The 10 best drivable par-4 holes on the 2016 schedule

The 10 best drivable par-4 holes on the 2016 schedule This week the PGA Tour visits historic Riviera Country Club for the Northern Trust Open, home of one of the most exciting holes in golf: The par-4, 315-yard 10th. While the modern professional can hit a 3-wood 300 yards, Riviera's 10th is no cake walk. Called "one of the best 10th holes in major championship golf" by Jack Nicklaus, a shallow, tight green surrounded by bunkers can produce scores that submarine rounds. In honor of this classic hole, we look at the 10 best drivable par 4s on the 2016 golf schedule: At less than 300 yards, this hole is an intriguing risk/reward at the Travelers Championship. Distance is not an issue for the players. The mounded green, lake on the left and sand on the right? That's a different tale. You could take our word on the 10th's difficulty. But it's better if you just watch this video of Scott Piercy hitting four separate shots into bunkers during the 2015 tournament. At 305 yards and aided by wind from the left, the pros lick their lips when coming to Kapalua's 14th. Yet, while 43 percent of the field made birdie on this hole during the 2016 event, zero eagles were recorded against 10 percent taking bogey or worse. The Shell Houston Open likes to refer to this 338-yard hole as a risk/reward endeavor, but given 95 percent of the 2015 field made par or better, it's safe to say it's more of the latter. This picture doesn't do the hole's beauty, and tenaciousness, justice. If players decide not to take a run from the tee, Quail Hollow's No. 8 requires a tough lay-up, as the approach will likely be coming from a sidehill lie. Coupled with a deep green, this hole spurs guys to give it a go. All one has to do to reach the green, which sits 341 yards from the tee, is carry a lake and bunkers, as well as battle with swirling wind. No biggie, right? (Actually, 90 percent of last year's WGC - Cadillac field made par or better on the 16th, proving that these guys really are good.) This downhill, short par 4 is so easy -- the John Deere Classic field averaged 3.794 strokes during the 2015 tournament -- that you're giving one back by not making birdie. In his two career wins at the John Deere, Jordan Spieth has made "3" six out of eight times. Keep an eye on the 17th hole during this year's U.S. Open. At 313 yards, players will undoubtedly take a rip at the green. However, deep rough and severe bunkering will make those hitting wayward drives pay. Lost in the shadows of the 16th hole, the 17th is often where the Waste Management Open is decided, evidenced this year when Rickie Fowler drove through the green to find the water, losing his lead and ultimately the tournament to Hideki Matsuyama. To the weaker individual, the course's marsh, water, woods and sand can make this an imposing shot. If you're a pro? Not so much: 40 percent of Deutsche Bank Championship players carded a birdie here in 2015.