Top 10 Toughest Golf Courses in the Philippines
Below is the list of top 10 toughest golf courses in the Philippines. These courses are renowned for their challenging layouts, intricate hazards, and unforgiving terrains that test golfers’ skills, precision, and strategic prowess. It’s worth noting that this list is subjective and based on various factors such as course difficulty, ratings, and reviews. Nonetheless, golfers looking for an exciting and challenging experience can look to these courses for an unforgettable round of golf.
Most Challenging Golf Courses in the Philippines
1. The Country Club (TCC)
The Country Club (TCC)
The Country Club (TCC) in Tagaytay City, Cavite is considered one of the most challenging golf courses in the Philippines. The course, designed by the renowned golf course architect, Tom Weiskopf, features a hilly terrain with tight fairways and numerous bunkers that make it difficult to navigate. The strong winds that blow across the course also pose an additional challenge for golfers.
One of the most demanding holes in the course is the par-3 Hole 12, which requires golfers to tee off from an elevated platform and hit the ball onto a green surrounded by bunkers and a water hazard. This is just one of the many obstacles that make playing at TCC a test of one’s skill and accuracy.
TCC’s greens are also among the most challenging golf courses in the Philippines. The greens are known for their undulating slopes and fast speeds, which can make putting a difficult task, even for experienced golfers. Furthermore, the course’s strategic placement of trees and water hazards adds an additional layer of difficulty that requires golfers to carefully plan their shots.
2. Apo Golf and Country Club
Apo Golf & Country Club
Apo Golf and Country Club located in Davao City is also a challenging golf course. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the course features a variety of bunkers, water hazards, and elevation changes that make it a true test for even the most professional golfers. The narrow fairways and small greens, combined with the unpredictable winds, further add to the difficulty of the course. Apo Golf and Country Club has hosted numerous national and international golf tournaments, which attests to the level of difficulty of the course. Golfers playing at this club can expect a challenging and exciting round of golf that requires careful planning, strategic shots, and precise execution.
3. Sherwood Hills Golf Club
Sherwood Hills Golf Club
Sherwood Hills Golf Club, located in Trece Martires City, Cavite, is known for its tough and challenging layout. The golf course features narrow fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and water hazards that require golfers to use strategic planning, skillful shot execution, and accuracy to navigate the course.
One of the most challenging holes at Sherwood Hills Golf Club is Hole 4, a par-4 that requires golfers to hit the ball over a water hazard onto a narrow fairway surrounded by bunkers. Golfers then have to navigate through a dogleg to reach the green, which is guarded by bunkers on both sides. The hole requires precision and strategic planning, making it a difficult challenge even for experienced golfers.
The course’s undulating greens add an additional layer of difficulty that requires golfers to have excellent putting skills. The greens are known to be fast and challenging, with multiple slopes and undulations that make it difficult to read the breaks and plan the putt. In addition, the course’s unpredictable winds further add to the challenge. The wind can shift direction and speed, making this club one of the toughest golf courses in the Philippines.
4. Riviera Golf and Country Club
Riviera Golf & Country Club
Riviera Golf and Country Club, located in Silang, Cavite, is a world-class golfing destination known for its breathtaking views, elegant facilities, and challenging courses. The golf club features two championship courses, the Langer and Couples Courses, both designed by golfing legends Bernhard Langer and Fred Couples.
The Langer Course is a challenging, links-style course with deep bunkers, undulating fairways, and tricky greens that require golfers to have a combination of power and accuracy to navigate successfully. The Couples Course, on the other hand, features a variety of water hazards, strategically placed bunkers, and narrow fairways that require golfers to use strategic planning and careful shot execution to score well.
Aside from the world-class courses, the Riviera Golf and Country Club offers luxurious amenities, such as fine dining, fitness facilities, and elegant accommodations for guests. The club also hosts prestigious golf events and tournaments, making it a popular destination for golfers from around the world.
5. Luisita Golf and Country Club
Luisita Golf & Country Club
Located in Tarlac City, Luisita Golf and Country Club is one of the most challenging golf courses in the Philippines. The course, designed by renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, features narrow fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and water hazards that require golfers to use strategic planning, skillful shot execution, and accuracy to navigate the course.
One of the most difficult holes at Luisita Golf and Country Club is Hole 18, a par-5 that requires golfers to navigate around a water hazard and hit the ball onto a narrow fairway surrounded by bunkers. Golfers then have to navigate through a dogleg to reach the green, which is also protected by bunkers on both sides. The hole requires a combination of power and precision, making it a difficult challenge even for experienced golfers.
