By Jordan Fuller
Let’s be honest – we all have our favorite golf holes. But there are some holes that just stand out about others for their challenge, their excitement, and their sheer beauty.
The most interesting and challenging golf holes in the world is subjective matter. Everyone will have their own opinion about what should and shouldn’t be on this list, but it’s also impossible to list every one of the amazing holes worldwide!
Here are our top 7 choices. If you get the chance to play these holes, you’re in for a combination of a treat and a challenge, but we can promise they’ll be unforgettable.
#19: Legend Golf & Safari Resort, South Africa
South Africa may not be the first destination you think of when you’re considering a golfing vacation, but if you’ve got a golfing bucket list then you may want to consider heading over to the Limpopo Province just for this hole.
It has the distinction of being both the tallest and the longest par-3 in the world. But it’s the view from the top of Hanglip Mountain—your tee shot—that’s truly intimidating.
Once you’ve been dropped off at the tee by helicopter—the only way to get there—you’ll be standing 1,300 feet above the Africa-shaped green.
Mountain winds make the 180-yard carry shot an extremely tricky one. Your judgment needs to be spot-on here, or your ball will simply go missing in the foliage below.
The good news is that this hole doesn’t count toward your scorecard, so you can relax and truly have fun with it!
#17: Turtle Bay, Hawaii
The signature 17th hole at Turtle Bay is a ripper of a hole, and the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean don’t help you to focus much.
There are two aspects that make this hole unusually challenging. One, the fact that it plays uphill. And two, it has 9 sand traps scattered between the tee and the green, and you’ll need to avoid them all if you want a good score.
Interestingly, the Hawaiian name for this hole is “Kala”, which means “to forgive”. Apt, considering how many golfers fall prey to the bunkers along their way to the green!
#15: Cape Kidnappers, NZ
At a whopping 650 yards, this golf resort’s 15th hole is the longest and most photographed one in its home country, New Zealand.
It’s visually spectacular but also somewhat intimidating, placed right in Pirate’s Plank, a fantastical array of land formations unlike any other.
You’ll be playing on the top of a 460-foot-tall cliff, so if you’re afraid of heights, you may want to sit this one out. If you decide to brave it, don’t let the amazing views distract you.
A straight shot down the middle of the fairway is the only way to succeed here. Slightly off on either side, and your ball is lost forever!
#17: St Andrews, Scotland
One of the most notorious holes in golf, the 17th at St Andrews’ Old Course is a lengthy par-4, stretching to 495 yards, known as the original Road Hole.
It’s a rough start, with a tee shot needing to be carried over railway sheds in the nearby hotel grounds.
Once you’ve passed that, your second shot needs to hit the small green without landing in the strangely magnetic, cavernous bunker just in front of it. Behind the green, a road and stone walls are the final hazards.
The classic dilemma faced here is whether to carry over the hotel grounds or stick to the left of the fairway and risk landing in the bunker.
The prevailing wind adds even more challenge to a hole that really doesn’t need it!
#12: Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia, USA
Experienced American golfers will know this hole well. This may be the shortest par-3 on the course, but don’t think that makes it quick and easy.
It’s an absolutely stunning hole, with bright green fairways, flowers adding a pop of color around the green and a small creek that would be lovely if it wasn’t so tricky to navigate!
You don’t need a driver for this hole. But you do need precision and a fine touch on your tee shot. Go too far, and your ball will be lost in the colorful foliage behind the green.
Come up short, though, and you’ll have more trouble. If you’re lucky, you’ll clear the creek and land in the sand trap, where you’ll still have a decent chance.
However, miss the bunker and land on the slope, and you’ll have to watch helplessly as your ball rolls gently back down into the water.
#14: Coeur D’Alene Resort Course, Idaho, USA
Welcome to the only golf course—and golf hole—in the world with a movable, floating green. That’s right – every time you set foot on this par-3, the green is in a different position, electronically controlled to prevent it from floating off.
Without fail, though, the green is found out in the lake, surrounded by water on all sides. You’ll need to take a shuttle boat to get there and back, but don’t worry about landing your ball on the green. It’s 15,000 feet in all directions, so the chances of you missing are small if you’ve got some experience behind you.
Once you’ve completed this hole, you’ll be awarded a personalized certificate that will commemorate this achievement.
Conclusion
Do you agree that these 7 are amongst the most interesting and challenging golf holes in the world? Have you had the privilege of playing any of them?
Each hole is completely unique and makes for a fun and exciting gameplay. You’ll need to be at the top of your game to get a great score on these holes, but even if you do bogey the hole, every one of these is well worth the play.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of amazing, challenging, scary, spectacular, and exciting golf holes, though. There are plenty more that simply didn’t make it to this list purely because of space constraints! However, we can guarantee that setting foot and swinging clubs on these 7 will give you a thrill as you’ve never had before on the course. Have fun!
About the Author
Jordan Fuller is an experienced golfer who’s played on courses across the world. When he’s not in the middle of the golf course, he writes how-to’s, guides, and reviews for his website, Golf Influence.
