Most beautiful golf holes: World’s 18 most beautiful golf holes
World’s 18 most beautiful golf holes
(CNN) — While daunting greens and tempting fairways around the globe conspire to dash the dreams of many a player, there are others that, no matter how frustrating, you have to marvel at.
Here are 18 beautiful golf holes from around the globe that turn their courses from great to magnificent.
Have your own favorites? Leave us a comment. Otherwise start planning your worldwide fantasy golf vacation right here.
1. 1st hole — Doonbeg Golf Club, Ireland
Doonbeg is a premier golf course in a gorgeous location.
Warren Little/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
567 yards, par 5
The most beautiful opening hole in the world, a gentle par five that plays slightly downhill to a green surrounded on three sides by towering dunes. From the fairway the Atlantic Ocean can be glimpsed through gaps in the dunes.
Trump International Gold Links & Hotel, Doonbeg Co.
Clare, Ireland; tel +353 65 90 55600.
2. 2nd hole — Saujana Golf & Country Club, Malaysia
The Saujana Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is stunning at sunset.
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
204 yards, par 3
Two hundred yards over a jungle filled valley to a three-tier green surrounded by bunkers and more jungle. Malaysia’s toughest hole. Deadly but beautiful. Jungle golf at its very best.
Saujana Golf & Country Club, Saujana Resort Seksyen U2 40150 Shah Alam, PO BOX 8148, Kelana Jaya, 46783 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; tel +603 7846 1466.
3. 5th hole — The Abaco Club, Bahamas
The Abaco Club is a Caribbean paradise with great views and a climate to match.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
312 yards, par 4
Every course needs a drivable par four and this one, with the turquoise waters of Winding Bay all along the left-hand side, is a classic.
Don’t let the heavenly setting distract you from your game.
The Abaco Club, P.O. Box AB20571, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, The Bahamas; tel +1 242 367 0077.
4. 7th hole — Kauri Cliffs Golf Club, New Zealand
The view from the 7th hole on the Kauri Cliffs Golf Course is spectacular.
David Cannon/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
220 yards, par 3
The spectacular panoramic view from this hole takes in small rocky islets and larger, lush green islands in the vast Pacific Ocean that begins beneath the cliff just right of the green.
Kauri Cliffs Golf Club, Matauri Bay Road, Matauri Bay, Northland, New Zealand; tel +64 9 407 0010.
5. 13th hole — Trump International Golf Club, Grenadines
498 yards, par 5
The jewel in any golfing crown, this hole provides 360-degree views of the Atlantic, the Caribbean and the neighboring Grenadine Islands. Never mind the golf, this one is perfect in all sorts of ways.
Trump International Golf Club, Charles Town, Canouan Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, West Indies; tel +1 784 458 8000.
6. 4th hole — Anahita Golf Club, Mauritius
The Anahita Golf and Spa Resort is situated by the water.
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
564 yards, par 5
A stunning par five at the best course on the paradise island of Mauritius. The green has nothing but the Indian Ocean behind it. Magnificent.
Anahita The Resort, Deep River, Beau Champ GRSE, Mauritius; tel +230 402 2200.
7. 5th hole — Clearwater Sanctuary Golf Resort, Malaysia
402 yards, par 4
Clearwater Sanctuary s set on a nature reserve reverberating with peace and tranquillity. This dogleg right hole leaves you with a second shot over a lily-filled pond to a green shaded by majestic rain trees behind it. After your shot to the green, get the camera out.
Clearwater Sanctuary Golf Resort, Lot 6019, Jalan Changkat Larang, 31000 Batu Gajah, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia; tel +605 366 7433.
8. 13th hole — Canyon Course, Blue Canyon Country Club, Thailand
390 yards, par 4
Teeing off over water, this hole then doglegs sharp right around a canyon uphill to a shallow green. With a forest along the left of the fairway, beauty and danger are everywhere.
Blu+e Canyon Country Club, 165, Moo 1, Thepkasattri Road, Thalang, Phuket 83110, Thailand; tel 66 (0)76 328 088.
9. 7th hole — Pebble Beach Golf Links, California, United States
California-based Pebble Beach Golf Links is surrounded by rugged coast.
Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
109 yards, par 3
The shortest par three in Major championship golf, with the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean pounding onto the rocks behind.
