Holey Terror: Hole No. 6 at Swan Point Yacht & Country Club
Nestled along the banks of the Potomac River in Issue, MD, Swan Point stands out in the Mid-Atlantic region for its breathtaking scenic beauty. World-renowned golf architect and consultant to Augusta National, Bob Cupp, designed a layout that seamlessly integrates with the dramatic landscape of marshland and tall pine trees.
The course evokes the feel of coastal Carolinas with its grassy mounds, challenging retention bunkers, abundant sand and water hazards, and wetlands impacting 14 holes. Adding to the difficulty are elevated, multi-tiered greens that demand precise accuracy and a delicate touch on approach shots.
Golfers are frequently reminded to focus on “one shot at a time,” a mantra that is essential for navigating the par-5, 575-yard sixth hole. Listed as the No. 1 handicap hole and considered the course’s most formidable challenge, every swing requires a deliberate objective, leaving no room for errant shots or hesitant decisions.
Played from an elongated series of tee boxes, the sixth hole features water running down the left side, requiring a straight drive slightly right of center. Shots pulled left risk finding two fairway bunkers, while bailing out right towards the cart path side leaves the player hoping for a favorable bounce off a tree.
For most players, the second shot will be a long lay-up, often requiring a fairway metal or hybrid. The landing area is tight, framed by water to the left and trees to the right. Successfully navigating these hazards sets up what is arguably one of Maryland’s most difficult approach shots. This shot is played to a small, elevated green — resembling an octopus — more than 20 feet above the fairway and fiercely guarded by four deep sand traps in front. Missing the green short, left, or right results in a challenging pitch sharply uphill or a difficult blast out of the sand.
The TeeTime Golf Pass Holey Terror Challenge
Think Hole No. 6 at Swan Point is brutal? Every course has that hole. Show us yours.
Grab your camera, play the meanest hole at your favorite TeeTime Golf Pass participating course, and post it on social media with #TeeTimeChallenge, tagging us @teetimegolfpass. The best submissions get featured on our channels — and the top players win a free pass for next season.
Know a hole that deserves the Holey Terror spotlight? Nominate it. Drop Bud a line at [email protected] and it could be the next feature in our weekly newsletter.
