What are the five most difficult golf courses in the world?
Golf may be a game of patience and precision, but some courses take difficulty to an extreme. From punishing layouts to unpredictable weather and all kinds of terrain, the world’s toughest golf courses are designed to test every skill you've got—and then some. In this article, we’ll explore the five hardest golf courses in the world, where even seasoned pros find themselves in a struggle. Without further ado, lets hit the fairway!
🌴 5. Ko’olau Golf Club – Oahu, Hawaii
Picture a beautiful rainforest, nestled in beneath steep mountain cliffs. Now picture your worst golfing nightmares. Ko'olau hosts extreme elevation changes, narrow fairways and even a few ravines. Our 1987 U.S. Open championship, Scott Simpson, has previously said "it is the hardest [course] I've ever played".
🏔️ 4. Whistling Straits – Wisconsin, USA
Similar to the third hardest course, Carnoustie, strong winds and over 1,000 bunkers regularly torment casual and professional golfers. It is said to be one of the most picturesque courses in the world, but it is also said to be remorseless and unforgiving.
🌊 3. Carnoustie Golf Links – Scotland
Known as "Carnasty", the brutal winds and narrow fairways prove this to be one of the toughest places to golf in the world. It has a deep rooted history of golf, and there is evidence suggesting that golf has been played there from, at least, the 16th century.
🏌️ 2. Oakmont Country Club – Pennsylvania, USA
Famous for it's frighteningly quick greens and deep bunkers, Oakmont golf course tests both the player's skill and the player's mind. Unsurprisingly, Oakmont has hosted the highest amount of U.S. Open Championships out of any club in the United States of America. And they make it look so easy!
⛳️1. Pine Valley Golf Club - New Jersey, USA
Regarded by many pro golfers as one of the toughest on earth, the Pine Valley course demands a lot from anyone - complex green layouts, huge bunkers and dense forests make this course particularly difficult to any player. Despite it being such a prestigious course, their facilities and their clubhouse are surprisingly modest, luring any amateur player into thinking that this is a simple and straightforward course to play at.
From relentless winds at Whistling Straits and Carnoustie, or blistering greens at Oakmont, these five courses provide us with great comparison at the true gap between the average golfer and the average professional. For those of you that have been brave enough to tackle these courses, or are planning to take them on, we would love to hear your stories in the comments!
Thanks, and as always, keep it in the short grass! 🏌️