The PGA Tour’s 10 Toughest Courses

Following are this year’s 10 toughest courses (so far) on the PGA Tour based on average strokes over par.

1. The Masters: Augusta National Golf Club (7,445 yards, par 72)
Average score: 75.881
Average strokes over par: 3.881
Winner: Zach Johnson

(Armchair comment: Maybe Augusta should try to get a U.S. Open.)

2. Arnold Palmer Invitational: Bay Hill Club and Lodge (7,137 yards, par 70)
Average score: 72.054
Average strokes over par: 2.054
Winner: Vijah Singh

3. Honda Classic: PGA National Champion Course (7,241 yards, par 70)
Average score: 71.958
Average strokes over par: 1.958
Winner: Mark Wilson

4. AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am: Pebble Beach Golf Links (6,816 yards, par 72)
Average score: 73.397
Average strokes over par: 1.397
Winner: Phil Mickelson

(Armchair comment: It’s rare these days for the Tour pros to play a course under 7,000 yards. Relatively short, Pebble still plays tough even at a par of 72.)

5. The Wachovia Championship: Quail Hollow Golf club (7,442 yards, par 72)
Average score: 73.280
Average strokes over par: 1.280
Winner: Tiger Woods

6. The Players Championship: The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass (7,215 yards, par 72)
Average score: 73.248
Average strokes over par: 1.248
Winner: Phil Mickelson

7. EDS Byron Nelson Championship: Cottonwood Valley Golf Club (7,030 yards, par 70)
Average score: 71.118
Average strokes over par: 1.118
Winner: Scott Verplank

8. Buick Invitational: Torrey Pines South (7,568 yards, par 72)
Average score: 73.033
Average strokes over par: 1.033
Winner: Tiger Woods

9. PODS Championship: Innisbrook Resort (7,341 yards, par 71)
Average score: 72.005
Average strokes over par: 1.005
Winner: Mark Calcavecchia

10. WGC-CA Championship: Doral Resort and Spa (7,266 yards, par 72)
Average score: 73.000
Average strokes over par: 1.000
Winner: Tiger Woods

The Armchair Golfer

(Source: PGATour.com)