
Full Answer
What are the world’s greatest golf holes?
Cypress Point’s 16th hole (pictured above) is surely one of the world’s greatest golf holes. It opened in 1928, designed by Alister MacKenzie, the man behind Augusta, as well as Robert Hunter. Just like its neighbouring Pebble Beach, it plays along the jagged coast line along the Pacific Ocean.
Are there any 9-hole golf courses in the United States?
“I’ve been fascinated with 9-hole courses since growing up at Goose Run GC, on the U.S. Navy submarine base in Groton, Conn.,” says golf coach Mike Dutton, whose specialty is researching niners in the U.S. (at last count he’d identified 277 of them in New England alone) and the UK.
What are the most difficult holes on a golf course?
If you’re someone who gets first tee jitters, or you take some time to get into the swing of things, this hole isn’t going to do you any favors. The 1 st hole at the Oakmont Country Club is a par four and 485 yards. It’s regarded to be one of the most difficult holes in North America. The course has 210 deep bunkers that trip people up.
What are the most picturesque golf courses in the world?
Cypress Point in California is regarded to be one of the most picturesque golf courses on the planet. Those who play this course won’t be able to help marveling at the stunning scenery.

Where is the world's largest golf course complex?
Mission Hills ShenzhenMission Hills Shenzhen is a twelve course 18-hole course golf resort, located in the town of Guanlan (觀瀾) in Shenzhen, between the cities of Shenzhen and Dongguan. It is accredited as the world's largest golf facility by the Guinness World Records in 2004, surpassing the Pinehurst Resort in the United States.
What is the largest golf course in the world?
From the tips, Erin Hills -- the site of this year's U.S. Open -- spans over 7,800 yards.
Which golf club has the most courses?
Mission Hills Shenzhen, home to 12 golf courses, overtook Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina in 2004 as the world's largest golf resort. Its developers then built a sister property on Hainan Island with 10 more courses.
How many 9 hole golf courses are there in the US?
3,777 nine-hole golfThe nine-hole version thrived for most of the history of golf in the U.S. in fact, until 1974, there were more nine-hole golf facilities in the U.S. than 18 holers. Currently, there are 3,777 nine-hole golf course in the U.S., which accounts for about 26% of the total supply (NGF).
What is the longest golf drive ever recorded?
515 yardsMike Austin holds the world record for the longest drive in professional play, driving 515 yards at the Winterwood Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1974, blasting it 65 yards past the flag on the par-4 fifth. His golf swing, known as The Mike Austin Swing, is practiced and taught by current golf professionals.
Where is the longest golf hole located?
1. 3rd at Gusan Country Club, South Korea – 1,097 Yards (1,003m) We remain in Asia to find the longest golf hole in the world and the only one that totals above 1,000 yards – the iconic third at Gunsan Country Club in South Korea, a par 7 hole which measures an awesome 1,097 yards.
What is considered the golf capital of the world?
More golf courses than anywhere in the world! More Golf Courses in One Place than Anywhere in the World!
What is regarded as the best golf course in the world?
St Andrews Old Course. It would be impossible to compile a list of the best golf courses, in Scotland and the world, and not include the Old Course at St Andrews. By far and away the most iconic course on the planet, you can feel how special the place is the moment you set foot in town.
Which is the hardest golf course in the world?
World's 10 toughest golf coursesCarnoustie Golf Links, Dundee, Scotland. ... Whistling Straits, Kohler, Wisconsin, United States. ... Palm Course, Saujana Golf Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ... Bethpage Black, New York, United States. ... Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. ... Le Touessrok Golf Course, Ile aux Cerfs, Mauritius.More items...•
How many golf courses are there in the world?
According to a survey by the National Golf Foundation, golf is now played in 206 of 251 countries and dependent territories. That includes a nine-hole course on Christmas Island. Around 82 percent of the world's countries have golf courses, totaling more than 38,000.
How many PGA courses are there?
All told, there are 23 PGA Tour courses you can play, including multiple courses associated with several different events.
How many golf courses are 18 holes in the US?
That's just over half the amount in the USA which is home to a whopping 16,752, 43% of the world's supply. In second place in Europe is Germany, with a total below half of that in England, at 1,050 golf courses. France are 3rd with 804, Sweden 4th with 662 and Scotland in 5th with 614 golf courses.
Why are golf holes so famous?
There are a variety of reasons a golf hole has become famous over the years. Great players may have produced great moments on them, they could be famed for their difficulty, they could have huge historical significance, they could be famed for their design and beauty, or they could simply have a great name!
