5 of the Hardest Holes in Golf

Sometimes, when they see the casual way that golfers stroll or ride from hole to hole chatting pleasantly and enjoying the scenery, people can come under the mistaken impression that golf is an easy game. And although there are certainly times when you catch a break and end up with a shot that a toddler could make, the truth is that for a game that allows for things like mulligans, gimmies and indentured club-carrying servitude, golf can be really, really hard.

Don’t believe us? Well, sit back and enjoy our list of the five most difficult holes from around the world. These are the kind of places that will make you wish you were playing a friendly game of rugby.

16th Hole at Cypress Point, Pebble Beach, Calif.

To start off, let’s consider a hole that forces you to drive your ball over a water trap 231 yards to reach the green. Doesn’t sound so bad? Well, that water trap we mentioned is actually the Pacific Ocean. And although there really shouldn’t be any difference between hitting your ball over a pond and hitting it over the body of water that separates the Old World from the New World, the psychological aspect of hearing the surf crash all around you as you prepare to tee off is somewhat off-putting.

Oh, and even if you manage to keep your ball out of Davy Jones’ locker, there is still the matter of the several bunkers that guard the hole itself. Better hope you don’t have high blood pressure.

17th Hole at TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

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People like to refer to the 17th hole as the "Island Green." They’re being melodramatic. In fact, the hole isn’t actually on an island at all. Rather, it’s located on a peninsula made from a small, roughly circular patch of green, almost completely surrounded by water on all sides, connected to the "mainland" by a bridge of soil that’s so narrow you could practice your tightrope-walking skills while walking out to finish off a putt.

Of course, that’s assuming you even make it onto the green; with swirling winds, and even the occasional meddling seagull, getting to stand on that famous green is a privilege that some never get to experience.

19th Hole at Legend Golf & Safari Resort, Limpopo, South Africa

As the 19th hole in a game that usually consists of only 18, this little excursion was thrown together by course designers for the sake of novelty—assuming that impossible shots and mind-bending aggravation are considered novel.

This hole would be more difficult if it were to force you to drop your ball from orbit, but not by much. The hole does the next best thing and forces you to tee off from the literal top of a nearby mountain. The idea is to drive the ball all the way down onto a green shaped like the African continent.

If you don’t make it on your first shot, don’t worry. You can probably hire a guide to help you cut through the wilderness and locate your ball.

18th Hole at Riviera, Pacific Palisades, Calif.

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Many Los Angeles golf courses seem more concerned with comfort and beautiful scenery than with difficulty. That is not the case with the final hole at Pacific Palisades. There are no turns and no water hazards; just a straight, long shot up to an area that isn’t even visible from the tee.

Then, assuming you even make it this far, you have to hit it uphill again from a hanging lie to reach a narrow green surrounded by sand traps. If Sisyphus from Greek mythology were to be punished today, instead of having him roll a boulder up a mountain over and over, the gods would just force him to play this hole a few times.

18th Hole at Whistling Straits, Mosel, Wis.

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When viewed from above, Whistling Straits looks like a really friendly version of a World War I battlefield. It has beautiful trees, rolling hills, and what appears to be massive craters and trenches stretching all along the course.

The 18th hole is one that has shattered the dreams of many promising golfers, forcing players to try for an incredibly long drive over and through numerous hallows, bluffs and bunkers. Of course, you can try to take the long way around, but it will cost you in strokes.

Oh, and considering that the course is located directly off of Lake Michigan, you can bet that strong winds will be happy to throw your meticulously aimed shot well off course. They don’t call it “whistling” for nothing.

You can follow Phil Oscarson at @philoscarson or read more of his posts at GolfZing.com.