What is the course record at Pine Valley Golf Club?

The course record at Pine Valley Golf Club is 61, set by Arnold Palmer in 1954.

Heathland / Sandy pine barrens Championship Venue U.S. Open Rotation

Pine Valley Golf Club

Q: Which hole is hardest at Pine Valley Golf Club?

Hole 6 has stroke index 1 — the hardest hole on the scorecard.

Pine Valley, United States

Par

Holes

Yards

6,906

Par 3 / 4 / 5

4 · 11 · 3

Image: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

About Pine Valley Golf Club

Pine Valley Golf Club is a golf course in Pine Hill, Camden County, in southern New Jersey. It was ranked the number one course in Golf Magazine's 100 Top Courses in the U.S. and the World in 2012, 2015, 2019, 2020, and 2023. A private club, non-members can play only if invited and accompanied by a member. Southeast of downtown Philadelphia, Pine Valley is currently ranked number one in Golf Digest's America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Tournament History & Records

#1

Most-ranked course in the world

Pine Valley has held the global #1 ranking nearly every year since Golf Magazine's first rankings in 1985.

Track your best round at Pine Valley Golf Club in The Grand Plan app.

Events Hosted

Walker Cup — Hosted 1985, 2009

Course Record

Arnold Palmer · 1954

Architecture

• George Crump
• Harry Colt

Opened: 1918

Notable Holes

• Hole 5 — the original penal-design par 3 with forced carry over 'Hell's Half Acre' sandy waste
• Hole 7 — a 585-yard par 5 considered one of the hardest par 5s in championship golf

What Should You Expect to Shoot?

These expected scores use the World Handicap System formula: your handicap index × slope ÷ 113, plus course rating. Use them to set a realistic target before you tee off.

Championship

Rating 74.5 · Slope 145 · Par 72 · 7,200 yards

Your Handicap	Course HCP	Expected Score	Over Par
5	9	83	+11
10	15	90	+18
15	22	96	+24
20	28	103	+31
25	35	109	+37
30	41	115	+43

Back

Rating 72.5 · Slope 138 · Par 72 · 6,700 yards

Your Handicap	Course HCP	Expected Score	Over Par
5	7	79	+7
10	13	85	+13
15	19	91	+19
20	25	97	+25
25	31	104	+32
30	37	110	+38

Middle

Rating 70.5 · Slope 130 · Par 72 · 6,200 yards

Your Handicap	Course HCP	Expected Score	Over Par
5	4	75	+3
10	10	81	+9
15	16	86	+14
20	22	92	+20
25	27	98	+26
30	33	104	+32

Forward

Rating 72.0 · Slope 128 · Par 72 · 5,400 yards

Your Handicap	Course HCP	Expected Score	Over Par
5	6	78	+6
10	11	83	+11
15	17	89	+17
20	23	95	+23
25	28	100	+28
30	34	106	+34

Scorecard

Hole	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Out	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	In	Total
Par	4	5	4	4	3	4	4	3	4	35	4	4	3	5	4	4	3	4	5	36	71
Yards	387	554	465	431	205	441	429	181	407	3,500	398	404	166	533	385	430	179	380	531	3,406	6,906
Stroke Index	7	3	13	11	17	1	9	15	5		8	4	16	2	10	6	18	12	14

Holes That Decide Your Round

Hardest Hole · SI 1

Hole 6

Par 4 · 441 yards

Play for the fat of the green and take bogey off the table. Build your pre-round plan →

Longest Hole

Hole 2

Par 5 · 554 yards

Three good shots beats two heroic ones. Bogey here is a solid result for anyone above 10 handicap.

Scoring Opportunity

Hole 12

Par 3 · 166 yards

Attack the pin — if your wedge game is on, this is where strokes get gained back.

Easiest Hole · SI 18

Hole 16

Par 3 · 179 yards

Expected par or better. If you drop a stroke here, it's usually a mental mistake — which is trackable.

Pre-Round Checklist for Pine Valley Golf Club

Know your average distance off the tee — budget for 11 par-4 tee shots. Check 4 par-3 yardages — pick your go-to clubs now, not on the tee. Plan hole 6 (hardest) for bogey — don't chase birdie there. Hole 2 is long — know your layup number. Arrive 45 min early — 15 range, 10 short game, 10 putting, 10 to the tee. Dress code: Collared shirt, tailored trousers or proper golf attire required. No cargo shorts or denim. Caddie policy: Caddies required for all play. ⚠ Walking only — pack light or hire a caddie.

Your Game Plan for Pine Valley Golf Club

The scorecard tells you the course. The Grand Plan assessment tells you you — which part of your game is actually bleeding strokes. Pair both, and you have a pre-round strategy tailored to this course AND your weaknesses.

Take the 2-min Assessment Try the App Free for 30 Days

Tee Sets

Championship

Yards:: 7,200
Par:: 72
Course Rating:: 74.5
Slope:: 145

Back

Yards:: 6,700
Par:: 72
Course Rating:: 72.5
Slope:: 138

Middle

Yards:: 6,200
Par:: 72
Course Rating:: 70.5
Slope:: 130

Forward

Yards:: 5,400
Par:: 72
Course Rating:: 72.0
Slope:: 128

Play the U.S. Open Rotation

The clubs that host America's most difficult championship — Shinnecock, Oakmont, Pine Valley, Winged Foot, Pebble Beach, Merion, Bethpage.

See the full U.S. Open Rotation guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the par at Pine Valley Golf Club?

Pine Valley Golf Club is a par 71 course with 18 holes measuring 6,906 total yards. Front nine par 35 (3,500 yards), back nine par 36 (3,406 yards).

What is the longest hole at Pine Valley Golf Club?

The longest hole is hole 2, a par 5 playing 554 yards.

Which hole is hardest at Pine Valley Golf Club?

Hole 6 has the lowest stroke index (1). It's a par 4 playing 441 yards.

What tournaments have been held at Pine Valley Golf Club?

Walker Cup — Hosted 1985, 2009

What should I shoot at Pine Valley Golf Club?

Use the expected-score table above — it's calculated from your handicap and this course's official WHS rating and slope. A 15 handicap typically shoots mid-80s to low-90s depending on the tee set; a 25 handicap mid-90s to low-100s. Track your actual scores against these targets to see how your game travels.