A short par 4 is among golf’s most exhilarating challenges, and the Daytona Beach golf scene, home to more than 20 courses, is a dream destination for players in search of a reachable green.
So, pull out the driver and let’s have a look at Daytona Beach’s five shortest par 4s.
- Hidden Lakes, No. 17, 240 yards (all yardages are from the tips): A par 66, Hidden Lakes is home to Daytona Beach’s two shortest par 4s, and golfers don’t have to be a long hitter to reach the 17th green. The hole is short, straight and the narrow fairway is tree-lined from tee to green. The green is absolutely accessible, but anyone that doesn’t hit it straight will be chipping out of the trees. That being said, you don’t take a golf vacation to layup. Whip out the driver, or even 3-wood, and have a crack.
- Hidden Lakes, No. 10, 285 yards: Water runs along the right side, so the danger is easily identifiable. The hole is open to left, providing ample bailout room. There is more length but less danger on the 10th hole at Hidden Lakes, so take a shot.
- New Smyrna Golf Club, No. 16, 303 yards: The 15th hole at New Smyrna GC is a demanding 203-yard, par 3, and legendary architect Donald Ross followed it with a drivable par 4. The 16th isn’t especially penal, but, in classic Ross fashion, the green is well-bunkered and small so golfers who don’t get there off the tee face a delicate approach.
- Crane Lakes, No. 8, 315 yards: There is an oak tree in the fairway, approximately 50 yards from the green, that forces a risk-reward decision on players. Long hitters should be able to fly the big oak but there is water in front of the green, to the right and behind it, making it a gamble with considerable risk. Players that come up short may find themselves blocked by the soaring oak tree or in the water. Golfers don’t always like to layup on vacation, but in this instance, playing to 90 yards short of the green, leaving room to get over the tree, is the prudent decision.
- Daytona Beach Golf Club, North Course, No. 5, 316 yards: The card says 316 yards, but the fifth hole on DBGC’s North Course is a 90-degree dogleg left. Golfers that challenge the dogleg, and the water it plays around, significantly reduce the length (a 265-yard drive will get you home from the tips). The penalty for a bad shot is a watery grave for your golf ball and the potential to post a big number on one of the course’s easiest holes. Play around the perimeter of the dogleg and hope to make par the old fashioned way or take a shot at glory? It’s a decision every golfer will have to make.
For more information, go to https://www.daytonabeach.com/things-to-do/golf/.