Pebble Beach Golf Links, 1700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, CA 93953, United States; tel +1 831 622 8723.
10. 9th hole — Gary Player Country Club, Sun City, South Africa
The Gary Player Country Club is named after retired South African golfer Gary Player.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
595 yards, par 5
A long par five framed by the South African bush where the strong and brave can risk going for the picturesque island green in two.
Gary Player Country Club, P.O. Box 6, Sun City, North West Province 0316, South Africa; tel +27 014 557 1245.
11. 9th hole — Turnberry Golf Club, Scotland
This Trump-owned Scottish golf course is one of the country’s finest.
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
454 yards, par 4
With a professional tee perched 50 feet above breaking Irish Sea waves and a famous lighthouse to the left, the raw beauty of this hole represents the very best that links golf has to offer.
Turnberry Golf Club, Turnberry, Ayrshire KA26 9LT, United Kingdom; tel +44 165 533 1000.
12. 12th hole — Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia, United States
The Augusta National Golf Course opened in 1933, but attracted controversy as the club had no African-American members until 1990 — and no women until 2012.
JEFF HAYNES/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
155 yards, par 3
Always seen on TV during the Masters, the narrow green, fronted by a deep pond, is flanked front and back by deep bunkers, and framed from behind by red and purple azaleas. Frequently voted the most beautiful par three in golf.
Augusta National Golf Club, 2604 Washington Roag, Augusta, GA 30904, United States; tel +1 706 667 6000.
13. 13th hole — Red Course, Royal Dar Es Salam Golf Club, Morocco
383 yards, par 4
A gentle dogleg left down a perfect fairway between forests of cypress, palm, eucalyptus and cork-oak trees. A truly lovely hole on one of Africa’s most beautiful courses.
Red Course, Royal Dar Es-Salam Golf Club, KM 9, avenue Mohammed VI/road of ZaersSouissi, Rabat, Morocco; tel +212 537 755 864.
14. 6th hole — San Lorenzo Golf Club, Portugal
421 yards, par 4
From the tee the view is stunning, with the Ria Formosa nature reserve, then golden beaches and then the Atlantic Ocean stretching out in front of you. The best golf view in Portugal.
San Lorenzo Golf Club, Quinta do Lago, 8135-162, Algarve; tel +351 289 396 522.
MORE: The world’s most extreme golf courses
15. 17th hole — Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland
The Old Course in St Andrews is one of the oldest courses in the world, and is known as the “Home of Golf”.
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
455 yards, par 4
The toughest hole at the “Home of Golf,” with a narrow green sandwiched between a fiendish pot bunker and a road, all framed by the Royal & Ancient clubhouse and picturesque town of St. Andrews.
St Andrews Links Trust, Pilmour House, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9SF, Scotland; tel +44 (0) 1334 466666.
16. 16th hole — Cypress Point Club, California, United States
The Cypress Point Country Club in Monterey, California is a private golf club in California.
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
231 yards, par 3
Featuring a 200-yard carry over Pacific Ocean waves crashing against the rocks to a green on a promontory encircled by bunkers. If this doesn’t take your breath away nothing will.
Cypress Point Club, 17 Mile Dr and Portolla, Pebble Beach, CA 93953, United States; tel +1 831 624 6444.
17. 18th hole — Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Dubai, UAE
The Dubai Creek Golf and Marina Yacht Club is situated on Dubai’s waterfront.
Howard Boylan/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
430 yards, par 4
With the magnificent Dubai Creek along the left and a second shot over a lake to a green set in front of the world’s most stunning clubhouse, this hole is one of the most splendid in the Middle East.
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Baniyas Road, Dubai, UAE; tel +971 (0)4 380 1234.
18. 18th hole — Lemuria Golf Resort, Praslin Island, Seychelles
The Lemuria Golf Course in the Seychelles overlooks three beaches.
courtesy LeMuria golf course
520 yards, par 5
From a tee perched several hundred feet above the fairway and providing panoramic views across the Indian Ocean to numerous other islands, this hole is a worthy 18th as it plunges down to a fairway carved through rainforest and then to a green fronted by a lake.
Lemuria Resort Golf Course, Anse Kerlan, Ile de Praslin; Seychelles; tel +248 281 281.
