For those seeking golf’s ultimate test, there are plenty of incredibly hard golf courses all over the world. Sometimes it’s the design, and sometimes it’s the conditions that make a course perhaps too challenging. 

As the head golf instructor at Tell Me More Golf, and in this article, I will share our list of the 25 hardest golf courses in the world.

They’re put in an order, but you shouldn’t, for example, say that Augusta is tougher than Kiawah Island, as the difficulty depends on your game, conditions, and much more.

Instead, you should see this as a guide to the hardest golf courses, and not an exact ranking. 

Most Difficult Golf Course in the World

Golfers will have different opinions of what the most difficult course is, as they have different ideas of difficulty and have experienced courses at different times. However, a commonly accepted answer for the most difficult course is Augusta National.

This is where the Masters are played every year, and the things that make this course so extremely challenging are mainly the demanding layout, undulating difficult-to-read greens, and strategically placed bunkers. 

List of the Hardest Golf Courses in the World

Here is TellMeMoreGolf’s list of the 25 hardest golf courses in the world. There are many very challenging courses that didn’t make this list, but these are definitely among the most challenging. 

#1. Augusta National Golf Club 

https://augustacountryclub.co:8443/

$525 Fee, Georgia, USA

Renowned for its challenging greens and strategically placed bunkers, Augusta demands precision and finesse at every hole, making it one of the toughest courses on the planet.

#2. Pine Valley Golf Club

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=113326918677659

Private with no available green fee data, New Jersey, USA

With its dense forests, intimidating bunkers, and undulating greens, Pine Valley pushes golfers to their limits, requiring accuracy off the tee and exceptional short game skills.

#3. Kiawah Island Ocean Course

https://kiawahresort.com/golf/the-ocean-course/

$265 Fee, South Carolina, USA

The oceanfront beauty of Kiawah Island belies the stern test it presents. Strong winds, strategically placed bunkers, and daunting water hazards demand a mix of power, accuracy, and strategic thinking.

#4. Royal County Down Golf Club

https://www.royalcountydown.org/

$420 Fee, Newcastle, Northern Ireland

Nestled amidst towering dunes and unpredictable winds, this links course offers a formidable challenge. The rugged terrain, strategic layout, and pot bunkers demand strategic shot-making and course management.

#5. TPC Sawgrass

https://tpc.com/sawgrass/

$450 Fee, Florida, USA 

Known for its iconic par 3 17th hole, TPC Sawgrass challenges golfers with its demanding layout and water hazards. Precision iron play, accurate driving, and nerves of steel are required to conquer this famous course.

#6. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

https://www.shinnecockhillsgolfclub.org/

$500 Fee, New York, USA

Shinnecock’s fast, undulating greens and demanding fairways, combined with ever-changing wind patterns, pose a relentless challenge. Precision iron play and strategic decision-making are vital on this classic championship course.

#7. Royal Melbourne Golf Club

https://www.royalmelbourne.com.au/

$530 Fee, Melbourne, Australia

This masterpiece of design demands precision and strategy from tee to green. The firm, fast fairways, intricate bunkering, and challenging green complexes make it a true test of skill and course management.

#8. St. Andrews Links (Old Course)

https://standrews.com/golf/courses/old-course

$380 Fee, Fife, Scotland 

The birthplace of golf, St. Andrews’ Old Course features enormous double greens, deep bunkers, and ever-changing wind conditions. Its rich history and challenging design make it an ultimate test of skill.

#9. Carnoustie Golf Links

https://www.carnoustiegolflinks.com/

$380 Fee, Carnoustie, Scotland 

Infamous for its unforgiving rough, strategically placed bunkers, and unpredictable weather, Carnoustie is a true brute. The demanding layout and championship-caliber conditions have humbled the best golfers in the world.

#10. Merion Golf Club

https://www.meriongolfclub.com/Club-Information

$500 Fee, Pennsylvania, USA

Tight fairways, small greens, and strategic bunkering define Merion. Precision and accuracy are paramount, as any wayward shots are punished severely, making it a tough challenge for even the most skilled golfers.

#11. Muirfield Golf Links

https://www.muirfield.org.uk/

$400 Fee, Gullande, Scotland

The subtle challenges of Muirfield lie in its cunningly placed bunkers, treacherous rough, and ever-present winds. Strategic shot-making, course knowledge, and a steady nerve are prerequisites for success here.

#12. Winged Foot Golf Club

https://www.wfgc.org/

$575 Fee, New York, USA 

Winged Foot’s narrow fairways, deep rough, and undulating greens put a premium on accuracy and precision. The penalizing design and relentless challenge have made it a staple of major championship golf.

#13. Oakmont Country Club

https://www.oakmontcc.org/

Private with no available green fee data, Pennsylvania, USA 

Known for its difficult bunkers, lightning-fast greens, and thick rough, Oakmont is a test of mental and physical fortitude. Shot placement and course management are vital on this venerable course.

