Golf is undoubtedly one with a lot of history, as it was first played in Scotland in the 15th century. Now, golf has fans all over the world. However, when it comes to discussing the best golf courses in the world, it's a delicate question that could get even the brightest golf fans into deep discussions. However, it cannot be denied that some golf courses are designed to be masterpieces.
There are more than 100 best golf courses around the world in places like Scotland, Australia, Ireland, and the United States. We have rounded up the top 10 best golf courses in the world that you would like to golf travel to at least once in your life. Check the ones that interest you the most. Then prepare your airfare to enjoy what these famous golf courses have to offer.
The Best Golf Courses in the World
Lets read more about world's best golf courses.
1. St. Andrews (The Old Course)
St. Andrews (The Old Course) is at top of our list of 10 best golf courses in the world. The Old Course is an ethereal place where the game, as we know it, was born. Framed by tender farmland courses and flanked by the windswept waters of the Eden Estuary, the town of St. Andrews, and 500 years of golf history, the "home of golf" is a must-see.
The Old Course in St Andrews, Scotland, is among the most famous golf courses in the world, as it is considered the birthplace of golf. In addition, it has hosted the Open Championship 29 times.
St. Andrews Golf Course Details
This course inspired architectural designs from other fields such as Augusta National. The Old Course is 7,279 yards and is a par 72, offering enough variety and strategy to keep all types of golfers entertained.
So get ready to tackle the double greens, blind bunkers, and the dunes of the North Sea.
Best features of St. Andrews (The Old Course):
- Double Greens
The Old Course features seven double-greens, beginning with the second and sixteenth holes. - Widest Fairway in Golf
The fairway, which connects the first and 18th holes on the Old Course, is an astounding 129 yards wide where both professionals and amateurs can be comfortable with the opening fairway's width, which is the game's widest. - Road Hole
The 17th, a fantastically challenging par 4, is the only hole without a double green or double fairway and is one of the most difficult holes in golf. - Swilcan Bridge
Swilcan Bridge is considered one of the most famous bridges in the golf community.
St. Andrews (The Old Course) Green Fee:
Season | Adult (£) | Under 16 (£) |
1 Jan - 31 Mar Low Season | 98 | 98 |
1 - 17 Apr Shoulder Season | 137 | 137 |
18 Apr - 16 Oct High Season | 270 | 270 |
Oct - 31 Oct Shoulder Season | 190 | 190 |
1 Nov - 31 Dec Low Season | 135 | 135 |
2. Royal County Down Golf Club
In our list of best golf courses in the world, the Royal County Down Golf Club is at second. The Royal County Down Golf Club is located in Newcastle, Northern Ireland, and is one of the luxury golf courses found here.
Royal County Down Golf Course Details
The Royal County Down is over 100 years old and was designed by Tom Morris with the field lined up along the shoreline while looking out over the Irish Sea. It is an old golf club, designed in 1889.
It's a par 72 with 6,968 yards with a fierce wind, deep bunkers, and gorse that add to the tension of the game.
This golf course has hosted multiple tournaments, ranging from the Curtis Cup, the British Amateur Cup, the Walker Cup, the Irish Open, and the Palmer Cup.
It is also known for having one of the nine most striking frontals in the world.
Best features of Royal County Down Golf Club:
- The Slieve Donard
- Bearded Bunkers
- The Good Life
- The Ardglass Golf Club
- The Post-Round Pints
Royal County Down Golf Club Green Fees:
From May 2022 to October 2022
Days | Per Player (£) |
Weekdays | 290 |
Sundays | 300 |
36-holes in one day | 390 |
Days of the Week Open for Play | |
Mon, Tue & Fri | Morning & Afternoon |
Thursday | Morning only |
Sunday | Afternoon only |
3. Pine Valley Golf Club
Pine Valley is located in New Jersey in the United States. Unlike St. Andrews, it has yet to host any major events.
