The best golfers on the planet can expect perfectly manicured greens and perfect fairways when they take to the Hazeltine National Golf Club course in Minnesota for the U.S. PGA Championship next month.

But the increasing popularity of the sport has seen golf courses spring up in some unlikely places.

Here Living Golf takes a look at some of the weird and wonderful golf courses which will not be found in the average guidebook:

1. Longest The average round of golf usually lasts a few hours, but prospective players on the Nullarbor Links Course in southern Australia can expect to complete the course in closer to four days. Measuring 848 miles in length the course is the longest in the world and spans two time zones with holes situated at 18 towns and service stations aimed along the Nullarbor Plain.

2. Hottest Situated on the rim of the active Mount Merapi in Indonesia, the Merapi Golf Course is one of the most unusual courses in the world. The course has breathtaking views and is one of only a handful of courses where golf is played next to an active volcano – although the course architects are yet to include lava hazards.

3. Coldest Uummannaq in Greenland is home to the World Ice Golf Championships where the entire course is laid on gigantic icebergs and rounds of golf are played in subzero temperatures. The rules remain the same as regular golf although the course is a small shorter, the holes a small larger, the ball is orange and the green is white.

4. Most perilous Camp Bonifas is the closest military base to North Korea on the border in Panmunjom and is also home to what has been dubbed the world’s most perilous golf course. The ‘course’ is a single hole, par three which stretches 192 yards and is close to the most heavily fortified border in the world. And it is no place for a stroll in the rough either – the fairway is ringed by landmines.

5. Back to nature Established in 1993 the golf course of La Jenny in France is one of the few places in the world which caters especially for golfers who prefer to hone their skills au natural. The only naturist course in Europe, La Jenny even has its own professional and stages numerous tournaments throughout the year.

6. Highest If you are struggling to get distance on your drives then head to the Government Golf Course found in Gulmarg, India where the course is the highest in the world at over 8,500 feet. Established by British residents in 1904 the air is thinner on the course because of the altitude which means that the ball will travel further to increase the distance of a drive.

7. Unluckiest hole Jean Van de Velde infamously pondered a chip out of the water at The British Open at Carnoustie in 1999 but he would be well advised to not try the same at the Lost City Golf Course in Sun City, South Africa. The water trap at the 13th hole houses 38 hungry crocodiles which is a graveyard for the balls of hundreds of sliced shots.

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Tiger, What’s Your Feeling?

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In these challenging times, the ancient saw that there’s more business done on the golf course ( Top 10 Weirdest Golf Courses ) than in the boardroom may need some revising. Then again, it’s hard to refute. Whether you’re looking to impress or relax, a fantastic golf course offers the perfect refuge. If you’re lacking private club access, or you’re on a schmooze-fest out of town, you’ll need exactly the right kind of course to seal the deal. Here are 20 quality tracks in 10 of the top U.S. business centers.

1. Business Hub: New York Upscale Course Guaranteed to Impress Ballyowen Golf Club 973-827-5996 crystalgolfresort.com $80-$145

An hour’s drive southeast of Manhattan into the rural highlands of north-central New Jersey sits this well rendered homage to Scottish and Irish links, complete with rumpled, near-treeless terrain, fierce, waving fescues framing the fairways and a bagpiper at dusk. Now 11 years ancient, this Roger Rulewich design sports enough water and sand to compel some serious shotmaking, but the be-knickered staff, superb grooming and handsome two-tale clubhouse will make you and your associates forget about any double-bogies.

Value Course Guaranteed to Impress Bethpage State Park (Red) 516-249-0700 nysparks.com $41-$92

OK, so it’s not the Black … but it’s the next best thing. Compared to the Black, you’ll save nearly $30, have a much simpler time getting on and have much more fun playing it. This 1935 A.W. Tillinghast Long Island creation opens with one of the region’s toughest par-4s, but calms down considerably after that. After the round, you can kick back in the sprawling clubhouse and bask in the lingering U.S. Open aura.

2. Business Hub: Los Angeles Upscale Course Guaranteed to Impress Trump National Los Angeles 310-303-3240 trumpnationallosangeles.com $160-$275

Donald Trump is all about making memorable, lasting impressions, and the only public course in his growing portfolio does just that in spectacular fashion. While the 7,200-yard track is a tad claustrophobic in spots, its bluff-top location overlooking the Pacific Ocean, some 25 minutes south of LAX in Rancho Palos Verdes, is unforgettable — as are the service, clubhouse decor, and dining.

