Why Are 2024 Valspar Championship’s Last Three Holes Called the Snake Pit?

The Valspar Championship is now hours away! On Thursday this week, 156 golfers will head onto the Copperhead Course. The course, designed by golf course architect Larry Packard, is regarded for its challenging layout and picturesque scenery. Located just outside Tampa, it is one of the four Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club courses.

Rated the third hardest course, averaging .596 over par after the Green Mile and the Bear Trap, the Copperhead is undoubtedly going to be many pros’ nightmare. Especially the last three holes—the horrifying and tricky Snake Pit!

The Copperhead Course has holes named after snakes!

The Copperhead Course, just like regular golf courses, is an 18-hole par-71 that features five tee boxes, running approximately 7300 yards. It’s differentiating factor, however, is that it’s final thee holes. With the perfect amalgamation of strategic placement and hazards, these holes pose a big threat to the players. Combined, they are called the Snake Pit and are named after viscous vipers. The 16th hole is called the Moccasin, the 17th is the Rattler, and the 18th is the Copperhead.

These three are among the most difficult finishing holes, not only on the course but on the entire PGA Tour! Packard even designed a huge copperhead snake in a ready-to-strike pose at the entrance of the 16th hole, warning all who venture there. Its plaque reads, “Welcome to the Snake Pit!”

These holes’ scores further substantiate their difficulty. In 2023, the par-4, 16th hole, despite stretching across only 475 yards, witnessed an average score of 4.373, 0.373 strokes over par. This was the 9th toughest hole on the Tour. Similarly, the par-3 17th had an average of 0.074 over par, and the par-4 18th had a +.146 average.

While this last lap certainly paints a grim picture, now all is bad at the Copperhead Course. With a few comparatively easier holes, golfers have a good shot to hole a few birdies before the snake pit, especially at the 11th hole!

O’s Alley could help golfers net off their scores at the Valspar Championship

Nicknamed ‘O’s Alley’, the par-5 11th hole is an exceptionally long and narrow one that runs 575 yards. On the home course of the Valspar Championship, this hole has the lowest chances of scoring a bogey, with an average scoring rate of 4.668 (0.332 under par).

Read More: 2024 Valspar Championship: How to Buy Tickets for the Copperhead Course Event

The best way to navigate this hole and secure a lower score is to keep out of the sand trap bunker in the middle! Whether or not a ball lands in it almost always determines whether the player will be able to reach the green in just two shots or not. The 11th hole also surprisingly has a record of no double bogey, making it one that most on the field look to improve their score on!

One thing is certain: this week, golfers are in for a tough time, and fans are in for a spectacle. And even though that may not be with the lowest scores, it undoubtedly will be with seeing how the field navigates the likes of the tough snake pit and the easy O’s alley!

Read More: Valspar Championship: Everything You Need to Know About the Copperhead Course