Holey Terror: Hole No. 18 at Lassing Pointe Golf Course
Hole No. 18 • Par 4 • 441 yards
Just about every golf course has a signature hole. But how many have a signature green? With all due respect to the island 17th at TPC Sawgrass, there’s one in the Bluegrass State that might just take the cake, and a few snorts of Kentucky’s finest bourbon for good measure.
Lassing Pointe, located just 20 minutes from downtown Cincinnati across the Ohio border, is widely recognized as the state’s premier public golf course. Designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan, the course is praised by locals and visitors alike for its superb conditions and user-friendly, yet masterful, design.
The layout features a comfortable flow over rolling terrain, incorporating streams, woods, and ponds. Measuring just over 6,700 yards from the back tees, Dr. Hurdzan utilized the property to create a diverse mix of holes featuring open and tree-lined fairways, elevated tees, and raised greens. The course offers scenic vistas, water hazards on eight holes, and over 60 fairway and greenside bunkers — providing numerous strategic risk-reward opportunities.
While nearly every hole at Lassing Pointe is considered exceptional, the 441-yard, par-4 No. 18 generates the most discussion, primarily due to its signature green, which stretches over 100 yards in length. This immense green often requires putts longer than some short par 3s to secure a birdie or save par, becoming a major source of both buzz and debate among golfers.
One national publication described the 18th as having an “easy drive but the approach is nothing less than insanity.” The fairway is arguably Lassing Pointe’s widest, presenting little trouble off the tee. The real challenge lies in the second shot and the unpredictable mood of the greens superintendent regarding pin placement.
The peninsula-style green stretches over a football field long but only about 20 yards wide at its broadest point, squeezed by water on three sides. Depending on the cup’s location, the approach shot might require anything from a wedge to a long iron to get near the pin. A slope just to the right of the green can offer a favorable bounce, but any shot straying too far left will find the same lake that affects Hole 14 earlier in the round.
Whether a golfer finishes with a triumphant birdie or a challenging double par, a solemn and unique element near the 18th green awaits: the tombstone of a Revolutionary War soldier. It serves as a poignant reminder that the game of golf, unlike the sacrifices made by those who have served our country, is never truly a matter of life and death.
What is the most challenging hole at your favorite TeeTime Golf Pass participating course? Let us know! We would love to feature it in an upcoming issue of our weekly newsletter. Submit your Holey Terror to [email protected].
