canyon Course – Hole 14
We’re not sure what it is about golf designers placing their best island greens on the 14th hole but here’s another one!
We’ve visited the Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket many times and always look forward to playing the course. It is undoubtedly the #1 golf resort on the island of Phuket and perhaps in the whole of Thailand.
Blue Canyon resort has two fantastic courses; the Lakes and the Canyon. Both courses are well worth playing and offer great golfing experiences.
The Canyon is the tougher of the two and has been described as “The Ultimate Championship Course”. It has hosted numerous Championship tournaments. The 13th hole is even called the “Tiger hole” after a young Tiger Woods hit the 390 yard green off the tee by taking a classic “Tiger-line” over the water!
As you may realise this is one of our favourite places to play golf in the World! The whole course is beautiful but no matter how many times you’ve played here there is still a sense of anticipation and excitement as you arrive on the 14th tee that only an island green par 3 can generate!
The yardage off the back tees is just short of 200 yards plus a significant elevation change from tee to green makes this hole a real club selection challenge! Add in the sunshine, stunning tropical flowers reflecting in the water surrounding the green and you’ve got one of the finest island golf greens in golf.
OUR VERDICT: Although the Canyon course is undergoing significant renovations for much of 2023 this is a must-play venue for golfers visiting Thailand.
| Hole Stats | Blue Canyon: Canyon Course – Hole 14 |
| Men’s Tee Yardage | 143 yards |
| Ladies Tee Yardage | 128 yards |
| Club we hit | 8 Iron |
| Result | Pulled left into the water! |
| Thrill Seeker Star rating | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
TPC Scottsdale, Stadium Course – Hole 15
While most island greens come on par 3 holes, the 15th on the stunning Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale is a par 5 with just such a green. Unusually, this isn’t the most famous hole on the golf course, which of course comes at the par 3 16th; one of the most notorious holes on the PGA Tour calendar. The Waste Management Open’s 16th hole is completely encircled by fans and is known as “The Loudest Hole in Golf”.
An intimidating prospect indeed, so it’s just as well that despite featuring a green completely surrounded by water, the par 5 15th offers up a good birdie chance for golfers of all abilities…subject to their choice of tees of course! 2002 PGA Championship winner and Sky Sports commentator Rich Beem says, “It has been one of the best risk/reward holes we play.”
| Hole Stats | Blue Canyon: Canyon Course – Hole 14 |
| Men’s Tee Yardage | 143 yards |
| Ladies Tee Yardage | 128 yards |
| Club we hit | 8 Iron |
| Result | Pulled left into the water! |
| Thrill Seeker Star rating | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
PGA West, Stadium Course – Hole 17
Closing hole par 3’s surrounded by card ruining water hazards have become a signature sign of a Pete Dye golf course.
He’d arguably already achieved the ultimate island golf hole with the 17th at TPC Sawgrass so why design another one? In fairness to the legendary golf architect it took some persauding by the PGA Tour Commissioner to create this par 3 spectacular! As you can see from the video below it’s to the benefit of thrill seeking golfers that he did!
Ominously named “Alcatraz” – a nod to how hard it is to escape with a par! This challenging and unique par 3 is 30 yards longer off the back tees than it’s Sawgrass twin.
The green is bordered with boulders and protected by a deep pot bunker which blend it perfectly into its desert surroundings. Like any tee shot into an island green you have to be accurate with your distance and precise with your yardage – hit the green and you’ll feel like you won a Major! See the tell-tale splash as your ball plunges into the water and you’ll join thousands before you but
OUR VERDICT: This is without doubt a bucket list golf hole. Island green lovers who achieve the “Dye Double” and par the both the 17th at PGA West and TPC Sawgrass are entitled to clubhouse bragging rights!
| Hole Stats | PGA West, Stadium Course – Hole 17 |
| Men’s Tee Yardage | 146 yards |
| Ladies Tee Yardage | 112 yards |
| Club we hit | 8 Iron |
| Result | Hit the green – missed 4 footer for par 🤬 |
| Thrill Seeker Star rating | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Sueno Dunes Course – Hole 18
The Sueno Golf Resort in Turkey has established itself as one of the premier golf destinations in the famous Belek region. The resort has been designed with golfers in mind. If you’re staying at the luxury 5-star resort there are two 18 hole golf courses just a few minutes from your room!
