The 18th hole creates a player’s final memory of a course and if you want to put the clubs back in the car with a smile on your face, the Daytona Beach golf scene is home to more than a few memorable finishing holes.
Whether you prefer a short par 4 or a daunting par 5, Daytona Beach, not surprisingly given the quality and diversity of the area’s course offerings, has something for every golfer.
As you daydream of beating your buddies with a dramatic closing birdie, here are five of Daytona Beach area’s premier 18th holes:
Jones Course at LPGA International
World Golf Hall of Famer Karrie Webb celebrated a pair of tournament victories on the 18th green of the Jones Course at LPGA International and you’d certainly enjoy challenging the 388-yard (all distances from white tees) par 4, too. With water running along the entire left side, both the tee shot and approach are nervy, contributing to the drama at one of Daytona Beach’s most acclaimed courses.
LPGA International’s Hills Course
Not to be outdone, the par 4 18th on LPGA International’s Hills Course presents an even more significant challenge. The dogleg left plays 374 yards and the tee shot needs to favor the right-center of the fairway, lest players run the risk of having their path to the green blocked by pine trees. The approach to a small green must carry wetlands that nearly run to the edge of the putting surface. It’s a great finishing hole.
DeBary Golf & Country Club
DeBary Golf & Country Club has served as a U.S. Open qualifying site and the Lloyd Clifton design’s closer is an unforgettable challenge. The dogleg right par 4 plays 401 yards and tree-lined fairways demand an accurate drive. The day’s final approach is to a green with sand and water standing guard on the right side of the putting surface, limiting your margin for error.
Cypress Head
Cypress Head is one of the premier municipal courses in Florida and No. 18, a 466-yard par 5, is one of the reasons why. While the hole isn’t long, its narrow fairway is framed by a sprawling waste bunker on the right and mounding on the left. Compounding the challenge, a heavy tree-line runs along the right side of the green, tightening the approach and rewarding players who play from the left-center of the fairway. It’s an excellent finish on a course that delivers tremendous value.
Club at Venetian Bay
If you like a dramatic conclusion, the Club at Venetian Bay is calling your name. A 391-yard par 4, the 18th hole features water running from tee to green on the left, and the primary landing area in the fairway has bunkers on both sides. You don’t want to attempt your approach to a green protected by four bunkers and water from the sand, so finding the fairway is vital. Venetian Bay’s 18th demands you be at your best, helping make it one of the area’s most memorable.
For more information on a golf trip, visit DaytonaBeach.Golf.