They may not be the courses you want to play everyday, but every golfer from time to time wants to see how their game stacks up on the most difficult golf courses they can find.
We pored over more than 1 million reviews at Golf Advisor to uncover the most difficult public golf courses according to you, our reviewer community. When you write a review, one of the optional fields is "Course Difficulty." There are five choices, and we converted each option (from Extremely Easy to Extremely Difficult) into a numerical rating from 1 to 5 to determine an average difficulty score for each public golf course in the United States.
About 35% of our reviews have a difficulty rating, giving us more than 350,000 ratings dating back to September of 2012. Our community's skill level in golf is pretty reflective of the overall avid, amateur golf population:
The resulting 50 courses include watery southeast courses, undulating mountain courses and tactical desert courses. It's also extremely heavy in the usual architecture suspects: Pete Dye (7), Jack Nicklaus (9) and the Jones family tree (9).
If you've never written a review, we hope you'll join our community. You can get started right here.
Top 50 Toughest Public Golf Courses in the U.S. based on Golf Advisor reviews
-
Farmingdale, N.Y.
Yardage: 7,465 | Slope/Rating: 77.5/155
Architect: A.W. Tillinghast
What they're saying: "There is a mystique that can’t be defined about this course, but it’s always fun to try and describe it over a beer in the clubhouse after the last putt." - shandog31 -
The Colony, Texas
Yardage: 7,084 | Slope/Rating: 75.2/145
Architect: Tripp Davis & Justin Leonard
What they're saying: "There are bunkers and water in play on just about every hole. Many of the drives are intimidating and force you to choose which hazard you're most afraid of. The greens are also well protected, and many of them are small. Of course none of that was any easier with crazy wind." - toothysaw2 -
Gaylord, Mich.
Yardage: 7,028| Slope/Rating: 147/74.8
Architect: Robert Trent Jones Sr.
What they're saying: " The view around the course is off the charts. The 5th hole par 5 may be the hardest hole in Michigan." -silguezi -
French Lick, Ind.
Yardage: 8,102 | Slope/Rating: 80.0/148
Architect: Pete Dye
What they're saying: "It challenges your eye. It provokes a little self-pity. The greens are almost impossible. It brings out your 'left brain' creative self." - dwayneham -
Acme, Mich.
Yardage: 7,078 | Slope/Rating: 76.1/150
Architect: Jack Nicklaus
What they're saying: "Wide open fairways with difficult, technical approaches. Though missing the fairway will put you in a mogul filled rough (almost certainly a challenging lie). Hazards come into play on most holes." - Jonathon4403245 -
La Quinta, Calif.
Yardage: 7,300 | Slope/Rating: 82.5/154
Architect: Pete Dye![Nicklaus Tournament at PGA West - La Quinta, CA]()
FROM $177 (USD)PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy 4 nights' accommodations at La Quinta Resort & Club and 4 rounds of golf at Stadium and Nicklaus Tournament Courses at PGA WEST, and Indian Wells Celebrity Course and Players Courses.What they're saying: "Stadium you face more than usual amounts of water plus huge, deep sand traps as tough obstacles. Throw in the typical Pete Dye moguls and you have a layout that is among the toughest I play." - nickesquire
-
Pound Ridge, N.Y.
Yardage: 7,165 | Slope/Rating: 75.9/148
Architect: Pete Dye
What they're saying: "Definitely not a course for inexperienced golfers. Course and fairways are very narrow ... A few holes you really have to drive ahead in your cart to figure out your next shot." - kvlad -
Yardage: 7,554 | Slope/Rating: 78.0/153
Architect: Dick Wilson, Rees Jones
What they're saying: " The closing stretch just does not let up. Coming into the house on those final holes, it's awfully easy to see a good round fall completely apart." - caknox1 -
Sheboygan, Wisc.
