Jump to content

America's 20 toughest golf courses


Recommended Posts

  • Replies 43
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

 

No I shouldn't. I'm a 2 handicap. The course rating is much more accurate than slope for me.

 

OK, but not for 90% of the guys on this board. Both numbers are quite useful.

 

In the context of the Golf Digest rankings, course rating is the relevant metric - they evaluate based on how hard a course is for a scratch golfer from the back tees.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pacific Dunes is a joke...it's 6500 yards with decently wide fairways.

 

PV and Spyglass being rated that high is wrong too. Bethpage is the toughest. Should be #1 on any list. Ocean course is only when the wind blows. When it doesn't, it is scoreable. I haven't found a scoreable day on the Black yet.

 

Pound Ridge should be added to that list. Might be the second toughest course I've played.

 

FYI, love your shirts. I own 3 currently. The ladies like the feel (I always have them feel the shirt and then tell them about the recycled water bottles...hehe works)

 

Thank you for your support!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No I shouldn't. I'm a 2 handicap. The course rating is much more accurate than slope for me.

 

OK, but not for 90% of the guys on this board. Both numbers are quite useful.

 

In the context of the Golf Digest rankings, course rating is the relevant metric - they evaluate based on how hard a course is for a scratch golfer from the back tees.

 

That's fine, but in the context of what I (and most golfers on this board) consider toughest, I will look at slope. My 8.7 index means my scores typically range from 80 to 90, so slope is quite appropriate. When I play a new course I always look at slope to determine which tees to play.

 

Maybe there should be two rankings because they would produce different results; rating and slope.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

TCC (Brookline) belongs on this list. Thick long rough and fescue on nearly every hole in addition to the smallest greens make scoring here very tough.

 

TCC is an interesting one, because they have huge discretion over how the course plays. They can water the fescue (unlike most courses, they have computer controlled sprinklers on every square inch of the property - including the rough), double roll the greens, and put the tees way back. They could have that course ready to host an over-par US Open in two weeks.

 

But for member play, they mostly keep it reasonable. Not easy. But not impossible. Most raters see it in this condition (unlike Oakmont or Pine Valley, which are kept at 11 on a scale from 1-10...) and under-rate just how tough the course is on a tournament day.

 

I think if I shot <80 in a tournament on the championship course, I would quit golf, feeling confident that I had totally mastered the game.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd nominate The Quarry @ Giants Ridge in northern Minnesota.

 

Rated at 75.6 with a slope of 146, I think it's difficulty is under rated for several reasons.

 

1 - It's all bent gras and though it's 7201 yds on the card, it plays much longer because it's all carry - little roll. It plays more like 7500 yds IMO.

 

2 - The greens are enormous, allowing the course to be stretched at least 10 yes longer on every hole, making it potentially 7400 yds.

 

3 - The most difficult holes on most courses are the par 4s, and the Quarry sports par 4s of 444, 468, 477, and 486 yds - all carry.

 

4 - It has a 269 yd par 3

 

5 - Big elevation changes make distance judgement difficult.

 

6 - When the Minnesota PGA had it's pro sectional tournament there, half the field failed to break 80, even though some of the holes were played from the middle tees.(Some lady pros participated and yardages were modified on some holes to accommodate them - so the men's distances were affected)

 

It's an absolutely spectacular course and always in immaculate condition - rated at #30 in Golf Digest's Best Public/Resort Courses.

 

Texsport

Mizuno GT180 10.5*/Graphite Design Tour AD IZ 5 X
Tour Edge Exotics CB F2 PRO 15.5* Limited/Speeder 757 EVO 7.1X (Gene Sauers club)
Titleist 915 18*/Fubuki K 80X
Titleist 913 Hybrid 21*/Tour Blue 105X (Matt Jones' club) (OR) TM Burner 4-iron/Aldila RIP 115 Tour S
Wilson Staff V4 5 and 6/Aerotech Fibersteel 110 S
MacGregor PRO M 7-PM/Aldila RIP 115 Tour S
Edel 50*/KBS 610 S
Scratch JMO Grind Don White 56*/DG X-100
Cobra Trusty Rusty Tour 64*/DG S-200
The Cure CX2 putter

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd nominate The Quarry @ Giants Ridge in northern Minnesota.

 

Rated at 75.6 with a slope of 146, I think it's difficulty is under rated for several reasons.

 

1 - It's all bent gras and though it's 7201 yes on the card, it plays much longer because it's all carry - little roll. It plays more like 7500 yds IMO.

 

2 - The greens are enormous, allowing the course to be stretched at least 10 yes longer on every hole, making it potentially 7400 yds.

 

3 - The most difficult holes on most courses are the par 4s, and the Quarry sports par 4s of 444, 468, 477, and 486 yds - all carry.

