Top 5 golf courses in the world

Top 5 golf courses in the world:Introduction

The top 5 golf courses in the world offer golfers stunning scenery and great challenges. This guide highlights each course in a simple way so you can plan your next dream game. Moreover, it helps you understand why these places stand out from the rest.

1. St Andrews Links, Scotland

St Andrews is the “Home of Golf.” It blends history and natural beauty. Also, the Old Course layout tests golfers with wide fairways and deep bunkers. Many golfers travel here for its classic charm. The seventh, the Castle Course, lies one mile to the south-east. The Balgove Course has nine holes, the rest 18.

Historical Background

Golf played on the land at St Andrews since at least the early 15th century. A part from this,In 1552, the Archbishop of St Andrews granted the townspeople the right to play golf on the Links, helping establish it as a permanent golfing venue. Where as, St Andrews played a central role in shaping the modern game:

• Before,The 18-hole round became the standard after St Andrews reduced its course from 22 holes to 18 in 1764.
• The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A), founded in 1754, later became one of the sport’s most influential governing bodies.

Because of these milestones, St Andrews consider the birthplace of many of golf’s modern rules and traditions.

---

The Old Course

The Old Course at St Andrews is the most famous golf course in the world and a pilgrimage site for golfers. It renownes extreme length or dramatic elevation changes, but for its strategic brilliance and historic character.

Key Features

• Shared Greens: Seven massive double greens serve two holes each, a rare and historic design feature.
• Swilcan Bridge: An 18th-century stone bridge crossing the first and 18th fairway burn, one of the most photographed landmarks in golf.
• Hell Bunker: Perhaps the most feared bunker in golf, located on the 14th hole.
• Road Hole (17th): Famous for its blind tee shot, Road Bunker, and the road and stone wall behind the green.

The Old Course is a links-style course, shaped by wind, firm turf, and natural contours rather than trees or water hazards. Weather conditions dramatically influence how the course plays, making strategy and creativity more important than power.

---

Other Courses at St Andrews Links

St Andrews Links is not just one course—it is a complex of seven public golf courses, making it one of the largest public golfing facilities in Europe:

1. Old Course – Historic championship course
2. New Course – A classic links design by Old Tom Morris
3. Jubilee Course – The most challenging after the Old Course
4. Eden Course – Known for deep bunkers and exposed layout
5. Strathtyrum Course – Friendly and playable for all levels
6. Balgove Course – Designed for beginners and juniors
7. Castle Course – A modern links course overlooking St Andrews Bay

Together, these courses cater to professionals, amateurs, and beginners alike.

---

The Open Championship

St Andrews is one of the most important venues in The Open Championship, golf’s oldest major tournament. The Old Course has hosted The Open more times than any other course.

Legendary champions such as Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Seve Ballesteros, Bobby Jones, and Old Tom Morris have triumphed here. Winning The Open at St Andrews consideres one of the greatest achievements in professional golf.

---

St Andrews Links Trust

The St Andrews Links Trust manages the courses on behalf of the local community. Its mission is to:

• Preserve the historic Links
• Keep golf affordable and accessible
• Maintain world-class playing conditions

Unlike many famous golf venues, St Andrews is public, meaning anyone can apply to play, primarily through a daily ballot system or advance bookings.

---

Golf Experience and Culture

Playing at St Andrews is as much about tradition as it is about the game itself:

• Golfers are encouraged to walk the course, staying true to links golf tradition.
• Caddies are available and often provide invaluable local knowledge.
• The town of St Andrews is filled with golf history, shops, museums, and landmarks.

Nearby attractions include the British Golf Museum, the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral, and the historic university where many golfing traditions have been documented.

---

Global Significance

St Andrews Links is more than a golf destination—it is a symbol of the sport’s heritage. Its influence can be seen in course design, rules, etiquette, and the culture of golf worldwide. For many golfers, simply standing on the first tee of the Old Course is a lifelong dream.

---

St Andrews Links, Scotland, represents the heart and soul of golf. With its unparalleled history, legendary Old Course, and commitment to public access, it remains the most revered golfing venue on Earth. Whether watched on television during The Open or walked in person by everyday golfers, St Andrews continues to define what the game of golf truly is.

