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As a former collegiate golfer, having to hit drives 350 yards or more to reach par 5 greens was quite an adjustment compared to what I was used to. When I first played RainDance National, the stretch of holes from 3-7 are simply brutal. Multiple par 4s in the 470-490 yard range through elevated tees made club selection critical. Even with thin air assisting my carries, I was maxing out drivers just to set up long seconds.

At Ross Bridge, the back nine is where the course really flexes its muscles with length. The 515 yard 15th is truly a beast. I laid up with a 3 wood from the tips and was still nearly 200 out. Par is a winning score there on most days.

As spacious as the layouts tend to be, the size of the targets doesn't always keep pace with added distance. Eagle Nest is scenic but several smaller putting surfaces mean lengthy approach shots get little margin for error.

Of course, picturesque settings, incredible conditioning and historical significance of places like Castle Pines and Prairie Club make the experiences rewarding regardless of the card. But as a touring reviewer, I do sometimes question how new golfers or less accomplished players feel playing courses this extreme. Distance is just one element of a great course - but more isn't always better in my view.

1. RainDance National - Colorado (8,463 yards)

The newcomer on the scene, this track near Denver is immense. Its wide open prairie setting allows for bold shotmaking to enticing greens.

2. Ross Bridge GC - Alabama (8,168 yards)

A championship test, this Jones layout features fine bunkering and fascinating risk/reward holes that increase in difficulty with added length.

3. Eagle Nest GC - South Carolina (8,168 yards)

The extra real estate for this design is noticeable. Demanding accuracy to evolving greens where misses are relentlessly penalized.

4. Castle Pines GC - Colorado (8,130 yards)

Having experienced this Jack Nicklaus design countless times, I simply cannot put any course above it in distance or challenge. Over 8,000 yards at altitude takes golf to new heights.

5. French Lick Resort PG Course - Indiana (8,102 yards)

A masterwork from Pete Dye, this brute overpowers with sheerscale more than any other course on the list. Memorably monstrous.

6. Promontory Club PV Course - Utah (8,098 yards)

As beautiful as it is long, this mountain gem by Nicklaus is playing on the edge with how far it stretches fairways.

7. Shoals Golf Club Fighting Joe Course - Alabama (8,092 yards)

Challenging from any set of tees, this Jones layout really flexes its muscles pushed back to the tips. A true inland adventure.

8. The Prairie Club Dunes Course - Nebraska (8,073 yards)

Massive wide open landscapes allow Tom Lehman’s marvelous vision to truly shine at its longest. Imposing yet fair.

9. Antler Creek GC - Colorado (8,058 yards)

An underrated Colorado brute, this prairie track battles the wind as much as length while maintaining playability.

10. Reserve at Moonlight Basin GC - Montana (8,000 yards)

Spectacular setting in the Rockies for this demanding venture to the tips on a Jack Nicklaus classic.

While RainDance National in Windsor, Colorado holds the current title of the longest course in the U.S. at 8,463 yards, this week's BMW Championship venue, Castle Pines Golf Club, is set to surpass 8,000 yards for the first time on the PGA Tour.

As many of our readers know, I've had the privilege of testing my game at Castle Pines on multiple occasions over the years. And though it already stretched beyond 7,400 yards, this redesign to 8,130 yards is truly pushing the boundaries of course length.

However, thanks to its lofty elevation of over 6,000 feet above sea level, Castle Pines will likely still play shorter than recent tour stops like RainDance or my personal nemesis, Colorado's high-altitude Antler Creek GC. As an experienced competitor who struggled with distance control in thinner air, I can attest that balls will fly 10-12% farther on full shots compared to sea level locales.

It will be fascinating to see how the game's top pros navigate the added distance this week. While the world's longest layout remains Jade Dragon Snow Mountain's 8,548 yard beast in China, Castle Pines is indubitably testing a new distance barrier for the PGA Tour. The scores could well soar to heights as high as the course itself. I look forward to reporting back with on-site perspectives throughout BMW Championship week.