There are plenty of difficult holes in the world but some among them play first fiddle. If you are looking for some golf adrenaline, we picked five holes that will test both your skills and central nervous system. Unfortunately, it can be pretty difficult to get a chance and have a first-hand experience of these amazing courses.

Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand (15^th Hole)
When you stand on the tee, your heart might stop for a while. And then again, once you hit the ball. You will need a head for heights to take on this hole; it has a 140-meter cliff on the left side, under which a frothy ocean spreads. Instead of going to the edge of the hole, choose a safer low-cut shot. You need maximum accuracy, but also the length, because this is the longest par-5 on the course.

And by the way – Cape Kidnappers is worth visiting not only because of the terrifying 15^th hole, but also for the remaining seventeen holes. Once you get there, you will realise that you have seen these local holes somewhere. Probably on posters in travel agencies. The Tom Doak’s spectacular course at Hawke’s Bay has been considered a true golf jewel since its completion in 2004. And rightfully so.

Pebble Beach, USA (8^th Hole)
Water, water everywhere. Pebble Beach’s 8^th is another tough hole. Stunning in appearance, it can take your breath away. It is famed as much for its beauty as its difficultness – a lethal combination. The stretch is nearly four hundred metres long and the par-4 hole is surrounded by cliffs. The course falls off especially on the right hand side where the edge of the hole meets the cliffs and shots that go too far right will find a similar fate. The hole is difficult even in good weather, but if the course is battered by strong winds and rain, which is nothing unusual, then it is a real challenge, which will reveal your true golf art.

Augusta National, USA (12^th Hole)
The iconic hole, which everyone knows at least from television. At first glance it does not seem to be terribly difficult since this par-3 is only 140 metres long, but the narrow green is sandwiched in between three bunkers and a creek.

This hole will quickly show itself off. Keeping your ball on this course is one of the main issues. Jack Nicklaus advises golfers to ‘aim over that front bunker’ when attempting hole 12 so ‘that if you come up with a hair short, you’re in the bunker, not the water.’ If that was not hard enough, hole 12 is plagued by extreme winds and a very slick and extremely fast green.

Legend Golf and Safari Resort, South Africa (19^th Hole)
This hole is from another world. And probably because of this, nineteen is its serial number. The tee box is accessible only by helicopter, and when you hit the ball, you are in the game for one million dollars. The 19^th hole on this course is truly an absolute extreme.

The Extreme 19^th is the highest (400 metres) and longest (361 metres) hole under the sun. The green has been shaped to resemble the continent of Africa. Before the ball hits the ground, it “hangs” in the air about 20 seconds. It is probably not necessary to add that the distant green resembles from the tee rather a rug in the bathroom and yet it is the most difficult par-3 golf hole in the world.

If you achieve a hole-in-one, you will leave South Africa with a lot of money (the chance to win $1 million). But no one has ever won this prize, not even world aces like Sergio Garcia or Justin Rose. Even though no one had scored a hole-in-one, some golfers had managed ‘at least’ a birdie.

Legend Golf and Safari Resort in Entabeni Park are worth going through the whole. You will find the 10 hole Tribute Course with the most world famous par-3s here (including 12 hole from Augusta), which you can handle approximately in two hours. In the heart of the resort is the championship 18-hole Signature Course, where each hole was designed by the world’s top golfers.

Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland (17^th Hole)
The toughest par-4 in the world, the famous Road Hole, which could hardly be built by anyone today. After all, the architect placed the tee on railway tracks and urges golfers to hit drives literally at random and over a hotel. And that is what the 17^th hole is like.

The initial shot leads over the hotel building. You have to stand directly opposite the inscription “Old Course Hotel” and aim for the “O” in the word “Course”. Otherwise you can get in trouble. And the problems do not stop here, especially after the hole was extended by almost forty metres five years ago. In addition, proper inconveniences may occur in front of the green where a sand trap known as the Road Hole Bunker, which intimidates even the pros, is located. When your ball hits the bunker you are lost. But a picture on the charming Swilcan Bridge will make it up to you.

Assessing the most challenging holes is always to some extent subjective. Do you have any other tips? Do not hesitate to let us know about your choice of the toughest holes in the world of golf.