2. Augusta National Golf Club, USA

This course is famous for hosting The Masters. The fairways stay lush all year, and the greens move fast. In addition, the course design challenges both beginners and pros. Many players dream of playing here once in their life.Augusta National was founded in 1932 by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts on the 365-acre site of a former nursery/antebellum plantation called Fruitland (later Fruitlands).^[9] Jones sought to create a world-class winter golf course in his native state of Georgia. During the first decade of the club’s existence, membership was low and finances were short due to the Great Depression and the relatively remote location of Augusta, forcing the duo to scrap future plans for a “ladies’ course”, squash and tennis courts, and various estates.^[5]

Its first club professional was Ed Dudley, who served in the role until 1957; Dudley was one of the top tournament professionals of his era, with 15 wins on the PGA Tour.^[10]

The Masters was first held in 1934 in an attempt to attract crowds and players. Roberts persuaded Jones, then retired, to return to play in the tournament. Jones was initially against the name Masters.^[5]

In 1948, Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife Mamie were personally invited to Augusta by Roberts. Eisenhower took a liking to the club, becoming a member, and hired Roberts as his executor and financial advisor; Roberts had a house (Eisenhower Cabin) constructed for Eisenhower on the grounds. During his presidency, Eisenhower visited August

Facilities and grounds

The 10th fairway and green in 2006

Augusta is renowned for its well-maintained impeccable appearance: pine needles are imported, bird sounds are played on inconspicuous speakers, and even the ponds were once dyed blue.^[5] The club is famed for its azaleas and dogwoods.^[1]

Rules and policies imposed on employees, club members, and visitors (referred to internally as “patrons”) are notoriously strict. No cell phones or other electronic devices are permitted (except in the press building—spot checks are performed elsewhere); no running or loud talking is allowed; and spectators are not allowed to cheer when a player makes a mistake.^[5] Security guards enforce these rules, and are traditionally provided by Pinkerton.^[5] Rule-breakers are permanently banned, if not prosecuted when possible.^[1]

Other notable facilities include Butler Cabin, near hole 18, where tournament winners are presented with a green jacket; the clubhouse, near hole 1, which dates to the 1850s and has a well-stocked wine cellar; and a practice range.^[5] Three large cabins on the property are reserved for tournament sponsors—as of 2020, Mercedes-Benz, IBM, and AT&T.

The club’s on-site press building has television studios, a complimentary restaurant and snack options, staffed bathrooms, and leather chairs.^[5] Cameras placed throughout the course are directly connected to the press building’s studios via underground cables.^[1]

Berckmans Place

Berckmans Place is a 90,000-sq.-ft. non-public shopping and dining complex built in 2012. It operates for one week each year. Entry passes for the week cost $10,000 (up from $6,000)^[12] are sold only to corporations, and require Augusta National’s approval; there is a 10-ticket limit per pass.^[11] As in the rest of the club, neither cell phones nor photography are allowed. The price includes free dining at Berckmans’ five full-service restaurants, each of which can seat hundreds of guests: Augusta’s Seafood,^[13] Calamity Jane’s, Ike’s Place, MacKenzie’s Pub, and the Pavilion. Bathroom stalls are attended and cleaned after each use.^[5] There is a pro shop^[12] and four putting greens dubbed the “Putting Experience”: three slightly smaller replicas of holes 7, 14, and 16; and a “composite course”.^[11][12][13] BP customers can use an exclusive parking.

Berckmans Place is named after Belgian Louis Mathieu Berckmans, whose family owned the land the club is built on from 1858 to 1910.^[15]

Real estate

Over the decades, Augusta National has bought and redeveloped nearby land. From 1999 to 2019, the club spent about $200 million to buy 100 separate properties totaling over 270 acres, some more than a mile distant from the club proper.^[14] Most purchases are arranged via LLCs connected to Augusta National in order to obfuscate the transaction’s details.^[37] More than a dozen of these LLCs are known to exist, and up to five may be involved in a single purchase.^[37] Augusta National ultimately purchases each LLC, acquiring its land holdings and keeping the real estate price away from public records. Non-disclosure agreements are also commonly employed.^[14]

Augusta National has acquired, demolished, and redeveloped entire strip mall centers and residential blocks.^[38] The organization helped finance a project to re-route Berckmans Road.^[37] The club also built a large tunnel underneath Washington Road connecting to a Global Communication Center that was first used in the 2021 Masters Tournament. The tunnel was built without ever impeding traffic on Washington Road above, and is large enough for an 18-wheeler to drive through.^[14]

Because Augusta National has spent so much to acquire land, homeowners in Richmond County have had to apply for special property tax assessments in order to negate the effects of the club’s activities.^[14] Investors have also begun to purchase property and condos next to Augusta National.^[37]