Tony Smart is a lifelong golf fanatic and journalist who’s been lucky enough to play golf all over the world.
Editor’s note: This article was previously published in 2011. It was reformatted and republished in 2017.
Ranking the 25 Most Scenic Golf Holes on Earth | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
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Mike DudurichContributor IMarch 15, 2013
Ranking the 25 Most Scenic Golf Holes on Earth
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This must be what a judge in a beauty pageant feels like.
Ranking the 25 most scenic golf holes in the world has to be the equivalent of watching 50 of the most beautiful women in the world on stage.
It’s a very subjective thing, beauty, so there may be holes that you think are better than some on this list.
But hey, when you’re looking at a list of 25 scenic golf holes, chances are they’re pretty good.
Check out these 25 beauties.
25. The Belfry, No. 10
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There is no rule that says for a golf hole to be great it has to be long. And the 10th at the Belfry’s Brabazon Course is a perfect example.
Even from the back tees, the hole only plays to 311 yards. But it’s carved out of a stand of trees, with bunkers on either side of the landing area.
There’s a pond off the right side of the fairway and it fronts the right side off the green, and a stream from it guards the rest of the putting surface.
The Belfry has hosted more Ryder Cups than any other course and the 10th is a perfect Ryder Cup risk/reward hole.
If you get the opportunity to play there and plan to go for the green, don’t forget to pack your fade.
24. Muirfield Village, No. 14
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Of all the beauty that makes up Muirfield Village Golf Club, it shines brightest on the 14th hole, a shortish par four of 363 yards.
Immaculately groomed like the rest of the course, the hole begins from an elevated tee to a beautiful fairway that is dissected by a creek about 245 yards out.
The creek meanders the rest of the way to the green and is a hazard in play all the way.
Bailing out to the left is not much of an option, with big bunkers guarding that side.
Go there and you’ll be left with a fun-filled chip or bunker shot toward a green that slopes toward that water.
23. Old Course, St. Andrews, No. 17
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In terms of sheer beauty, the Road Hole at St. Andrews won’t come in as the most spectacular.
This par four, a healthy 436 yards for the average player, starts with a tee shot that requires a 180-yard carry over some sheds while staring at a black shiny sign that says Old Course Hotel.
Getting that much accomplished leaves the player with a difficult second shot to one of the most demanding greens on the course.
Approach shots must steer clear of the stone road that runs along the right side of the green as well as a very deep greenside bunker on the left.
There’s no water, no palm trees but because of it’s historic place in the game, it is a beautiful hole.
22. Turnberry Golf Club, No. 9
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I’m sure television doesn’t do this beauty justice, but since that’s all many golfers have, it will have to do.
This is Turnberry’s trademark and features a landmark lighthouse, the 13th century ruins of Bruce’s Castle and the Irish Sea.
Bruce, by the way, is Scotland’s king Robert the Bruce.
Oh, don’t forget the 200-yard carry over rocks, water and beach if you choose to go back to where the pros tee it up, and good luck finding the fairway.
21. Old Head Golf Links, Kinsale, Ireland, No. 4
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How have the unknown numbers of golfers managed to step onto the tee of the fourth hole at the Old Head Golf Links and actually play golf?
Off in the distance is an awe-inspiring lighthouse.
Down the entire left side are cliffs that measure as much as 300 feet high and the waves of the Celtic Sea.
You can play it safe by aiming your tee shot down the right side or play big-boy golf and take on the corner of the dropoff.
But even if you find the fairway, the approach shot is uphill and with a very small window.
Either way, making par on this 407-yard par four will feel every bit as good as being able to play.
20. TPC Sawgrass, No. 17
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Its merits have been debated since this Pete Dye creation debuted back in 1982. And, no doubt, it will continue to be debated.
Standing on the tee 140 yards from this oasis in the middle of a lake, the view is amazing.
Off in the distance to the right is the 16th green, all that water everywhere, tall trees around the back of the green, and a large hill on the left that is filled with humanity when the Players Championships is contested there in May.
19. Old Course, St.
Andrews, No. 18
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Another hole that doesn’t feature water, but the beauty of this one comes from the history involved.
The finishing hole on the course noted as being the birthplace of golf is a plain looking, drivable par four, measuring 357 yards.