 

4 - It has a 269 yd par 3

 

5 - Big elevation changes make distance judgement difficult.

 

6 - When the Minnesota PGA had it's pro sectional tournament there, half the field failed to break 80.

 

It's an absolutely spectacular course and always in immaculate condition - rated at #30 in Golf Digest's Best Public/Resort Courses.

 

Texsport

 

I will agree with Texsport here and I've never dared playing the tips. I get it out there pretty good and even the blue tees take a lot out of me. That being said, it's freaking beautiful and I've scored pretty well there but I've felt the penalty side as well! my scores there a few weeks ago were 79-96-76 (blue). It was a good 96:)

 

For those that have played pound ridge is it really as amazing looking as the website makes it out to be? tricked out or not the website makes it look amazing!

 

I have played Hazeltine from the tips and that was extremely taxing. I hit it well, scored sh*tty and if it wasn't the company I was with wouldn't do it over.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

5 - Big elevation changes make distance judgement difficult.

 

This is true and often overlooked.

 

Elevation changes are one of the most misunderstood features of a golf course. Selecting the proper club is a challenge and several factors come into play, such as;

 

- Club loft. Higher lofted clubs are impacted less by both uphill and downhill shots since their trajectory is almost straight down when they drop. Lower lofted clubs are impacted more on both uphill and downhill shots.

 

- Stance. Hitting up to a green from a flat lie is much different than hitting up to a green from an uphill lie. Same for downhill.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Pinehurst #2 is the only course I've played on the OPs list but I thought Dubsdread at Cog Hill was the hardest course I've played. Long, tall rough, every green is elevated and plenty of OB surrounding them. Tiger went 19 under in 2009 to win the BMW Championship with a 62 on Saturday so I guess its not that hard...

 

http://www.golf.com/ap-news/cog-hill-players-happy-about-event-not-course

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Our picks

    • 2024 Valspar Championship WITB Photos (Thanks to bvmagic)- Discussion & Links to Photos
      This weeks WITB Pics are from member bvmagic (Brian). Brian's first event for WRX was in 2008 at Bayhill while in college. Thanks so much bv.
       
      Please put your comments or question on this thread. Links to all the threads are below...
       
       
       
       
      • 31 replies
    • 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #3
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Matt (LFG) Every - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Sahith Theegala - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Cameron putters (and new "LD" grip) - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Bettinardi MB & CB irons - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Bettinardi API putter cover - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Swag API covers - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Golf Pride Reverse Taper grips - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 15 replies
    • 2024 Cognizant Classic - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #1
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #2
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #3
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #4
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Brandt Snedeker - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Max Greyserman - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Eric Cole - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Carl Yuan - WITb - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Russell Henley - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Justin Sun - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alex Noren - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Shane Lowry - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Taylor Montgomery - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jake Knapp (KnappTime_ltd) - WITB - - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Super Stoke Pistol Lock 1.0 & 2.0 grips - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      LA Golf new insert putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Garsen Quad Tour 15 grip - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Swag covers - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jacob Bridgeman's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Bud Cauley's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Ryo Hisatsune's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Chris Kirk - new black Callaway Apex CB irons and a few Odyssey putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alejandro Tosti's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
      • 2 replies
    • 2024 Genesis Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #3
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #4
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Rory McIlroy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Sepp Straka - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Patrick Rodgers - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Brendon Todd - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Denny McCarthy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Corey Conners - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Chase Johnson - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tommy Fleetwood - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Matt Fitzpatrick - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Si Woo Kim - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Viktor Hovland - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Wyndham Clark - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Cam Davis - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Nick Taylor - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Ben Baller WITB update (New putter, driver, hybrid and shafts) – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Vortex Golf rangefinder - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Fujikura Ventus shaft - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods & TaylorMade "Sun Day Red" apparel launch event, product photos – 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods Sun Day Red golf shoes - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Aretera shafts - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Toulon putters - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods' new white "Sun Day Red" golf shoe prototypes – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      • 22 replies
    • 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put and questions or comments here
       
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open - Monday #1
      2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open - Monday #2
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Ben Taylor - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Garrick Higgo - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Billy Horschel - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Justin Lower - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Lanto Griffin - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Bud Cauley - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Corbin Burnes (2021 NL Cy Young) - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Greyson Sigg - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Charley Hoffman - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Nico Echavarria - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Victor Perez - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Sami Valimaki - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Ryo Hisatsune - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
       
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      Jake Knapp's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      New Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Tyler Duncan's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Greyson Sigg's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Sunjae Im's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Ping's Waste Management putter covers - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Vincent Whaley's custom Cameron - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Odyssey Waste Management putter covers - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Super Stroke custom grips - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Zac Blair's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Bettinardi Waste Management putter covers - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
       
       
       
       
       
       

       
      • 12 replies

×
×
  • Create New...