Most difficult course you have played?

[Mel Smooth]

As a kid we had entered the Junior Open at Crossland Heath. Now if you aren't familiar with it, it's on top of a hill, almost on top of the Pennines.
We went up the day before to reccy the course, it was a warm, calm, July day. Not a problem.
On the day of the Open, it was pouring with rain and blowing a gale, completely different animal. I think I'd had about 120 blows by the time I marked my card as a no return on the 12th hole. Abysmal.

That's the hardest course I've played in the hardest conditions, but still stand by my opinion that Willow Valley is the hardest course I've played - but I've not played any set up for tournament golf.

 

[Jacko_G]

I'll throw another one into the mix that challenges you. Newmacher off the pegs can be brutal, long with firm very slick greens and little margin for error.

 

[Fish]

Hillside in very windy conditions, thought it was going to be my day when I scored 20 on the front, but then recorded 8 on the back and it was a grind.

Silloth on a meet with the Scottish & Scouser's was a brutal day a few years back, I could hardly stand on the 1st tee, long way to go to be beat up, not experienced that before since Anderlecht

 

[Zig]

In Ireland;
Druids Heath & the European clubs in Co. Wicklow
Two really tough courses that reward good play but punish, severely, errors

Any of our west coast links gems in wind are a real test.

Rosapenna (Sandy Hills), Carne, and the Glashedy at Ballyliffen off the back tees. All brutal. And brilliant.

 

[cvieri32]

La Cala Europa - never lost so many balls
Marbella Golf & Country Club - when the Marshall says don’t bother with the driver on the front 9, you know you’re in trouble
Jumeirah Golf Estates (Fire) - very long, on a chronic hangover in 42 degrees was a recipe for disaster

 

[huds1475]

Ganton
Royal St David's
Southerness

All pretty flat terrain, but long and relentless. No room for any mistakes, irrespective of weather conditions.

Too good for me. But I'll happily keep going back and taking a beating.

 

[huds1475]

long way to go to be beat up, not experienced that before since Anderlecht

 

[Mel Smooth]

La Cala Europa - never lost so many balls
Marbella Golf & Country Club - when the Marshall says don’t bother with the driver on the front 9, you know you’re in trouble
Jumeirah Golf Estates (Fire) - very long, on a chronic hangover in 42 degrees was a recipe for disaster

La Cala Europa is built on land that shouldn't be part of a golf course..

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Ganton
Royal St David's
Southerness

All pretty flat terrain, but long and relentless. No room for any mistakes, irrespective of weather conditions.

Too good for me. But I'll happily keep going back and taking a beating.

How did I forget about Ganton?
Tough as nails!

 

[Blue in Munich]

Are you suggesting that Pieman, a pillar of the forums golf community, a gentleman and scholar, playing off a single figure handicap and a servant of the Crown would imbibe copious amounts of alcohol on a forum golf trip enough to affect his ability to perform on the golf course ?

............ yep, I've seen and played with him too - spot on Dando ??

At least he could hold his beer, unlike the lightweight he brought with him.

 

[huds1475]

How did I forget about Ganton?
Tough as nails!

Perhaps it's just us?

 

[patricks148]

I'll throw another one into the mix that challenges you. Newmacher off the pegs can be brutal, long with firm very slick greens and little margin for error.

want to have another crack at that maybe this year... in the seniors

 

[Deleted member 17920]

Cant decide as all are too difficult for me these days!.

Royal Birkdale and Trump Aberdeen

 

[richart]

At least he could hold his beer, unlike the lightweight he brought with him.

Did he mention his favourite course ?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

At least he could hold his beer, unlike the lightweight he brought with him.

He held it inside him very well - well until the next day on RCP ???

Did he mention his favourite course ?

Apparently it’s the best links course , best parkland course , best heathland course and the best course in Portugal all rolled into one ?

 

[carldudley]

La Cala Europa - never lost so many balls
Marbella Golf & Country Club - when the Marshall says don’t bother with the driver on the front 9, you know you’re in trouble
Jumeirah Golf Estates (Fire) - very long, on a chronic hangover in 42 degrees was a recipe for disaster

Had the pleasure of playing the Fire course with a very experienced member, was akin to having a caddie with me the whole way, was an absolute gent. Would've doubled my shots round 18 if it wasn't for him.
Then we mulled over the round in the huge hot tub in the changing rooms!

 

[Slime]

Monte Mayor ................................ by a distance.
Unfortunately it's no longer with us.
What a course.

 

[richart]

Only walked it but Valderrama looked a tad tight.

 

[Deleted member 23270]

Only walked it but Valderrama looked a tad tight.

Valderrama is the only course I've played where hitting the fairway isn't enough, you have to be in precisely the right place. You can be on the fairway and not have a shot, it's brutal.

 

[Mel Smooth]

Las Ramblas is another that's not for the faint hearted.
If you can't hit it straight, take at least a dozen balls with you.