Golf Advisor is counting down the 50 most difficult golf courses in the United States according to your reviews. To view Nos. 50-26 as well as how we determined the courses, click here.
Top 25 toughest U.S. golf courses
Cherry Hill, N.J.
Yardage: 6,528 | Slope/rating: 138/71.9
Architect: William S. Flynn, Rees Jones, Ron Forse
What they're saying: "Long rough, narrow fairways and well bunkered greens. The course favors right handed golfer hitting a draw." - bambiklr
Kiawah Island, S.C.
Yardage: 7,356 | Slope/Rating: 144/77.3
Architect: Pete Dye
What they're saying: "You'd better bring your a game when you play this challenging course." - DukeSams
Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Yardage: 7,110 | Slope/rating: 148/75.6
Architect: Jack Nicklaus, Pete/Alice Dye
What they're saying: "Excellent design tight varied and hard! This is as challenging as it gets don’t let the lack of overall distance fool you. Lots of bunkers and trees. Top notch Dye design." - ThomasGram
French Lick, Ind.
Yardage: 8,102 | Slope/rating: 148/80.0
Architect: Pete Dye
What they're saying: "My score was a good 10-15 shots higher than my hcp. Fun weekend in the land of Larry Legend." - Bigbluenation
Santa Cruz, Calif.
Yardage: 6,521 | Slope/rating: 143/72.4
Architect: Alister MacKenzie
What they're saying: "This is a great and very challenging golf course. It makes you think about every shot and placement of shots is key." - ngaudreau
20. Pinehurst No. 2
Pinehurst, N.C.
Yardage: 7,588 | Slope/rating: 138/76.5
Architect: Donald Ross
What they're saying: " This isn't a course for novices. You don't have to be single digit, but you do need to be able to stop the ball on these upside-down saucer-like Donald Ross greens." - MikeBaileyGA, Golf Advisor Staff
San Ramon, Calif.
Yardage: 6,861 | Slope/rating: 144/74.3
Architect: Johnny Miller, Robert Muir Graves
What they're saying: "The Bridges is a very challenging course with forced carries and many ravines off the fairways. Some par 4s in the wind were very difficult for me to reach in two." - 55madman
Alpharetta, Ga.
Yardage: 7,558 | Slope/Rating: 154/77.8
Architect: Rees Jones
What they're saying: "If you have a single digit handicap this is the place for you. If you have a high handicap you might want to buy some balls in the pro shop." - Mobley82
Pound Ridge, N.Y.
Yardage: 7,165 | Slope/Rating: 150/76.0
Architect: Pete Dye, Perry Dye
What they're saying: "One of the toughest courses I have played… This course is very tight with little room for error. There are a number of blind shots and forced carries (200+ yards)." - USGolfWu
Ellwood City, Pa.
Yardage: 7,103 | Slope/Rating: 148/74.2
Architect: Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry
What they're saying: "The 140+ slope on all of the first three sets of tees is no joke. Even the front-most tees play to a 127 and 132 respectively; so there is challenge no matter what tees you choose to play." - Sorenj,Local Golf Advisor
Meadow Vista, Calif.
Yardage: 7,144 | Slope/Rating: 139/75.1
Architect: Robert Trent Jones Sr., Robert Trent Jones Jr.
What they're saying: "This course is NOT for beginners. A treasure in the hills of Auburn." - AFCMinistries
Kohler, Wisc.
Yardage: 7,404
Slope/Rating: 151/76.2
Architect: Pete Dye
What they're saying: "The holes are named: Burial Mounds; Made in Heaven (which is); Cathedral Spires and Unter Der Linden are but a few." - Caknox1
Palm Coast, Fla.
Yardage: 7,776 | Slope/Rating: 150/78.2
Architect: Tom Watson
What they're saying: "With water on half the holes and some challenging bunkers, it's a terrific test. Word of warning here, don’t play too far back because long approach shots can make for a long day. This is a really good test of golf and plenty enjoyable." - Mike Bailey, Golf Advisor Staff
Pensacola, Fla.
Yardage: 6,801 | Slope/Rating: 145/73.9
Architect: Arnold Palmer
What they're saying: "When you make a par on any hole here, you know you've done something. If you hit it crooked, bring plenty of golf balls." - Shragmagtite
Daniels, W.V.
Yardage: 7,122 | Slope/Rating: 149/75.1
Architect: Ault, Clark & Associates
What they're saying:"If you have never broken 100, this course would be very frustrating and you would lose a ton of balls. Course has deep traps (with eyebrows), punishing rough, forced carries of over 100 yds… It is a real test of your golf skill." - NWertz
San Antonio
Yardage: 7,435 | Slope/Rating: 148/76.5
Architect: Greg Norman, Sergio Garcia
What they're saying: "There are some devilish pin positions out there, and there really isn't an easy approach shot on the course." - BrandonTuckerGA
Southwick, Mass.
