Adrenaline Tour #8 (Coober Pedy Opal Fields Golf Club)

The town of Opal Fileds, in Australia, it is known as the “opal capital of the world” for the quantity of opals that are mined there, it is also home to the legendary grass-less golf course. Founded in 1975 as a 9 hole course, it was expanded to 18 holes 1996. This 18 Hole golf course has crushed rock fairways and sand traps in arid creek beds.

There are no water traps, and the “greens” are oiled to stop the sand blowing away. It’s also known for the desert-like environment and extreme heat, which has forced residents to live underground and in caves rather than houses. In fact, the name Coober Pedy comes from the local aboriginal phrase for “white man’s hole”.

Nothing grows here. The town has but one tree, and it was made out of scrap metal and erected on a hill by a local. Thus, Coober Pedy is home to the only golf course in the world where you carry your own turf with you.

Because of the extreme daytime temperatures (temperatures have been known to reach highs as extreme as 47°C) this course is usually played at night using glowing balls.