Pine Valley Golf Course Details
Pine Valley Golf Club is located in an arid landscape, yet it seems like an oasis surrounded by palm trees. It also seamlessly blends different course layouts, including Heroic, Penalty, and Strategic golf layouts.
Pine Valley Golf Club Green Fees:
9-holes ($) | Regular 18-holes ($) | Restricted 18-holes ($) | |
Adult (19 -59) | 23 | 33 | N/A |
Senior (60+) | 18 | 27 | 21 |
Junior (18 & Under) | 15 | 23 | N/A |
Ladies Day | 27 | N/A | N/A |
Men's Day | N/A | 33 | N/A |
4. Royal Melbourne Golf Club
The Australian Sand Belt is a disgrace of riches and the largest and thinnest jewel in its crown is the West Course at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
Royal Melbourne Golf Course Details
Travel to the eastern part of Australia and you'll come across the Royal Melbourne - two 18-hole golf courses that present a variety of challenges alongside their seemingly serene greens.
It was designed by the American architect Dr. Alister MacKenzie, as it has deep bunkers and contoured greens that pose a challenge for even the best players.
Private club Royal Melbourne has a par 72 with 6,598 yards on the East course and 6,598 yards on the West course.
Best Golf Courses in Melbourne
Royal Melbourne Golf Club Best Feature:
- 6th West, Par 4, 391 meters
One of Alister MacKenzie's notable holes
Royal Melbourne Golf Club Green Fees:
Overseas Visitor | A$550 |
Interstate Visitor | A$350 |
5. Cypress Point Club
Cypress Point Club is located in California along Pebble Beach. Architect Alister MacKenzie first designed it in 1928.
One of the most striking characteristics of this golf course is its surroundings. Provides an amazing ocean scene with the cool ocean breeze while enjoying a great game of golf.
Cypress Point Golf Course Details
It is true that this is not the longest golf course at around 6500 yards in length, but many who play here find that it is simply a delightful area for the sport.
Cypress Point Club Best Features:
- The 16th Hole
Cypress Point Club Green Fees:
Days | Per Pax ($) |
Weekdays | 250 |
Weekends | 250 |
6. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
Designed by William Flynn, Shinnecock G.C. has a legendary history for the United States. At 6,996 yards, Shinnecock combines the fairway and the ocean to create an extraordinary location for golfers.
Shinnecock Hills Golf Course Details
The course has undulating terrain, variable winds, and a green area bunker that can make it an extreme challenge. Shinnecock will host the US Open in 2018.
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club Green Fees:
Per member's guest ($) | 250 |
The club is invite-only, so guests can play at the golf club if members invited them to play. Caddy will be needed when playing at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club since walking is mandatory.
7. Oakmont Country Club
Oakmont Country Club is located in Pennsylvania. The golf course was designed by the avid golfer Henry Fownes in 1903.
It is a factor worth noting that Fownes was an industrialist and did not have a lot of experience designing golf courses. However, this is an example of amateur work that has far surpassed some of the best works by many professional architects.
Oakmont Country Club Course Details
This field is 7,255 yards notorious. These undulating greens, deep roughness, and drainage ditches definitely put the skills of the most famous golfers to the test.
The Oakmont Country Club has also hosted the famous US Open Championship.
Oakmont Country Club Green Fees:
Days | 9-holes ($) | 18-holes ($) |
Weekdays (Mon-Tue) | 27 | 40 |
Fridays | 32 | 44 |
Weekends and Holidays | 37 | 55 |
8. Augusta National Golf Club
This American golf course was designed in 1932 by Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie. It is considered one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world. Over the years, the golf course has been vigorously improved to make it as we know it today - a masterpiece. Many architects have improved the initial designs, including Perry Maxwell.
Augusta National Golf Course Details
This golf course also has a rich history. Augusta National Golf Club is located in Georgia and hosts the annual Master's Tournament each April. When visiting the golf course once, it is difficult for golfers to imagine hosting the Master's Tournament elsewhere.
