Toughest course?

[Wabinez]

I’ve only ever walked off one course feeling beat up, and it was Hoylake...and because it was ridiculously windy. The course itself was...meh.

Aside from that, I can’t think of many that I would say are seriously brutal. As with most, weather and conditions will play a bigger part on the day...as well as how you are swinging it.

 

[Slime]

Apparently it’s returning

Bought by Russians with a view to reopen in 2016, but nothing has happened up to this current point.

 

[Blue in Munich]

Toughest I've played were Carnoustie as set up for the 1999 Open (Carnastie as it was christened), Royal St. George's off the backs that long ago I was using persimmon woods (some on here will need to Google that ) and Bethpage Black in a US Open year. They all helped to rid me of any remaining delusions that I was any good at this game.

 

[Liverbirdie]

Dundonald battered me last year.
110 shots!

Considering I then played both courses at Turnberry within a few shots of my handicap made me grateful for them warm up.

Mad innit.

I played 17 holes a few years ago in level par iirc, but scored an 11 on the 10th.

 

[Liverbirdie]

A few that I have found absolutely brutal, some depending on the wind others just in general!

Southerness
Royal Lytham
Carnoustie

If you were saying hardest fairways to hit, thought you would venture Nairn.

If you were saying best course for hitting greens from 3 fairways away, it would also be Nairn.

 

[Liverbirdie]

You always know what to expect at St Mellion but is it just me or does it all become a little soul sapping by about the 14th even if you feel you're playing well. CHances are you'll still have lost at least one ball and if the game isn't there it can be a real grind before beer o'clock comes round

St. Mellion is tough, but I think someone on a good day could still score quite well though.

I went in an open when on hols down there and finished 2nd. 40 in the field and 36 points won it, though.

The barsteward was in my group as well, and he stuck his approaches on 17 and 18 both to 18 inches to birdie both and pip me by 1 point.

 

[4LEX]

I played Rye with a fair bit of wind and it was brutal. They say the hardest shot at Rye is your second on the par 3's and it's true

 

[Foxholer]

I played Rye with a fair bit of wind and it was brutal. They say the hardest shot at Rye is your second on the par 3's and it's true

Rye just needs a bit of practice - like the member who played 100 holes in a day! It's tough enough when it's dead calm, but 'brutal' is the correct word in anything more than gentle!

 

[Karl102]

Plus 1 for Southerness... just relentless.... I also find West Lancs a tough track. Played it 3 times (one was a forum meet in minus 3 weather wind and rain - I thought it was horrific and the somebody played in a t shirt and scarf 😂🙈😂🙈).
The other 2 were better conditions, but the rough was up and it was miss a fairway and reload. Was 5hours!

 

[bluewolf]

Plus 1 for Southerness... just relentless.... I also find West Lancs a tough track. Played it 3 times (one was a forum meet in minus 3 weather wind and rain - I thought it was horrific and the somebody played in a t shirt and scarf 😂🙈😂🙈).
The other 2 were better conditions, but the rough was up and it was miss a fairway and reload. Was 5hours!

Oy. I resemble that remark!!!!
In all fairness, it was 5 degrees warmer 30 miles inland. And I paid for that mistake on the very first tee!!

And I agree, West Lancs is a very challenging course, but after hating it at first, it's now in my top 10. A real test off the back tees and one of the best collection of par 3's in the U.K.

 

[huds1475]

Southerness..Brutal, Relentless, but enjoyable.
Nice setting too. I Need to get back there soon.

I need to exorcise that demon one day!

Watching Val nearly take a horse out off the first tee will stay with me as long as I live though

 

[Liverbirdie]

Oy. I resemble that remark!!!!
In all fairness, it was 5 degrees warmer 30 miles inland. And I paid for that mistake on the very first tee!!

And I agree, West Lancs is a very challenging course, but after hating it at first, it's now in my top 10. A real test off the back tees and one of the best collection of par 3's in the U.K.

