Discover Seven of the Most Famous and Beautiful Golf Courses in the World
Dean McHugh One of the beauties of golf is that wherever you are in the world, you are never too far away from famous golf courses. Some courses have been in existence for centuries, while others use the beauty of the landscape that surrounds them to full effect. In this article, we will reveal seven of the most famous courses on Earth.
Augusta National
When generating any sort of list of the world’s most famous golf courses, it seems only right to start with Augusta National.
Home of the Masters, Augusta has been described as ‘Paradise on Earth’ and is one of the most recognizable courses in the world. Not only does Augusta provide the perfect setting for drama, but it also allows for peace and serenity with certain parts of the course, such as the 12th green and 13th tee box not containing any spectators.
The most famous part of Augusta is Amen Corner.
Set around the 11th, 12th, and 13th holes, Amen Corner provides a golfing challenge like no other. Famously, the wind can blow in different directions which means a player playing the 12th is experiencing completely different conditions from those playing the 13th. Each hole provides its unique challenge.
Each year, Augusta National continues to dazzle. With its stunning nature, wildlife, and sheer attention to detail, it remains the course that players want to win on the most.
St Andrews – The Old Course
The Old Course is simply known as the Home of Golf. Dating back over 600 years, the first iterations of the game we love today were played on this hallowed ground.
Located in the town of St Andrews in the Scottish Kingdom of Fife, the Old Course still sits atop many golfers’ bucket lists. Not the longest by modern standards, the Old Course still presents a major challenge with its huge greens, pot bunkers, and undulating fairways.
The 17th offers its sternest test. Known affectionately as the ‘Road Hole,’ not only does a player need to hit their tee shot over the famous St Andrews Hotel but next to the tiny seventeenth green is a public footpath; if your ball misses the target, it makes securing a par almost impossible.
The most historic golf course of them all, every player dreams of lifting the famous Claret Jug at St Andrews.
(Ref) https://golf.com/travel/road-hole-st-andrews-architecture/?amp=1
Pebble Beach
Simply known as one of the best California golf courses and one of the finest courses in all the world, Pebble Beach contains beauty that very few can match.
Like so many courses in America, Pebble Beach is open to the public and is often regarded as America’s best public course. Set alongside the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Pebble Beach is hugged by a rugged coastline and makes for a truly dramatic backdrop.
Many holes stand out, but its most famous is the par-3 seventh. Set at just over 100 yards, the tee shot is elevated and is surrounded by the raging ocean. With the wind howling, the tee shot needs to be accurate; otherwise, disaster can strike.
Often used to host several of America’s most prestigious tournaments, Pebble Beach made history last year as it hosted its first-ever Women’s Major, which was won by Allisen Corpuz.
(Ref) https://www.pebblebeach.com/golf/pebble-beach-golf-links/
TPC Sawgrass – Stadium Course
Home of The Players Championship, TPC Sawgrass has garnered a reputation for being one of the most visually striking but challenging courses in the world.
Located in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, there are two courses on the property but the most famous is the Stadium Course.
Designed by famous golf course designer Pete Dye, the course opened in 1980 and has been the permanent home of the Players Championship ever since.
When you think of Sawgrass, you think of one hole, and that is the seventeenth. A par-3 that measures a little over 130 yards, the green stands on an island and is often spoken about as being the most famous hole in all of golf.
If a player has any dreams of winning one of the most lucrative tournaments in the sport, they simply have to conquer seventeen.
(Ref) https://golfgamebook.com/2023/04/25/discovering-golfs-magic-at-tpc-sawgrass/
Bethpage Black
Bethpage Black is another of America’s most famous public courses and is regarded by many as the toughest course in the world. Although anyone can play, there is a warning on the first tee box, which warns of the troubles ahead for anyone brave enough to play it!
A brute of a course, Bethpage Black is long and is made up of narrow fairways. With the rough surrounding the fairways thick and juicy, any errant tee shots can be severely punished.
Like Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black has played host to several major championships and, in 2025, will host the Ryder Cup.
Royal County Down
Whilst St Andrews can still lay claim to being the most famous course in the UK, Royal County Down isn’t too far behind.
Often viewed as the UK’s best golf course, its setting is truly spectacular. Sitting in the Murlough Nature Reserve, which hugs Dundrum Bay, many have compared it to Pebble Beach as there is simply beauty at every turn.
With the Mountains of Mourne adding a dramatic backdrop, few courses can compare with Royal County Down.
(Ref) https://www.royalcountydown.org/visitor_information
Royal Melbourne
Whereas the majority of our famous golf courses list is composed of courses from the UK and America, Royal Melbourne is one of Australia’s best courses and is usually in the conversation when it comes to ranking the world’s most famous courses.
Located in the southeastern part of Melbourne, the course was first opened back in 1891 and is Australia’s oldest course.
The host of the 2019 Presidents Cup, Royal Melbourne has also hosted numerous Australian Opens.
The toughest hole on the course is the fifth hole, surrounded by a myriad of bunkers. The green is also elevated, which means any ball that falls short of the target will trundle back into the valley. Although not the longest, the best hybrid golf clubs are often needed to ensure the ball reaches its desired destination.
(Ref) https://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/royal-melbourne-golf-club/photos
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