10 of the Best Golf Courses Around the World

Golf has always been associated with people who are rich and well-off, for people who have the luxury to enjoy the game. Whilst that might have been true earlier in history, nowadays golf is accessible to most people. True, the more you get into the game the more expensive it gets, but having said that, it isn't as limited to the rich as maybe it once was.

I myself have only played 'proper' golf once, and the person I played with got bored 1/4 of the way through, so we drew it to a close. However, I have played crazy golf lots of times. :)

For those golfing enthusiasts out there who love to play on the best courses, then have a look at these 10 of the best golf courses from around the world.

1. Augusta National, Untied States

Located in Augusta, Georgia; Augusta National Golf Club is one of the most well known golf courses from around the world. It was opened in 1933 by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, being designed by Alister Mackenzie, and has hosted the golf 'masters tournament' since 1934.

It is considered as one of the best golf courses on the planet.

Augusta National only allowed the acceptance of black people to have a membership of the club since 1990, and with it's exclusive membership policies, criticism has been directed towards the club. It also has a continued refusal to accept women to become members of the club.

2. Royal County Down, Ireland

Opening in 1889, Royal County Down is one of the oldest golf courses in Ireland, and measures over 7000 yards in length.

The 36-hole course has a par of 71, Tiger Woods managed to get a par of 65 (the best recorded score on the championship course) during a casual game.

Royal County Down has been noted for its phenomenal maintenance and is considered one of the best maintained golf courses in the world.

3. Pebble Beach, United States

Located in California, United States, Pebble beach has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful and scenic courses there is.

The course has made appearances in many golfing video games, and has held many major tournaments, including; 'T&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am' and 'First Tee Open'.

Beautiful grounds, brilliant scenes, and worldwide recognition is some of the factors that come into play with the price of playing on this course, as it is amongst the priciest courses out-there. 

4. Muirfield, Scotland

Situated in Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland; Muirfield is one of the rotating golf courses that is used for the 'Open Championship'. Muirfield is set upon elevated ancient land claimed from the sea as highlighted by its sandy base and sea shells in the bunkers.

The course is arranged into two loops of nine holes, one clockwise, the other counter-clockwise. This is so that every hole has a different wind direction.

5. St Andrews (old), Scotland

St Andrews is located on common land and can be found in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. St Andrews golf course was first established in 1552 and is currently the oldest golf course in the world.

The course is over 7,300 yards long, has 18 holes, and has a course par of 72, with the course record being 63.

The Old Course has shaped the development of how the game of golf is played today, one example would be; the standard 18 holes that is used.

6. Shinnecock Hills, United States

Shinnecock Hills was established in 1931 and is located in the hamlet of Shinnecock Hills in the town of Southampton on Long Island in the U.S. It is the oldest course to admit women to play, which it has done since the beginning of the clubs history. Its length stretches for over 6,900 yards.

It has been the host to some major golfing events, including; U.S Open, Walker Cup, and Amateur Cup. 

7. Cypress Point, United States

Cypress Point is a privately owned golf club in California, United States. It is well known for three of its holes (15th, 16th, and 17th) that play along the Pacific Ocean, and are regarded by many as the best three holes in the world.

The golf course itself was designed by reputable golf course designer Alister MacKenzie in 1928, who also designed the Augusta National.

The 16th hole, which plays a 230 yard tee-shot over the ocean, is the courses most famous hole.

8. Pine Valley, United States

Pine Valley is located in Pine Valley (imagine that), in New Jersey, United States. The course often features in 'top golf courses' lists that are published, and its not surprising to see why. The course prizes itself for giving players a consistent level of difficulty on each individual hole, making players approach each shot critically and analytically to meet the challenge set before them, if they want to achieve a desirable end result that is.

The courses signature holes are 5th hole, 7th hole, 10th hole, and 18th hole.

Pine Valley as a whole has a length of almost 7,000 yards, a par of 70, and has played host to the Walker Cup.

9.  Royal Melbourne, Australia

Royal Melbourne is located in  Black Rock, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. It is a 36-hole course, made up by its east course and west course. Both the east and west course have the standard 18 holes each.

It is Australia's oldest continually existing golf course being founded in 1891.

The course itself has played host to a number of national and international events. It was the first course to host the 'Presidents Cup' outside of the United States, in fact it has hosted the event twice: 1998 (won by the International Team) and in 2011 (won by the United States).

10. Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand

Taking its name from the nearby headland of Cape Kidnappers, Cape Kidnappers golf course is located in New Zealand, and consists of the standard 18 holes.

It is over 6,000 yards in length and has a par of 72.

The course was designed by Tom Doak, and has been regarded as one of the most stunning golf courses. 
It is also known for its memorable and challenging (to say the least) holes, combining a series of inland holes and cliff top holes. 

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