Yardage: 7,174 | Slope/Rating: 139/75
Architect: Damian Pascuzzo
What they're saying: "This is a shotmakers course, and the greens were in great shape! The course has a lot of heather, so make sure you bring enough balls." - Houseman06
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Yardage: 7,215 | Slope/Rating: 155/76.8
Architect: Pete Dye
What they're saying: "This course is NOT your home course and will kick your butt. I ended up with a disappointing 91 but loved every minute of the challenge." Kirk5986734
Farmingdale, N.Y.
Yardage: 7,468 | Slope/rating: 152/78.1
Architect: A.W. Tillinghast
What they're saying: "You know what you're getting here...go with proper expectations, expect to take 6 hours, expect to have your golf game made to look like a beginner's, and expect to feel beat up when you leave." JohnKMoore1
La Quinta, Calif.
Yardage: 7,300 | Slope/Rating: 150/76.1
Architect: Pete Dye
What they're saying: "Beautiful course. Extremely difficult. Bring your A game. Practice your bunker play well before you get there. You will need it." John8581872
West Lafayette, Ind.
Yardage: 7,465 | Slope/rating: 146/76.5
Architect: Pete Dye
What they're saying: "All the classic Pete Dye hallmarks are there. Pick the right tee box, and stay in the sometimes narrow fairway. If you don't, most holes have tall/thick rough, water, and/or sand traps waiting to collect your ball." DrOldSchool, Local Golf Advisor
Jaffrey, N.H.
Yardage: 6,764 | Slope/Rating: 153/73.5
Architect: Brian Silva
What they're saying: "Very tight fairways, lots of forced carries and smallish greens make you think your way around this course." MCrowder714
Panama City Beach, Fla.
Yardage: 7,159 | Slope/Rating: 152/76.0
Architect: Tom Fazio
What they're saying: "This is a big-boy golf course. Take advantage of the par 5s and the par 3s, because the par 4s ar Camp Creek are burly." BrandonWebb, Local Golf Advisor
Kaneohe, Hawaii
Yardage: 7,310 | Slope/Rating: 153/78.2
Architect: Dick Nugent
What they're saying: "I've played some tough courses before, but this course was the toughest by far!!! Loved the course, bring extra balls or play smart & use the drop areas!!!" BaileyDe
Sheboygan, Wisc.
Yardage: 7,790| Slope/rating: 152/77.2
Architect: Pete Dye
What they're saying: "This is the hardest golf course I’ve ever played, and as a Top 100 list chaser, I’ve played some brutes." - BrandonWebb, Local Golf Advisor
Chambers Bay. The course will beat you to death.... long, strong, uphill undulating wicked fast greens and over 7 mile walk if you keep in the fairway..
I think Poppy Hills near Pebble Beach from the tips is the most difficult course I've ever played.
Hey! I was Searching for some golf courses to arrange a surprise visit for my Husband on this Valentine day....& your post popped up...
I am considering among- 1. Black Course at Bethpage State Park, 2. Kampen Course at Purdue Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex & 3. Camp Creek Golf Club.
Let's see what happens next...
However, you can read my blog here: https://golfshub.com/best-golf-iron-sets-for-the-money/
Thanks anyway...
Cheers
Daisy
Have played the Shattuck many times ,and yes it's tough but beautiful as well.
One mistake and your looking at a triple bogey..
It's a challenge I guess that's why I kept going back or maybe crazy. .in any event if your in Jaffrey NH ,make a tee time ,and bring plenty of bullets.
Steve E
Not sure why Concession in Bradenton is not on this list. Slope 155 makes it almost unplayable by the novice golfer.
trump philly, was pine hill. thought was harder than the black course
lived in Hawaii many years, played Koolau golf club. The first time I lost 20 balls. the second time I cut it down to six. This course is not for seniors or high handicappers
I find the Bull just north of Whistling Straits and Black Wolf Run which are on this list to be pretty
difficult.
although I have not played many in the top 50 list, but a few, try Rainmakers Golf Club in Alto, New Mexico. This one can be brutal.. they call it the " Painmakers ".
I have to think Tobacco Road is much tougher than Tot Hill Farm in the Pinehurst-Asheboro area. Tot Hill Farm is an artistic beauty. Tobacco Road has several blind shots, target golf areas and lots of sand and some amazingly small greens. At Grand Traverse Resort in Michigan, Jack Nicklaus' The (unbearable) Bear is far tougher than most of the other listed Michigan courses.