- Avg score: 0.27 over par
- Bogeys: 68
- Double Bogeys: 10
This is the third hole from Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club and Lounge to appear in our Top 10. It makes sense because the course as a whole raked as the 10th toughest overall, according to our compiled data from the last PGA Tour season. This dogleg right par-4 has a particularly tough tee-off for PGA players, nestled among a grouping of trees. The back tee sits off to the right away from the grouping of shorter forward and middle tees.
If golfers hit the ball too powerfully, there's a large sandtrap at the end of the fairway right in the turn waiting to collect the over-hit. Once you've made the dogleg right turn, the green sits behind a large water hazard. On its backside, four bunkers are positioned prompting players to underhit the golf ball. The green is fairly deep though, much more so than how it appears from the fairway. But once you do get up on it, beware the heavy side slope.
- Avg score: 0.277 over par
- Bogeys: 118
- Double Bogeys: 4
If you went to Vidanta Vallarta on a vacation to play this course, you'd find that Hole #16 is normally a par-5 listed around 550 yards in length. However, in past PGA Tour Mexico Opens, the 16th hole has been converted into a par-4 using one of the forward or middle tees instead of the back tee. Still, it's listed on tournament materials as 505 yards in length, which is a long par-4. Perhaps that is what gave players some trouble.
As is common in many Greg Norman-designed courses, water plays a prominent role. A large water hazard lines much of the right side of Hole #16. Also, much of the surrounding areas of the green are essentially shaved-off fairways. So if you do struggle getting onto the green initially, you shouldn't need to bring out your weedeater. That being said, there are two large bunkers at the front right of the green you'll need to avoid.
- Avg score: 0.28 over par
- Bogeys: 70
- Double Bogeys: 10
A true test of nerve awaits golfers at the 15th hole on Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club and Lodge's Champion/Challenger course. This demanding 429-yard par 4 is a dogleg right, with trouble lurking from the tee shot onwards. Magnolia trees line the right side of the fairway, demanding accuracy to avoid a penalty lie. Finding the fairway opens the possibility of reaching the green in two, but even the best placement leaves a demanding approach shot.
The large, undulating green sits firm and fast, guarded by imposing bunkers in the front and a sneaky one off the back left side. A closely mown area to the far right offers a little forgiveness for wayward approaches. Hole 15 at Bay Hill is a classic Arnold Palmer design, a strategic challenge that rewards precise shot selection and punishes even minor mistakes. The 15th hole may be most famous for the 1983 playoff between Mike Nicolette and Greg Norman at the then-named Bay Hill Classic (now Arnold Palmer Invitational). Nicolette won the playoff on this hole.
- Avg score: 0.294 over par
- Bogeys: 115
- Double Bogeys: 21
Hole 16, aptly nicknamed "Moccasin" at Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course, is a par 4 that strikes fear in the hearts of even the most seasoned golfers. The name is a nod to the water-loving reptile as the entire right side of this hole is a water hazard. This demanding hole requires a controlled tee shot down a very tight fairway. Players may want to aim their tee shots to the left, but thick woods press in from the left. It doesn't leave much room for error.
Many players opting for the conservative left-side approach end up sacrificing distance. This leaves a longer and more demanding approach shot to a green that is elevated and protected by strategically placed bunkers. Finding the putting surface through narrow tree openings is a true test of skill, making par on "Moccasin" a badge of honor at the Copperhead Course.
- Avg score: 0.30 over par
- Bogeys: 71
- Double Bogeys: 21
The 9th hole on Bay Hill Club and Lodge's Champion/Challenger course is perfectly described by the course name. It serves as a challenging finale to the front nine. This par-4 tests a golfer's accuracy more than sheer power. A tee shot must avoid bunkers that flank both sides of the fairway.
Finding the correct angle is crucial, as the fairway bends slightly to the right. The approach shot also demands precision. The green is well-guarded by bunkers short and long left as well as short on the right side. A par on this demanding hole is a confidence booster heading into the back nine. But more often than not, players are losing a stroke as they play through this hole during the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
- Avg score: 0.33 over par
- Bogeys: 78
- Double Bogeys: 5
Back-to-back on the list are holes from the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California (west of LA). Hole #15 is not only one of the hardest holes of the Genesis Invitational (hosted at Riviera), but it's also consistently one of the hardest par-3 holes on the entire PGA Tour every year. Average up the scores from each year's tournament, and you'll find the highest scores at two holes more often than not: Holes #15 and #12.
