The Road Hole at St. Andrews
The 17th hole at St. Andrews on the Old Course is one of the hardest par 4s in the world. The hole measures 461 yards, and punishes golfers who are not long and accurate off of the tee. Just to make the fairway, you have to clear the boundary wall. Too far left, and you're hiking through Scottish overgrowth and hoping to get home in under 10 strokes. If you go too far right, you'll find yourself playing from the road, with a large bunker now in play for your second shot. Throw in the Scottish wind and weather, and you'll understand why many amateurs make a large donation of golf balls to the 17th hole.
St. Andrews Golf Courses
St. Andrews, Scotland
+44 (0)1334 466666
www.standrews.org.uk
Legend Resort's Extreme 19th Hole
If you're looking for an extreme golf experience, the Legend Resort in northeast South Africa has what you're looking for. The 18-hole course was designed by several PGA Tour professionals and is scary in its own right. The signature hole on this course is the Extreme 19th hole that you can pay extra to play. The 19th hole is a 430-meter par 3 with the tee box accessible only by helicopter. The green is shaped to mimic the continent of Africa, and the owners state that it takes almost a full 30 seconds for your tee shot to hit the vicinity of the green.
Legend Resort South Africa
Private Bag 20017
Garsfontein, 0042
Tshwane, South Africa
+27 12 470 5300
www.legend-resort.com/
Eighth Hole at Pebble Beach
The eighth hole at Pebble Beach Golf Course is one of the hardest par 4s in the United States. The hole measures 416 yards and follows the cliff side that overlooks Monterey Bay. What makes the hole scary is the second shot after your drive, which has to carry Monterey Bay. Most 10+ handicappers can't carry the shot over the Bay without the wind that is usually present, let alone when the weather is acting up. That won't stop most tourists, however, from donating golf balls to the Pacific Ocean. Listen to your caddie though--after you've lost two, save a few balls for the rest of the course.
Pebble Beach Golf Course
1700 17 Mile Dr
Pebble Beach, CA
(831) 625-8518
www.pebblebeach.com/
About The Author
Based in Memphis, Jackson Lewis has been writing on technology-related material for 10 years with a recent emphasis on golf and other sports. He has been freelance writing for Demand Media since 2008. Lewis holds a Master of Science in computer science from the United States Naval Postgraduate School.
