Golf greens are the meticulously maintained areas at the end of each hole where the flagstick and hole are located. Their design and condition significantly impact the game, challenging even the most skilled golfers. Here are some of the world's most famous and challenging golf greens:

Augusta National Golf Club - Augusta, Georgia, USA

The greens at Augusta National are legendary for their severe undulations and incredible speed, especially during The Masters. Designed by Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie, these greens demand precision and a delicate touch.

• Hole 12 (Golden Bell): A relatively short par-3, but the green is shallow and protected by Rae's Creek in front and bunkers behind, making club selection crucial.
• Hole 16 (Redbud): A challenging par-3 with a heavily contoured green that slopes significantly from right to left, often leading to dramatic pin positions.

St. Andrews Links (Old Course) - St. Andrews, Scotland

Known as the "Home of Golf," the Old Course features some of the oldest and most unique greens in the world, many of which are shared by two holes.

• The Road Hole (Hole 17): The green is narrow and severely sloped, with the infamous Road Hole Bunker guarding the front left and the Road itself just beyond the green.
• Hole 18 (Tom Morris): The enormous shared green for the 1st and 18th holes is often seen as a relatively straightforward finish, but subtle contours can still surprise players.

Pebble Beach Golf Links - Pebble Beach, California, USA

Perched on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Pebble Beach is renowned for its stunning scenery and challenging greens, which are often small and heavily sloped.

• Hole 7: One of golf's most iconic par-3s, this tiny green is exposed to the elements and surrounded by bunkers, making it incredibly difficult to hit and hold.
• Hole 18: The finishing hole features a long, narrow green protected by a deep bunker on the left and the ocean on the right, providing a dramatic end to the round.

Pinehurst No. 2 - Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA

Donald Ross's masterpiece is famous for its "turtleback" greens, which repel poorly struck shots into collection areas around the green, demanding exceptional chipping and putting.

• General Characteristics: All greens at Pinehurst No. 2 are known for their crowned centers and severe run-offs, requiring players to be precise with their approaches.

TPC Sawgrass (THE PLAYERS Stadium Course) - Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA

Home of The Players Championship, this course is known for its dramatic design and often intimidating greens, particularly on the famous 17th hole.

• Hole 17 (Island Green): The green is entirely surrounded by water, creating immense pressure for players to land their tee shots perfectly. Despite its apparent simplicity, the green itself has subtle contours that can lead to challenging putts.

These golf greens represent a fraction of the world's renowned putting surfaces, each offering a unique challenge and contributing to the rich tapestry of golf history.