Yep, love West Lancs.

Wasnt mad on Southerness though and can only remember 2 holes on it. The par 3 that was driver, and the hole that dog-legged to the sea with the sea behind it.

I'd play it again if in the area to see if I "got it" next time, but apart from the beauty of the surronding hills and sea, didnt float my boat. I'd rather try Powfoot, which has generally been talked about as less of a course, but one I havent played.

 

[Jacko_G]

Yep, love West Lancs.

Wasnt mad on Southerness though and can only rmember 2 holes on it. The par 3 that was driver, and the hole that dog-legged to the sea with the sea behind it.

I'd play it again if in the area to see if I "got it" next time, but apart from the beauty of the surronding hills and sea, didnt float my boat. I'd rather try Powfoot, which has generally been talked about as less of a course, but one I havent played.

Powfoot isn't even close to being half the course Southerness is. Not even close.

 

[Doh]

Southerness. Always windy (very). An absolute beast of a course with no hiding place from the wind.

Agreed very tough.

 

[Liverbirdie]

Powfoot isn't even close to being half the course Southerness is. Not even close.

You may be right, as Ive said havent played Powfoot and most if not all have always said that Southerness is better.

Southerness isnt "great" for me, so would rather play somewhere else if in the area, as first choice.

 

[Deleted member 3432]

You may be right, as Ive said havent played Powfoot and most if not all have always said that Southerness is better.

Southerness isnt "great" for me, so would rather play somewhere else if in the area, as first choice.

Problem with Powfoot is the last 4 or 5 holes are more parkland than links.

 

[Deleted member 17920]

Yep, love West Lancs.

Wasnt mad on Southerness though and can only remember 2 holes on it. The par 3 that was driver, and the hole that dog-legged to the sea with the sea behind it.

I'd play it again if in the area to see if I "got it" next time, but apart from the beauty of the surronding hills and sea, didnt float my boat. I'd rather try Powfoot, which has generally been talked about as less of a course, but one I havent played.

I was probably like you after the initial visit when we all got blown to pieces.

I played it again the day after Turnberry and got it straight away, all the group thought it was better than Silloth apart from me. It really is a decent golf course and it’s all laid out in front of you, not many blind shots. It’s a good track and it’s tough but for me I would rather play Silloth every day of the week and I find Silloth a tougher course.

 

[HankMarvin]

You may be right, as Ive said havent played Powfoot and most if not all have always said that Southerness is better.

Southerness isnt "great" for me, so would rather play somewhere else if in the area, as first choice.

Powfoot is a good course but nowhere as tough as Southerness, Powfoot maybe a bit better looking course but that’s it.

 

[Karl102]

Yep, love West Lancs.

Wasnt mad on Southerness though and can only remember 2 holes on it. The par 3 that was driver, and the hole that dog-legged to the sea with the sea behind it.

I'd play it again if in the area to see if I "got it" next time, but apart from the beauty of the surronding hills and sea, didnt float my boat. I'd rather try Powfoot, which has generally been talked about as less of a course, but one I havent played.

That’s cos we had our heads down driving through the wind as we were walking!

 

[Qwerty]

Yep, love West Lancs.

Wasnt mad on Southerness though and can only remember 2 holes on it. The par 3 that was driver, and the hole that dog-legged to the sea with the sea behind it.

I'd play it again if in the area to see if I "got it" next time, but apart from the beauty of the surronding hills and sea, didnt float my boat. I'd rather try Powfoot, which has generally been talked about as less of a course, but one I havent played.

1st time I played Southerness I loved it. Gorse in bloom all framing the holes and making it feel v tough off most tees given the amount of 400yrd + par 4s. Mint nick and real quick, having to think everything through, every shot feeling risky.
Totally different feel about it when we played it..based on that day I wouldn’t of overly rated it either.
Give it another go mate, it’s worth it 👍