Augusta National Golf Club Membership/Green Fee:
Since the golf club is a members-only club there are never any greens fees at ANGC. Their membership can cost up to $50,000 for the first year, and their annual dues will be a few thousand dollars.
9. Royal Dornoch
Golf was first played at Royal Dornoch as early as 1616, making it the third-oldest golf course in history. Still, it is among the best golf courses in the world. Located at the northern tip of the Scottish Highlands, Dornoch is a classic and quirky link that feels a world away even from Edinburgh.
Royal Dornoch Golf Course Details
This is as natural as link golf comes, with a classic round-trip layout and stunning views of the coastline and Dornoch Firth at Struie and Championship course.
The championship course has become famous for its elevated greens and gorse, a must-play for any golfer in Scotland.
Royal Dornoch Green Fees:
Championship Course | April - October 2022 (£) | Nov 2022 - March 2023 (£) |
Single Round | 210 | 115 |
2 Round Ticket | 335 | 185 |
Combination Ticket | 235 | 135 |
Twilight Ticket Pre Booked & Paid in Full | 125 | N/A |
Struie Course | April - October 2022 (£) | Nov 2022 - March 2023 (£) |
Single Round | 50 | 35 |
2 Round Ticket | 75 | 52.50 |
7 Day Ticket | 250 | 175 |
Twilight Ticket Pre Booked & Paid in Full | 30 | N/A |
- 2 round ticket: 2 rounds on the same course on the same day
- Combination ticket: One round on each course on the same day OR over two consecutive days
- Twilight times: May-July (6 PM)/August (5:30 PM)
10. Pebble Beach Golf Links
Pebble Beach, is America's first major public seaside golf course. The only thing that makes Pebble Beach the best golf course in America is that anyone can play. It is not restricted to club members only.
Pebble Beach Golf Course Details
Pebble Beach is a par 72 with 6,737 yards of beautiful fairways that run along the Pacific Ocean.
Douglas Grant and Jack Neville designed the course as the famous Jack Nicklaus once said that if he had one more chance to play golf it would be at Pebble Beach.
Pebble Beach Golf Links Green Fees:
April, 2022 - March, 2023 ($) | |
Resort Guest | 595 |
Non-Resort Guest | 595 + cart fee |
Cart Fee | 50 per person |
Summary of Best Golf Courses in the World
Golf is no longer limited to one country. In truth, one person can travel the world and find the perfect sun, wind, sand, and surf to play a fantastic round of golf.
Put these golf courses on your list of places to play your favorite sport. You won't be disappointed as these locations will test your skills while offering majestic views of a unique landscape that makes golfing an absolute pleasure.
So there you have it, the top 10 Golf Courses in the World you should definitely visit around the world. These special places have a lot of history, so they are definitely worth playing and enjoying a great game of golf at all of them.
Also, If you are planning to come to Malaysia for your golfing vacation, the Deemples golf app is here to help you. Just create a game using the app and let others join you. Click here to find out more! You can also check out more interesting golf blogs at Deemples.
Happy Golfing!🏌️♂️
Common FAQs about famous Golf Courses
Which is the nicest golf course in the world?
Augusta National Golf Club is the nicest golf course in the world.
What's the most prestigious golf course in the world?
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is the oldest and most prestigious golf club in the world. It is based in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, and is regarded as the worldwide "Home of Golf" founded in 1754.
Which is the number 1 golf course in the world?
Pine Valley Golf Course, New Jersey. This golf course was designed in 1918 by George Crump and H.S. Colt, and it has been on the top 100 golf courses in the country for multiple years.
Which is the most beautiful golf course in the world?
Old Head Golf Links - Kinsale, Ireland. Some say that Old Head Golf Links, situated along Ireland's southern coast in Kinsale, County Cork, is the most breathtaking golf course on earth. It is truly unique, built on a diamond of land that juts out more than two miles into the Atlantic.