Where Water Is in Play the Most

July 9, 2026 · Caddie Tap course data team

Some courses have a water hole. These courses are a water hole. Counting every hole with mapped water in play, here's where the ball drowns most often.

The two numbers that beat water

Water is only scary when you don't know two numbers: the carry to clear it and the distance to lay up short of it. With both, every water hole becomes a decision instead of a prayer. That's the exact pair Caddie Tap surfaces when a water hazard sits between you and the green.

How we measured

Water-in-play = holes with a mapped water hazard, across 622 courses that have at least one. Coastal/lake edges outside the playing corridor aren't counted. Distances are computed along each hole's GPS playing line (middle-tee geometry), the same data the Caddie Tap app uses on the course. Facility records that map the same course twice are collapsed, and obvious data outliers are excluded rather than published. Counts reflect what is mapped in our database — a famous course's hand-counted total may run higher. Spot a mistake? The app has a built-in "report a course issue" button.

FAQ

What golf course has the most water holes?

Dallas Athletic Club leads our database with water in play on 18 holes.

How do you play a water-heavy course?

Aim at numbers, not at water. Decide the carry you'll attempt before the round (your 90% carry, not your best-ever), and lay up to full-wedge distance everywhere else.

Data: Caddie Tap GPS course database — distances measured along each hole's playing line, middle-tee geometry.