BOO!
Scariest Holes in The World of Troon
It’s that spine-tingling time of year again when “Scream” dominates Netflix, classic reruns of “Nightmare on Elm Street” fill the airwaves, and the moon takes on an eerily enchanting glow. In the spirit of the season, golf also offers its own thrills, featuring daunting shots, treacherous holes, and moments that can quicken your pulse and induce a few nervous sweats.
Here are just a few of the scariest holes within the world of Troon, where the thrill of golf meets the spine-chilling atmosphere of the season:
Mauna Lani, South Course Par 3 15th hole, 196 Yards – Kohala Coast, HI
While often referred to as one of the most photographed holes in golf, No. 15 on Mauna Lani South Course presents one of the scariest shots in Hawaii if not the country or world. From the hourglass back tee of the 15th players are literally staring over 196 yards of nearly all carry over the Pacific to a green protected by white sand bunkers. Add to it tropical tradewinds that provide pause and you are faced with one scary tee shot.
Quintero Golf Club, 9th hole, Par 3, 188 yards – Peoria, AZ
This daunting par 3 to end the first nine at Quintero is spooky! The long, winding drive up the hill from the previous hole creates both excitement and anxiety. When golfers arrive at the tee box, they are greeted with a tremendous view of the property, as well as a very narrow green with water catching all shots that come up short. The trick (or treat) to this hole is club selection. Improperly judging the drop in elevation can lead to a birdie opportunity … or a frightful double-bogey. Make a good swing or be haunted by this hole until the next time you play it!
Indian Wells Golf Resort – Celebrity Course, Par 5, 14th Hole, 519 yards – Indian Wells, CA
When golf course architect Clive Clark created the Celebrity Course over a decade ago, he always spoke about the shimmering water features and babbling brooks that highlight the layout. Both come into play on multiple shots on the Par 5 14th at Indian Wells Golf Resort where your drive, second shot, and third shot must navigate either over, around, or beside challenging water features. Add to it strategically placed bunkers and this is one scary hole.
Kapalua Plantation, Hole 18, 636 yards, Par 5 – Maui, HI
This incredibly long par 5 has a steep downhill fairway making your second shot extremely difficult with uneven feet because of the slope, plus the ball above your feet for righties and below your fee for lefties. Sure, the view is as good as any you’ll see on any golf course, but if you don’t hit the right spots for each shot on this hole, it could feel like a neverending twilight zone.
Lookout Mountain Golf Club, 10th Hole, 419 yards – Phoenix, AZ
Known as the “Highest Tee in Phoenix,” which is already not ideal for those afraid of heights, the ball when hit off the tee here hangs in the air for what feels like an eternity before you know if it’s found the thin strip of fairway below. The haunting vertical drive up the hill to the tee box only adds to the suspense!
Princeville Makai Golf Club, 3rd Hole, 185 yards, Par 3 – Kaua`i, HI
This dramatically elevated tee box at Princeville Makai Golf Club offers breathtaking views of the Na Pali Coast, but one associate famously admitted, “I almost lost it the first time I stood there!” The green is well-protected, nestled among vibrant native plants and trees. Given the elevation, you’ll need to carefully consider your shot; miss the green, and you might find yourself in a tricky situation.
Potomac Shores Golf Club, 10th hole, Par 5, 575 yards – Potomac Shores, VA
One of the best par 5s in the Mid Atlantic, the par 5 10th at Potomac Shores seems somewhat unassuming off the tee with a wide fairway and a deep bunker protecting the dogleg on the right. The second shot is visually spectacular while scaring the pants off of mid- to high-handicap golfers as the fairway tumbles downhill with spooky bunkers surrounding the green and an eerie forest of trees to the right. Spine-chilling shrieks and ghostly gasps from golfers of the past echo from the trees around the amphitheater-like green.
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, Par 3, 248 yards – Maricopa, AZ
When you ask Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club General Manager and PGA Professional Brady Wilson what hole is one of the scariest at the club, he quickly replies with the long par three 6th: “First off, the sheer length makes the hole scary … but the fact that you are hitting a hybrid to a green that is designed to accept 9-irons makes it even scarier.” The hole is long, especially from the tips, protected by deep bunkers, plus the green is undulating and set an angle making it even scarier. Par here feels like a treat and not a trick.
Yocha Dehe Golf Club, 1st Hole, Par 4 – Brooks, CA
At first glance, this hole might not seem intimidating — unless you have a fear of heights. Standing on this elevated tee box can bring joy as you watch your ball soar if you make a good shot. However, if you slice it, especially to the right, you could find yourself in trouble. The thick vegetation lining the hole isn’t your only concern; there are also warning signs indicating that snakes like to frequent that area. Snakes? No thanks!
Mill Creek Country Club, 7th Hole aka “Boomerang,” Par 4 – Mill Creek, WA
This is the most difficult par 4 on the course. Players must shape their tee shot from left to right around the corner of the dogleg. A drive too far left will require a draw on the second shot around a stand of trees 75 yards from the green. The landing area is very generous for tee shots that leave you 180-200 yards from the green. The green will challenge you with a false front and many small slopes throughout.