Yardage: 7,790| Slope/Rating: 77.2/152
Architect: Pete Dye
What they're saying: "Oh the Straits course what an amazing test of mental toughness throughout a round. This is a course that at some point and time you are going to end up in a horrible spot and just have to take your medicine." - dahlryan -
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Yardage: 7,215| Slope/Rating: 76.4/155
Architect: Pete Dye
What they're saying: "I scored 18 shots higher here than I did at a similarly challenging course (Tobacco Road) just a few days before. To say I was disappointed with how I played would be an understatement but Pete Dye’s diabolical design of this course shoulders at least part of the blame." - Back9Ben -
Pawleys Island, S.C.
Yardage: 7.026 | Slope/Rating: 75.2/150
Architect: Jack Nicklaus
What they're saying: "Course can be challenging and has subtle nuances that playing multiple times would help recognize." - BubDillon -
San Antonio, Texas
Yardage: 7,435 | Slope/Rating: 76.6/145
Architect: Greg Norman
What they're saying: " The course is tough, but sometimes tough can bring out the best. In this case, it brings out the best San Antonio has to offer." - joshsmith12 -
Ellwood City, Pa. | Browse tee times & green fees
Yardage: 7,103 | Slope/Rating: 147/74.3
Architect: Michael Hurdzan & Dana Fry
What they're saying: "Holes 11-18 are a roller coaster ride. Nos. 12-16 are as visually stimulating as they are challenging, and provide a stellar finish to the round." - BrandonWebb -
Sheboygan Falls, Wisc.
Yardage: 7,354| Slope/Rating: 147/76.3
Architect: Jack Nicklaus
What they're saying: "This course does not get the attention of the Kohler courses, but it is a Nicklaus design on an incredible piece of terrain." - bwernecke -
Providence Forge, Va.
Yardage: 7,440 | Slope/Rating: 154/76.8
Architect: Mike Strantz
What they're saying: "Challenging course... generous fairways with punitive rough. Easier to play if you’ve been here before as there are many blind approach shots." - hokeptscs -
Beach Park, Ill.
Yardage: 7,031 | Slope/Rating: 141/74.2
Architect: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
What they're saying: "The course layout is very beautiful and tough, as a first time player I had trouble with what to hit off the tee, and there are many blind shots off the tee." - Wham49 -
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Yardage: 7,045| Slope/Rating: 75.2
Architect: Jack Nicklaus
What they're saying: "What’s a real golf course ? The answer is the champ course, no mercy, no bail out, and tons of risk rewards opportunities!" - crickett -
Arcadia, Mich.
Yardage: 7,300 | Slope/Rating: 75.7/146
Architect: Rick Smith, Warren Henderson
What they're saying: "Easing into the round with a short, benign Par-5, you’re eventually thrust into as demanding a golf course as you will find in Michigan." - BryanTweed16 -
Pebble Beach, Calif.
Yardage: 6,960 | Slope/Rating: 75.4/145
Architect: Robert Trent Jones Sr.
What they're saying: "The first four holes might be the most challenging and beautiful anywhere." - arlene![Monterey Peninsula Championship Courses]()
FROM $1117 (USD)MONTEREY, CA | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at The Lodge at Pebble Beach™ and 4 rounds of golf at Pebble Beach Golf Links™, Spyglass Hill™, Pasatiempo & Bayonet Golf Courses. -
University Place, Wash.
Yardage: 7,791 | Slope/Rating 77.4/145
Architect: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
What they're saying: "The course is very challenging with elevation changes and undulating greens. It is very easy to three putt here." - sooner90 -
Miami, Fla. | Browse green fees and tee times
Yardage: 7,590| Slope/Rating: 146/77.4
Architect: Dick Wilson, Gil Hanse
What they're saying: "Keep it in the fairway as the rough is deceptively hard to find your ball in, and the steepness of the slopes from greens to water makes any shots over or just off the green a surprising lost ball into water or rough!" - phojes10 -
Naples, Fla.
