Caves Valley Golf Club, the host of the 2025 BMW Championship, is a very hilly course on a beautiful piece of rolling, wooded land, and it is defined by its extreme length with a dramatic and penalizing back nine.
Let's take a look at the five best holes at Caves Valley. I will refrain from grumbling about how this event should still be played in the Chicagoland area.
5. 16th Hole - Par 5, 599 yards
The 16th is a really good par-5 that requires two great shots to reach the green. The fairway narrows significantly past 300 yards as it is pinched by a bunker on each side. The fairway then bends gently to the right around a hill to a shallow elevated green protected by two bunkers short and left. Nothing but two well-struck, accurate shots will result in a putt for eagle.
4. 12th Hole - Par 4, 521 yards
Despite the fact that it isn't very creative, the 12th hole is included in the top five because of its sheer difficulty and intimidating nature. A par-5 for members, this double dogleg snakes around a lake from tee to green so that any miss to the right results in a watery grave.
The fairway is quite narrow, and three bunkers must be avoided in addition to the water off the tee. Golfers must decide how aggressive to be on the tee shot as the carry becomes longer and the fairway gets narrower the farther the ball is hit. The shallow green is guarded by a bunker in front and more water tight to the right.
3. 11th Hole - Par 4, 334 yards
The 11th is a fun short par-4 that is drivable for some, although there is considerable risk involved in going for the green. The PGA Tour reversed the front and back nines when it came to Caves Valley in 2021, so this hole was originally the second.
A pond clings to the front of the green as well as the right side of a fairway that narrows significantly as it gets closer to the green. The longer the club off the tee, the more risk is involved. It is a hole with many options and will provide a great birdie opportunity.
2. 18th Hole - Par 4, 470 yards
The 18th hole is an extremely difficult and penal par-4. It is reminiscent of the infamous finishing hole at Quail Hollow's Green Mile, except it is flipped so that the creek is on the right side. This water hazard runs along the entire hole, meandering uncomfortably close to the fairway and green.
Bunkers guard the left side of the narrow fairway and green, requiring that both shots be threaded in between water and sand. The fairway is also angled subtly to the right, so a decision must be made on how much to challenge the creek off the tee.
This is an outstanding uphill finishing hole that provides a stiff challenge to conclude the round.
1. 5th Hole - Par 4, 367 yards
The fifth is an outstanding short par-4 that bounds downhill from the tee. The brilliance of this hole is all in the green.
It is extraordinarily shallow but very wide, curving slightly at both ends so that it almost seems to be smiling back at the fairway. This subtle curvature makes an enormous impact on the approach as wedge shots that are slightly off line can easily bounce over the back or airmail it altogether, particularly if the pin is tucked on the right.
Two bunkers protect the front of the green to ensure that golfers must carry the ball all the way to the putting surface.