Making an attempt to outline the perfect golf programs on this planet is clearly a troublesome and subjective job.
Nonetheless, on this weblog, we’ve tried to assist
ourselves a bit by breaking it down into totally different sub-categories—from probably the most
historic and delightful programs to bucket list-type journeys and all the pieces else in
between.
Want a little bit of inspiration? Learn on…
The very best golf programs on this planet
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Most historic golf programsMost stunning golf programsBucket listing visitsFinest general experiencesFinest course designsFinest golf resortsFinest new golf programsThe world’s greatest low-cost golf course
Most historic golf programs
There actually is nowhere else to begin however the Outdated Course at St Andrews. The unique and, many consider, nonetheless the perfect.
The Outdated Course won’t dazzle with surroundings
or drama, but it surely’s full of a problem so nuanced and refined that it
typically takes a number of performs to totally respect it.
The legendary Bobby Jones was famously not a fan initially—however ultimately got here to like it.
It’s the one course the place you’ll hear the often
cynical, scientific Tour professionals routinely state how they’ve hairs on the again of
their neck standing up on the primary tee.
Additionally on this class sit Prestwick, scene of the primary 24 Opens, and Musselburgh Outdated, one other a part of Open folklore.
In the meantime, Royal North Devon is England’s reply to St Andrews.
Most stunning golf programs
Probably the greatest issues about golf is that its
phases take you to stunning areas you may in any other case by no means go to.
Do soccer, rugby, tennis or F1 venues take
your breath away? Probably not. Cricket typically does, to be truthful, however golf typically does.
Probably the most spectacular course within the UK, in our opinion, is Turnberry’s Ailsa in Scotland, with a 3rd of its holes set alongside the water.
Over in Eire, step ahead Outdated Head, a clifftop golf course of fairly staggering drama.
In continental Europe, Lofoten Hyperlinks is the straightforward winner. Set throughout the North Pole, this spectacular Norwegian course lies the place the mountains meet the ocean. Epic.
Within the US, California’s Pebble Seashore places an enormous tick within the stunning field. Pacific views come as customary right here—and as one of many big-name American programs open to most of the people, it’s a must-visit in the event you’re ever fortunate sufficient to go to this a part of the world.
South Cape in South Korea and Japan’s Kawana Fuji are stable representatives for Asia on this class, whereas down underneath in Australia, Cape Wickham may very well be described as a fusion of Turnberry and Outdated Head—examine that one out, too.
Bucket listing visits
These are the programs that the majority encourage you
to say, “Oh, I’d like to play there!”. We’ve received 4 for you, actually.
Prime of the listing for many golfers is definitely Augusta Nationwide.
The annual host of the Masters has ‘emulate-the-stars’
moments on each gap—a few of that are probably the most thrilling, risk-reward you’ll
ever face. The course is in bewilderingly good situation, too, after all.
Pine Valley in New Jersey is usually the connoisseur’s selection for the world’s greatest golf course title. It’s uber-private, so few truly get to play it, however you by no means hear a disillusioned verdict. Colin Montgomerie, actually, charges it as his #1 course.
Spain’s Actual Membership Valderrama has the sense of mystique you’d count on from a €500 inexperienced price and the internet hosting of a legendary Ryder Cup in 1997 (the primary time the event had ever been held outdoors of both the UK or the US). And also you’ll not discover a blade of grass misplaced, both.
A maybe much less apparent bucket listing golf course, however no much less spectacular, is the Majlis course on the Emirates Golf Membership in Dubai.
You’ve watched the Tour professionals hit THAT tee shot in the direction of the skyscrapers; now it’s your flip.
Finest general experiences
South Africa has many tremendous golf programs, however the huge lure of enjoying right here is that on the likes of Solar Metropolis, for instance, you tackle an outstanding problem whereas additionally taking in a ‘Large 5’ sport safari.
Or, how about staying on the epic beachside JW Marriott Resort in Mauritius, enjoying at Tamarina Golf, and climbing Le Morne for Insta-worthy footage on the prime?
Midnight golf, anybody? Again at Lofoten, and in addition on the likes of Iceland’s Brautarholt, Westman Island, and Keilir, you’ll be able to play by means of the evening in the course of the summer time months.
In case you’ve ever thought of snowboarding and enjoying golf in the identical day, go to the attractive nation of Georgia, and you are able to do simply that. Begin with a morning on the mountain slopes earlier than a day drive all the way down to the capital to play Tbilisi Hills.
Finest course designs
‘Finest course design’ is a doubtlessly contentious class, however just a few programs are worthy of inclusion nonetheless, not least Muirfield in Scotland.
This seasoned host of The Open lacks the ocean
views of different hyperlinks however is however an unremitting problem. Its frequent
adjustments in course imply you always need to calculate and work with the
wind.
We talked about it proper originally, however the Outdated Course at St Andrews deserves one other point out right here, too, as do the fantastic Harry Colt heathlands of Sunningdale and Swinley Forest.
Over in Australia, Dr Alister Mackenzie’s ideas of playable-but-strategic golf are in full view at Royal Melbourne’s East Course.
Finest golf resorts
You could possibly say that Bandon Dunes is the one definitive reply when debating the perfect in any class of golf.
It has 4 programs ranked by Golf World in its World Prime 100 public entry listing, all inside 600 yards of one another on-site. Simply think about that—4 of the perfect golf programs on this planet in the identical resort. Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails and Sheep Ranch are all comfortably on that listing, and a fifth—Outdated Macdonald—is simply outdoors it.
Streamsong additionally has three World Prime 100 entries, whereas Pinehurst opens its 10th course in April 2024. None of its different 9 are something apart from wonderful.
We are able to’t not point out St Andrews once more, both. The Outdated, New, Citadel, Eden, Jubilee, Strathtyrum,and Balgove programs make this undoubtedly one of many oldest (and most historic) golf resorts.
The King’s, Queen’s, and Centenary programs at Gleneagles make the listing, too, whereas Eire’s Rosapenna, with a new Tom Doak course so as to add to its two nice present hyperlinks, additionally deserves a point out.
Finest new golf programs
Listed below are a few golf programs which have
solely lately opened.
In New Zealand, Te Arai has two programs, one by Doak and the opposite by Coore-Crenshaw, that look gorgeous and play simply as properly.
Coore-Crenshaw even have a brand-new design opening at Cabot St Lucia that photographs and early suggestions counsel is epic.
BONUS: The world’s greatest low-cost golf course
As an added bonus to spherical off our listing of the perfect golf programs on this planet, we’re suggesting Shiskine on the island of Arran, off the west coast of Scotland.
It’s solely 12 holes, however nonetheless riotous enjoyable
amongst superb seaside surroundings, too.
What’s extra—it’s yours for a very astonishing £32*.
See you there quickly?
*Primarily based on 2023 customer inexperienced charges. Worth proven for an grownup 12-hole spherical Monday to Friday.
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