Oakmont Course
Oakmont, PA, USA
Oakmont Country Club's unforgiving terrain is its defining legend. A product of the Golden Age, Oakmont presents a penal challenge on brutally contoured terrain in the Pittsburgh suburbs, demanding strategic precision from tee to green. Its slick, undulating greens and deep, treacherous bunkers have humbled generations of golfers. Originally designed by Henry Fownes, with later refinements by his son William, and further modifications by prominent architects over the decades, Oakmont remains a testament to classic, uncompromising golf course architecture. The fairways, often narrow and lined by thick rough, reward accuracy more than sheer power, as do it's lightning fast, treacherous greens. Oakmont has hosted a record number of U.S. Opens, witnessing iconic moments and crowning legendary champions, most recently Dustin Johnson's steely victory in 2016. The club's commitment to championship golf is a cornerstone of its identity. Beyond the course, Oakmont fosters a membership steeped in tradition and a deep appreciation for the game's history. While notoriously difficult, its iconic status ensures its place among the most revered and respected venues in golf. The nearby Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Oakland offers a fascinating cultural contrast to Oakmont's fiercely competitive spirit, should one need a breather from the links.
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
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Best in USA
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Best in PA
All courses
Golfers say this is one of the hardest courses in the world, with lightning-fast greens often rolling at 16 on the stimpmeter and relentless bunkers that punish even slight misses. Most praise the pristine conditioning as among the best anywhere, with tournament-level firmness and precision maintained daily, though some find the difficulty level so extreme it becomes more grueling than fun. Reviewers consistently highlight the first-class experience beyond the course itself, noting welcoming members, knowledgeable caddies, excellent facilities including a well-stocked pro shop, and a clubhouse steeped in championship history. The pace of play impresses given the challenge, with four-hour rounds common, and while a few mention some holes feeling similar in layout, the overall consensus is that this is an unforgettable, world-class test of golf that demands players bring their best game.
9.6
219 players
Damn hard golf course but a tremendous experience. Think I was in 17 bunkers….
Best and hardest course i have ever played. Facilities were amazing
Incredibly challenging. Greens are wicked fast. Membership very friendly. Very rich club history. Some of the holes had a pretty similar layout, so harder to remember which ones were which than some other courses. Got to stay in one of the cabins. Unforgettable experience.
Special place. Greens were rolling at a 16 according to caddies. Unbelievable experience. Clubhouse is a museum, food delicious, staff welcoming, caddies were knowledgeable, and course conditions as pristine as you’d expect. Checks all the boxes.
It’s Oakmont. It’s long. It’s tough. It will potentially break your spirit. It’s perfect
Up there with winged foot west as the best true test of golf in the game. One of the hardest courses I’ve played, but not in an unfair way.
All timer right here, certain elements would have to be rated as #1 like the new range, difficulty level, greens, conditions, membership, pace of play, pro shop. Played it a bunch and always look forward to going back!
My favorite course in America. There is no faking it around Oakmont and there is no hiding or evading the hardest of shots out there. Strap up before playing because it will feel like going 10 rounds with Mike Tyson in his prime but the challenge is worth it. Also, great gear in the pro shop.
Might be the hardest course in the world and you're not really even losing balls or taking penalty strokes. It is masterful in that regard. Conditioning is absolutely perfect, they keep the course dialed day in and day out. For me it is too hard to be much fun even if the challenge is doable, its the equivalent of skiing down an Olympic race course. Yeah normal humans can technically do it but the elite can really showcase it here.
As hard as golf course as there is, especially when it’s firm and dry (almost always is). The history is palpable and the experience is first class. The members here are golf sickos in the best way and some of the best people around. Just a great, great place and a golf course every bit as fun as it is demanding.
Public courses closest to Oakmont.
Most visitors to Oakmont Country Club arrive through Pittsburgh International Airport, a straightforward forty-minute drive to the northeast along the Allegheny River valley. The route traces the industrial backbone of western Pennsylvania before ascending into the genteel borough of Oakmont, where tree-lined streets give way to the club's understated entrance on Hulton Road. There is no fanfare, no grand gates - just a quiet turn onto the property where the storied layout, site of a record nine U.S. Opens, reveals itself with the same stern, uncompromising character it has held since 1903.
FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Oakmont has a Course Vaults score of 9.6 out of 10 based on 136 explicit golfer ratings.
Oakmont was designed by Henry Fownes.
Oakmont is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Oakmont is 71.
Oakmont plays 7,255 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Oakmont is 141.
