The most difficult golf courses in the world

​We talk a lot about the difficulty levels of golf courses, but what does difficult mean and where do you find the really difficult golf courses? 

1. The Ocean Course is
   located in Hawaii, at the east end of Kiawah Island and  it is totally exposed to ghostly winds and bad weather.  Above all, these conditions make The Ocean Course  the  most difficult golf course in the world. Here are more holes by the water than on no other golf course in the world. Conditions can  be extreme, known as "The War on the Shore."
   
   
2. Oahu's Ko'olau Golf Club
   Hawaii is often referred to as Golf paradise. It is therefore not particularly surprising if you also find the second most difficult golf course here.  When a  PGA delegation once visited Oahu's Ko'olau Golf Club,  a difficulty level of 172 (!)  was measured. The upper limit is 155.  So the course had to be rebuilt to make it easier. With now 152 it is still one of the most beautiful but also most difficult golf courses in the world.
   
   
3. Whistling Straits Golf Club
   The golf course on the shores of Lake Michigan is built as a links course and is located on an abandoned military training ground. In the past, even bombing was practiced here.  In 2021, the Ryder Cup was played here and won by the USA team. The biggest enemy of golfers is  also the strong wind.
   
   
4. PGA West Stadium Course
   Extremely difficult golf courses have slopes around 150.  The West Stadium Course is even higher. Since 1989, no PGA Tour tournaments have been held here, because the conditions are more than unpleasant even for professionals.
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5. Bethpage State Park's Black Course
   The hint on the way to the course says a lot. Here  - on Long Island, New York -  the US Open Tournament has been held several times and this course is always a real challenge even for the top professionals.

6.   Carnoustie Golf Club, Scotland
7.   Pebble Beach Golf Links, California
8.   The Old Course in St.Andrews, Schottland
9.   Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club, China
10. Kabul Golf Club, Afghanistan (a 9-hole golf course on a former minefield)