Membership

Augusta National Golf Club has about 300 members at any given time. Membership is strictly by invitation: there is no application process. In 2004, USA Today published a list of all the current members.^[39] Club members are sometimes referred to as “green jackets”.^[5]

For decades, the club barred membership to African Americans. Co-founder Roberts, who subsequently served as the club’s chairman, said, “As long as I’m alive, all the golfers will be white and all the caddies will be black.”^[40]

Augusta invited and accepted its first African-American member, television executive Ron Townsend,^[41] in 1990 after Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club,^[42] an all-white golf club in Alabama, refused membership to African-Americans. The club also faced demands that the PGA Championship not be held there because of racist comments by the club’s founder.^[43]

In his 2012 pre-Masters press conference, Chairman Billy Payne declined to discuss the club’s refusal to admit women.^[44][45] He defended the club’s position by noting that in 2011, more than 15% of the non-tournament rounds were played by women who were guests or spouses of active members.^[44] However, on August 20, 2012, Augusta National admitted its first two female members: Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore.^[46][47]

2002 membership controversy

Augusta National and its then-Chairman Hootie Johnson are widely known for their disagreement, beginning in 2002, with Martha Burk, then chair of the Washington-based National Council of Women’s Organizations; the dispute arose over Augusta National’s refusal to admit female members to the club.^[60] Burk said she found out about the club’s policies in a USA Today column published April 11, 2002. She then wrote a private letter to Johnson.Thus, Johnson characterized Burk’s approach as “offensive and coercive”.^[62][63] Just like,The club hired consulting firm. Due to,It ran a survey and found that “Augusta National’s membership policies were not topmost on the list of women’s concerns”; the poll was called “unethical” by Burk.^[64]In most cases, Responding to efforts to link the issue to sexism and civil rights.^[62] Finally,Johnson maintained that the issue had to do with the rights of any private club:^[62][65]

Our membership is single gender just as many other organizations and clubs all across America. These would include Junior Leagues, sororities, fraternities, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and countless others. And we all have a moral and legal right to organize our clubs the way we wish.^[66]

More over

Burk, whose childhood nickname was also Hootie,^[67] claimed to have been “called a man hater, anti-family, lesbian, all the usual things.”^[61] Johnson was portrayed as a Senator Claghorn type^[68]—”a blustery defender of all things Southern”.^[68]

Following the discord, two club members resigned: Thomas H. Wyman, a former CEO of CBS, and John Snow, when President George W. Bush nominated him to serve as Secretary of the Treasury.^[61] Pressure on corporate sponsors led the club to broadcast the 2003 and 2004 tournaments without commercials. The controversy was discussed by the International Olympic Committee when re-examining whether golf meets Olympic criteria of a “sport practiced without discrimination with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play”.^[69] Augusta National extended membership to Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore on August 20, 2012.^[46]

In 2018, chairman Fred Ridley announced that the club would establish the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship in 2019, a 54-hole event for the world’s top amateur players.^[70]

3. Royal County Down Golf Club, Northern Ireland

Royal County Down sits near the Mourne Mountains and offers amazing views. The narrow fairways need careful shots. Furthermore, the dunes and wind create exciting challenges for golfers.Royal County Down Golf Club is a historic and world-renowned golf club located near Newcastle in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is consistently ranked among the top golf courses globally and celebrated for its dramatic links course set

---

 

---

Location & Setting

4

• Town: Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland. 
• Scenery: The course winds through the Murlough Nature Reserve, with panoramic views of Dundrum Bay and the towering Mountains of Mourne. Royal County Down+1
• This seaside links setting — dotted with heather, gorse, and iconic “bearded” bunkers — makes it one of the most visually dramatic golf courses anywhere. Visit Mourne Mountains

---

 

---

---

Courses

Clearly,Royal County Down comprises 36 holes across two distinct links courses:  Championship Links

• First,18 holes, Par 71. 
• Second,Length: Approximately 7,100+ yards from the back tees. 
• Then,Uneven terrain and natural dunes challenge every part of a golfer’s game. 
• Signature holes:
  • The 4th hole — an iconic long par-3 played over gorse and bunkers. GolfPass
  • The 9th hole — one of the most photographed holes in golf, featuring a blind tee shot from atop a mound and a dramatic downhill second. Visit Mourne.
• Blind shots, strong wind influence, and cleverly placed hazards demand strategic play. GolfPass

 Annesley Links

• Following,18 holes, Par 66. 
• A shorter but enjoyable links layout that complements the Championship course. 

