A World Tour of Golfing Excellence
This list spans continents, showcasing the diversity of golfing landscapes and design philosophies. From the rugged coastlines of Ireland and Scotland to the sun-drenched greens of California and the meticulously crafted layouts of Australia, there's a course on this list to ignite the passion of every golfer. Get ready to add some bucket-list destinations to your golfing itinerary!
Here’s a closer look at some of the world’s most sought-after golfing destinations:
Course Name Location Why it's Special Augusta National Golf Club Augusta, Georgia, USA Home of the Masters Tournament, known for its iconic holes and immaculate conditions. Gaining access is notoriously difficult. St Andrews (Old Course) St Andrews, Scotland Considered the "home of golf," steeped in history and tradition, with challenging bunkers and unpredictable winds. A true test of golfing skill. Pebble Beach Golf Links Pebble Beach, California, USA Offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, with cliffside fairways and challenging greens. A regular host of the U.S. Open. Cypress Point Club Pebble Beach, California, USA A highly exclusive and visually stunning course with dramatic ocean holes. Known for its challenging layout and breathtaking scenery. Royal County Down Golf Club Newcastle, Northern Ireland Features undulating fairways, towering dunes, and challenging blind shots. Consistently ranked among the top courses in the world. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club Southampton, New York, USA A classic links-style course with challenging greens and demanding tee shots. Has hosted multiple U.S. Opens. Pine Valley Golf Club Pine Valley, New Jersey, USA A highly regarded and challenging course known for its strategic layout and difficult hazards. Consistently ranked among the best in the world. Royal Melbourne Golf Club (West Course) Melbourne, Australia A composite course celebrated for its challenging bunkering and strategic design. Known for its firm and fast conditions. Muirfield Gullane, Scotland A classic links course known for its challenging winds and strategic layout. A regular host of the Open Championship. Oakmont Country Club Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA Infamous for its incredibly fast greens and challenging bunkers. A demanding test for even the most skilled golfers. Turnberry (Ailsa Course) Turnberry, Scotland Offers breathtaking views of Ailsa Craig and the Scottish coastline. A challenging links course with iconic holes. National Golf Links of America Southampton, New York, USA A historic course with a unique design inspired by famous holes from around the world. Cape Kidnappers Hawke's Bay, New Zealand Dramatically perched on cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this course offers stunning views and challenging play. Tara Iti Golf Club Mangawhai, New Zealand Located on stunning sand dunes, this course offers breathtaking ocean views and challenging, undulating fairways. A relatively new addition to the top courses list, quickly gaining recognition. Kingston Heath Golf Club Melbourne, Australia A classic sandbelt course known for its challenging bunkering and strategic layout. Considered one of Australia's best. Royal Portrush Golf Club (Dunluce Links) Portrush, Northern Ireland Features stunning views of the North Atlantic and challenging links-style play. Host of the 2019 Open Championship. Sunningdale Golf Club (Old Course) Sunningdale, England A classic heathland course with challenging bunkering and beautiful scenery. A popular choice for golfers in the UK. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Pacific Dunes) Bandon, Oregon, USA Offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and challenging links-style play. A popular destination for golf trips. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon Dunes) Bandon, Oregon, USA The original course at Bandon Dunes, known for its natural beauty and challenging design. Whispering Pines Golf Club Trinity, Texas, USA A secluded and challenging course surrounded by tall pine trees. Consistently ranked among the top courses in the United States. Fishers Island Club Fishers Island, New York, USA A historic course with stunning views of Long Island Sound. Known for its challenging layout and classic design. Hirono Golf Club Hyogo Prefecture, Japan Considered one of the best courses in Asia, known for its challenging layout and meticulous conditioning. Casa de Campo (Teeth of the Dog) La Romana, Dominican Republic Features stunning oceanfront holes and challenging Caribbean winds. A popular destination for golfers seeking warm weather and beautiful scenery. Cabot Cliffs Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada A dramatic clifftop course with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. Known for its challenging layout and breathtaking scenery. Spyglass Hill Golf Course Pebble Beach, California, USA Starts with dramatic ocean views then meanders into the Del Monte Forest. Features challenging tee shots and undulating greens.
