Pebble Beach Golf Links
Best Public Beach Golf in US
National Golf Links of America
Embrace the Beauty of the FairWay
Royal County Down Golf Club
Golf Club Where Passion Meets the Greens
Oakmont Country Club
Oakmont Golf is a Journey of Discovery
St Andrews Golf Course
Home of Golf Where Golfing Dreams Take Flight
Golf has fascinated players and fans for ages. It is a game that needs talent, strategy, and patience; those who accept the challenge can enjoy it for the rest of their lives. For many golfers, the ultimate ambition is to play on the world's best courses, renowned for their breathtaking beauty, demanding layouts, and fascinating history. These courses are frequently regarded as the crown jewels of the golfing world.
They provide golfers with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put their skills to the test while also experiencing the height of golf luxury. The best golf courses have stunning views, host notable competitions, and have unique holes designed by renowned course architects. The best golf courses in the world analyzed professional opinions, personal experience, and facts about the oldest and most beautiful links to compile a ranking of the top 5 golf courses in the world. And if you don't play golf, these courses are all in stunning locations that you'll appreciate even if you never pick up a club.
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Best Public Beach Golf in US
- Founded in: 1919
- Location: Pebble Beach, California, U.S.
Pebble Beach Golf Links is a top public golf course in USA 2024 near Pebble Beach, California. According to Travel, it is one of the most beautiful courses in the world. It hugs the craggy coastline and provides wide-open views of Carmel Bay, which opens to the Pacific Ocean on the south side of the Monterey Peninsula. Golf Digest named it the No. 1 golf course in America for the first time in 2001.
Golf buggies are provided; however, given the course's limitless beauty and surroundings, we recommend taking your time and walking the course. There is also a caddie service, so you don't have to take your clubs unless you want to.
History: The course started as part of the complex of the Hotel del Monte, a vacation hotel in Monterey, California, designed by Charles Crocker. Champion golfers Douglas Grant and Jack Neville created the course, which opened on February 22, 1919. He aimed to plant as many holes as possible throughout the rocky and scenic Monterey coastline. During the early 1990s, Japanese investors purchased the course as foreign interest in American real estate increased.
Selling Point: Pebble Beach stands out because of its location, familiarity, and PGA Tour history. This list is unique because it is open to the public, making it accessible to the average golfer. However, Pebble Beach is related to the ocean-skirting holes.
Why is Pebble Beach Link Famous? Bobby Jones, the hero of the 1929 U.S. Amateur, introduced the golfing world to Pebble Beach just ten years after it began. Pebble Beach has become an international championship location ever since.
Course Information:
Par |
72 |
Length |
7,075 yards |
Designed by |
Jack Neville & Douglas Grant |
Opened for Play |
1919 |
Type |
Public |
National Golf Links of America
Embrace the Beauty of the FairWay
- Founded in: 1911
- Location: Southampton, New York
National Golf Links of America is a prominent links-style golf course in Southampton, New York, situated on Long Island between Shinnecock Hills Golf Club and Peconic Bay. "It is one of the greatest and most interesting courses." Referred as 'National', this is the pinnacle of American golf course architecture.
The phrase 'golf architect' supposedly originated with Charles Blair Macdonald, and his National is a masterpiece. The National is situated on more than 250 acres of gently rolling Long Island scenery. The varied geography is gorgeous and dramatic, captivating you from the first tee shot to the last putt.
Though the course is most known for hosting the first Walker Cup in 1922, which the United States won 8 and 4, it has never played host to a major men's competition. The Walker Cup returned to the National in 2013. The private club has been termed "America's snootiest golf course" due to its restricted nature.
History: The course had been created by Charles B. Macdonald, who attended the University of St Andrews in Scotland in the 1870s. The course was built next to Shinnecock Hills Golf Club and presently adjoins Sebonack Golf Club, which launched in 2006. When it started in 1911, the course was known as the National Golf Links of America because its 67 founding individuals lived in diverse locations in the United States. In September 2008, the National Golf Links of America was selected to host the 2013 Walker Cup.
Selling point: Outstanding, but out of reach. In addition, architect Charles Blair Macdonald's method was unique: he imitated the famous holes of English and Scottish courses he had observed on his travels. Instead of producing dismal parody, Macdonald's National Links stimulates today's builders like Europe's finest courses inspired National's course-plotter.
Course Information:
Par |
72 |
Length |
6,873 yards |
Designed by |
C.B. Macdonald |
Opened for Play |
1911 |
Type |
Private |
Royal County Down Golf Club
Golf Club Where Passion Meets the Greens
- Founded in: 1889
- Location: Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland
The Royal County Down Golf Club is located in Newcastle, a little holiday town nestled at the foot of the magnificent Mountains of Mourne. It's an amazing setting for a classic links golf course, with the Bay of Dundrum rolling out into the Irish Sea and the massive mountain of Slieve Donard laying a shadow over the town.
The championship golf Course at Royal County Down can be exceedingly challenging, particularly when the wind picks up. However, numerous options are available, and the slope/course ratings indicate that golfers can still play to their score if they play well.
