The Hog’s back: An architectural element that could be crushing your score

Welcome to A Beginner’s Guide to Golf Course Design, where we dig into the history, design and meaning of golf course architecture terms you’ve probably heard before but might not fully understand. We’ll explain all of the above in an accessible Q&A format, and better yet, teach you how to identify these features and plan your attack for the next time you see one, saving you strokes along the way. In this installment, we’re breaking down a Hog’s back.

What do pigs have to do with golf?

Well, nothing, and sort of everything. Today we focus on a template a little harder to find, the Hog’s back template hole. There is a lot of variance in how a Hog’s back hole can be put together, but they all have some similar features.

The basics of a Hog’s back is a fairway with a spine down the middle that falls off to both the left and right, repelling balls away from the ideal line. This is where it gets its name—the ground is shaped just like a hog’s back. Because the hole is about the undulation of the fairway and angles into the green, this hole puts a premium on driving accuracy as opposed to other templates which are more focused on approach shots.

Hog’s back holes are often longer par-4s that play as some of the toughest on the course. It is frequently more accurate to call these holes par-4.5’s because a four feels great and a five doesn’t feel all that bad. While these holes are tough, it’s not always because of a harsh penalty for an offline drive. Sometimes being in a less than ideal spot means having an approach shot with a sidehill lie with the ball above or below your feet. The penalty for a less than perfect drive can be subtle, but that doesn’t make it any less difficult.

The term “Hog’s back,” is used to describe anything with a ridge that falls off on both sides. Sometimes this description is even used for greens.

What’s the history of this hole?

Like all of the other template holes, C.B. Macdonald brought this idea to the United States after playing lots of golf in the British Isles. There is not one specific “Hog’s back,” original, but examples of this kind of fairway can be found on several courses. Courses like Rye Golf Club and Lundin Links both have holes that feature hog’s back elements.

Any strategy I should consider?

The Hog’s back template hole is all about positioning off the tee. If driving accuracy is your big strength, now is the moment in the round to show it off. Try to determine, based on bunkers and pin position, which side of the fairway is the better side to attack from and try to fit your drive into the right spot. Shaping your drive can also come in handy here. With an aptly timed draw or fade, you can often use the fairway spine to your advantage to get a kick forward or in the right direction. No matter what you do, it’s quite possible you won’t have an even lie for your approach shot. Many players who spend the majority of their time on the driving range struggle when they get a ball above or below their feet, which can make the approach on this hole particularly difficult.

Are there any cool Hogs (back holes) out there?

The Greenbrier Old White, 2nd

It’s always fun to include a template that we’ve watched the professionals play. The second hole at the Greenbriar Old White course does just that. The fairway has a spine that runs down the middle forcing tee shots left or right. The best angle into this green is from the right side of the fairway, which plays up against a creek at times. If you miss just a little left of the ridge, your ball will get kicked further in that direction, making your approach angle worse and worse.

National Golf Links of America, 5th

As always, National Golf Links features another C.B. Macdonald beauty. This time we check out the 5th hole, aptly named “Hog’s back,” which plays a fairly long 478 yards from the back. Following up the famous redan par-3 the hole before, this one still finds a way to hold its own. Originally a par-5, this hole is now a deeply challenging par-4. You must first hit over a cross bunker, and the hogsback fairway sits right on the other side ready to disperse balls in both directions. The fairway eventually slopes down toward the green to allow for running approach shots from the shorter hitter.

Old Macdonald, 4th

Tom Doak put his own spin on many of the best template holes at Old Macdonald. He inserted his “Hog’s back,” hole early in the round as the fourth hole. The tee shot plays to a spine that kicks down on either side. Of the drive, Doak says, “a perfect drive will either stay up or kick forward for extra yardage, but anything less will kick away to the side, leaving a very long second shot down the valley toward the green.” At 504 yards from the tips, this hole is one of the most challenging on the course.

Blue Mound, 12th

Seth Raynor built a long and tough Hog’s back hole for the 12th at Blue Mound, playing 480 yards. The hole moves to the left around a pond and some bunkers guarding the left side of the fairway. Finding the fairway is essential as the green is also heavily guarded by bunkers. Hitting a great drive to the top of the Hog’s back fairway can you give you a significant advantage over your opponents, even if they are only in your head.

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