The Most Difficult Golf Course in the UK, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the golf course you think is the most difficult!
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:24
Golf enthusiasts often debate which UK course poses the greatest challenge. Such a ranking is not just a topic of conversation but aids players in preparing for the demands different courses offer. Mapping out these tough terrains can help refine skills and set appropriate expectations before stepping onto the first tee.
Our dynamic list is shaped by your experiences and opinions, giving a real-time perspective on which courses are currently testing the mettle of golfers. By voting on the difficulty level of each course, you contribute to a valuable resource that helps all players, from amateur to pro, choose their next big challenge.
What Is the Most Difficult Golf Course in the UK?
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157votes
Royal County Down Golf Club
Old Tom MorrisThis course has consistently been ranked as the toughest golf course in the UK due to its challenging terrain, unpredictable weather, and tricky bunkers.The Royal County Down Golf Club is considered one of the most beautiful golf courses in Ireland. It is located in Newcastle, County Down, at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape and the Irish Sea.- Location: Newcastle, County Down, Ireland
- Year Established: 1889
- Designer: Old Tom Morris
- Course Type: Links
- Par: 71
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235votes
Carnoustie Golf Links
Alan RobertsonThis course is known for its narrow fairways, deep bunkers, and challenging greens. It has played host to several major championships and is considered one of the most difficult courses in the world.Carnoustie Golf Links is a renowned golf course located in Angus, Scotland. It is considered one of the most difficult golf courses in the UK, known for its challenging fairways, strategic bunkers, and unpredictable weather conditions.- Established: 1850
- Total Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Course Length: 7,421 yards
- Number of Bunkers: 112
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332votes
Muirfield Golf Club
Old Tom MorrisThis course is known for its deep bunkers, thick rough, and challenging greens. It has hosted multiple major championships and is considered one of the toughest courses in the UK.Muirfield Golf Club is a renowned golf course located in East Lothian, Scotland.- Location: East Lothian, Scotland
- Year Established: 1744
- Course Type: Links
- Par: 71
- Course Length: 7,245 yards
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415votesThis course is known for its challenging winds, deep bunkers, and tricky greens. It has hosted multiple major championships and is considered one of the most difficult courses in the UK.
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513votesThis course is known for its challenging bunkers, unpredictable weather, and difficult greens. It has hosted multiple major championships and is considered one of the toughest courses in the world.The St Andrews Old Course is a legendary and iconic golf course located in St Andrews, Scotland. It is widely regarded as one of the oldest and most challenging courses in the world, offering golfers a unique and historic playing experience. The course is known for its undulating fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and unpredictable weather conditions, which add to the difficulty of the game and make it a true test of skill and resilience.
- Location: St Andrews, Scotland
- Year Established: 15th century
- Par: 72
- Total Yardage: 7,279 yards
- Number of Holes: 18
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67votesThis course is known for its deep bunkers, tricky greens, and unpredictable weather. It has hosted multiple major championships and is considered one of the most difficult courses in the UK.
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710votesThis course is known for its challenging terrain, difficult weather conditions, and deep bunkers. It has hosted multiple major championships and is considered one of the most difficult courses in the world.The Turnberry Golf Club is an iconic golf course located on the Ayrshire coast in South West Scotland. It is widely considered one of the most challenging golf courses in the UK, offering a demanding and thrilling experience for golfers of all skill levels. The stunning coastal landscape adds to the overall beauty and allure of the course.
- Yardage: The course measures approximately 7,489 yards, making it one of the longest golf courses in the UK.
- Par: It is a par-71 course, characterized by its challenging par-3 holes.
- Bunkers: Turnberry is famous for its numerous bunkers, strategically placed to test golfers' accuracy and decision-making.
- Signature Hole: The 9th hole, known as 'Bruce's Castle,' is a visually stunning par-3 that requires a precise tee shot over a rocky coastline.
- Coastal Views: Golfers are treated to breathtaking views of the Ailsa Craig island and the Firth of Clyde throughout the course.