©ALLAN ZEPEDA
StoneTree Golf Club, 9th Hole – Novato, California
The ninth hole at StoneTree Golf Club often leaves members questioning if they want to make the turn to the 10th tee or head to the range after finishing the 7-8-9 stretch of holes referred to as “The Hollow.” A forced carry of 200-plus yards off the tee leaves you a long iron into the expansive three-tiered green. If your ball does find the fairway consider yourself lucky as 50 percent of tee shots head to the drop zone on a daily basis.
PGA National Resort, The Champion/The Bear Trap – Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
PGA National Resort has two of the scariest holes in golf. Hole #15 — first hole of The Bear Trap — is a par 3 with water guarding front/right/long and bunker left. The front left to back right diagonal green has a bailout short left. Check the wind carefully as this hole is susceptible to three-club swings. The other hole that can give you night chills is No.17, another par 3 where water guards the front. The bunker behind the green leaves a difficult shot to a putting surface that slopes towards the water. Accurate club selection is a must with a bailout area to the left.
Troon International:
Al Hamra Golf Club, 18th Hole, Par 5, 576 Yards – Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
As Halloween approaches, there’s no better time to highlight the scariest holes in golf, and Al Hamra Golf Club’s Hole 18 certainly earns its place on the list. This par-5 finishing hole is a true test of nerves and precision. Stretching over water, it challenges players to balance risk and reward, particularly with the pressure of finishing a round. One wrong move and your ball could end up submerged in the lagoon — making it a perfect contender for the “Scariest Holes” feature this spooky season. Will you face the fear?
Vattanac Golf Resort, 8th Hole, West Course, Par 5, 551 Yards Phnom Penh, Cambodia
When you ask Vattanac Golf Resort Head Teaching Professional Rory Tinker what hole is scariest at the club, he replies that the No. 8 is a true heart-pounding challenge — not just because of the dragon-shaped lake that curls ominously along the fairway, but because every shot demands absolute precision. From the tee box, danger lurks on both sides: Water hungrily awaits on the left, while deep bunkers and out-of-bounds zones stand ready to punish any stray shot to the right. Nail the perfect drive, and your reward is a daunting decision — a long layup to the edge of the water, or risk it all and go for it in 2. The green is wide but shallow, leaving little room for error. Your club selection must be flawless, or the water will claim your ball. Walking away with a par on this beast requires not just skill, but nerves of steel!
Al Mouj Golf, 11th Hole, Par 3, 230 Yards – Muscat, Oman
Brace yourself as you stand on the tee of one of the most daunting par 3s at Al Mouj Golf. With the unforgiving Gulf of Oman lurking in the backdrop, the wind howls relentlessly in your face, daring you to take the shot. This hole, stretching a terrifying 230 yards, feels like it’s always against you. Even from the forward tees, you’re faced with a cruel challenge, with an elevated green that taunts you from afar with sharp runoff’s waiting hungrily on both sides. Miss on either side and you’re forced to conjure a challenging chip to the towering green. Walking off with a par on this hole could be a highlight of your round
The Track, Meydan Golf, 1st Hole, Par 5, 663 yards – Dubai.
At 663 yards from the black tee and water both right and left, the full length of the hole Peter Harradine has designed is one spooky start to The Track, Meydan Golf. A demanding tee shot, followed by a more generous second leaves an approach shot to the narrowest green on the golf course. Many rounds have started with a bundle of positivity, but this scary hole has ruined a number of golfers’ hearts!
The Els Club Desaru Coast, 14th Hole of Valley Course, Par 5 – Johor, Malaysia
The 14th hole of the Valley Course at The Els Club Desaru Coast is a daunting par 5 that stretches 573 yards and poses a serious challenge. From the tee, players face water along the left and a narrowing diagonal fairway. Aiming for the first bunker at 210 yards requires a careful layup, as anything right risks losing a ball to the lurking monkeys, while the left leads to perilous water. A good second shot carrying 165 yards to the second fairway is essential for a shot at the green in three. Hitting 230 yards off the tee sets up a 140-yard carry, while a 275-yard drive leaves 290 yards to the green — unreachable for most. The approach is fraught with danger, featuring deep bunkers and steep drop-offs. The safest play is to target the middle of the green, as missing right can lead to disaster, while missing left offers a recovery chance.
Al Zorah Golf Club, Hole 2, Par 3 – Ajman, UAE
Beware the eerie second hole at Al Zorah Golf Club! This spooky par 3 is haunted by a lake lining the entire left side of the hole where golf balls go to perish. If that isn’t spooky enough, twin bunkers are lurking on the right which are ready to swallow your ball whole! Only the bravest golfers who keep their aim true and choose the right iron will survive the challenge. Stray off course, and you will be haunted by a high number on your scorecard!
What did we miss? Tell us the scariest hole you’ve played in the world of Troon!
Happy Halloween!
