The Most Memorable Golf Holes You Can Play

What makes a golf hole memorable? Some would say it's the difficulty, the examination it provides, while others always remember the setting itself, the views that surround it. For many enthusiasts, anything 'quirky' or unique stands out. 

To learn more about the things that resonate with people, earlier this year, we surveyed the Golfshake Community and asked everyday golfers to pick out some of the best holes they have played, including the most challenging and quirkiest, which drew a wide variety of responses and comments.

Having studied everything that we received, we have picked out 18 of the holes that were featured, sharing them in this new article to identify some truly unforgettable ones.

Let us know how many of them you have experienced - and what your favourites are! 

17th - The Old Course, St Andrews, Par 4

Golf holes don't come more legendary than the 17th at St Andrews, known as Road, which has defined many an Open Championship through the generations and provides a challenge that is both unrelentingly testing and unique.

Survey Comments: "Every single shot is demanding, Tee shot off the back tee is daunting, leaves a long iron in. Road bunker (and its history) is a no-go zone on the left, and the road/wall on right prevents a bail-out. If you're fortunate enough to hit the green you can be left with difficult and/or long putt on a green which has more breaks than it seems at first."

"It's the most memorable and iconic hole that anyone can realistically play."

18th - Championship Course, Carnoustie, Par 4

Few holes are more intimidating than the finish at Carnoustie, with the Barry Burn in play throughout and out-of-bounds ominously positioned down the left side. Make a par here and you have accomplished something truly special!

Survey Comments: "It's challenging from start to finish with danger over every shot."

"Meandering burn, makes a challenge."

5th - Silloth-on-Solway Golf Club, Par 5

Many consider this to be the best value top golf course in England and the 5th is just one example of why people love this spot. 

Survey Comments: "Par 5, next to the ocean, great view. Fairway running at angle to tees, choose how much you want to try and cut off depending on direction of wind."

18th - Brabazon Course, The Belfry, Par 4

Rich with Ryder Cup history, everyone remembers the winning putts of Sam Torrance in 1985 and Paul McGinley in 2002, not to mention THAT approach shot from Christy O'Connor Jnr in 1989. Playing here is an opportunity to create an unforgettable moment of your own!

Survey Comments: "I just think it requires excellent shot after excellent shot to even find the tiered putting surface before trying to then make a two-putt and run away with a par."

"Long hole that favours a slight draw (I fade the ball) over water, then leaves you a long shot again over water to three-tiered green...a par here is one heck of a result."

2nd - Championship Course, Royal Dornoch, Par 3

Royal Dornoch is renowned for its challenging greens, which require precision to hit, and that feature is best showcased by its short holes, especially the 2nd, which is an early tester!

Survey Comments: "Sloping, narrow green back to front. Deep bunkers right and left, at 170 yards, usually into a strong wind. Tricky!"

"It's the shortest par 5 in world golf!"

7th - Glashedy Links, Ballyliffin Golf Club, Par 3

One of the finest venues in Ireland, there are many incredible holes across both courses at Ballyliffin, but for one survey responder, it was the 7th on the Glashedy Links that stood out above the rest.

Survey Comments: "This hole is complete wow factor. Elevated tee, 150 yards, protected by surrounding pond and bunkers. However, the wind factor is the biggest challenge. Great golf hole."

8th - Championship Course, Aphrodite Hills, Par 4

A huge attraction for golfers to Cyprus, Aphrodite Hills is an extraordinary location, with many stunning visuals. One of the best can be found on the 8th, which was described by a golfer responding to the recent Golfshake Survey.

Survey Comments: "You take your drive down the fairway and your second shot is uphill towards the green, which is unsighted. As you walk up the hill to the green you are met by the plateau green and a stunning backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea. I played mid-afternoon as the sun was lower in the sky, just a breathtaking view."

8th - Old Course, Royal Troon, Par 3

The best short hole in golf? The Postage Stamp is certainly a contender and has ruined many scorecards in its time! It would be part of any Open Championship composite layout.

Survey Comments: "Spectacular hole with so much history."

"Should be an easy hole but brilliant design makes it very tricky."

