From the course description of the 17th Hole: "Shots which stray to the left will be lost in the jungle." Sure, playing in a lush tropical forest sounds romantic, but throw in a slew of ravines and 22 bunkers on the last hole alone, and you've got one of the most difficult courses in the entire United States. Bring lots of balls, a good sense of humor, and an appetite for adventure.
$$$ (Expensive)Golf Course Statistics: 7,310 yards, par 72, slope 162 - designed by Dick Nugent (1992). This is a public course.
Carved out of a magnificent tropical rain forest on the windward side of the 2,000-foot Ko'olau Ridge mountain range, Ko'olau encompasses three distinct climate zones and features winding ravines, extreme elevation changes, and breathtaking views of cascading waterfalls. Situated on eastern Oahu, the rugged landscape of this tropical jungle course uses ravines as the target for holes and boasts lush vegetation and huge sand bunkers. Considered the toughest course in the nation from the back tees with a slope rating of 162, Ko'olau's spectacular setting will inspire you from beginning to end.