But with the firm turf and a helping wind, reaching the green is definitely a possibility.
After teeing off, golfers cross a creek by going over the historic Swilcan Bridge.
After that, it’s a walk down a wide fairway with the “Auld Grey Toon” snuggled close along the right side and the world-reknowned R&A Clubhouse in the background.
Just thinking about the golfing greats who have walked this hole makes it scenic in a very special way.
18. Merion, No. 16
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You wouldn’t necessarily think a hole that’s known as the “Quarry Hole” would qualify as one of the most scenic holes in the world, but it does.
A par four of 407 yards from the members’ tees is a mind-boggler in the middle of one of the world’s great golf courses.
The quarry in question is an obstacle that must be overcome on the second shot.
A good drive affords the opportunity to carry the quarry and reach the green, but if that carry proves too daunting, a thin strip of fairway wraps around the quarry, leading up to the green.
Beauty can be judged in a number of ways and staying out of that quarry makes this one as scenic as they come.
17. Royal Portrush, Dunluce, No. 14
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For better or worse, par threes are getting longer and longer, but the 14th hole on Royal Portrush’s Dunluce Course was long before it became fashionable to be long.
There’s nothing but a deep gorge between tee and green on this 210-yard beast.
It’s 75 feet deep and not very ball-finding friendly.
The tee shot can’t go right and if you can find the green, it’s even tricky there.
The putting surface, which sits on the edge of a deep dropoff, seems relatively flat.
The view from the green across the Irish countryside even avails the golfer a glimpse of the ocean.
16. Pacific Dunes, No. 13
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Golf course architect Tom Doan takes great pride in how he and his company routed the holes at Pacfic Dunes to take as much advantage as they could to take advantage of what was already there.
The 13th is a perfect example of that with the fairway hugging the cliffs on the left that aren’t far from the Pacific Ocean.
On the other side of the fairway, Doan had nothing to do because of the monstrous natural dunes already in place.
This 444-yard brute is quickly becoming mentioned among the great holes in the world and has been one of the most scenic from the day it opened.
15. Augusta National Golf Club, No. 12
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On a golf course known as much for its beauty as its difficulty, the par three 12th has it all.
Stand on the tee and what you see is a very shallow green surrounded by majestic trees and spectacular flowers.
Don’t forget the bunker short of the green and the two behind.
Many dreams of a green jacket have disappeared here, just like tee shots on the middle hole of Amen Corner that come up a little short and end with a splash into Rae’s Creek.
14. Coeur D’Alene, No. 14
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There’s the 17th at the TPC Sawgrass and then there’s the 14th at Coeur d’Alene in Idaho.
Stand on the tee here and you’re looking at Lake Coeur d’Alene. Against the background of a hilly piece of earth is the floating 14th green, but the green doesn’t just float, it moves.
The length of the hole can be adjusted from 100 to 270 yards. The coolness doesn’t end there.
To get to the tee shot, if it’s lucky enough to hit the green, a water taxi transports golfers to and from the floating green.
And if you hit the green, you get a certificate verifying that.
13. Augusta National Golf Club, No. 13
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This hole is another great risk-reward hole and is regarded as one of the best in the history of golf.
The dogleg left plays to 480 yards for the Masters and winds through trees on both sides of the fairway.
It also features the club’s most popular shrub, the azalea.
The shrub lines the length of the hole from tee to green on the left side. It’s plenty colorful around the back of the green and the view the patrons get from behind the ropes on the right side of the fairway is stunning.
It’s one of the places where the famous “Augusta roars” come from when birdies and eagles are made.
12. Pebble Beach, No. 8
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If you knew nothing about this hole and were still basking in having just played the seventh hole, you might reach for your driver for the uphill tee shot and let it fly.
Conditions, as always, dictate decisions, but most times the way to go is pull whatever club you hit around 240 yards, line up with the aiming rock at the top of the hill and let it fly.
And when you get to the ball, you’ll be amazed at what you see.
Straight ahead in the distance is well protected but before you get there, you’ll have to carry a gorge that is very deep and bottoms out on the beach.
Oh yeah, look to your right and enjoy the ocean.
11. Royal County Down, No. 9
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How can something that borders on a bit bizarre from an architectural standpoint make a scenic list?
Well, first of all, it’s a beastly par four at 486 yards.