History: A group of notable Belfast businessmen and professionals created the Royal County Down Golf Club. There is some indication that the residents of Newcastle were already playing a basic sort of golf on the rabbit warren.
Selling Point: While Old Tom gets the glory, numerous hands have contributed to Royal County Down. Finally, the course's priority is as much about the pure beauty of the environment as its layout, which is saying something given that RCD is largely recognized as having one of the top front nines in the world.
Why is Royal County Down Golf Club Famous? This county is home to Northern Ireland's most majestic mountain range, the Winterfell castle from Game of Thrones, the biggest sea lough in Great Britain and Ireland, and the final resting site of St Patrick.
Course Information:
Par |
71 |
Length |
7,186 yards |
Designed by |
Old Tom Morris, George Combe, Harry Vardon, Harry Colt |
Opened for Play |
1889 |
Type |
Oakmont Country Club
Oakmont Golf is a Journey of Discovery
- Founded in: 1903
- Location: Pennsylvania, U.S.
Oakmont Country Club is a private country club and a national historic site that has hosted the most USGA and PGA championships in the United States. It is regarded as one of the most difficult courses and is ranked among America's top five golf courses by Golf Digest. Oakmont will host the 2021 U.S. Amateur and the 2025 U.S. National.
With Oakmont's reputation for excellence in golf, we take great pride in the club's overall quality. Oakmont has a core value system that is used every day, and we are dedicated to being the national leader in country club quality for members and guests. Oakmont believes that each team member is critical to providing high-quality services.
History: It was founded 121 years ago. According to rankings, its golf course is the "oldest top-ranked golf course in the United States." It received the National Historic Landmark designation. Seven holes are situated apart from the remainder of the course by the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Ranking: Golf Digest consistently ranks Oakmont among the top five of America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses. In 2007, the magazine ranked Oakmont fifth. It is one of only a handful of courses consistently ranked in the top ten in the publication's history.
Course Information:
Par |
71 |
Length |
7,254 yards |
Designed by |
Henry Fownes, Tom Fazio, Gil Hanse |
Opened for Play |
1903 |
Type |
Private |
St Andrews Golf Course
Home of Golf Where Golfing Dreams Take Flight
- Founded in: 1552
- Location: Scotland
The Old Course at St Andrews, often known as the Old Lady or the Grand Old Lady, is recognized as the world's oldest golf course. It is a public course on common property in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, which is maintained in trust by the St Andrews Links Trust under a Parliamentary Act. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews clubhouse is next to the first tee.
History: Given that golf was first played on links in the early 15th century, many people consider St. Andrew's Old Course to be the "home of golf". Golf was gaining popularity in Scotland. Scotland restricted the game in 1457 because he believed young men spent too much time playing golf rather than practicing their marksmanship. The restriction was upheld and remained in place until 1502.
Selling point: This fabled work of art has never been carved by one hand. The Old Course, the game's birthplace, has a strong heritage. Its large rolling greens,blind shots, cavernous bunkers, and unique Road Hole contribute to a fantastic layout. All course designs either copy or challenge the Old Course, which is uniquely variable and weather sensitive. Therefore, it remains the reference point for every other course on this list.
Why is the St Andrews Golf Course so prominent? Golf has been played on the Links at St Andrews since circa 1400 AD, and the Old Course is known worldwide as the Home of Golf. The game gained popularity, and by the nineteenth century, it had become an aspect of life for many locals, whether as players, ball makers, caddies, or club makers.
Course Information:
Par |
72 |
Length |
7,305 yards |
Designed by |
Daw Anderson, Tom Morris |
Opened for Play |
1552 |
Type |
Public |
Reason Why Everyone Should Play Golf
- Good Exercise: First and foremost, golf is a good exercise. You spend a lot of time both on your feet and walking. Most courses require walking approximately 4 miles by the finish, ensuring you meet your daily step objectives.
- Make New Friends: While there's nothing wrong with playing golf with a friend, another advantage is that you can meet new people. One of the simplest methods is to go to the course alone. Let the clubhouse know you want to join others, and they'll gladly connect you with other eager groups.
- Build Character: Golf can be challenging and frustrating at times. However, we see this as an opportunity to develop character. You have a decision to make when you miss a putt or fall into the sand trap for the third time. You can become upset, which will most likely worsen your game, or you can take a breath and accept that life does not always go as planned.
- Improve business relationships: Many businessmen play golf. It should come as no surprise, given that it's a terrific way to exercise and get away from the office for a while. If you want to advance your profession, consider taking up golf.
- Relaxation: This is especially true if you play by yourself. It may also help you relax. It's easy to let the rest of your concerns fade away when it's just you, your club, and the ball. You might return invigorated and determined to tackle difficulties peacefully.
Frequently Ask Questions
What is known as a golf course?
A golf course is the area in which the game of golf is played. It comprises a succession of holes, each with its tee box,rough, fairway, and other hazards, and a green with a round opening in the ground known as a "cup".
How many countries throughout the world play golf?
According to "Golf Around The World," there will be 38,081 golf courses in 206 nations and dependent territories in 2024.
Is golf an Olympic sport?
Yes, golf is an Olympic sport.