Pikewood National Golf Club

Overview: Pikewood National Golf Club, perched on top of a rugged sandstone mesa in Morgantown, West Virginia, is an exceptionally difficult, deeply private mountain course designed by J. Robert Gwynne and John Raese. The course features dramatic elevation changes, deep ravines, and breathtaking 50-mile views of the surrounding Appalachian Mountains. It is famously walking-only and has been built with an uncompromising commitment to traditional golf, presenting a grueling physical and strategic test that is considered one of the hardest walks in the world.

History: Conceived and constructed by two mining executives who purchased the remote mountain property, Pikewood National opened in 2009. The designers spent nearly a decade routing the holes along the ridges of the mesa, blasting through sandstone and clearing thick forest to create a layout that features no houses, cart paths, or commercial distractions. It has quickly earned a cult-like status among purists for its extreme difficulty and raw, majestic beauty.

Did You Know? The club maintains a strict "dyed-in-the-wool" philosophy, completely eschewing typical country club amenities like tennis courts, pools, or fitness centers, dedicating itself solely to the game of golf. The notorious 8th hole, named "Iron Curtain," is a massive par-5 that curves sharply around a sheer cliff face with a drop-off of over 100 feet, making any shot leaked to the right a guaranteed lost ball.