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88votes
Royal St George's Golf Club
Dr. Laidlaw PurvesThis course is known for its challenging winds, thick rough, and deep bunkers. It has hosted multiple major championships and is considered one of the toughest courses in the UK.Royal St George's Golf Club is a world-renowned golf course located in Sandwich, Kent, United Kingdom. It is one of the oldest golf clubs in England, dating back to 1887. The course is known for its challenging layout, featuring undulating fairways, deep bunkers, and unpredictable winds. The rugged coastal terrain adds an additional element of difficulty to the game, making it a true test of skill and precision. As a host to multiple major championships, including The Open Championship, Royal St George's Golf Club has earned its reputation as one of the most challenging golf courses in the UK.- Location: Sandwich, Kent, United Kingdom
- Established: 1887
- Type: Links
- Par: 70
- Yardage: 7,204 yards
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96votes
Rodhullandemu · AttributionThis course is known for its tricky greens, deep bunkers, and unpredictable weather. It has hosted multiple major championships and is considered one of the most difficult courses in the UK.The Royal Liverpool Golf Club, located in Wirral, England, is a renowned golf course known for its challenging and unpredictable conditions. It is one of the most difficult golf courses in the UK, designed to test the skills of even the most seasoned golfers.- Year Built: 1869
- Par: 72
- Yardage: 7,350 yards
- Course Rating: 76.3
- Slope Rating: 142
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103votes
Sunningdale Golf Club
Willie Park Jr.This course is known for its challenging terrain, tricky greens, and deep bunkers. It has hosted multiple major championships and is considered one of the most difficult courses in the UK.Sunningdale Golf Club is known as one of the most challenging and prestigious golf courses in the United Kingdom. It is located in Berkshire, England, and was established in 1900. The club boasts two championship courses, the Old Course and the New Course, both offering a unique and demanding golfing experience. With its lush fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and undulating greens, Sunningdale tests the skills and accuracy of even the most skilled golfers.- Location: Berkshire, England
- Year Established: 1900
- Championship Courses: 2 (Old Course and New Course)
- Architect: Willie Park Jr.
- Terrain: Gently undulating, with wooded areas
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Ranking factors for difficult golf course
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Course LengthA longer course typically presents more challenges for players, as it tests their physical stamina and ability to consistently hit accurate shots.
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Course DesignThe design and layout of a golf course play a significant role in its difficulty. This includes the positioning of hazards, bunkering, doglegs, narrow fairways, and blind shots that force players to think strategically and execute precise shots.
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GreensThe size, shape, speed, and undulation of the greens can greatly impact the difficulty of a golf course. A challenging green may be small and fast, require precise approach shots and a strong putting game.
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Natural ElementsA golf course's surrounding natural elements, such as water, trees, and elevation changes, can increase its difficulty. Coastal courses often have strong winds, while courses at higher elevations present challenges due to thinner air and changing weather conditions.
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Weather ConditionsGolf courses in the UK are particularly known for their variable and often inclement weather conditions. Rain, wind, and cold temperatures all increase the difficulty of the course and can greatly affect a player's ability to execute shots.
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Rough and HazardsThick rough, bunkers, and water hazards all make a course more difficult and require players to be more strategic in their shot selection.
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Course ConditionsThe overall condition of the golf course, including how the fairways and greens are maintained, can have an impact on its difficulty. Immaculate conditions may favor low handicappers who can control the ball well, while more challenging conditions may skew towards high handicappers who rely on unpredictable bounces.
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Course Rating and SlopeCourse rating and slope are official indicators of a golf course's difficulty and should be taken into account. A high course rating signifies that a course is difficult for a scratch golfer, while a high slope indicates that a course is relatively more difficult for higher-handicap golfers.
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Feedback from GolfersPlayer feedback, reviews, and rankings are also valuable when determining the difficulty of a golf course. Courses with consistently high rankings and strong testimonies from golfers who have played them can provide a good indication of their level of difficulty.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult golf course in the UK. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or course is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
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- 2009 views
- 186 votes
- 10 ranked items
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Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each course once every 24 hours. The rank of each course is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
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More information on most difficult golf course in the uk
Golfing enthusiasts in the UK know that finding a challenging course can be a daunting task. With so many options to choose from, it can be tough to determine which courses truly put your skills to the test. That's why we've dug deep to find out what the most difficult golf course in the UK is. From treacherous bunkers to narrow fairways, this course is sure to challenge even the most experienced golfers. So, if you're up for a challenge, read on to find out which course made the cut.
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