Best Golf Courses You Should Play at Least Once

22 July 2025

So you’ve caught the golf bug, huh? Welcome to the club—pun totally intended. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of stepping onto a perfectly manicured fairway, letting the driver rip, and watching your ball sail into the great beyond (hopefully down the middle, right?). If you're anything like us, you’ve dreamed of teeing it up at some of the most iconic golf courses around the world.

Whether you're a casual weekend hacker or a single-digit handicapper, this list of the best golf courses you should play at least once is your ultimate bucket list. Think jaw-dropping scenery, legendary holes, and layouts that’ll test every club in your bag—and maybe your sanity too.

Let’s tee off!

1. St. Andrews Links – St. Andrews, Scotland

Ah yes, The Old Course. The original gangster of golf. If golf had a holy land, this is it.

Built in the 15th century (yes, really), St. Andrews is more than just a course—it’s a pilgrimage. You walk the same fairways as legends like Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. The Swilcan Bridge, the Road Hole, the double greens… it's hard not to get goosebumps just thinking about it.

Oh, and fun fact: if you’re lucky, you might run into a herd of sheep. Like, actual sheep.

Pro Tip: Book early—and we mean REALLY early. Tee times go fast.

2. Pebble Beach Golf Links – California, USA

You know those desktop wallpapers with cliffs, the ocean, and a little white golf flag flapping in the breeze? That’s Pebble Beach. This course is golf’s version of a scenic movie set.

Perched on the rugged coast of California’s Monterey Peninsula, Pebble Beach is as beautiful as it is brutal. The wind doesn’t just mess with your ball—it messes with your soul. But man, when you stripe it down the middle of the famous 18th hole with waves crashing beside you… unforgettable.

Bring a camera, and maybe a few extra balls.

3. Augusta National Golf Club – Georgia, USA

Let’s be real: you’re more likely to win the lottery and meet Beyoncé on the same day than get a tee time at Augusta. But hey, we’re dreamers here.

Home of The Masters, Augusta National is the crown jewel of American golf. From the blooming azaleas of Amen Corner to the lightning-fast greens, everything about this place is golf perfection.

If, by some miracle, you get invited to play here, we don’t care what it costs—GO. Sell your car. Sell your neighbor’s car. Just go.

4. Royal County Down – Northern Ireland

This one often flies under the radar, but ask those in the know and they’ll tell you: Royal County Down is flat-out spectacular.

Wedged between the Mourne Mountains and the Irish Sea, the views are straight out of a postcard. Plus, the course is as tough as a two-dollar steak. Undulating fairways, blind shots, wild heather roughs—it's a test of skill and nerve.

Not for the faint of heart, but 100% worth the challenge.

5. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort – Oregon, USA

Imagine playing links-style golf without crossing the Atlantic. Sound good? That’s Bandon Dunes.

Set along the Oregon coastline, Bandon is a slice of Scottish flavor served with a side of Pacific waves. There are actually several courses here—Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old Macdonald, and more—but each one is pure magic.

Walkable layouts, ocean breezes, and epic sunsets? You might never want to leave.

6. Pinehurst No. 2 – North Carolina, USA

The Donald Ross masterpiece. If you’ve ever wanted to test your short game, this is the spot.

Sure, the fairways are wide—but the crowned greens? Oh boy. These suckers repel balls like they've got anti-gravity. You’ll chip, you’ll putt, you’ll scream into the Carolina sky… and you’ll still love every second.

Bonus points if you stay at the historic Carolina Hotel and soak in the old-school Southern charm.

7. Royal Melbourne – Victoria, Australia

G’day, mates! If you're up for a golf adventure Down Under, Royal Melbourne is a must.

Australia’s crown jewel offers fast fairways, strategic bunkering, and some of the slickest greens outside the U.S. The layout is smart—like, chess-player smart—and demands creative shot-making.

But the best part? You’ll probably have kangaroos as gallery members.

8. Cabot Cliffs – Nova Scotia, Canada

This is one of the newer kids on the block, but man, has it made a splash. Cabot Cliffs is the kind of course that makes you go “holy smokes” at every tee box.

