5 Toughest PGA Golf Courses in the U.S.
What criteria come into play in labeling one PGA golf course as tougher than another? There are all kinds of factors involved. Length, architecture, physical characteristics, inclement weather—these and many other dynamics play a part. But when it’s all said and done, rating how difficult a course is comes down to numbers, in particular, the average scores of scratch golfers, relative to par. Fortunately, the folks at the USGA have already crunched those numbers to assign golf courses a course rating. In simple terms, the higher the course rating number is, the more difficult the course. Taking that rating system into account, along with a few other criteria, here is a look at what could very well be the 5 toughest PGA golf courses in the U.S.
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Courtesy of Kiawah Resort – Ocean Course
The Ocean Course (Kiawah Island Golf Resort, S.C.) – Designed by the legendary Pete Dye, this 7,356-yard, par 72 course on the Atlantic coast boasts a Course Rating of 79.6 and a slope rating of 155. According to the U.S. Golf Association, no other course in America has a higher combination of Course and Slope ratings, which qualifies the Ocean Course as the most difficult course in America. Golf pros who have played Ocean—especially on those dreaded windy days the course is infamous for—tend to readily agree with that assessment.
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Courtesy of The International
The Pines (The International Golf Club & Resort: Bolton, Mass.) – Lined with 100-year-old evergreens, and topping out at nearly 8,400 yards, The Pines is the longest golf course in North America. Combine that with a par of 73, and a ridiculous Course Rating of 80, and you’ve got one of the most consistently challenging courses in the continental United States. Each hole is known for its own special set of challenges, such as the 24 formidable bunkers you’ll find on the par 5, 590-yard 11th.
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Courtesy of Oakhill Country Club
East Course (Oak Hill Country Club: Rochester, NY) – With a reputation as one of the best courses in the world, this 7,134 yard, par 70 Donald Ross designed beauty sports a Course Rating of 76.7, making it one of the toughest courses in the U.S. Among the many challenges golfers will find on the East Course are seriously bad bunkers, tough roughs and oak trees said to number in the thousands. As far as the pros are concerned, Tiger Woods summed it up best during the 2003 PGA Championship when he said, “It’s the hardest, fairest golf course we have ever played.”
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Courtesy of San Diego – Torrey Pines
Torrey Pines South Course (San Diego, CA) – Once considered an average place to golf in a spectacular setting, South Course received a Rees Jones renovation, elevating the course to true championship status. Featuring straight fairways with few doglegs, the course requires both length and accuracy to reach its mostly elevated and generously bunkered greens. With a length of 7,643 yards, this 72 par course has garnered a formidable Course Rating of 78.1, making Torrey Pines South one of the toughest of them all.
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Courtesy of Oakmont Country Club
Oakmont Country Club (Oakmont, PA) – With a reputation for super fast greens—fast enough to prompt a request by the USGA that they be slowed down for a U.S. open—the 7,225 yard, par 71 course at Oakmont Country Club has a Course Rating of 77.5. Back in the day, a chalkboard was used to post daily green speed estimates. But that did nothing to slow the fast and frequent roll of little white balls into awaiting bunkers. Requiring excellence in every aspect of play, pro golfers tend to think of Oakmont as a course where golfers go to be punished. It doesn’t get any tougher than that.
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