Where is the lowest golf course in the world?
What is the lowest golf course in the world?
The lowest golf course in the world is Furnace Creek Golf course. The Par-70 course measures 6,236 yards long and is par-35 out and par-35 in. There are just 2 par-5s, 4 par-3s and 12 par 4s. On 9 of the holes water comes into play.
Where is the lowest golf course in the world?
Furnace Creek Golf course in Death Valley, California, is officially the lowest golf course in the world, at 65m (214 feet) below sea-level. Death Valley has some of the hottest temperatures recorded on earth and these temperatures regularly in summer months exceed 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The highest air temperature recorded in death valley was 56.7 Celsius (134 Fahrenheit) on 10th July 1913, and Death Valley holds the world record for the highest natural surface temperature at 93.9 Celsius (201 Fahrenheit) on July 15th 1972.
History
Furnace Creek golf course officially opened in 1927 as a 3 hole golf course, and four years later in 1931 it was expanded to 9 holes and thus became the first nine hole golf course in the Californian desert. 1968 saw the course expand to a full 18 holes after William F. Bell designed the second nine. Then in 1977 the course was given a full design overhaul by Perry Dye, who installed a full irrigation system on the course allow it to become a natural oasis.
Does the golf ball get affected?
With the height of the course, or rather lack of it, being below sea level -214 feet to be exact, it does affect the ball. The ball won’t travel as far as at sea level due to the heavier air below sea level. Unlike when a course is at altitude the golf ball travels further due to the thinner air.
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.