Best Golf Courses in the World - Part 1
Written by Isaac Coates
Choose Your Golf Destination
If you love golf, there is no doubt that you’ve dreamt of playing some of the most beautiful, exclusive, and expensive golf courses in the world. You might be thinking of Augusta, Pine Valley, Cypress Point, Royal Melbourne or Royal County Down.
It may be hard to check off these bucket list golf courses, but let’s pretend you've won an all inclusive trip to one of the following destinations. Which one would you pick?
Here at Shaped by Sports, we handpicked 10 of the worlds best golf destinations and split them into 2 parts. As you’ll notice throughout our list, we mention some other courses that would be included in your adventure. Our headlined courses are often just the beginning.
Royal County Down: Newcastle, Northern Ireland
Image via royalcountydown.org
Have you ever ventured across the pond? If not, you should consider starting your first adventure in Northern Ireland, in the small town of Newcastle. One of the focal points of this town resting on the banks of the Irish Sea is the Royal County Down Championship Links. If you’re not familiar then turn your attention to the rankings, this course has been rated by Golf Digest as the top golf course in the entire world in 3 consecutive rotations.
Not enough for you? This is known as one of Tiger’s favourite courses and has hosted many significant tournaments throughout the years. But we still are waiting for The Open Championship to arrive in Newcastle though...
This is a links course completed to perfection. Sitting at 7,186 yards, this course has truly stood the test of time. Enjoy Royal County Down golf with a caddie, the natural beauty of Northern Ireland, and crack a Guinness while learning to play an unfamiliar style of golf.
This may not stand out to you as a top destination, but I urge you to reconsider. What's more, it is home to two courses. But don’t just take my word for it, watch the hole by hole flyovers.
Augusta National Golf Club: Augusta, Georgia
Image via Getty Images
If an apocalypse ever happens and you somehow get the chance to play a round here, then zombies are welcomed. There is literally nothing I can add to this option, no sales pitch needed. It is one of the most exclusive clubs in the world. Regardless of how intriguing the immaculate, (yet artificial) the conditions are, don't book your flight just yet.
I am still urging that you consider many of the other courses on the list over this one. I’m sure you want to come for the dyed blue ponds and the birds that mysteriously live inside of green coloured speakers. You know Augusta National, come for the southern hospitality and you’ll never want to leave. Anyone else getting "Get Out" vibes?
Tari Iti Golf Club: Mangawhai, New Zealand
Photo via renaissancegolf.com
No bias here; this should be your pick. Did you know that New Zealand has the most golf courses per capita in the entire world? In a country of 4 million people, they have 6 courses spread throughout the islands listed in the top 100 in the entire world.
There are two golf courses at Te Arai Links currently being constructed that are destined to make the list. The significance of Te Arai is that it is located only 20 minutes away from the #2 golf course outside of America, making this my favourite golf destination on the planet.
That course is Tara Iti, a course that only opened in 2015. Exposed sand and a tremendous sea side Tom Doak design is the main selling feature. North of Auckland, you are located on the East Coast of the Northern tip of the North island, meaning subtropical temperatures and an insane amount of UV rays. You are in for a life changing experience, just invest in sunscreen.
The adventure to get here alone is an incredible experience, this trip is more than a golf trip. Pick it! Please watch this. Okay, I’ll stop talking about it now.
Pebble Beach Golf Links: Pebble Beach, California
Photo via pebblebeach.com
Links? No, but it’s okay because it is the #1 public golf course in America, which says everything you need to know. However, this course shouldn’t be the headline, because picking this hypothetical destination allows you to play Cypress Point, which is ranked higher than Pebble.
The reason it isn’t the headline? For the casual golfer, the #1 public golf course is one of the most recognizable courses in North America. Here we will allow you to play Pebble Beach, Cypress Point, Spyglass Hill, and The Links at Spanish Bay. The 15th and 16th hole at Cypress Point, and the 7th, 8th, and 18th at Pebble Beach are among the most recognized and famous holes in the world.
It’s hard to make an argument against picking this location as it may be the greatest experience in North America, so go ahead. Enjoy California, avoid leaving North America, and go to Pebble Beach for an incredibly luxurious experience.
It is very unlikely you ever get the chance to play Cypress as it’s in the same exclusive category that Augusta and Pine Valley are in. So this is your chance to dream about it! Enjoy Pebble through this video.
Pacific Dunes at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort: Bandon, Oregon
Photo via bandondunesgolf.com
This is perhaps the purest golf destination that you can find. If you don’t know where Bandon, Oregon is, you’re not alone. It was a bold move building golf courses in this very isolated location. However, golfers have made it clear that if you build it, they will come.
They didn’t just build one, they built FIVE championship courses; plus one par 3 course and a putting course. Headlined by Pacific Dunes, Bandon Dunes, and the vastly underrated Old Mcdonald and Bandon Trails. As the truest links experience you can find in America, these courses are raw and rugged with breathtaking natural beauty.
Multiple world renowned modern architects have made their mark on this property. Tom Doak’s Pacific Dunes ranks as the #2 public course in America. The original Bandon Dunes track by David Mclay Kidd ranks #7th. Old Mcdonald and the Trails course ranks #12 and #13 respectively with the trails having the disadvantage of not being alongside the ocean. Sheep Ranch opened in 2020 and is already placed at #15 on the same list by Golf Digest.
That is 5/5 in the top 20 public courses in America. Simply put, this is golf heaven. Check out more of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort's Pacific Dunes.
My Golf Course Destination Rankings
Tara Iti
Pacific Dunes
Royal County Down
Pebble Beach
Augusta National
Conclusion:
This wraps up the first of two parts of our golf destination blog. If you already have found it difficult to pick a destination, good luck with the next round. I never imagined there would be a time where I would pick Augusta as my least favourite option but here we are.
Let us know on Instagram where you rank these destinations! Thanks for reading.
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