What is the hardest golf hole in the world?
The Road Hole, 17th, St Andrews. Perhaps the most famous hole in all of golf, the 17th at St Andrews is called the Road hole and is also one of the hardest golf holes on the Open calendar. The tee shot is like no other as you hit over the hotel and if you have been skilled enough to find the fairway you then have to navigate the road, ...
What is the name of the hole in Lahinch?
The two most famous holes at Lahinch are classic Old Tom Morris. The par-5 4th – The Klondyke – at first snakes through the dunes before serving up a blind second shot over them, while the 5th – Dell – takes ‘blind’ to another level, a short par 3 to a long shallow green sandwiched between 30ft dunes front and back.
What is the 18th hole in golf known for?
Famous for being one of the most difficult finishing holes in golf, the 18th at Carnoustie is perhaps best known for the mis-haps of Jean Van De Velde at the 1999 Open Championship.
What are the most famous holes in Augusta National?
Augusta National regularly tops lists of the most famous courses in the world and the most famous holes on the course have to be 11, 12 and 13, collectively known as Amen Corner. All three holes have the ability to ruin a players chances at a Green Jacket but if played well, a player can leap up the leaderboard.
What is the name of the golf course that hosts the RBC Heritage every year?
18th, Harbour Town. A course that hosts the RBC Heritage every year on the PGA Tour, Harbour Town is one of Dye’s most recognisable designs, especially the 18th hole with its famous lighthouse.
Which hole is the shortest in the Royal Troon?
Postage Stamp, 8th, Royal Troon. Martin Ebert may have made changes to the course fairly recently but golfers everywhere will be delighted that the 8th hole – the world-renowned Postage Stamp – has remained the shortest on the Open rota. But as many will testify, it’s most definitely not the easiest.
When did farmers come together to make a golf course in South Africa?
Expert’s take: A community golf course in every sense of the word, local farmers came together in the late 90s to clear the land to make what is now one of South Africa’s finest 9-hole courses.
Where is Domburgsche Golf Club?
Domburgsche Golf Club, Domberg, Netherlands (Charles Warren/1914) Expert’s Take: One of the oldest links courses in The Netherlands, situated in the narrow dunes of the province Zealand.
Who built the dunes?
In a roundabout way, this Dick Nugent design on sandy, scrubby ground had enormous influence on the post-Bandon golf world. Mike Keiser built The Dunes, an early sign that he was a visionary.
Is the 9 hole golf course a must play?
Expert’s take: This special 9-holer is a must-play. Neither long, nor wide, wayward shots likely strike ancient Redwoods, yet these giants of the forest provide enchantment and awe and absolutely make this course unique. It’s as if Alister MacKenzie decided to grace golfers with the mating of an intimate walk-in-the-woods and an escape from reality.
No. 17 at TPC Sawgrass (Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida)
How could we lead off with anything else? The 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass easily ranks among the most recognizable in the entire sport, thanks to its high-risk tee shot. This par 3 is only 133 yards from the farthest tee box to the green, but it’s all water between them.
No. 7 at Pebble Beach Golf Links (Monterey, California)
Speaking of extremely short holes, No. 7 at Pebble Beach is maybe the most intimidating wedge shot many golfers will ever hit. This par 3 measures just 106 yards from the tee box and features a 40-foot drop from there to the green, meaning it plays even shorter.
No. 18 at Pebble Beach Golf Links (Monterey, California)
Pebble Beach has been called the best public golf course in the United States by many, with its natural beauty being just one of the many hallmarks. As such, the course is home to several world-famous holes, with this being arguably the most famous finisher in the sport. No.
No. 12 at Augusta National Golf Club (Augusta, Georgia)
If one single course can rival Pebble Beach as America’s most famous golf venue, it’s Augusta National. The home of The Masters has several all-time classic holes, and No. 12 is right up there with any of them because of its deceiving difficulty and sheer beauty.
No. 13 at Augusta National Golf Club (Augusta, Georgia)
You’ll find framed shots of the par-5 13th hole at Augusta on the walls of many golf-lovers because it is a true icon of the game. Some have ranked “Azalea” among the most beautiful holes in the world — which is tough to argue with — and many have remarked on its design, which has evolved slightly over time.
No. 3 at Oakmont Country Club (Oakmont, Pennsylvania)
Mention the “Church Pews” to most golf fans and they’ll know exactly what you’re talking about. These iconic bunkers at Oakmont Country Club are maybe the most famous sand traps in American golf, and you get your first view of them at No. 3.
