Luke is an avid weekend-warrior golfer from the East Coast who plays golf more than he cares to admit.
The best golf courses in the world are man-made works of art. They challenge players while providing breathtaking views. They also host some of the most elite competitions in the game that fans talk about for many years.
Our Golf Clubs is constantly in awe of how golf combines man with nature. Courses are men taking the Earth and molding it into what they imagine.
Read on to see what courses make our list of the best in the world. Visit us today for the latest inside news on the game, and let us know what courses you love.
The 9 Best Golf Courses In The World
Since golf is an older game, a lot of history is associated with the more popular courses. When you play golf on them, you step foot onto the same green as the best players in history.
1. Turnberry Resort (Ailsa)
This course is located in Scotland, the birthplace of our great game. It was built in 1902 but was remodeled by Mackenzie Ross after World War II. It boasts 7204 yards of green for the course and great shot values.
The remodel is especially interesting because the owners built part of the course off the rubble of an Allied airfield. This takes the idea of a phoenix rising from the ashes to a whole different level. There is also a beautiful view of a lighthouse sitting on a cliff overlooking the course.
Claims to fame
- 1977: “Duel in the sun,” a famous game played between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.
- Hosted the Open Championship four times
- Building something beautiful from the ashes of wartorn Scotland
Its rich history makes Turnberry one of the best courses in the world.
2. Winged Foot Golf Club (West Course)
Winged Foot Golf Club challenges even the best players. It has a course par of 72 and sits on 7264 yards. It is located in Mamaroneck, New York.
Part of what makes this course an honor to play on is the bowl-shaped greens and serious hazards. They are sure to make you earn your points as you play the beautiful course.
Claims to fame
- 1974: “The Massacre at Winged Foot,” a golf round that included Irwin Hale and Arnold Palmer. According to Golf Digest, this was also a game that “identified the best players in the game.”
3. Royal Portrush Golf Club (Dunluce)
This gem of a course is located in Northern Ireland. It has 7143 yards and a course par of 72.
The best golf courses in the world are always challenging. The landscape of this course is littered with mounds and drop-offs that make the game challenging and beautiful. Hole 14 has the most significant drop-off and is referred to as ‘Calamity’ to reflect its difficulty.
Claims to fame
- Rory McIlroy got his start at 16 years old playing this course. He boasted a fantastic score of 61 points.
- 1951: Hosts the Open Championship
- 2012: Hosted the Irish Open
4. Muirfield
Another beautiful course from the homeland of golf, this course is located in Gullane, Scotland. The course is 7245 yards and has a par of 71.
Two fantastic architects have ties to this course. In 1891 the course was designed by Old Tom Morris, A.K.A. Thomas Mitchell Morris, a golfer. In 1925 the course was redesigned and upgraded by H.S. Colt.
The front nine holes are played in a clockwise rotation, while the back nine is played counterclockwise. This can make the game enjoyable.
Claim to fame
- One of the best golf courses in the world, Muirfield has hosted the Open Championship a staggering 16 times.
5. Royal Melbourne Golf Club (East Course)
The Royal Melbourne Golf Club opened in 1891. The course as it now sits was built in 1926 in Melbourne, Australia. It sits on 6579 beautiful yards and has a par of 72.
This massive course offers the player a beautiful landscape dotted with challenging hazards.
Claims to fame:
- Has hosted the Australian Open 16 times
- Hosted the most national and international tournaments in Australia
- Australia’s oldest continually open golf course
6. Royal Dornoch Golf Club
The Royal country club in Dornach, Scotland, is the home of this picturesque course and has a par of 70. It is 6722 yards large and was built in 1886.
Although off the beaten path, its rolling greens are gorgeous, making it one of the best golf courses in the world. The course is also next to the coast, making it seem like you’re golfing in paradise.
Claims to fame
- Home course to Donald Ross, the famous designer of some of the best golf courses in the world. Ross would also become the club’s first golf professional.
- Has hosted golfing on the land since 1616
7. Cypress Point Golf Club
Cypress Point was designed in 1928. This 6500-yard course boasts breathtaking cliff views and has a course par of 72. It is located in the famed Pebble Beach, California.
Something that makes this course unique is its layout. Alister Mackenzie, the designer, has positioned hazards that jut out into the Pacific Ocean and visually delight the player.
Claims to fame
- Former USGA President Sandy Tatum called the course the “Sistine Chapel of golf.”
- Hole 16 requires a shot of 230 yards to reach a green that is separated by water.
8. Oakmont Country Club
Oakmont Country Club is nestled in Plum, Pennsylvania, and has a par of 72. The course was opened in 1903. It boasts 7255 yards of playable fairways.
Golfer Henry Fownes designed this rolling course. This is especially notable because he was an industrialist, and this was amateur work for him. The hills and the addition of drainage ditches make the course challenging to even more seasoned golfers.
The beauty and difficulty of the course certainly give a new meaning to amateur hour.
Claims to fame
- Host of 12 Majors
- Host of 9 U.S. Opens
- 3 PGA Championships hosted
- 2 U.S. Women’s Opens hosted
9. Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, is arguably one of the more famous courses on our list. The yardage is 6985, with a par of 72 for the course. In 1932, it was designed by the famed Bobby Jones and Alister Maxwell.
The course gives the feeling of walking through a forest. Trees and flowers are clumped throughout, making a beautiful experience while you play.
Claims to fame
- The Masters are hosted here every April
- Members are among the elite: Tiger Wood, Jack Nicklaus, Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Go Visit the Best Golf Courses In The World. But Start Your Adventure Here.
The world is full of outstanding golf courses. Picking just nine has been difficult, but we believe that these are some of the best.
We at Our Golf Clubs are passionate about all things golf. From social media to golfing tips, we cover it. Join us now to share in our love for this beautiful sport.