Yardage: 6,949 | Slope/Rating: 147/74.6
Architect: Greg Norman
What they're saying: "The Black course has no rough to speak of, but you have to keep it on the fairways to have any chance for a good round." - Hawkeye124![Tiburon_Gold_09A_1-17.jpg]()
FROM $327 (USD)NAPLES, FL | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples and 2 rounds of golf at Tiburón Golf Club - Gold Course and Black Course. -
Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii
Yardage: 7,310 | Slope/Rating: 153/78.2
Architect: Dick Nugent
What they're saying: "I have a 20 handicap and this was the most challenging course I’ve ever played. Bring at least a dozen balls because you’ll need them...lost 5 balls in the first 4 holes." - Ayeohh22 -
Truckee, Calif.
Yardage: 7,518 | Slope/Rating: 75.5/144
Architect: Jack Nicklaus
What they're saying: "This is one of NorCal’s finest offerings.
Great scenic layout, superbly maintained ... Pin placements were downright wicked. All in all though a great place to play." - Tjahan125 -
Santa Cruz, Calif. | Browse Tee Times and Green Fees
Yardage: 6,500 | Slope/Rating: 141/72.4
Architect: Alister Mackenzie
What they're saying: "There's not a bad hole on the course (even the BRUTALLY long par-3 3rd hole is fairly incredible even as it chews you up and spits you out) and the vibe at the course is perfect." - greebs -
Estero, Fla.
Yardage: 7,393 | Slope/Rating: 153/77.6
Architect: Jack Nicklaus
What they're saying: "One of the more visually mind challenging courses you'll play but still fair ... Needed a sports psychologist after the first 9 the first time I played it, but had troubles keeping it in play." - Meego -
Asheboro, N.C.
Yardage: 6,543| Slope/Rating: 138/72.5
Architect: Mike Strantz
What they're saying: "The elevation changes off the tee box are dramatic as you fire your tee shot through a chute of trees to generous fairways that seem to funnel the ball into play." - StoicGolfer -
Glencoe, Ala.
Yardage: 7,456| Slope/Rating: 146/75.9
Architect: Robert Trent Jones Sr.
What they're saying: "As is usual with a RTJ set-up, there are very few flat spots on the green and almost all putts break one way or the other or both ways." - KJH88 -
West Lafayette, Ind.
Yardage: 7,456 | Slope/Rating: 146/76.5
Architect: Pete Dye
What they're saying: "Kampen is next to the perfect Indiana golf course. This is Pete Dye in all of his glory. I've played it twice now, and I've had my lunch eaten both times I've played it." - HoosierHacker89 -
Durham, N.C.
Yardage: 7,154 | Slope/Rating: 141/73.9
Architect: Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones
What they're saying: "All you can eat from the back, but don't let the first couple of holes scare you. Lots of variety of shots and plenty of birdies in the middle of the course." - jnjordan3 -
Grand Junction, Colo.
Yardage: 7,007 | Slope/Rating: 137/72.7
Architect: Jim Engh
What they're saying: "Played it again for the first time in several years and I forgot how hard it was! Bring your "A" game on or around the greens, you are going to need it!" - crangel -
Marana, Ariz.
Yardage: 7,849 | Slope/Rating: 141/77.1
Architect: Jack Nicklaus
What they're saying: "The layout, it (is) very well thought out. I enjoy desert courses that reward shot placement so this course suited me in that way ... I really enjoyed the challenge of golf management on this course." - MMarlinS -
Bernardston, Mass.
Yardage: 7,007 | Slope/Rating: 141/73.8
Architect: Robert Trent Jones Sr., Roger Rulewich
What they're saying: "Several challenging over water holes and very long par 5s ... Overall great course." - mailman123 -
Canton, Ohio
Yardage: 7,015 | Slope/Rating: 139/74.0
Architect: Brian Huntley
What they're saying: "Having knowledge going into the round is a must as there are some blind tee shots and knowing how far you can or can't hit it is a huge help." GubJr -
Clio, Calif.
Yardage: 7,015 | Slope/Rating: 139/72
Architect: Robin Nelson
What they're saying: "If you can hit precise and long shots like a single digit h-cap and also fade the ball off the tee you can score. If not, it will be a long day. Approx 12 tee shots need very straight or fade shot." - SteveLaf -
Erin, Wisc.
