Longest Golf Holes in the US: Standing on the 17th tee of the Reserve at Moonlight Basin, I can’t shake the feeling of the daunting challenge ahead.
Setting aside the altitude bump at 7,500 feet above sea level and the downhill nature of the hole, the 676 yards from the Lone Creek tees still seem like a considerable distance. Sensibly, I’ve opted not to play from the tips, which are set 101 yards further back.
At a whopping 777 yards, the 17th hole ranks among the 10 longest holes in America. This contributes significantly to the Reserve being one of the world’s longest courses, measuring 8,000 yards. Despite teeing it forward, I found myself living up to the 7 I mentally penciled in on the scorecard even before teeing off. Playing such extreme distances can indeed be intimidating.
Thankfully, for amateurs like myself who don’t possess Bryson-like power off the tee, yardage from the tips is mostly irrelevant. Many of us opt for more manageable distances by teeing up from closer tee boxes.
However, when it comes to the longest holes in the country, they tend to attract golfers seeking a unique challenge. While I wouldn’t suggest playing them from the tips every day due to pace of play and sanity concerns, giving them a try once in a while can certainly add some excitement to your game.
Here’s where you can find them.
The Longest Golf Holes in the U.S.
Meadow Farms, Locust Grove, Va. – 841 Yards
The longest hole in America, another par 6, adds to the novelty of Meadow Farms, a course boasting 27 holes of unique experiences. Among them is a hole designed to resemble a baseball diamond.
Still craving more length? Hop on a plane to South Korea, where you’ll find a par 7 measuring a whopping 1,097 yards at Gunsan Country Club.
Links at Kahite Golf Course, Vonore, Tenn. – 808 Yards
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Smoky Mountains, the Links at Kahite first welcomed golfers in 2002 and has since played host to numerous state events and competitions. Among its notable features are two standout holes: the challenging 18th hole, boasting an impressive 12 bunkers, and, of course, the renowned par-6 9th hole.
The Links Golf Course, Post Falls, Idaho – 777 Yards
It sounds like the Links at Kahite is indeed a course that favors long hitters, as described by user ‘Tome1’ in their 2015 review. With their normal drive exceeding 300 yards, they found that most courses didn’t require them to even use their driver. However, at the Links at Kahite, they experienced a different scenario, where their powerful drives often fell short despite distances of up to 330 yards. It’s likely that the par-6 9th hole played a role in this, showcasing the course’s challenge even for players with significant length off the tee.
Reserve at Moonlight Basin, Big Sky, Montana – 777 Yards
The mountain scenery at Moonlight Basin is truly breathtaking, offering spectacular views that are hard to beat. With Jack Nicklaus at the helm, renowned for designing challenging courses, you can expect nothing less at Moonlight Basin. However, despite its reputation, this par 5 offers a slight reprieve as it plays downhill, effectively shortening its actual playing length to around 650 yards or so.
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TPC Colorado , Berthoud, Colo. – 773 Yards
It must have been quite an experience filming Southhillsgolf Managing Editor Brandon Tucker tackle this formidable par 5 from the tips a few years ago. With a deep bunker complex to the left of the fairway near the green, it’s truly a challenging hole, regardless of which tees you play from. In fact, it’s worth noting that even Korn Ferry Tour pros competing in the TPC Colorado Championship at Heron Lakes don’t tee it up from this far back.
RainDance National Resort & Golf Club, Windsor, Colo. – 752 Yards
At a staggering 8,463 yards, the course is undeniably one of the longest in the world, having opened its doors in 2022. With a 713-yard par 5 on the second hole, it’s clear that players need to be prepared to unleash their big swings right from the start. Better make sure you’re warmed up and ready to go with the driver!
Black Mountain Golf Course, Black Mountain, N.C. – 747 Yards
At one point, the renowned par 6 on this city-owned municipal course held the title of being the longest hole in the world. What’s even more remarkable is that it occupies a whopping 12 percent of the course’s total yardage, which amounts to 6,215 yards. According to the course description on its website, “It may sound strange but 6 is a great score! A birdie 5 is something to really celebrate!” This suggests that even achieving a par on this challenging hole is considered an accomplishment worth celebrating.
Purgatory Golf Club, Noblesville, Ind. – 741 Yards
The name “Purgatory” seems fitting for golfers facing holes of such extreme lengths. While playing golf here may feel like heaven, scoring on a par 5 named “Eternal Torment” can be a real challenge. With 13 bunkers to navigate and a green stretching 36 yards deep, it’s no easy feat. And here’s a tip: after you’ve written down your score, take a moment to look back from the green. You’ll notice that the bunkers, designed and built up in a certain way, are not visible from this angle, adding to the course’s strategic complexity.
Gallery Golf Club’s North course, Marana, Ariz. – 725 Yards
While the South Course of the Gallery Golf Club gained fame by hosting the Accenture Match Play Championships in 2007-08, the North Course also played a significant role in professional golf. It co-hosted the pros during the 2000 Touchstone Energy Tucson Open, where Jim Carter emerged victorious over competitors Chris DiMarco and Jean Van de Velde. One of the notable challenges on the North Course is encountered on a par 5, where a pond situated just short and to the right of a desert wash crossing the fairway adds complexity to reaching the green safely.