Both the Pines and the Dunes Courses carve through forests of mature umbrella pines which provide plenty of shade as well as a slight Augusta type feel. There’s also plenty water hazards, no less so than on the spectacular final hole of the Dunes Course.
Unlike most of the holes on our list this island green comes at the end of a challenging par 4. Measuring approximately 360 yards it’s not the longest, but water cuts between fairway and green at about 300 yards from the white tees, so you’ll be rewarded for accuracy off the tee to leave you a pitch into the spectacular island green.
Just to add a twist of excitement/anxiety the green is just a pitching wedge from the clubhouse so you’ll have a willing crowd either cheering or groaning at your efforts!
OUR VERDICT: We love playing this great finishing hole and certainly keeps the adrenalin running to the final couple of shots. If there’s anything on the line coming up the last you can certainly feel the blood pumping as you stand on the tee! The clubhouse terrace is also a fantastic place to watch fellow golfers take on the challenge while you enjoy a well-earned cold drink!
| Hole Stats | Sueno Resort Dunes Course – Hole 18 |
| Men’s White Tee Yardage | 362 yards |
| Ladies Tee Yardage | 313 yards |
| Club we hit | Sand Wedge from about 110 yards |
| Result | Middle of the green – 3 putted!! 🤯 |
| Thrill Seeker Star rating | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Bro Hof Slott, Stadium Course – Hole 17
When The Stadium Course at Bro How Slott in Sweden opened in 2007 it was rated as one of the most spectacular new courses in Europe.
A feature of the course design are the large greens which invite attacking golf but beware of water hazards and well-placed bunkers that protect the fairways and greens. Measuing a huge 8,000 yards off the back tees it’s also not a course for the feint hearted!
There are several stunning holes but the par 3 17th is where we will focus our attention! Yes we’ve found another Stadium Course with an island green on the 17th hole!
On the face of it the challenge is simple! There is no bunkers to worry about, the green area is quite large and just 126 yards away from the white tees. However, there is the water – and there’s a lot of it! Somehow, like all our best island greens this simple layout makes the target seem much smaller and the hole a bugger mental challenge!
You can test yourself against this fantastic golf hole and wonderful golf course yourself by joining our friends at Greencard Golf who are holding one of their amateur golf tour events at Bro Hoff Slot later this year.
OUR VERDICT: Standing on the tee you certainly get the buzz and adrenlin hit that tells you you’re on a special golf hole! Watch for the wind which can change the yardage in an instant.
| Hole Stats | Sueno Resort Dunes Course – Hole 18 |
| Men’s White Tee Yardage | 126 yards |
| Ladies Tee Yardage | 100 yards |
| Club we hit | Sand Wedge |
| Result | Found front edge of the green! |
| Thrill Seeker Star rating | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
The Creek Golf Club, New York: Hole 11
Built during the 1920’s, and described by the New York Times in 1923 as “undoubtedly the richest golf club in the World”.
The Creek is located on Long Island’s Gold Coast just thirty-three miles from New York City. Designed by Charles B. MacDonald who is widely considered the father of American golf course architecture.
MacDonald is famous for bringing 21 classic golf hole templates from the best courses of the British Isles to the USA and integrated them into famous layouts such as Shinnecock Hills and The Greenbrier.
The 11th hole at The Creek, not only incorporates a classic MacDonald Biarritz-style putting surface template (large, deep and oblong shaped green flanked by long thin bunkers) as he often did. But he and partner Seth Raynor then built the green on an island— creating perhaps one of the most challenging “MacRaynor” golf holes in their portfolio.
OUR VERDICT: This is a great golf hole. The green is huge giving the false impression that a par is standard. But wind is a factor off the tee,and don’t dare anticipate the score on your card until after you’ve hit your first putt!
| Hole Stats | The Creek Golf Club, New York: Hole 11 |
| Men’s White Tee Yardage | 151 yards |
| Ladies Tee Yardage | 130 yards |
| Club we hit | 7 iron |
| Result | Hit beyond flag. Long first putt! |
| Thrill Seeker Star rating | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Man O’War GC, Myrtle Beach Hole 14
If you’re a fan of island greens, Man O’War golf course Myrtle Beach is the place for you! Not satisified with one island green this stunning one-of-a-kind course has two!
Not only that Man O’War claims to be the only course in the US with back-to-back island greens.