The course’s undulating greens add an additional layer of difficulty that requires golfers to have excellent putting skills. The greens are known to be fast and challenging, with multiple slopes and undulations that make it difficult to read the breaks and plan the putt.
6. Canlubang Golf and Country Club
Canlubang Golf & Country Club
Canlubang Golf and Country Club, located in Laguna, Philippines, is a well-known and respected course for professional golfers during their Philippines golf tours. The course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., features 36 holes divided into two championship courses, the North and South courses, each offering unique challenges.
The North course is known for its tree-lined fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and water hazards that require a high level of accuracy to score well. The South course, on the other hand, is more open and features wider fairways, but still offers challenging water hazards and well-placed bunkers that require precision and accuracy to navigate.
Canlubang Golf and Country Club has hosted numerous national and international golf tournaments, including the Philippine Open, which attests to its suitability for professional golfers. The club’s practice facilities, including a driving range and putting greens, are also top-notch, providing ample opportunities for professionals to hone their skills.
7. Orchard Golf and Country Club
Orchard Golf & Country Club
Orchard Golf and Country Club features narrow fairways that are lined with trees, requiring golfers to hit the ball with precision and accuracy. The greens are fast and undulating, and the bunkers are strategically placed, making it difficult for golfers to score well. The course also features water hazards that require strategic planning and careful execution to avoid.
What makes it one of the toughest golf courses in the Philippines is Hole 11, a par-4 that requires golfers to hit the ball over a water hazard to reach the green. The green is also protected by multiple bunkers, making it a challenging hole for even the most experienced golfers.
8. Summit Point Golf and Residential Estate
Summit Point Golf & Country Club
Summit Point Golf and Residential Estate, located in Lipa City, Batangas, is a stunning golf course that offers challenging hazards for golfers. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the course features rolling terrain, tight fairways, and strategically placed bunkers and water hazards that provide a challenging and rewarding golfing experience.
One of the most challenging holes at Summit Point is Hole 2, a par-5 that requires golfers to navigate around a lake and hit the ball onto a narrow fairway. The green is elevated and surrounded by bunkers, making it difficult for golfers to score well on this hole. The course’s signature hole is Hole 17, a par-3 that requires golfers to hit the ball across a deep ravine to reach the green, making it a challenging and exciting hole to play.
The course’s undulating greens are also a significant challenge for golfers. They are known to be fast and challenging, with multiple slopes and undulations that require careful planning and skillful execution to putt successfully. The course is also known for hosting prestigious golf events and tournaments, attesting to its quality and challenging nature.
9. Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club
Sta Elena Golf & Country Club
Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club, located in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, is a challenging golf course that offers a tough but enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., known for his world-class golf course designs, and features narrow fairways, well-placed bunkers, and water hazards that require strategic planning and precise shot execution.
One of the most challenging holes at Sta. Elena is Hole 8, a par-4 that requires golfers to hit their drives over a water hazard to reach the fairway. The approach shot to the green is also challenging, with bunkers and water hazards that require careful planning and execution to score well. The course’s signature hole is Hole 16, a par-5 that requires golfers to hit a long drive to reach the fairway, which is lined with trees on both sides, making it challenging to stay on the fairway. Its greens are also a significant challenge for golfers, as they are fast and undulating, requiring golfers to have a deft touch and a keen eye to read the breaks and slopes.
10. Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club
Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club
Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, located in Carmona, Cavite, is a championship golf course that is known for its challenging golf hazards. The course was designed by the renowned golf course architect, Jack Nicklaus, and features narrow fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and water hazards that require precise shot execution and strategic planning.
One of the most challenging holes at Manila Southwoods is Hole 17, a par-4 that requires golfers to hit their drives over a water hazard and onto a narrow fairway. The approach shot to the green is also challenging, with bunkers and water hazards that require precise shot placement and execution, making this course one of the most challenging golf courses in the Philippines.
Philippines Golf Tournaments & Events
The Philippines is a popular destination for golf enthusiasts, with numerous golf events and tournaments taking place throughout the year. The Philippine Golf Tour is a professional golf tour featuring the country’s top golfers, with several events taking place annually. Another prominent event is the World Golf Championships – HSBC Champions, which has been hosted in the Philippines in the past.
The country also hosts the Philippine Open, which is the oldest golf tournament in Asia, and the Philippine Amateur Open, which attracts top amateur golfers from around the world. In addition to these events, there are several charity golf tournaments and corporate golf events organized in this country every year, providing an opportunity for golfers to give back to the community and network with other golf enthusiasts.
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Overall, this country offers a vibrant and active golfing scene, with a variety of toughest golf courses in the Philippines. Intested in a golf holiday in the Philippines, you can check out our best Philippines golf tours or contact us for a tailor made golf holiday.
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