10th - Ailsa Course, Turnberry, Par 5

Turnberry was always a spectacular course, but there's no question that the modern renovations, especially along the coastline, dramatically enhanced the appeal, which is described here eloquently by one golfer.

Survey Comments: "Many would say the par 3 9th because of the iconic views and lighthouse as a backdrop. But the 10th was even better in my opinion. Teeing off over the rugged looking rocks with the sea crashing against them, you almost get double bubble with a similar second shot with the coast running up the left of the hole. Stunning from start to finish."

16th - Dunluce Links, Royal Portrush, Par 3

Calamity is one of the greatest par 3s in the game and was a major factor during the 2019 Open. Taking on this hole is a breathtaking challenge - one that you will always remember.

Survey Comments: "Stunningly beautiful and unbelievably daunting off the tee."

13th - West Links, North Berwick, Par 4

There aren't many courses with more memorable holes than the West Links at North Berwick, but one that was repeatedly mentioned in the survey was the 13th, where golfers have to play over an ancient stone wall with their approach shot!

Survey Comments: "Where you have to play over the wall in front of the green!"

4th - Llanymynech Golf Club, Par 4

Geographically one of the most interesting holes in British golf as one golfer noted in our survey!

Survey Comments: "Tee off in Wales putt out in England!"

13th - Cleeve Hill Golf Club, Par 5

Located in the Cotswolds, Cleeve Hill is one of the most natural and distinctive courses in England, with the 13th hole among those to showcase what makes this place special!

Survey Comments: "The green is in the site of an old Saxon Fort with old earthworks and ditch all around it."

15th - Prestwick Golf Club, Par 4

Original home of the Open Championship, Prestwick boasts some of the most unique and striking holes in golf, so it's hard to pick just one, as survey responses noted, but the testing 15th was one standout mentioned.

Survey Comments: "Holes around this part of the course are still in original layouts from Old Tom Morris. Blind tee shot into narrow, firm ground. Approach shot is uphill to a blind green which slopes dramatically from front to back. Two putt on this green is a great result."

"It's hard to pick out just one hole at Prestwick, as a large majority of the holes have blind shots, lumps and bumps and bunkers older than you can imagine to negotiate, how golf was once played."

12th - Oxford Golf Club, Par 3

Once described by Henry Longhurst “as one of the best holes in English Golf”, the 12th is a par 3 that benefits from the genius of designer Harry Colt who incorporated the original creations of James Braid when re-designing the course during the 1920s.

Survey Comments: "The entire hole is a 170 yard carry over a valley full of rough, shrubs and trees, so it's a long iron or hybrid for most which not only has to carry the valley, but also be on a very precise line - there are steep drops just left and behind the green, but bail-out right and there's a deep gaping bunker which will swallow your ball. A card wrecker of a hole, a fantastic par 3."

4th - Isles of Scilly Golf Club, Par 3

The most south westerly course in England, Isles of Scilly is also one of the most scenic, with the very short 4th (just 109 yards) among the highlights.

Survey Comments: "Tee perched on cliff - played across ravine to tiny punch-bowl green, where the ball gathers to the hole all the time. I believe there is a separate hole in one club here - scenery just outstanding - as good as Pebble Beach, and yes, I have been there!"

18th - Old Course, Moray Golf Club, Par 4

One of Scotland's best closing holes, Moray brings together a memorable setting alongside a stout challenge to create the perfect conclusion to a fabulous golf course.

Survey Comments: "18th, requires accurate shot placement, a clear strategy and good golf. Plus the setting is brilliant. An outstanding finishing hole."

18th - Seaford Head Golf Club, Par 5

Celebrated for having some of the best visuals of any course in Sussex, the closing par 5 18th is a fine example of what makes Seaford Head such a popular venue - Highly Recommended on Golfshake.

Survey Comments: "300ft drop from tee to green. Fantastic cliff-top views, and if lucky fierce side winds to cope with."

"On top of Seaford cliffs - view over Seaford Town - on a clear day you can see the Isle of Wight 60 miles away. The tee is at the top of the cliffs, the green and clubhouse 500 yards away almost at sea level. The ball is in the air for ages. Anything short off the tee, less than 200 yards is out of sight."

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