The 14th is a short-range par 4 and is followed by straight shooting 48-yard wide par 3 island green.
Amen corner at Augusta is a layout of three holes any golfer would be overjoyed to come through somewhere near par well this two hole water based challenge can either make or break a round – and your supply of golf balls!
OUR VERDICT: This whole course is well worth a visit and it’s easy to see why it’s regularly voted as a “must-play” for any Mrytle beach golf trip. The back-to-back islands are certainly unique on courses we’ve played. At the time of writing (early Spring 2023), we were getting reports that the greens were not in great shape, but sure the excellent team at the course will get them right.
| Hole Stats | Man O’War GC, Myrtle Beach Hole 14 |
| Men’s White Tee Yardage | 354 yards |
| Ladies Tee Yardage | 266 yards |
| Club we hit | 5W off the tee. PW into green |
| Result | Hit centre of the green 2 putt par! |
| Thrill Seeker Star rating | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Punta Mita Golf Club (Pacifico), Mexico, Hole 3B
No list of the best island greens in golf should be complete without the hole called the Tail of the Whale! The signature hole of the amazing Punta Mita Pacifico Golf Course in Mexio isn’t even officially listed as a hole on the course!
The hole is optional and weather permitting, but if you are lucky enough to get the opportunity, this truly is a must play bucket list golf hole!
It’s built into an rocky outlet island in the Pacific Ocean and similar to the14th hole at Coeur d’Alene mentioned above, the green is only accessible by amphibious vehicle. It is the favorite hole of course designer, Jack Nicklaus, and is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular holes we’ve seen.
With its 180-yard carry of the back tees, it is one of the longest holes on our list and you will need a lot of club and accuarcy to get to the green. But it’s an exciting challenge and the perfect opportunity for some golf buddies bragging rights!
OUR VERDICT: Almost worth the trip just to take on the challenge of this breath-taking hole alone! Be warned that sometimes the surf can be too choppy to allow the crossing but fingers crossed if you get the chance you can test your game against this stunning island green hole!
| Hole Stats | Punta Mita Pacifico, Mexico, Hole 3B |
| Men’s Tee Yardage | 158 yards |
| Ladies Tee Yardage | 122 yards |
| Club we hit | 7 iron into wind |
| Result | Came up short left hit rocks into the ocean! |
| Thrill Seeker Star rating | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Bonus island green pick…!
Apple Tree Resort, Washington, 17th hole
We tried really hard to keep this list to ten island greens but we’ve failed! We couldn’t leave this one out partly because of the novelty factor that makes it unique in golf!
Described by Inside Golf as “a visual masterpiece of golf architecture.” The 17th at Apple Tree Resort is without doubt a beautiful golf hole.
Unsurprusingly Apple Tree Resort is located within a 100 year old apple orchard. And our favourite hole is a nod to that heritage!
The island green 17th hole with nine sets of tee boxes and a putting surface measuring nearly 10,000 square feet and, yes, shaped like an apple. There’s even a leaf shaped bunker that doesn’t necessarily come into play but certainly adds to the aesthetic appeal of the design.
We love this hole for it’s creativity and design and certainly believe it belongs in any list of the best island greens in golf. We also highly recommend you build some time into your visit to grab something to eat at the stunning restaurant whether you’re there early for breakfast or later for lunch or dinner the food and views are amazing!
OUR VERDICT: If you’re an island green thrill seeker and in the Seattle area this is definitely worth a bucket list tick. We’re nto sure how many fruit shaped golf holes there are in the World but this has to be the best! Given our love of the tech company with a similar apple obsession the only improvement we can see is a second bunker to the right of the green!
| Hole Stats | Apple Tree Resort 17th hole |
| Men’s Tee Yardage | 157 yards |
| Ladies Tee Yardage | 110 yards |
| Club we hit | 7 iron |
| Result | Hit the core of a huge green putt for birdie! |
| Thrill Seeker Star rating | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Best island greens in golf our conculsion.
There we have it our 10 best island greens in golf (plus our bonus pick for Apple Lovers!).
Island greens may not be everyone’s favourite, but they are without doubt good fun and get the nerves jingling – as you may be able to tell we’re big fans!
We hope you can take some inspiration from our selection and make the trips to these courses to tick a few more of these iconic and thrilling golf holes off your bucket list.
If you are lucky enough to play any of our picks let us know how you get on!
