I think French Creek, all golds, is a brutal course. The SSE on here indicates it's slightly easier than Iron Hill, but I never really felt that way. If you're a little bit off at iron hill you still have a chance. If you're a little bit off at French Creek you will be crying.
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What Are The Most Brutal Courses?
- Thread starter Mike C
- Start date
Tripper
Double Eagle Member
But he literally says in his post "looking for courses closer to Charlotte than Ohio".
Flyboy is close enough to Charlotte, especially if you get an opportunity to play the Viper layout. I played the regular Flyboy layout, but saw some of the Viper course along the way....holy cow, those looked like some extremely difficult holes.
Bunsel
Bogey Member
If you travel that far north, keep driving on up to Charlevoix. Mt. McSauba will earn your respect. I have played many of the forementioned courses in WV, Black course, Seth Burton, Orange Crush, Whippin Post, Woodshed, and I believe that Mt. McSauba is every bit as tough, both mentally and physically. Doesn't have real high ratings because not many play it!
McSauba
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Leila Arboretum gets a vote from me.
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The problem is, if you build a course, that difficult, no one will want to play it.
I know firsthand with the supercourse at Sugaree, which has been an option for 5 years. Most folks just don't want to throw 800 feet though the dense woods...not Iron Hill low density wide fairways, but heavy density wall to wall trees.
I know firsthand with the supercourse at Sugaree, which has been an option for 5 years. Most folks just don't want to throw 800 feet though the dense woods...not Iron Hill low density wide fairways, but heavy density wall to wall trees.
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cheese dog
Birdie Member
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Course that are overgrown with mosquitoes and ticks.
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Actually we don't have them at Sugaree or hardly any poison ivy, but I'm thinking about importing King Cobras to make the short course a little more difficult.
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If you are looking for a challenge,why in the world would you play Roan Mountain ?
The DGCR page is showing it as extinct?
Flyboy was on my mind for years but when I saw that I figured I was too late. Is it still open?
Appreciate the info. I'd still like to check it out based on what I've heard about it, but I'll temper my expectations a bit.
It's open at limited times, if you can wrangle an invite.
And worth whatever it takes to do that wrangling.
But it's not quite the brutal course you're looking for.....more of a dream course.
Spartanburg is a nice destination of courses to hit regardless, but Pipeline does have some really crazy holes, mostly crazy in a good way. I dunno if it's all that more challenging than say, RL Smith though?
The most challenging part is driving to Roxboro. Man is that in the middle of nowhere. Rockness is a seriously wooded course and I think Mike would like it b/c it's a very secluded course.
Harmon is fantastic but the first 18 I don't think will trouble Mike at all. It's mostly pretty open holes on rolling farmland. Mike has the arm to take "Simon" routes and really do some damage on a lot of those holes but it is a seriously great course. That tertiary nine that I think Cerealman is referring to is actually my favorite part but I don't think it's as difficult as Sugaree. It's basically very Sugaree-esque (lots of huge rocks) with a bit less elevation and more defined fairways. Gorgeous holes and a decent hike though.
I'd probably recommend Black Jack as a brutal course if it hasn't been mentioned yet. You really feel the elevation change taking a toll on your body as you play that one, tight lines, tough to get footing, tree kicks can be disastrous. Not really brutal in an extreme sense but Rock Ridge in Pittsboro is a really well designed course in relation to assigned par and multi-throw holes. Combined with Rockness they're probably the best wooded courses in middle NC. You can fit in Jones Park (Charlotte-esque holes) and Buckhorn (older but still fairly challenging, especially the water holes) with Rock Ridge without driving too much.
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That may have been true the last time you played Sugaree, but not today. The hardest hole, #1 has been split into two holes and all the non-original holes have been thinned out considerably. It's more about fun now,unless you play the supercourse layout,which is way more difficult than the HH wooded nine.
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kerplunk
Double Eagle Member
If you ever make it to the Austin area, Manor East Metro (just Manor to locals) is a top notch course that will abuse you when you leave the fairway, and you will leave the fairway, especially playing from the longs. I'm talking brambles, mesquite, cactus (lots of barrel cactus, which is the worst), and even the occasional rattlesnake.
Texas States was played there recently, I think 2014. There is video online.
Texas States was played there recently, I think 2014. There is video online.
In my neck of the woods I would have to go with Pickard and Blue Valley. Not bad during mild weather but a real bitch in the heat.
https://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=1023
https://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=67
https://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=1023
https://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=67
CWSfan16
Bogey Member
Panther Creek in Morristown TN
I'd agree that the third set of 9 on Harmon Hills is among the hardest stretch of holes that I've played. Part of that is probably because the previous 18 aren't a walk in the park either.
Nockamixon is definitely one of the most brutal courses I've played, but it's pretty crazy how fair it still is.
I'd call Whippin' Post and Woodshed brutal as well, but definitely in a fun way.
Some others:
The Black Course and Orange Crush in WV
Armco Park - Blue in KY
Friends of Punderson in OH
Idlewild
Nockamixon is definitely one of the most brutal courses I've played, but it's pretty crazy how fair it still is.
I'd call Whippin' Post and Woodshed brutal as well, but definitely in a fun way.
Some others:
The Black Course and Orange Crush in WV
Armco Park - Blue in KY
Friends of Punderson in OH
Idlewild
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