The 16th hole at St. Clair Country Club is one of the best in the Pittsburgh area and birdies are hard to come by on the difficult par 4.

When you talk elite golf holes, you can't pass up St. Clair Country Club.

At more than 400 yards, the 16th hole at St. Clair is a tough one.

"This is one that everybody kind of gets here and this is like the home stretch coming in,"  said St. Clair Country Club head golf professional Jason Mull. "This is 418, plays up the hill a little bit. About two years ago, Frontier came in and put that bunker in on the right, because everyone would just bail out over there. Now you can't do that, so they made it even harder."

Mull says if you're not hitting the ball your best on any given day at St. Clair, you've got your hands full. 

A lightning shelter along the fairway provides a good aiming point for the difficult tee shot.

An approach shot to a back pin makes for a difficult challenge, as well.

"The key at St. Clair is you can't go long anywhere," Mull said.

Once you're on the green, the undulating putting surface on the 16th hole doesn't make things any easier.

"We're kind of known for firm and fast greens," Mull said.

Mull says if you can make a birdie on the 16th, you're gaining on the field.

If you want a great par 4, the 16th at St. Clair is one for you. 

The Elite 18

• The Club at Nevillewood's 16th hole requires a precise approach
• Totteridge Golf Club's 13th hole has bunkers challenging every shot 
• Edgewood Country Club's 8th hole features classic Donald Ross design
• Longue Vue Club's 17th hole provides deceiving challenge off the tee
• Allegheny Country Club's 11th hole offers stunning view and tough test 
• Shannopin Country Club's 17th hole features very unique green complex 
• Meadowink Golf Course's 11th hole doesn't leave much room for error 
• Sewickley Heights Golf Club's 15th hole kicks off difficult closing stretch
• Westmoreland Country Club's 8th hole brings an uphill challenge
• Butler Country Club's 13th hole is a tough test from start to finish 
• Willowbrook Country Club's 12th hole offers thought-provoking tee shot 
• 3 Lakes Golf Course's 17th hole offers challenge during tough finishing stretch
• Pheasant Ridge's 4th hole is a challenging par 3 with a treacherous two-tiered green
• Wildwood Golf Club's 16th hole offers troublesome tee shot
• Chartiers Country Club's redesigned 15th hole offers more demanding test 
• Diamond Run's 15th hole is part of a 4-hole stretch that mixes challenge with scenery
• Oakmont Country Club's 17th hole provides the ultimate risk-reward opportunity 

St. Clair Country Club

Founded: 1916

Public or Private: Private

Location: 2300 Old Washington Rd., Upper St. Clair, PA 15241

Phone Number: 412-833-5550

Website: https://www.stclaircc.org/

Course Designer: Dick Wilson and Joe Lee

Par: 72

Yardages, Course Rating, and Slope Rating:

• Black - 7,023 yards - 74.2/137
• Blue - 6,663 yards - 72.7/134
• White - 6,327 yards - 71.0/129
• Burgundy - 6,013 yards - 69.3/126
• Gold - 5,624 yards - 67.8/122
• Red - 5,518 yards - 72.4/128