---

 Tournaments & Legacy

Royal County Down has hosted many prestigious championships, including: Senior British Open Championship

• What’s more,The Amateur Championship
• After that,British Ladies Amateur
• In conclusion,Curtis Cup (international amateur team competition)
• In addition,Walker Cup
• Multiple editions of the Irish Open, including a return in 2015 and later years. 

Such events have cemented its status as one of golf’s truly historic venues. 

---

 Rankings & Reputation

• At this time,Royal County Down is regularly ranked among the top golf courses in the world. 
• Secondly,Golf Digest and other global rankings frequently include it near or at the top of lists for best links courses. 
• Last,Its challenge, setting, and heritage make it a bucket-list destination for serious golfers. 

---

Top 5 golf courses in the world:Visiting & Playing

 Tee Times & Access

• The club welcomes visiting golfers (bookings through the Secretary’s Office). Royal County Down
• Championship Links tee times are available on select days and should be reserved well in advance due to high demand. Royal County Down
• Equipment hire (trolleys, GPS) and professional caddy services are offered — strongly recommended given the course’s difficulty. Royal County Down

 Green Fees (2026 Season Example)

(Subject to change — contact the club for current pricing.) Royal County Down

• Championship Links: around £450 per round (mid-season rate). Royal County Down
• Annesley Links: around £120 per round. Royal County Down

Top 5 golf courses in the world:Caddies & Course Notes

• Buggies not permitted due to the terrain; walking the course is standard. Royal County Down
• Club offers senior and fore-caddies, valuable for navigating blind shots and reading greens. Royal County Down

---

Top 5 golf courses in the world:Facilities

• As well as that,The clubhouse features the Murlough Room and other dining areas with views over the 18th green and Mountains of Mourne. Royal County Down
• Besides,Bars and restaurants serve snacks and full meals — perfect for relaxing after a round. Royal County Down
• An additional,A Pro Shop stocks equipment and merchandise. Royal County Down

---

 Top 5 golf courses in the world:Travel & Nearby

• About 30 miles (≈48 km) south of Belfast, making it reachable from both Belfast International and Dublin airports. National Club Golfer
• The town of Newcastle offers accommodations, dining, and access to the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa, a popular place to stay for golfers visiting the area. Hastings Hotels

---

Top 5 golf courses in the world:Why It’s Special

Consequently,Royal County Down isn’t just a golf course.Meanwhile, it’s a living piece of golf history, combining:

• Classic links craftsmanship from golf’s pioneers. Wikipedia
• Natural raw beauty with sea, dunes, mountains, and gorse. Visit Mourne Mountains
• Legendary holes that test even the best players. mournegolfclub.com
• A global reputation earned over more than a century. 

For many golfers, playing Royal County Down is as much about the experience and setting as it is about the score — a true bucket-list destination. 

4. Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, New Zealand

This course sits on dramatic cliffs above the ocean. Every hole offers a picture-perfect view. Besides that, the layout adds fun and difficulty at the same time. Many golfers visit just for the unique landscape.

Top 5 golf courses in the world:Location & Setting

• Situated in Hawke’s Bay, North Island, New Zealand, Cape Kidnappers Golf Course is part of a 6,000-acre working sheep and cattle farm.
• The course sits atop rolling hills and rugged cliffs, with fairways perched 140 meters above sea level, offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
• The surrounding area is also home to Cape Sanctuary, a conservation project protecting native wildlife.

 Course Design & Features

• Architect: Designed by renowned golf course architect Tom Doak.
• Opened: Completed in 2004.
• Layout:
  • Par 71 course.
  • Measures 7,119 yards (6,510 meters).
  • Built on a ridge-and-valley landscape, with firm and fast playing surfaces.
• Unique Holes:
  • Several holes run along cliff edges, creating dramatic risk-reward scenarios.
  • Every hole offers a spectacular view of Hawke’s Bay.
• Facilities:
  • Because,World-class practice range.
  • Eventually,Putting and chipping greens.
  • To sum up,Golf shop, clubhouse, and locker rooms.

 Recognition & Rankings

• First,Consistently ranked among the Top 20 golf courses in the world.
• Second,Considered one of the great modern marvels in golf, praised for its breathtaking scenery and challenging design.

