The 15 Most Intimidating Courses on the PGA Tour

Published: July 21, 2025
Author: Steven Stiles
Category: Sports

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Feb 20, 2021; Pacific Palisades, California, USA; General view of the first hole course during the third round of The Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

There’s no shortage of beautiful golf courses on the PGA Tour, but not all of them are kind to the players. Some of these tracks strike fear into the hearts of even the most seasoned pros, with tight fairways, thick rough, and greens that make you question your life choices.

From major venues to wind-whipped coastal beasts, these are the courses where a par feels like a birdie and double bogey lurks around every corner. Here are the 15 most intimidating courses on the PGA Tour, ranked from “tricky” to “why did I ever take up this sport?”

15. Congaree Golf Club

Jun 12, 2021; Ridgeland, South Carolina, USA; Dustin Johnson plays a shot from a bunker onto the fifth green during the third round of the Palmetto Championship at Congaree golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-Imagn Images — David Yeazell-Imagn Images

It may be a newcomer on the Tour, but Congaree wastes no time showing its teeth. Firm conditions, strategic bunkering, and wide-but-deceptive fairways make it a cerebral challenge from start to finish.

14. TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course)

Apr 22, 2018; San Antonio, TX, USA; A general view of the 18th hole during the final round of the Valero Texas Open golf tournament at TPC San Antonio - AT&T Oaks Course. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images — Soobum Im-Imagn Images

Long, narrow, and loaded with trouble, this Texas beast doesn’t mess around. Add in gusty winds and awkward lies, and you’ve got yourself a grind.

13. Torrey Pines (South Course)

January 31, 2016; La Jolla, CA, USA; General view of the third hole course green and Pacific Ocean during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course - South Course. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images — Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

It may look like paradise with ocean views, but this course is anything but relaxing. Thick, rough, and brutal par fours make every swing count.

12. Bay Hill Club & Lodge

March. 24, 2010; Orlando, FL, USA; General view of the scoreboard on the seventh hole during the Pro-Am round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images — Allan Henry-Imagn Images

Arnold Palmer’s signature course is a test of patience and precision. The closing stretch is a rollercoaster of high-stakes drama.

11. Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course)

Mar 11, 2018; Palm Harbor, FL, USA; A general view as Tiger Woods walks up the fairway on the 12th during the final round of the Valspar Championship golf tournament at Innisbrook Resort - Copperhead Course. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images — Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

With its tree-lined fairways and sneaky elevation changes, this course is a headache in the best way. The infamous Snake Pit has ended many solid rounds in heartbreak.

10. Muirfield Village Golf Club

Jun 8, 2024; Dublin, Ohio, USA; A general view of the 18th green as Scottie Scheffler and Adam Hadwin play their round during the third round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club — Adam Cairns/ Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jack Nicklaus designed it with a challenge in mind, and he definitely delivered. The rough is nasty, and the greens will expose any weakness in your short game.

9. PGA National (Champion Course)

Feb 27, 2015; Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA; A view of a bulge on the 18th green during a thunder storm that suspended play during the third round of the Honda Classic at PGA National GC Champion Course. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images — Peter Casey-Imagn Images

The Bear Trap isn’t just a catchy name—it’s three of the most terrifying holes on Tour. Water lurks everywhere, and the margin for error is basically nonexistent.

8. Riviera Country Club

It may look old-school cool, but Riviera has teeth. Its slick greens and unique bunkering keep even the best players guessing.

7. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

Jun 17, 2018; Southampton, NY, USA; Overall view during the trophy presentation for Brooks Koepka after the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Shinnecock Hills GC - Shinnecock Hills Golf C. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images — Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

When the U.S. Open rolls through, this course turns into a straight-up monster. Fast greens and swirling winds make it one of the toughest mental tests in golf.

6. The Country Club (Brookline)

Jun 15, 2022; Brookline, Massachusetts, USA; A view of the seventh hole during a practice round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at The Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images — Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Narrow fairways and penal rough are just the beginning here. Every shot demands full focus, or you’ll pay the price fast.

5. Winged Foot Golf Club (West Course)

From right, Steve Rabideau, Director of Golf Courses at Winged Foot, speaks with his assistants, J.R. Lapin, West Course superintendent, Steve Bigelow, East Coast superintendent and Weston Neff, U.S. Open superintendent , as they look over course conditions at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck Sept. 1, 2020. Winged Foot will host the U.S. Open Sept. 17-20. Winged Foot — Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News via Imagn Content Services, LLC

This place does not believe in forgiveness. The fairways are tight, the greens are like glass, and it feels like the course is actively rooting against you.

4. Oakmont Country Club

Jun 11, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; General view of the on the 18th green in front of the clubhouse during a practice round for the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images — Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Oakmont is basically golf’s version of a haunted house. Lightning-fast greens and punishing bunkers turn every round into survival mode.

3. Whistling Straits

September 23, 2021; Haven, Wisconsin, USA; General view of the third green during a practice round for the 43rd Ryder Cup golf competition at Whistling Straits. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images — Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images

It’s beautiful, yes, but don’t let that fool you. Between the wind, the dunes, and the endless bunkers, it’s like playing golf on the moon—with a bad attitude.

2. Kiawah Island (Ocean Course)

May 19, 2021; Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA; A view of the fifteenth green during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Resort. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images — Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Wind. Water. More wind. This course can make a major champion look like a weekend hacker in minutes.

1. Augusta National Golf Club

Apr 11, 2025; Augusta, Georgia, USA; A general view of on the second and seventh green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images — Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

It may be the most iconic course in the world, but it’s also the most intimidating. Every slope, every green, every shot—Augusta demands everything you’ve got and then some.