Golfers across the globe dream of playing the best golf courses in the world. But with so many amazing options out there, it can be tough to narrow down the list.
Whether you’re looking for breathtaking scenery, challenging holes, or simply want to tick a legendary course off your bucket list, we’ve got you covered.
Most Beautiful Golf Courses in the World
Augusta National Golf Club, AKA Augusta or the National, is a private golf club in Georgia, United States. It’s one of the world’s most prestigious golf clubs. Augusta National has hosted the annual Masters’ Tournament for men’s professional golf since 1934. The National was designed by Jones and Alister MacKenzie and opened for golf in 1932.
The Mandarin Oriental Canouan Golf Course is another stunning golf course. It lies on the island of Canouan in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The course was designed by golf legend Ernie Els and offers stunning views of the Caribbean Sea. If you’re looking for a luxury Caribbean holiday, the Mandarin Oriental should be on top of your list.
St. Andrews is a private golf club in the town of St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland. It is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world and is considered the home of golf. The club was founded in 1754, and its Old Course is one of the most famous golf courses in the world. Greens are always spot on, as you would expect. However, playing at the “Home of Golf” is not everyone’s cup of tea because it’s a very challenging course.
Exquisite surroundings, centuries of history, and impeccable service come together at Adare Manor. This stunning golf course is located in County Limerick, Ireland, and it was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. The course is set in 840 acres of parkland and offers mature trees, rolling hills, and stunning views of the River Maigue.
Another stunning layout is the Whistling Straits golf course in Kohler, Wisconsin. The main course was designed by Pete Dye and has hosted the PGA Championship on multiple occasions. It is a links-style course with fantastic views of Lake Michigan. All 18 holes here are unique and challenging, demanding accuracy and power. The fairways are lush, greens roll fast, and the bunkers are deep.
Best Public Golf Courses in the World
Outstanding layout, terrific fairways, and glorious greens – that’s what you can expect at Cabot Cliffs, one of the best public golf courses in the world. Located in Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada, this course was designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The views here are breathtaking as the course winds its way along cliffs that overlook the Atlantic Ocean. Before visiting Cabot Cliffs, make sure your camera is ready and the batteries are full.
Pebble Beach Golf Links is a public golf course on the west coast of the US in Pebble Beach, California. Experts consider it one of the best public golf courses in the world. The course was designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, and it first opened for play in 1919. Pebble Beach has hosted five US Open Championships, four US Amateur Championships, and one PGA Championship.
The Kauri Cliffs golf course is located on the North Island of New Zealand in the town of Matauri Bay. It was designed by David Harman, and it opened for play in 2000. The course sits on 6,000 acres of land and offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Its layout is typical of any resort course. However, Kauri Cliffs is a challenging golf course with narrow fairways, deep bunkers, and fast greens.
The Jack Nicklaus designed world cup course is located in Shenzhen, China, and is part of the massive Mission Hills resort. The course opened for golf in 1994 and has hosted the World Cup of Golf on two occasions. The course is typical of any Nicklaus design, with wide fairways, large greens, and water coming into play on a few holes. The best hole on this course is the par-3 16th, which features an island green.
Great routing, undulating greens, and incredible views of the North Sea – that’s what you can expect at Kingsbarns Golf Links in Scotland. It was designed by Kyle Phillips, and opened for play in 2000. Kingsbarns has hosted the Dunhill Links Championship on multiple occasions. The best hole on Kingsbarns Golf Links is the par-3 12th, which has been rated as one of the best golf holes in the world.
Best Private Golf Courses in the World
- Shanqin Bay Golf Club, Longgun Town, Wanning Shi, China
The Shanqin Bay is a natural golf course in Longgun Town, on Hainan Island in China. The course was designed by Neil Haworth and opened for play in 2009. Shanqin Bay is set against the backdrop of lush mountains and features several holes that offer stunning views of the South China Sea. The best hole on the course is the par-3 16th, which features a challenging island green.
The Liberty National Golf Club offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. In fact, the iconic Statue of Liberty stands just a mile away from the par 3 14th hole. It was designed by Bob Cupp and Tom Kite and opened for play in 2006. Liberty National is a very long course, measuring over 7,400 yards from the back tees. Moreover, it’s also a very well-bunkered course with tall fescue and water coming into play on almost every hole.
Tom Fazio designed this legendary golf course in Las Vegas. It opened for play in 1989 and was initially built for high rollers and celebrities. However, these days anyone can tee it up at Shadow Creek – albeit at a hefty membership fee. It’s set against the backdrop of the red rock canyons and features several waterfalls and streams. The best hole on the course is the par-3 16th, which features an island green.
Muirfield in Scotland is one of the best links golf courses in the world. Since 1892 has hosted approximately 42 national and international competitions. This course was designed by Old Tom Morris and first opened for play in 1891. Muirfield is a very traditional golf course with small, undulating greens and narrow fairways. Overall, it’s a great test of golf, but one that golfers of all skill levels can take on.
