Rob Foust knows the golf course at Foxburg Country Club as well as anybody. Now the club president, he’s been testing himself on the course for over 50 years.

When it comes to the most challenging hole, it’s pretty clear.

“It’s No. 3, a 383-yard par 4,” he said. “I got a lot more distance in my younger days, but now I use a driver and an 8-iron.

“There’s trees on both sides of the fairway, and it’s a dogleg left. To give yourself a clear shot to the green, you have to place your tee shot on the right side of the fairway.”

An errant approach shot can negate a solid drive. There is a sand bunker on either side of the green and a pair of pine trees behind the hole.

“The last 100 yards is uphill and the green slopes back to front,” Foust said.

Following are the most challenging holes on a number of Butler County-area golf courses, according to those who play them. Distances are from the white tees.

An executive course, it’s billed as a great place to work on your short game, and this hole in particular can give golfers trouble.

“Trees line the fairway and especially around the green, which is sloped,” course owner Ken Macadaeg said. “There’s a creek next to the green, and a lot of balls end up there.”

“The back nine is incredibly tough, and this hole is the most difficult to consistently score par on,” said Butler resident Tim Tarcha, who estimates he has golfed 300 rounds at the course. “It strikes fear into mortal men.

“It has an elevated green, and from the tee box you can see the flag, but not the hole itself. I’ve used everything from a 6-iron to a 3-wood, depending on how strong the wind is. I’ve even seen some golfers pull out their driver.

“It’s a skinny, narrow green that slopes severely back to front. If your first shot is short to the right, you can end up in an unplayable area. It drops off like a cliff.”

Referred to on the club’s website as the course’s signature hole.

“Trees line the fairway to the left, used to be on the right but we removed them,” head pro John Brautigam said. “The hole plays downhill and there’s a narrow approach to the green.

“It’s bunkered on both sides with a pond next to the one on the right. If you miss the green, you’re left with a tough chip shot and putting is not easy.”

Hiland’s fifth-longest hole provides no shortcuts.

“It has a 90-degree dogleg right, which makes the hole seem even longer,” course general manager Terry Rottman said. “Trees on the right-hand side keep you from cutting the corner.

“There’s a sand trap (one of 25 on the course) to the right, and it’s an undulating green.”

Bud Hochbein has been golfing this course in leagues for 40 years. The second-longest hole at Saxon often frustrates him.

“There’s a hill about 160 yards from the tee and the fairway angles to the left,” he said. “I have to place my feet a particular way at the tee because it’s very easy to hit a slice or hook on your drive and the ball can run into the woods.”

Nine holes on the course are longer, but few are as challenging according to club member Jacquie Isacco.

“If you don’t hit your approach shot just so, you can end up in one of the three sand traps surrounding the green,” she said. “And I have been in all three in one round, which I always jokingly call a ‘hat trick.’”

“Big hitters can pound the ball, but I’m usually left with about 160 yards to the pin after my drive,” said Jim Smith, who works in the pro shop and has golfed the course for 24 years. “The landing area for your drive is not wide and slopes to the right. It can easily go out of play.

“The green slopes to the right, and if you hit it there, your ball will roll off.”