Yardage: 7,735 | Slope/Rating: 145/77.9
Architect: Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry, Ron Whitten
What they're saying: "The fact that I had to take a few seconds to truly think about what shot I wanted to play and how to play it made Erin Hills the best course I have ever played." - Iamdiesel18 -
Alpharetta, Ga.
Yardage: 7,558| Slope/Rating: 77.2/149
Architect: Rees Jones
What they're saying: "Very tough layout that plays longer than the yardage on the card ... Some blind approaches to greens, especially on the very hilly back nine." - billbowerman -
Silvis, Ill. | Browse green fees and tee times
Yardage: 7,066 | Slope/Rating: 142/74.8
Architect: PGA Tour Design Services
What they're saying: "The course conditions were outstanding. The greens were so smooth and like glass and definitely difficult to read. (Coolest thing I've seen having the green speed on the starter's table) The rough was LUSH. Wow, it was tough." - dahlryan -
Sanford, N.C.
Yardage: 6,557 | Slope/Rating: 72.5/145
Architect: Mike Strantz
What they're saying: "The course is chock full of sandy waste areas, hills, and visually intimidating shots with blind approaches to greens. But I think it's far more visually intimidating than actually difficult." - DenisDotson -
Pebble Beach, Calif.
Yardage: 7,075 | Slope/Rating: 148/75.9
Architect: Jack Neville, Chandler Egan
What they're saying: "We had an absolutely wonderful caddie (Bill - Scottish guy from St Andrews!). It was very windy but hey, that's part of what you sign up for there. It was a perfect experience in every way." - frankiedino -
Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii
Yardage: 7,596 | Slope/Rating: 77.0/144
Architect: Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw
What they're saying: "Trade winds so much fun, layout imagination is second to none and the architect gives you room to negotiate the tricky wind and incredible hills you will encounter." - JMarkH![Kapalua Resort Plantation Course - Hole 18]()
FROM $577 (USD)MAUI | Enjoy 4 nights' accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and 3 rounds of golf at the newly refined Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, Kapalua Resort Bay Course, and King Kamehameha Golf Club. -
Kiawah Island, S.C.
Yardage: 7,356 | Slope/Rating: 144/77.3
Architect: Pete Dye
What they're saying: "I believe the secret to enjoying a course like this is not only the weather, getting a caddie who knows the course, and playing from the right tees. I scored the lowest score I have ever scored in competition to prove the point." - Bill2290371 -
Bandon, Ore.
Yardage: 6,663 | Slope/Rating: 73.0/142
Architect: Tom Doak
What they're saying: "You can hit most fairways without much trouble, but you need to put your tee shot in a spot that'll set you up with a good shot at the green." - noahjurik -
Sunriver, Ore.
Yardage: 7,636 | Slope/Rating: 145/76.5
Architect: Bob Cupp
What they're saying: " You cross the Deschutes River on over half the holes with a backdrop of Mount Bachelor and Pulina Peak. The beauty of this course is spectacular, and the golf course design is as good as you will find." - cjohnson06 -
Yardage: 7,201| Slope/Rating: 141/75.1
Architect: Jack Nicklaus
What they're saying: "The wind off the ocean makes this course very challenging. Gotta have a low stinger in your bag on some shots." - PROLWING -
Hilton Head Island, S.C. | Browse tee times and green fees
Yardage: 7,099| Slope/Rating: 148/75.6
Architect: Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus
What they're saying: " Very tight course with tree lined fairways, but fair. You just can’t hit a huge slice or hook." - ishot73 -
Mesquite, Nev.
Yardage: 6,939 | Slope/Rating: 154/75.4
Architect: Denis & John Rider
What they're saying: "Tight layout but holes largely separated by canyons. Layout was fair. Not a tricked out target golf course, you just need to clear a mini Grand Canyon to reach the fairway." - Wllywnka -
Fort McDowell, Ariz.