But it’s located so that behind the green is the Slieve Donard Hotel and behind that are the mountains of Mourne.
If you like a little water with your golf course, to your left is Dundrum Bay and the Irish Sea.
A beautiful setting for a golf hole.
It becomes a bit bizarre in this way: From the back tees, if you hammer your drive, when it gets about 200 yards off, the fairway suddenly drops about 60 feet.
A strange and intimidating hole, but one that gives the drive a big, wide fairway to land on.
10. Pebble Beach Golf Links, No.
6
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It’s not the seventh or the 18th at Pebble Beach, but the sixth is spectacular in its own right.
The tee is up on the hill, somewhat obstructing scenery you don’t find elsewhere. Get to the bottom of the hill and the Pacific Ocean is to your right.
Look straight ahead and you’ll find a big elevation change upward that must be navigated to get to the green.
It’s a blind shot all the way to the hole, but once you get to the top of the hill, it looks as though the green is set in the middle of the ocean.
The hole measures 487 yards, meaning that two good shots gives the golfer a chance to a birdie or par.
The scenery, however, is always a double eagle.
9. Kingsbarns Golf Links, No. 12
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Kingsbarns Golf Links is another of the youngsters on this list but looks as though it’s been on the coast of Scotland for a long, long time.
And one of the holes that has become world-reknowned already is the par five, 606-yard 12th.
If you’re looking for something to compare it to, try the 18th at Pebble Beach.
While that one hugs Carmel Bay, this one has plenty of proximity to the North Sea. The 12th hugs the coast from tee to green on the left.
On the right, say hello to some large dunes. Another hole that radiates natural beauty.
8. Doonberg, No. 1
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The first hole at Doonberg Golf Club is routinely described as the best beginning hole in Ireland.
Considering the kind of golf courses in that historic country, that’s a pretty tall statement.
The Greg Norman design, which opened in July 2002, has been criticized in some circles, but there’s no denying the beauty and difficulty of this hole, which measures 567 yards from the back tees.
If your eyes wander on the tee, you can see beach and water to the left.
Get the tee ball onto the fairway and your second shot will travel down the fairway almost in a tunnel of natural dunes on either side.
It gets better on the approach shot to the green. Behind the putting surface is a huge dune, creating an ampitheater-like setting.
7. Riviera Country Club, No. 10
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A great example of a short hole being a spectacular one.
Golfers begin their back nine up the hill in front of the clubhouse and look down on a sea of sand.
The hole measures just 315 yards from the back tees but those 315 yards are filled with trouble.
The hole is a beautiful look, no water, just green grass and those bunkers.
Pictures taken from above the hole give the impression there is no place for a player to hit the ball where it won’t land in a bunker.
6. Cape Kidnappers Golf Club, No. 10
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From above, the 15th at Cape Kidnappers Golf Club in New Zealand looks spectacular.
On the ground, it looks like it might be downright unplayable.
But this Tom Doak masterpiece, located on the Pirates Plank, is a beautiful piece of work.
Sitting on top of a series of promontories (a prominent mass of land that overlooks lower-lying land or a body of water), the fairway narrows all the way to the green.
Believe it or not, the hole measures 650 yards, which has to be barrels of fun when the wind blows as it does a lot in New Zealand.
Miss the fairway on the left and you better be able to cliff dive into the Pacific Ocean to retrieve the ball.
On the right it falls off to a deep cavern. A very difficult, but strikingly spectacular hole.
5. Legend Golf & Safari Resort, Xtreme 19th
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Here’s one that is unique in a number of ways, including riding a helicopter to the tee, which is situated 400 meters (437 yards) up on the side of Hanglip Mountain.
The yardage on the scorecard says it measures 395 yards.
Never heard of it? Well that might be because the Legend Golf & Safari Resort is located in the Big Five Entabeni Safari Conservancy in the Waterberg region of the Limpopo Province of South Africa.
Did I mention that if you happen to record a hole-in-one there you win a million dollars?
Scenic, spectacular, unbelievable are all applicable for this one.
4. Pebble Beach Golf Links, No. 7
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How does it get any better than a par three built on an outcropping of rocks hard against the Pacific Ocean, with waves lapping at three sides and a downhill tee shot of little more than 100 yards for most golfers?