 Accommodation & Resort

• The course is part of Rosewood Cape Kidnappers, a luxury lodge offering suites with panoramic coastal views.
• Formerly managed by Robertson Lodges, now under Rosewood Hotels & Resorts since December 2023.
• Guests enjoy fine dining experiences with locally sourced produce, wine tours, and conservation activities.

 Experience Highlights

• First,Golf “at the edge of the earth” – the course is famous for its cliffside fairways and dramatic vistas.
• Second,Wild beauty & tranquility – combines rural New Zealand charm with luxury hospitality.
• In the same way,Beyond golf: Visitors can explore Hawke’s Bay wineries, wildlife sanctuaries, and enjoy farm-to-table cuisine.

 Top 5 golf courses in the world:Quick Facts Table

Feature	Details
First,Location	Hawke’s Bay, North Island, NZ
Second,Architect	Tom Doak
Moreover,Year Opened	2004
On the other hand,Course Type	Par 71, 7,119 yards
In particular,Elevation	140m above sea level
Overall,Facilities	Practice range, clubhouse, shop, locker rooms
On the other hand,Resort	Rosewood Cape Kidnappers
Finally,Recognition	Top 20 golf courses worldwide

Furthermore,Cape Kidnappers is not just a golf course.Also,it’s a bucket-list destination for golfers worldwide, blending world-class design, luxury hospitality, and unforgettable natural scenery.

5.Top 5 golf courses in the world :Pebble Beach USA

However,Pebble Beach is famous for its coastal beauty. In summary,The waves crash along the fairways, making each shot more thrilling. Additionally, the course has hosted many major tournaments, which adds to its global reputation.

Specially,Pebble Beach Golf Links is a public golf course located in Pebble Beach, California, U.S.

Hence,Opened in 1919, it described as one of the most beautiful courses in the world. Thence,It hugs the rugged coastline and has views of Carmel Bay, opening to the Pacific Ocean on the south side of the Monterey Peninsula. Next,In 2001 it became the first public No. 1 Golf Course.Then,USA Golf Digest made IT. Likewise,Greens fees are among the highest in the world.

Therefore,The course began as part of the complex of the Hotel del Monte.Then,It was a resort hotel in Monterey, California.Then,It was built by Charles Crocker.Hence,He was one of California’s Big Four railroad barons, through Southern Pacific Railroad’s property division, Pacific Improvement Company. Firstly,The hotel opened on June 10, 1880. Overall,The famous 17-Mile Drive originally designed a local excursion route for visitors to the Del Monte to take in the historic sights of Monterey and Pacific Grove and the scenery of what would become Pebble Beach.

Top 5 golf courses in the world:Course design

Specially,The course designed champion golfers Jack Neville and Douglas Grant .Then, It opened on February 22, 1919. More over,Neville designed the back nine at Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Course on the other side of the Monterey Peninsula. Finally,His objective was to place as many of the holes as possible along the rocky and beautiful Monterey coast line. As a result,This accomplished using a “figure 8” layout.

Firstly,The course revised in 1928 H. Chandler Egan.Secondly, Other architects who have worked on the course include Alistair MacKenzie and Robert Hunter (1927) and Jack Nicklaus (creation of the new fifth hole, 1998).

Top 5 golf courses in the world:Tournaments

First,The first Pebble Beach Championship for Women played February 9–12, 1923.Then,added with Marion Hollins as champion over Doreen Kavanaugh. First,Pebble Beach hosted the first California Women’s Amateur Championship in 1967. Then, subsequent tournaments until moved to Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel Valley in 1987.

Firstly,The professional tournament at Pebble Beach was the Monterey Peninsula Open in 1926, which had a $5,000 purse. Altogether,”Lighthorse” Harry Cooper of Texas won with a 72-hole score of 293 (+5).Also, In 1929, Pebble hosted its first major—the U.S.A Amateur. Specifically,A golf match played event.

Hence,In 1947, Pebble Beach began its run as one of the host courses for the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am tournament, sometimes known as the “Clam Bake”, and now the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Then,The tournament held annually.In the same way, usually in February, and an unusual four-round tournament. Then,The players play final round on Sunday.Next, the first three rounds of pro-am play contest in round-robin format at Golf Course.

Why These Are: Top 5 Golf Courses in the World

Similarly,These courses deliver beauty, challenge, and history. Firstly, they attract golfers from every corner of the globe.In the sameway, a memorable golf experience, these locations should be on your list.

Products for sale: