10 Strangest Golf Courses in the World
This article first appeared on Golfshake.com in Sep 2016.
Are you getting bored of normal golf courses and quite fancy a round of golf in some of the strangest locations around the world? Then look no further, we have picked out 10 of the strangest golf courses in the world to go and explore.
10. Nullarbor Links, Australia
If you want to combine the world of travel with the world of golf then Nullarbor Links is definitely the course for you. This really isn’t one for the golfer who wants to be round in under four hours, as a round here will take more like four days to complete.
The course is measured at 848 miles long and spans two time zones. There is one hole in each participating town or roadhouse along the Eyre Highway, beginning in Kalgoorlie in Western Australia and finishing in Ceduna in South Australia. Nullarbor Links really does offer a quintessential Australian experience.
To find out more about Nullarbor Links, click here.
9. La Jenny, France
Now this course is definitely a very niche experience and you won’t find a place like it in Europe. La Jenny was created in 1993 and is the only place in Europe where golf is practiced in a naturist setting.
The course features six holes and includes a water hazard, a large putting green and a genuine driving range where you can learn to play golf with the resident professional. So if you’ve found it difficult swinging the club in several layers of clothing, maybe this is the place for you.
To find out more about La Jenny, click here.
8. Brickyard Crossing, USA
Quiet Please! If you want to combine both golf and motorsport then maybe this is the course for you, as Brickyard Crossing features four holes inside the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The rest of the holes here at this Pete Dye design play around the home of the Indianapolis 500.
You can only play golf here when there is not an event on the track so you don’t have to worry about the excessive noise from the Speedway.
7. Furnace Creek, USA
Located in Death Valley and 214-feet below sea level, Furnace Creek is the lowest altitude golf course in the world. The 18-hole, par-70 course has palm and tamarisk trees framing the fairways and the majestic mountains are visible from all areas of the course.
You should definitely only take on this course in the winter as in the peak of summer, temperatures can reach an incredible 130 degrees. If you do go during the summer months then make sure pack a lot of sun cream.
6. Don Mueang International Airport Golf Course, Thailand
If you don’t like traveling far from the airport when on holiday and fancy a game of golf, then Don Mueang International Airport Golf Course couldn’t be more suited to you. The owners of the airport realized there was a lot of extra green space and decided to capitalize on that to create an 18-hole golf course – right next to the runways and terminals.
This is one course where you definitely need to bring some noise cancelling headphones. Strangely, guests seem to love the unique placement of this course despite the constant loud noise from the airport.
5. Coober Pedy Opal Fields Golf Club, Australia
This course in Southern Australia is a very unique 18-hole course, mainly due to the fact it features not a single blade of grass. This also means that the course doesn’t have the outrageous costs that come with keeping a desert course green.
Despite being one big sand trap, the grass-less fairways create a lot of roll and the “greens” are made of oiled sand that create a surprisingly smooth surface to putt on. One neat feature of this course is that it is the only golf course in the world with reciprocal playing rights with St Andrews.
4. Prison View, USA
This is possibly the only golf course in the world where a background check is required before you are even allowed near the first tee. As you probably guessed from the name, this course is set in the grounds of a prison. In fact, the course is right next to Unit J of the Louisiana State Penitentiary, which is also known as “the Alcatraz of the South”.
The course is kept by the prisoners although they are not allowed to play the course. As you can imagine, you cannot bring firearms, drugs, alcohol or other contraband items onto the course but at just $10 a round you can take advantage of this quite unique experience.
3. Merapi Golf Course, Indonesia
The name of this golf course doesn’t really give much away but this course does suit the thrill seekers among us, but why? Well, this course is situated right next to an active volcano.
Eruptions have happened in 2006 and 2010 and smoke can be seen emerging from Mount Merapi 300 days plus a year. In fact, smaller eruptions happen approximately every two to three years, with larger ones every 10 to 15 years. The latest eruption caused a lot of the course to be closed.
2. Uummannaq, Greenland
Uummannaq is the home of the World Ice Golf Championships and temperatures can drop as low as -50 Celsius. As the course is set 600km north of the Arctic Circle, players have to compete with freezing glaciers and giant icebergs.
The rules are exactly the same as normal golf. You use an orange ball, the holes are slightly shorter and the cups are larger but the major testing factor is the fact everything is frozen. You definitely need to pack a few layers if you’re going to play golf here.
1. Camp Bonifas, between North & South Korea
Despite only consisting of one 192-yard par 3, Camp Bonifas is the most dangerous course on the planet. The course is situated near a military base in North Korea beside one of the most fortified borders in the world.
Think that is scary enough? Well wait until you hear this. The course is flanked by military style bunkers on the right, an 18-foot high security fence topped by concertina wire on the left and several unexploded mines in the rough. Yes, you read that right, the fairway and green is surrounded by several unexploded mines. A nearby sign warns players: Danger. Do not retrieve balls from the rough. Live mine fields,” and one small mistake could cause a huge fatal explosion. I would advise playing a provisional ball if you don’t manage to find the fairway or green.
These courses definitely offer something a little different to your average golf course and if you’re brave enough to try some of them, they will offer a truly unforgettable experience.