Oakmont Country Club

What better way to celebrate the 125th playing of the U.S. Open than by staging it at the venue that has hosted the most Opens? Oakmont will host the championship for a record 10th time in 2025, three times more than any other club. It will also be the club's 17th USGA championship, which ranks one behind fellow Pennsylvania venue Merion Golf Club for the most all time. Henry Clay (H.C.) Fownes designed Oakmont to challenge the best golfers in the world and that philosophy hasn’t changed since Oakmont member S. Davidson Herron defeated Bob Jones in the championship match of the 1919 U.S. Amateur. Oakmont continues to be one of the most challenging championship layouts, most recently on display in Dustin Johnson’s 2016 U.S. Open victory. 

Hole-by-hole descriptions provided courtsey of Oakmont Country Club

Hole 1

One of the most challenging opening holes in golf, this par 4 demands a precise tee shot followed by a mid-iron approach into a green that slopes away from the player. Walking away with a par here is an excellent start.

Hole 2

This short par 4 offers multiple strategic options, depending on how aggressive a player wants to be off the tee. A ditch and well-placed bunkers demand accuracy, setting up a short iron or wedge approach into a severely sloped green. Two putts from above the hole is no easy task.

Hole 3

The famous Church Pews bunker on the left, cavernous bunkers on the right, and an elevated green that requires a high, soft approach with controlled spin make this one of the most difficult par 4s in the country.

Hole 4

Playing along the opposite side of the Church Pews, the left side of this par 5 is daunting, while bunkers and thick rough on the right add to the challenge. Longer hitters can reach the green in two, but a committed line on the blind second shot is necessary to create an eagle opportunity.

Hole 5

A blind tee shot sets up a wedge approach to an undulating green. Birdie is a real possibility, but only if both shots are well positioned. Otherwise, walking away with a bogey isn’t a bad outcome.

Hole 6

The first of Oakmont’s par 3s requires precision. Aiming for the center of the green is key, as a miss left or right significantly reduces the chances of saving par.

Hole 7

Off the tee, players must decide between a safer play to the right, the widest part of the fairway, or a more aggressive line to the left for a shorter approach. This multi-tiered green demands precise distance control.

Hole 8

One of the longest par 3s in the world, the 8th green is more receptive to a right-to-left ball flight. Par is an excellent score here.

Hole 9

A blind tee shot, an infamous ditch looming on the left, and bunkers lining the right, make this one of Oakmont’s most demanding holes. Framed by the historic clubhouse and connected to the practice green, the 9th features one of the most iconic green complexes in the game.

Hole 10

This downhill par 4 has one of the narrowest fairways on the course, with bunkers on both sides and a ditch intersecting the fairway. The tee shot requires both precision and distance control. The green slopes severely from right to left and front to back, making short birdie putts a rarity.

Hole 11

This par 4 is best played to the left side of the fairway, where a plateau at the top of the hill provides the ideal approach angle. The green is relatively flat but slopes back to front and left to right.

Hole 12

The final par 5 at Oakmont demands three well-executed shots. Bunkers and ditches along both sides require strategic play. The green slopes severely from front to back, making approach shots difficult to hold.

Hole 13

The par 3 13th requires a perfect short-to-mid iron into its famously undulating green. A miss long or right makes saving par nearly impossible. Staying below the hole is essential for any realistic birdie or par chance.

Hole 14

A straight tee shot leaves a short-iron or wedge approach, offering one of the few birdie opportunities at Oakmont.

Hole 15

This long par 4 features a blind tee shot to a fairway that slopes left to right. A mid-to-long iron approach is typically required into a large, sloping green. A par here can provide valuable momentum heading into the final stretch.

Hole 16

A long iron or fairway wood is needed to reach this large green, which features a severe false front. The trench bunker along the left side makes this par 3 a formidable challenge.

Hole 17

Several strategies can be used to play this hole, but each requires a well-executed shot at some point to secure a par or birdie.

Hole 18

One of the best finishing holes in golf, Oakmont’s 18th hole demands four well-played shots to make par. A memorable finish awaits those who execute well.