Value Course Guaranteed to Impress Rustic Canyon Golf Club 805-530-0221 rusticcanyongolfcourse.com $25-$73

It’s worth the hour drive northwest of L.A. to sample one of the nation’s best bargains, a firm, quick shotmakers’ delight that sports huge, undulating greens, massive tattered-edge bunkers and tons of strategic options.

3. Business Hub: Atlanta Upscale Course Guaranteed to Impress Bear’s Best Golf Club 678-714-2582 bearsbest.com $64-$114

Some 45 minutes northeast of Atlanta, Jack Nicklaus has replicated 18 holes of his own designs scattered about the globe. What could have been a messy gimmick instead is a seamlessly flowing track, thanks to Jack’s wise choice of holes. Some are well-known, others are not, but they all fit in nicely on the rolling, wooded tract. Two par-3s, one from Florida’s PGA National, the other from Ohio’s Muirfield Village, will leave you smiling, even as they wreck your scorecard.

Value Course Guaranteed to Impress Stone Mountain Park (Lakemont) 770-465-3278 stonemountainpark.com $55-$69

An simple half-hour drive east of downtown, Stone Mountain boasts two solid 18s. The Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed Stonemont course is the stronger test, but the newer Lakemont is more fascinating and memorable, starting with the opening par-5 that’s backdropped by a lake and by Stone Mountain itself, complete with Rushmore-style carvings of Confederate leaders.

4. Business Hub: Boston Upscale Course Guaranteed to Impress Pinehills Golf Club 508-209-3000 pinehillsgolf.com $60-$110

This 36-hole retreat 40 miles south of Boston is private-course posh without the initiation fees or monthly dues. Wayward hitters will find the Rees Jones course the slightly tougher of the two, while the Jack Nicklaus II design entertains with wider fairways. No matter your preference, the remarkable practice facility and clubhouse are guaranteed to wow.

Value Course Guaranteed to Impress George Wright Golf Course 617-364-2300 cityofboston.gov $31-$64

Only 10 minutes from downtown in Hyde Park, this conveniently located urban greenbelt may offer iffy conditioning due to heavy play, but its classic Donald Ross design has aged perfectly.

5. Business Hub: San Francisco/San Jose Upscale Course Guaranteed to Impress Half Moon Bay (Ocean course) 650-726-1800 hmbgolflinks.com $160-$205

The tree-lined, Arnold Palmer/Frank Duane-designed Ancient course, renowned for its cliff-top par-4 18th, dates to 1973, but it’s the 11-year-ancient, Arthur Hills-designed Ocean course that captivates. Despite its cramped front nine, the Ocean roars with a closing stretch of holes that, when free of fog, rival anything you’ll play on either coast. Toss in the oceanside Mullins Bar & Grill and the off-the-charts service and amenities next door at the Ritz-Carlton, and you’ll see why Half Moon Bay shines so brightly for your business escape.

Value Course Guaranteed to Impress Callippe Preserve 925-426-6666 playcallippe.com $36-$78

Blend equal parts trees, bunkers, elevation changes and mountain views with a rustic but convenient East Bay location, and you have Callippe Preserve. Native oaks, twisting Pleased Valley Creek and postcard views of Mt. Diablo add further charm. It’s a straight shot up I-680 from San Jose, and you get from Silicon Valley sprawl to fields of butterflies in a rush.

Top 10 Cities For Business Golf (2)

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Golfleading.com

In these challenging times, the ancient saw that there’s more business done on the golf course ( Top 10 Weirdest Golf Courses ) than in the boardroom may need some revising. Then again, it’s hard to refute. Whether you’re looking to impress or relax, a fantastic golf course offers the perfect refuge. If you’re lacking private club access, or you’re on a schmooze-fest out of town, you’ll need exactly the right kind of course to seal the deal. Here are 20 quality tracks in 10 of the top U.S. business centers.

1. Business Hub: New York Upscale Course Guaranteed to Impress Ballyowen Golf Club 973-827-5996 crystalgolfresort.com $80-$145

An hour’s drive southeast of Manhattan into the rural highlands of north-central New Jersey sits this well rendered homage to Scottish and Irish links, complete with rumpled, near-treeless terrain, fierce, waving fescues framing the fairways and a bagpiper at dusk. Now 11 years ancient, this Roger Rulewich design sports enough water and sand to compel some serious shotmaking, but the be-knickered staff, superb grooming and handsome two-tale clubhouse will make you and your associates forget about any double-bogies.