- Royal Palace Golf Club, Agadir (Morocco)
The very private Royal Palace Golf Club in Agadir, Morocco, is a hidden gem. It’s one of the best golf courses in Africa. The course was designed by Cabell Robinson, following problems faced by Robert Trent Jones. It opened in 1987, and it’s built on the site of a former palace, hence the name. It features a links-style layout with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. Hence wind remains a constant factor here, and precision remains a key aspect of enjoyable golf.
The Domaine Laforest golf club is the personal playground for the family of Canadian corporate legend Paul Desmarais. This is one of North America’s best private golf courses, but it’s also one of the most difficult to get on. It was designed by Tom Fazio, and it first opened for play in 1993. The course is set against the backdrop of the Laurentian Mountains and features several waterfalls and streams.
Best Mini Golf Courses in the World
Built in 1963, the Around the World Miniature Golf club is one of the oldest and original miniature golf courses in Lake George. It’s a fun, unique, challenging, educational golf course. The course is designed with different themes from around the world. As you putt your way through the course, you will be transported to different countries and learn exciting facts about them.
Shoot for the Stars miniature golf course takes you on a wild ride to stardom through Hollywood’s iconic landmarks. The 18-hole course takes you through 18 steps to becoming a Hollywood star. All the holes come in different variations to make the play a lot more enjoyable. The course is also designed with different movie themes, and it features a number of fun obstacles. Overall, it’s an excellent place for families and couples to spend time together.
Crave Golf Club is Pigeon Forge’s best miniature golf course. It has two courses – a 19-hole Indoor Course and a 19-hole Rooftop Course. It’s a unique and fun course with many different candy and desert themes. If you are a foodie, you will definitely admire the variety of food themes here. It also features a number of fun obstacles, such as a water slide and a fire pit.
Treasure Island Adventure Golf is another excellent mini golf course. It’s located in Auckland, New Zealand, and it features two 18-hole courses – the Captain’s Course and the Pirate’s Course. The Captain’s Course is a bit easier than the Pirate’s Course, designed for families with younger children. The Pirate’s Course is more challenging and more suitable for older kids and adults. Overall, it’s a great place for families to spend time together and have fun.
- Dino Park, Thailand
Dino Park is a must-visit place for tourists in Phuket, Thailand. It has an 18-hole miniature golf course in a special environment that combines a natural environment with a special dino-themed setting. Each hole at Dino Park takes you through a different view of the pre-historic world of dinosaurs. The course is designed for families with young children.
Best Disc Golf Courses in the World
- Wiener Prater Disc Golf Course in Vienna, Austria
This disc golf course is in the world’s largest public park, Wiener Prater. The course was built in 1995, and it’s one of the oldest disc golf courses in Europe. It’s a very scenic and beautiful course that features a number of different obstacles. The course is also very challenging, with many long holes.
- Puijo in Finland
The Puijo is the best DG course in Finland. Mainly because it’s not just another DG forest with random baskets. It has an excellent variety of park-like and wooded holes. Every hole is different and has its own unique character. The elevation changes make the course even more challenging and fun to play. This course also offers a great view of the city of Kuopio.
The Järva disc golf park in Kista, Sweden, offers another fun golf destination. This course was built in 2002 and offers a great mix of open and wooded holes. The course is also very challenging, with several long holes. It has 27 Tees in a beautiful natural environment with natural hills and some challenging trees. It also has a junior course which is an excellent place to practice your putting before you try the main course.
The Jõulumäe is a 45-hole disc golf course in Leina, Estonia. It was opened to the public in 2017 and offers an excellent variety of holes and elevation changes. The Jõulumäe is a wooded course with a lot of trees, greenery, and tight fairways. Jõulumäe has a great combination of warmup baskets and a net to prepare you for the main course. On the main course, there are three options, from amateur to pro, according to your level.
Vojens is a disc golf park in Vogens, Denmark. It’s a challenging yet fantastic 18-target disc course with turf tee pads. Established in 2018 for recreational and competition-level disc golf, Vogens offers two tees for each target. The course is set in the beautiful woods of Vojens, providing a great variety of shots. The holes are also very long, which makes it a great test during competitions.
Final Words
There you have it – the best golf courses in the world to play before you die. These courses offer a great mix of challenge, scenery, and fun. So, get out there and start exploring the world of golf. And, who knows, maybe you’ll find your new favorite course. Happy golfing!
Best Golf Courses in the World – FAQs
What is the #1 golf course in the world?
There are several excellent golf courses in the world. Rating them comes down to everyone’s personal opinion. Some consider Royal County Down GC the number 1 course, while others regard Pine Valley GC as the top golfing destination. According to my very subjective opinion, St Andrews in Scotland is the number 1 golf destination in the world.
What is the most prestigious golf course in the world?
The old course at St. Andrews is the most prestigious golf course in the world because of its history. Founded in 1754 and located in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, it is often called the “Home of Golf.”
What country has the best golf courses in the world
Scotland. According to Golf dot com’s 2021 Top Golf Courses list, Scotland has the most golf courses (11) on the list, followed by England with 10 golf courses and Austria with 7.
What is the golf mecca of the world?
Myrtle Beach is considered the golf mecca of the world. It is home to 80+ award-winning, private, semi-private, and public courses across 60 miles of the beautiful Carolina coastline.