No. 6 at Bay Hill Club (Orlando, Florida)
Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill is one of Central Florida’s regular stops on the PGA Tour, and No. 6 presents a devilish temptation. The hole is a 555-yard par 5 that features a massive lake between the tee box and waiting green.
What is the best golf course in the world?
Pebble Beach in California is renowned for being home to one of the best golf courses in the world. People flock to Pebble Beach from around the world in order to try and conquer the challenging course. The 6 th hole in particular is seriously tough. The hole has coastal dunes, fairway bunkers and a sloping green.
Which country has the best golf course?
The UK has some of the best golf courses in the world. Southport would claim it has the best. You’d be hard-pressed to disagree. The Royal Birkdale in Southport is a massive course, and the 6 th, which is a par five at 488 yards is one of the biggest and toughest to conquer.
How many yards is the 8th hole at Pebble Beach?
The 8 th hole at Pebble Beach is a par 4 and is 428 yards.
How many bunkers are there in Oakmont Country Club?
The 1 st hole at the Oakmont Country Club is a par four and 485 yards. It’s regarded to be one of the most difficult holes in North America. The course has 210 deep bunkers that trip people up. Two of them are on the first, bordering the fairway. But the green is the most difficult aspect of this hole.
How many yards is the 12th hole at Augusta National?
The 12 th hole at the Augusta National is a par 3. It’s just 155 yards. Hearing that, you may be thinking what’s all the fuss about? But you golfers out there will know that the shortest don’t necessarily mean they’ll be easier.
How many yards is the par 4 hole in the world?
This is a massive par four at 495 yards. The likes of Stephen Gallacher and Bruce Sorley have professed that this hole gives them nightmares, that it’s one of the hardest holes in the world. On the left of the fairway, you’ve got thick rough. But it’s the wind that makes this hole so challenging.
What is the 18th hole at Doral?
The 18 th hole at Doral, Florida, is known as the Blue Monster. That should tell you all you need to know about the difficulty of this hole. It’s a par four, and 473 yards. Even pros find this hole a beast. The last person to make an eagle here was in 2005. Bubba Watson sums up what most people think: it’s an “impossible hole.” People get tripped up on this hole due to the water on the left. There are also trees on the right, and then of course there’re the bunkers. As a finishing hole, it doesn’t get tougher than the 18 th at Doral.
CASTLE STUART GOLF LINKS, SCOTLAND
A great deal has been said about Castle Stuart’s incredible setting and there’s no doubt the views up the Moray Firth to the Kessock Bridge and across it to the Black Isle enhance the experience. But, even if you were to relocate this course to a barren wasteland, the holes themselves would stand up and deliver pure golfing enjoyment.
Pine Valley, New Jersey, USA
The New Jersey course was designed by George Arthur Crump with the help of Harry Colt and then later alterations from A.W. Tillinghast, Hugh Wilson, George C. Thomas Jr and Walter Travis.
Royal County Down, Northern Ireland
Royal County Down is one of the very best courses in Ireland, so good that the traditional links course ranks 1st in Golf Monthly's UK&I Top 100 courses list for 2021/22.
Thracian Cliffs, Bulgaria
On a stunning stretch of Black Sea coastline, Gary Player designed one of the world’s most stunning and uniquely memorable golf courses, a real bucket list golf course. Thracian Cliffs opened for play in 2011 and it quickly earned a reputation for its amazing setting.
Pebble Beach Golf Links, California, USA
Pebble Beach on Monterrey Peninsula has to be up there on the list of real bucket list courses. Golf fans know it well from US Opens, Pebble Beach Pro-Ams and the old Tiger Woods PGA Tour games.
Shiskine, Isle of Arran, Scotland
Many may have heard of the 12-hole jewel at Shiskine on Arran’s west coast, fewer are fully aware of the what the layout delivers in terms of exceptionally natural and rugged golf.
Old Head Golf Links, Ireland
Old Head Golf Links on a peninsula off the south coast of Ireland is without doubt the UK&I's most spectacular setting, in fact it may well be the world's.

1St—Old Course
2Nd—Gamble Sands
3Rd—Old Macdonald
4Th—Spyglass Hill
5Th—Royal Melbourne, West Course
6Th—Riviera
7Th—Pebble Beach
- Only one winner here. Besides another Monterey Peninsula par three that will most likely appear on the back nine of this list, we doubt any golf hole has been photographed, painted, or dreamt about as often as Jack Neville and Douglas Grant’s 106-yard drop-shot at Pebble Beach. The hole looked very different than it does today following Chandler Eg...
8Th—Royal Troon
9Th—Yale