Perched on the cliffs above the Gulf of St. Lawrence, it features dramatic elevation changes, sweeping ocean views, and greens that seem to hang over the edge of the world.

It's beautiful, it's bold, and somehow, it's still under the radar. You’re welcome.

9. Ballybunion Golf Club – County Kerry, Ireland

Looking for a true links experience with a little Irish charm? Ballybunion delivers.

This seaside stunner is often ranked among the top in the world, and it’s easy to see why. Picture rolling dunes, ruthless winds, blind shots, and greens that don’t forgive bad decisions. It’s like Mother Nature designed a golf test—and she wasn’t feeling very generous that day.

Wrap up your round with a pint at the nearby pub, and boom, perfect day.

10. Shadow Creek – Las Vegas, Nevada

Vegas, baby! Shadow Creek is unlike any other course on this list. Why? Because it’s literally man-made paradise.

Built by Tom Fazio out of a desert wasteland, Shadow Creek has waterfalls, pine trees, creeks, and luxury oozing from every blade of grass. It’s like golf’s version of Disneyland for adults.

It’s exclusive, it’s luxurious, and yeah—it doesn’t come cheap. But if you’ve ever wanted to golf like a high roller, this is the place.

11. Cape Kidnappers – Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

Let’s take a trip to Middle Earth, shall we? Cape Kidnappers is as breathtaking as the name suggests.

The course sits atop towering cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. With fairways stretching across dramatic gorges and sheer drops, it feels like you're golfing on the edge of the world. Don’t be surprised if you pause to just… stare.

Trust us, the photos don’t even do it justice.

12. Whistling Straits – Wisconsin, USA

If you think Wisconsin is only about cheese and football, think again.

Whistling Straits, set along the shores of Lake Michigan, is a beast of a course. It’s hosted multiple majors, and it looks like it was ripped straight from the Irish coast. Bunkers are everywhere—like, literally everywhere—and the wind plays tricks on your game the whole way through.

Bring your A-game and maybe a caddie with Jedi mind powers.

13. Teeth of the Dog – Dominican Republic

Alright, let's add some island flavor to the mix.

Teeth of the Dog is the Caribbean’s crown jewel. Designed by Pete Dye, this layout hugs the coastline and delivers stunning ocean views on seven (yes, seven!) holes. It's as challenging as it is beautiful, and the sea breeze keeps things interesting.

After your round? Piña colada on the beach. Not a bad life, huh?

14. Torrey Pines (South Course) – California, USA

Want to walk the same steps as Tiger during his epic 2008 U.S. Open win? Head to Torrey Pines.

Located on bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, this public gem is as gorgeous as it is accessible. Tight fairways, tricky greens, and coastal winds turn every round into an adventure.

Oh, and did we mention it’s a public course? That’s a rarity on this list!

15. Bethpage Black – New York, USA

Speaking of public courses, we'd be crazy not to mention the beast known as Bethpage Black.

This Long Island monster has a literal warning sign at the first tee telling you it’s only for “highly skilled golfers.” Yikes. But also, challenge accepted.

It's long, it's tough, it's got teeth—but what a rush. If you survive all 18, you’ll earn some serious bragging rights.

What Makes a Course Truly "Bucket List"-Worthy?

Glad you asked.

A great golf course isn’t just about perfectly mown lawns and championship history. It’s about the little things: the vibe, the scenery, the way a hole forces you to choose between playing it safe or going full hero mode. It’s the stories you tell afterward—the triple on the par-5 you almost eagled, the miraculous bunker shot, or that one perfect putt under pressure.

These courses? They’re more than just places to play. They’re stories waiting to be written. Your story.

Final Thoughts: Swing Big, Dream Bigger

Whether you’re planning a golf trip with your buddies or fantasizing from behind your office desk, let this list be your inspiration. Golf is about chasing dreams—on the course and off.

So go ahead. Start planning. Pack your clubs. Jet off to that faraway fairway. Because life’s too short to play boring golf.

Who knows? The best round of your life might be just one bucket-list tee time away.