This book investigates the technical and environmental factors that render specific golf holes across Great Britain and Ireland exceptionally challenging for even the most skilled players. The authors, Selwyn Jacobson and Tom Hepburn, utilize their extensive knowledge of British and Irish golf course architecture to categorize and analyze the most formidable layouts in the region. By examining the interplay between natural terrain, weather conditions, and strategic design, they provide a comprehensive framework for understanding what constitutes a truly difficult hole. This work serves as both a guide for enthusiasts and a technical study of golf course design history.

The subject matter points to a specialized, technical resource intended for dedicated golfers and students of course architecture. The framing suggests a detailed, analytical approach to the geography and design challenges inherent in the classic links and inland courses of the British Isles.