Unforgettable Golf Courses Around the World

Golf is a sport that takes enthusiasts to some of the most breathtaking and challenging landscapes on the planet. Here, we explore some of the most unforgettable golf courses from around the world, each offering a unique blend of natural beauty and golfing excellence.

1. Augusta National Golf Club, USA

Location: Augusta, Georgia

Augusta National is synonymous with the Masters Tournament, one of golf’s most prestigious events. This private club is renowned for its meticulously manicured fairways, azalea-lined holes, and the iconic green jacket awarded to the tournament champion. The course’s history and exclusivity make it a bucket-list destination for golfers worldwide.

2. St. Andrews Links, Scotland

Location: St. Andrews, Fife

St. Andrews is often referred to as the “Home of Golf.” It’s where the game has been played for centuries, and the Old Course, with its iconic Swilcan Bridge, is the most famous. Golfers come from all corners of the globe to experience the history and traditions of this ancient Scottish course.

3. Pebble Beach Golf Links, USA

Location: Pebble Beach, California

Pebble Beach is a stunning coastal gem along the Monterey Peninsula. This course offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and boasts several famous holes, including the dramatic par-3 7th. Golfers can relish the challenge of this picturesque layout, which has hosted numerous U.S. Opens.

4. Banff Springs Golf Course, Canada

Location: Banff, Alberta

Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, the Banff Springs Golf Course is a visual masterpiece. With stunning mountain vistas, towering pine trees, and the Bow River winding through the course, it’s a truly awe-inspiring golfing experience. Playing a round here feels like golfing in a national park.

5. Old Head Golf Links, Ireland

Location: Kinsale, County Cork

Old Head Golf Links offers golfers a truly unique experience on a narrow peninsula jutting into the Atlantic Ocean. The course features rugged cliffs, crashing waves, and panoramic ocean views from nearly every hole. It’s a blend of golf and nature like no other.

6. Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Australia

Location: Melbourne, Victoria

Regarded as one of the world’s finest courses, Royal Melbourne is known for its timeless design by Dr. Alister MacKenzie. The course showcases the beauty of the Australian sandbelt with rolling terrain, deep bunkers, and firm, fast fairways, providing a challenging test for golfers.

7. Ballybunion Golf Club, Ireland

Location: Ballybunion, County Kerry

Ballybunion is famous for its rugged, windswept linksland terrain. The course features blind shots, towering dunes, and fast, undulating greens. Golfers come here to experience the authentic links golf, where the elements play a significant role in the game’s challenge.

8. Mission Hills Golf Club, China

Location: Shenzhen, Guangdong

Mission Hills in China is the world’s largest golf resort, boasting 12 championship courses designed by golf legends like Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman. The diversity of layouts and stunning landscapes make it a must-visit destination for golfers in Asia.

9. Royal County Down Golf Club, Northern Ireland

Location: Newcastle, County Down

Situated against the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains and along the Irish Sea, Royal County Down is often ranked as one of the world’s top golf courses. Its dramatic natural setting and challenging links design make it a true golfer’s paradise.

10. Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, New Zealand

Location: Hawke’s Bay

Perched high above the Pacific Ocean on cliffs overlooking the sea, Cape Kidnappers offers golfers breathtaking views and thrilling shot-making opportunities. The dramatic landscape, combined with world-class design, makes it a must-play course in New Zealand.

11. Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland

Location: Portrush, County Antrim

Royal Portrush is another gem along the rugged Northern Irish coast. It gained international acclaim when it hosted The Open Championship in 2019. The Dunluce Links, with its stunning views of the Giant’s Causeway and challenging holes, is a highlight that every golfer should experience.

12. Whistling Straits, USA

Location: Kohler, Wisconsin

Whistling Straits is a championship course situated along the shores of Lake Michigan. Designed by Pete Dye, it offers a links-style experience with massive sand dunes and intricate bunkering. The Straits Course has hosted multiple PGA Championships and promises an unforgettable round.

13. Royal Dornoch Golf Club, Scotland

Location: Dornoch, Sutherland

Located in the remote Highlands of Scotland, Royal Dornoch is a hidden gem renowned for its pure, natural layout. The course offers panoramic views of Dornoch Firth and the Sutherland mountains, providing a serene and challenging golf experience.

14. Casa de Campo – Teeth of the Dog, Dominican Republic

Location: La Romana

Designed by Pete Dye, Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo is a tropical golf paradise. With seven holes hugging the Caribbean Sea, it’s a stunning blend of lush greenery, seaside cliffs, and challenging play, making it a top Caribbean destination for golfers.

15. Sun City Resort – Gary Player Country Club, South Africa

Location: Sun City, North West Province

The Gary Player Country Club, host to the Nedbank Golf Challenge, is a masterpiece in South African golf. The course is set amidst the stunning Pilanesberg Mountains and offers a unique blend of safari-style golfing with wildlife sightings just off the fairways.

16. Valderrama Golf Club, Spain

Location: Sotogrande, Andalusia

Valderrama is often regarded as one of the best golf courses in continental Europe. This Robert Trent Jones Sr. design is a tight and demanding layout with cork oak-lined fairways and slick greens. It has hosted several European Tour events, including the Ryder Cup.

17. Kingsbarns Golf Links, Scotland

Location: St. Andrews, Fife

Kingsbarns, situated just a few miles from St. Andrews, offers a modern links golf experience. With panoramic views of the North Sea, rolling fairways, and strategically placed bunkers, it’s a must-play course for those visiting the “Home of Golf.”

18. Shadow Creek Golf Course, USA

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Shadow Creek, a Tom Fazio-designed course, is a lush oasis in the Nevada desert. This exclusive, high-end course is known for its immaculate conditioning, water features, and an atmosphere of luxury and seclusion.

19. Leopard Creek Country Club, South Africa

Location: Malelane, Mpumalanga

Leopard Creek is set in the heart of the African bushveld, and it’s a masterpiece of design. The course incorporates the surrounding wildlife, with water hazards inhabited by crocodiles and hippos, providing golfers with a unique African golfing experience.

20. Tara Iti Golf Club, New Zealand

Location: Mangawhai, North Island

Tara Iti is a relatively new addition to the world of golf, but it has quickly gained acclaim for its dramatic coastal setting, pure sand dunes, and minimalist course design. It offers a secluded golfing experience in a pristine natural environment.

Golf Courses in the United States

International Golf Courses

Golf Course Rankings

Major Championships

Famous Golfers

These golf courses continue to enchant and challenge golfers from all over the world. Whether you’re seeking a traditional links experience, a tropical paradise, or a desert oasis, these courses offer a wide range of unforgettable golfing experiences.