Yardage: 7,225 | Slope/Rating: 138/73.4
Architect: Scott Miller
What they're saying: "Cholla is shorter but requires more precise shots and club selection. Course knowledge is very helpful here." - hacksalot03![We-Ko-Pa Golf Club - Cholla Course Hole #2]()
-
Somerset, Wisc.
Yardage: 6,909 | Slope/Rating: 131/74.1
Architect: Joel Goldstrand
What they're saying: "One of the hardest courses I’ve ever played ... Somehow this course has every aspect of the game. Fescue, actual rough, seemingly welcoming fairways, water, and elevation." - seyi0960 -
Selbyville, Del.
Yardage: 7,525 | Slope/Rating: 148/76.4
Architect: Jack Nicklaus
What they're saying: 'Not one of the easier courses to play. Well protected greens.
Fairway bunkers ask you to think your shot through. Pack an extra.ball or two. The water features don't give much back." - Book1073489
Royal New Kent #15 on the hardest list. A friend, my wife and myself played there 9.1.23 we were in awe at the toughness. Mark and I played it well. He had 2 birdies. And I eagled the 16th from 191 out. We both broke 100. Mark at 95 and myself an 82 w only 1 lost ball. Loved the course. Made us think.
I have played Bethpage Black twice and there is nothing that I have seen or played that is as tough. Every shot is dramatic and demanding. Most tough courses have the greens as the toughest part. At Bethpage you are not going to have your worries about 3 putting. The tee ball will have you thinking double bogey from the outset
Wolf Creek in Mesquite, NV is the toughest course I have played on this list. Almost each hole is in its own canyon.
The second time I played it we played from the white tees and it was a little easier.
They do have warning signs that only expert golfers should play from the blue tees.
Even though I am a ten handicap, I should have heeded the warning.
Great River Golf Club - CT definitely up there as well. ... pound ridge is monster in difficulty FROM THE TIP compare to Bethpage BLACK
Other than Bethpage Black....how about some courses for the rest of the world.....?
You need to be a trust fund baby to afford to play any of these.....Pebble....Spyglass...Bandon Dunes....?
C'mom.....
Old America (#2 on the list) is definitely affordable.
Try the Irish course at Whistling Straits....While not as many views of Lake Michigan, it is ALL you want in a Dye course at half the price...Fabulous.
Sorry ... The Quarry is not even the toughest course in Ohio and it’s probably not the toughest in Stark County. You have lost some credibility with your rankings.
Agree. Not sure how that appeared. I think Boulder Creek in Streetsboro, OH and Northstar in Columbus, OH are more difficult for sure.
Did you play from the tips?
I've played 7 of the courses on this list and 2 of the top-10 and I don't believe any of those are as difficult as Coyote Springs 1 hour north of Las Vegas. I average shooting 4 1/2 points over my 9 handicap there- and that's discounting the triple bogies and worse that don't figure into my posted scores. It's brawny, wide fairways seldom leave you flat lies, the approaches are treacherous, 12 holes have water in play and the greens are a hair's breadth away from having a clown mouth and a windmill. But it's also just flat gorgeous, perfectly maintained and an absolute treat to play. Even from the 6200 yard white tees it's a 70.6 rating and 139 slope. Masochists welcome.
Just played Pawleys Plantation last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the course. Very challenging layout - the last 5 holes are brutal, but offer incredible views. Would highly recommend this course to anyone looking for a challenge in the South Myrtle to Pawleys Island location.
Not sure what the single digit handicap golfer was drinking when he posted that the Red and Blue courses at Bethpage were better tracks, but that is simply ludicrous. Now the Red is a very nice layout and usually well maintained, but by no means is it as good a layout as the Black course. It's not just the rough that makes the Black course special, it's the elevation changes, the undulation and speed of the greens, the length and the contours of the course! Now I haven't played many of the other courses on the list, but as I moved down the list I fully expected the Black course to be in the top 5! I would have added the Keile course in Kauai to the list as well.