There are many long courses around the world that are taken on by pro golfers every year. Erin hills for example hosted the 2017 U.S. Open and could stretch out to over 7,800 yards from the back tees and Chambers Bay which hosted the U.S. Open in 2015 could stretch to almost 7,800 yards from the back sticks. However these are nothing compared to the longest courses in the world, let’s take a look at the top 5 longest 18 hole golf courses around the world…
5. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Ross Bridge
This Robert Trent Jones Design in Hoover, Alabama can stretch to an incredible 8,191 yards from the back tees and is a par-72. The course was the home of the Regions charity classic from 2006-2010, on the Champions Tour. The course of its most forward tees can play over 2800 yards shorter at 5,300 yards and is often the favourite of the 10 courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
4. The International Golf Club
The Pines Course at the International golf club in Boston, Massachusetts was originally opened as a 9 hole course in 1901, originally designed by Geoffrey Cornish. In 1957 it was expanded to an 18 hole course, then in 1972 Robert Trent Jones Senior redesigned it too become what was at the time the longest course in the world at 8,325 yards from the back tees. The course plays as a par 73 and is part of the 36 hole complex at the International golf club and its counterpart is a measly 7,000 yards in comparison.
3. Blair Atholl Golf Course
The Blair Atholl golf course in Johannesburg, South Africa is home to the 3rd longest golf course in the world which can stretch to 8,420 yards from the back tees. Designed by Gary Player the course doesn’t have any ridiculously long holes just that two of the five par 5s reach over 600 yards. Opened in 2007, the Par-72 course has views of the Magaliesburg mountain range, the oldest mountain range in the world.
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2. Legend Golf & Safari Signature Course
Also located in South Africa the legend golf & signature course is best known for its extreme 19th hole, which requires helicopter access to reach the tee. The course itself reaches to nearly 8,500 yards making it the second longest course in the world and is unique in that each hole is designed by a different big name golfer. For example Retief Goosen designed the 18th hole.
1. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club
Located in China the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain golf club, is home to the longest golf club in the world. At 8,548 yards from the back tees it boasts some monstrous holes with none of the par 3s playing under 230 yards, and the longest hole is 711 yards par 5. The course is, however, at 10,800 feet above sea level so the ball on average goes 20% further than at sea level. So the true length of the course is approximately 6850 yards if the course wasn’t at altitude. The course is so high infact that oxygen is provided and golf carts are compulsory in order to play.