This par-3 hole is daunting for the finesse and strategy needed to complete it well. A doglegged fairway requires players to master a power fade off the tee. And if you are playing later in the day, think championship Sunday, you'll be playing straight into the setting sun once on the fairway. The green is two-tiered, which can give even the best players some struggles. If you end up with a birdie on Hole #15, you're having a good day. If you're staring down a bogie, well, that winner's trophy might stay just out of reach.
- Avg score: 0.36 over par
- Bogeys: 84
- Double Bogeys: 5
The Riviera Country Club is also a tough course that came in at #5 overall for the most challenging courses on the PGA Tour last season. In fact, it has two individual holes in the Top 5 on this list. Only Torrey Pines equals that statistic. The next time you watch the Genesis Invitational, hosted yearly at the Riviera Country Club, make note of play from holes 11 to 12. Traditionally, Hole #11 is rather easy and gives players confidence heading into Hole #12.
Once at Hole #12, however, players find a stern challenge. A narrow fairway is bordered by dense trees and strategically placed bunkers. The green itself is guarded by Bogart's tree on the left side. A bunker on the right of the green wraps around to the front. Once on the green, the putting surface is narrow once again. Combined with undulating terrain and tricky winds, Hole #12 presents a formidable test of skill for golfers. It typically presents the top two highest scores every tournament.
- Avg Score: 0.40 over par
- Bogeys: 56
- Double Bogeys: 4
Hole #18 on Torrey Pines's North Course may rank so highly because of the way the PGA utilizes Torrey Pines Golf Course as a whole. The course is home to the Farmers Insurance Open where both the North and the South Courses are played during the first two days of the tournament (Thursday and Friday). However, after the cut is made for Saturday and Sunday play, only the South Course is played to determine the winner. Basically, that means half the number of scores are recorded for the North Course than for the South Course. And it includes players who then didn't make a cut (aka: players who aren't the best of the best). Higher scores and a fewer number of them means...higher score averages.
The final hole at Torrey Pines Golf Course's North Course presents a dramatic finale. This par 4 requires a golfer to navigate a tight tee shot with trouble lurking on both sides. The green is severe, with a significant drop-off at the back. If you were having a good golf day, finishing at Hole #18 can quickly put you in a sour mood on your way back to the clubhouse.
- Avg Score: 0.41 over par
- Bogeys: 116
- Double Bogeys: 10
The Torrey Pines South Course tied for having the most entries in the top 50 hardest holes on the PGA Tour last season. Along with Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club, both courses had 7 holes that gave golfers particular trouble throughout the playing year. That also contributed to the Torrey Pines South Course being the 4th most difficult course overall on tour last season.
The 12th hole at Torrey Pines Golf Course's South Course earns its reputation due to its long beckoning fairways. But if you aren't precise with your green approach, things could turn sour very quickly. The green itself, while receptive to uphill chip shots because of its shallow depth, demands accuracy since it slopes away from the landing zone. Mastering Hole #12 hinges on balancing aggressive instinct off the tee with strategic shot selection for the second shot. Prevailing winds off the Pacific Ocean amplify the challenge.
- Avg score: 0.45 over par
- Bogeys: 142
- Double Bogeys: 22
The most interesting thing about Vidanta Vallarta is that the course as a whole was only the 33rd hardest on tour last year by our calculations. Players averaged nearly a whole stroke under par on the course for the season. However, Hole #10 on the Vidanta Vallarta Course at Vidanta Nuevo Nayarit-Vallarta resort caused players major problems. It was the most difficult individual hole played last year on the PGA Tour.
Hole 10 at Vidanta Vallarta presents a formidable challenge due to its layout and strategic design. The course underwent major renovations in 2022 utilizing designs by famed golfer Greg Norman. As is characteristic of his design philosophy, Hole #10 is a challenging par 4 that demands strategic shot placement. Look up highlights of this year's PGA Tour Mexico Open to see just how much it challenged players.