#14. Valderrama Golf Club

https://www.valderrama.com/

$500 Fee, Sotogrande, Spain

The narrow fairways, dense cork oak trees, and strategic water hazards of Valderrama create a formidable challenge. Accuracy and thoughtful course management are essential to navigate this demanding layout.

#15. Royal Birkdale Golf Club

https://royalbirkdale.com/

$220 Fee, Southport, England 

Situated along the rugged British coastline, Royal Birkdale features deep bunkers, swirling winds, and punishing rough. The combination of links golf and challenging design ensures a true test for any golfer.

#16. Bethpage Black

https://www.bethpagegolfcourse.com/

$80 Fee, New York, USA

Known for its long and demanding layout, punishing rough, and challenging green complexes, Bethpage Black requires power, precision, and sound course management. This public gem is a true challenge for any golfer.

#17. Royal Troon Golf Club

https://www.royaltroon.co.uk/

$430 Fee, Troon, Scotland 

With its almost impossible bunkers, unpredictable weather, and challenging back nine, Royal Troon is a true examination of skill and mental toughness. Shot-making precision and course strategy are an absolute necessity.

#18. Royal Portrush Golf Club

https://www.royalportrushgolfclub.com/

$380 Fee, Antrim, Northern Ireland 

A stunning links course with towering dunes and challenging greens, Royal Portrush demands creative shot-making and impeccable course management. The unpredictable weather adds an extra layer of difficulty.

#19. Carnoustie (Championship Course)

https://www.carnoustiegolflinks.com/

$380 Fee, Carnoustie, Scotland  

Carnoustie’s Championship Course is renowned for its fierce reputation. Thick rough, deep bunkers, and the infamous “Barry Burn” water hazards make it one of the most challenging courses in the world.

#20. Medinah Country Club (Course No. 3)

https://www.medinahcc.org/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp

Private with no available green fee data, Illinois, USA

Medinah’s Course No. 3 boasts long, tree-lined fairways, heavily contoured greens, and well-placed bunkers. Its championship pedigree and demanding design ensure a stern challenge for any golfer.

#21. The Olympic Club (Lake Course)

https://www.olyclub.com/

$100 Fee, California, USA 

The Olympic Club’s Lake Course features narrow fairways, punishing rough, and severely sloped greens. Its demanding nature and championship history have earned it a reputation as a challenging test for professionals.

#22. Trump Turnberry (Ailsa Course)

https://www.turnberry.co.uk/

$510 Fee, South Ayrshire, Scotland

Situated on the rugged Ayrshire coast, Turnberry’s Ailsa Course showcases dramatic seaside vistas and challenging holes. The treacherous bunkers, undulating fairways, and strategic design make it a true gem.

#23. Baltusrol Golf Club (Lower Course)

https://www.baltusrol.org/

$125 Fee, New Jersey, USA 

Known for its long, demanding par 4s and challenging greens, Baltusrol’s Lower Course requires precise ball striking and strategic decision-making. It has been the stage for numerous major championships.

#24. Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club

https://www.royallytham.org/

$380 Fee, Lancashire, England 

This classic links course presents a stern test with its strategic bunkering, dense rough, and tricky wind conditions. Precise shot-making and smart course management are essential to conquer Lytham.

#25. Winged Foot Golf Club (West Course)

https://www.wfgc.org/

$575 Fee, New York, USA 

The West Course at Winged Foot boasts narrow fairways, deep rough, and diabolical greens. It demands accuracy off the tee and exceptional short game skills to navigate its challenging layout.

Hardest Golf Courses in the US Specifically 

In the US specifically, the three hardest golf courses are Augusta National, Pine Valley, and Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course. 

The US is home to most of the world’s most challenging golf courses, as the golfing scene is so prevalent. However, the UK’s courses might often play shorter, but the weather is usually more challenging. 

TellMeMoreGolf.com – Frequently Asked Questions 

Where is the hardest golf course?

People will have different opinions of which golf course is the hardest, but we think it’s Augusta National because of the overall extreme difficulty. There aren’t many things that really stand out, except for the bunkers perhaps, but all in all, the course is extremely hard. 

What is the toughest course in the world?

The golf course that’s the toughest to play depends on your golf game and the circumstances for the round.

However, many experts, including us, believe Royal County Down to be the toughest because of the course’s design combined with the often harsh weather. 

What is the hardest PGA golf course to play at?

Because the PGA Tour doesn’t often play at Augusta, we nominate Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course as the hardest PGA course to play at. 

Why is Augusta so hard?

There are many reasons why Augusta National is so extremely difficult, but mainly the strategically placed bunkers, challenging green complexes, and narrow tree-lined fairways. 

Where is the lowest golf course in the world?

The golf course at the lowest altitude in the world is Furnace Creek. It’s found in California’s Death Valley, and it sits around 214 feet under sea level. 

Conclusion:

In this article, we’ve covered the world’s 25 hardest golf courses. Augusta National took the number one spot because of its overall extreme difficulty. Pine Valley and Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course are also two incredibly challenging courses.
The courses on this list are all very hard, but they’re also amazing, offering the best quality available and beautiful scenery, and as long as you don’t play the toughest tees, you can enjoy them.