Value Course Guaranteed to Impress Bethpage State Park (Red) 516-249-0700 nysparks.com $41-$92

OK, so it’s not the Black … but it’s the next best thing. Compared to the Black, you’ll save nearly $30, have a much simpler time getting on and have much more fun playing it. This 1935 A.W. Tillinghast Long Island creation opens with one of the region’s toughest par-4s, but calms down considerably after that. After the round, you can kick back in the sprawling clubhouse and bask in the lingering U.S. Open aura.

2. Business Hub: Los Angeles Upscale Course Guaranteed to Impress Trump National Los Angeles 310-303-3240 trumpnationallosangeles.com $160-$275

Donald Trump is all about making memorable, lasting impressions, and the only public course in his growing portfolio does just that in spectacular fashion. While the 7,200-yard track is a tad claustrophobic in spots, its bluff-top location overlooking the Pacific Ocean, some 25 minutes south of LAX in Rancho Palos Verdes, is unforgettable — as are the service, clubhouse decor, and dining.

Value Course Guaranteed to Impress Rustic Canyon Golf Club 805-530-0221 rusticcanyongolfcourse.com $25-$73

It’s worth the hour drive northwest of L.A. to sample one of the nation’s best bargains, a firm, quick shotmakers’ delight that sports huge, undulating greens, massive tattered-edge bunkers and tons of strategic options.

3. Business Hub: Atlanta Upscale Course Guaranteed to Impress Bear’s Best Golf Club 678-714-2582 bearsbest.com $64-$114

Some 45 minutes northeast of Atlanta, Jack Nicklaus has replicated 18 holes of his own designs scattered about the globe. What could have been a messy gimmick instead is a seamlessly flowing track, thanks to Jack’s wise choice of holes. Some are well-known, others are not, but they all fit in nicely on the rolling, wooded tract. Two par-3s, one from Florida’s PGA National, the other from Ohio’s Muirfield Village, will leave you smiling, even as they wreck your scorecard.

Value Course Guaranteed to Impress Stone Mountain Park (Lakemont) 770-465-3278 stonemountainpark.com $55-$69

An simple half-hour drive east of downtown, Stone Mountain boasts two solid 18s. The Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed Stonemont course is the stronger test, but the newer Lakemont is more fascinating and memorable, starting with the opening par-5 that’s backdropped by a lake and by Stone Mountain itself, complete with Rushmore-style carvings of Confederate leaders.

4. Business Hub: Boston Upscale Course Guaranteed to Impress Pinehills Golf Club 508-209-3000 pinehillsgolf.com $60-$110

This 36-hole retreat 40 miles south of Boston is private-course posh without the initiation fees or monthly dues. Wayward hitters will find the Rees Jones course the slightly tougher of the two, while the Jack Nicklaus II design entertains with wider fairways. No matter your preference, the remarkable practice facility and clubhouse are guaranteed to wow.

Value Course Guaranteed to Impress George Wright Golf Course 617-364-2300 cityofboston.gov $31-$64

Only 10 minutes from downtown in Hyde Park, this conveniently located urban greenbelt may offer iffy conditioning due to heavy play, but its classic Donald Ross design has aged perfectly.

5. Business Hub: San Francisco/San Jose Upscale Course Guaranteed to Impress Half Moon Bay (Ocean course) 650-726-1800 hmbgolflinks.com $160-$205

The tree-lined, Arnold Palmer/Frank Duane-designed Ancient course, renowned for its cliff-top par-4 18th, dates to 1973, but it’s the 11-year-ancient, Arthur Hills-designed Ocean course that captivates. Despite its cramped front nine, the Ocean roars with a closing stretch of holes that, when free of fog, rival anything you’ll play on either coast. Toss in the oceanside Mullins Bar & Grill and the off-the-charts service and amenities next door at the Ritz-Carlton, and you’ll see why Half Moon Bay shines so brightly for your business escape.

Value Course Guaranteed to Impress Callippe Preserve 925-426-6666 playcallippe.com $36-$78

Blend equal parts trees, bunkers, elevation changes and mountain views with a rustic but convenient East Bay location, and you have Callippe Preserve. Native oaks, twisting Pleased Valley Creek and postcard views of Mt. Diablo add further charm. It’s a straight shot up I-680 from San Jose, and you get from Silicon Valley sprawl to fields of butterflies in a rush.

Top 10 Cities For Business Golf (2)

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