On a calm day, it’s a terrifying wedge shot.
When the wind blows, it can be as much as a heart-throbbing mid-iron.
Scenic doesn’t even begin to describe the hole, even on its worst day.
No. 3 Punta Mita, No. 3B
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If, like me, you had never heard of Punta Mita, shame on both of us.
On the Pacifico Course at the Punta Mita Resort, less than an hour from Puerto Vallarta, hole 3B is one of the most unique holes in the world.
It’s actually a second third hole, one that sits on a black lava island in the Pacific Ocean about 200 yards from the shore.
The tee is on the beach and if the tide is out, you can take your cart to the green.
If it’s in, an amphibious vehicle will transport you to the green.
The hole is called “the tail of the whale” because that’s what it’s shaped liked.
Unlike TPC Sawgrass and Coeur d’Alene, 3B is the only natural island green in the world.
Did I mention the Pacfic Ocean?
Imagine trying to hit a shot to that green with waves lapping at the shore around you.
2. Augusta National Golf Club, No. 18
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It certainly helps that the 18th hole at Augusta National Golf Club is the final hole in regulation of the Masters each year. It’s hard, as you might expect of a 467-yard uphill par four that requires a long shot through a chute of trees off the tee. Then that shot must avoid a large bunker on the corner of the fairway. It also requires a precise second shot into one of the most difficult holes on the course. All of that with the pressure of trying to win a green jacket.
No doubt, it’s one of the scenic walks in golf each year.
1. Pebble Beach, No. 18
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I’m not really sure how a hole could be more scenic than the 18th at Pebble Beach.
The hole opens up in front of you from the tee, a strip of fairway to hit, Carmel Bay lapping at the shoreline on your left and some bunkers and a few trees down the right side.
It really is a measure of the greatness of the PGA Tour players who can concentrate on hitting great shots there every year in the Pebble Beach AT&T Pro-Am and not be totally distracted by the wonderful scenery all around.
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Top 13 golf courses
1. Old Course, St Andrews Links, Scotland
Old Course, St Andrews Links, Scotland
The oldest, most famous and, according to Tiger Woods, “the most important” golf course -kings, is the Scottish Old Course. Golf was played here for the first time in the early 15th century.
The design of the field was created by nature itself and has not changed much over the past 600 years. The Old Course is home to the oldest and largest championship in golf, the Open Championship.
The total length of the golf course is 6.2 km, par 72, 18 holes.
2. Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, New Zealand
Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand
Cape Kidnappers is one of the most beautiful modern golf courses which in 2008–2009 hosted the Kiwi Challenge. Designed by legendary architect Tom Doak and opened in 2004, Cape Kidnappers is ideal for pros and beginners alike. Everything here is designed for a comfortable game: a cozy club house, a specialized store, a restaurant. The course is located at an altitude of more than 120 meters above sea level, which makes the waves in Hawkes Bay resemble small ripples on a lake.
The total length of the golf course is 6.5 km, par 71, number of holes – 18.
3. Teeth of the Dog, Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic , Dominican Republic
Teeth of the Dog was opened for play in 1971.
It took over two years for Pete Dye to transform the Dominican Republic’s ordinary coral coastline into one of the finest and most impressive golf courses in the world. The mild tropical climate and beautiful seascapes make playing on this high-end course a real pleasure. Seven of the 18 holes at Teeth of the Dog are located along the sea, so get ready to fight not only with your rivals, but also with the changeable Caribbean breeze.
The total length of the golf course is 6.7 km, par 72, 18 holes.
4. Heritage Golf Club, Mauritius
Heritage Golf Club, Mauritius
Variety of natural landscape and beautiful design by Peter Matkovitch combines the golf course in the Heritage Golf Club. The field is suitable for both experienced players and beginners. Each hole is unique, which is why playing on the course at Heritage Golf Club is an invaluable experience. And the stunning scenery and good service will make your stay here enjoyable.
The total area of the golf course is more than 100 hectares, the number of holes is 18.
5. Leopard Creek Country Club, South Africa
Golf Course Leopard Creek Country Club, South Africa
Golf and safari – two things incompatible? If such exoticism does not scare you, then the golf course at Leopard Creek Country Club is made for you.
The golf course, located in the southern part of the Kruger National Park, was opened in 1996, and in 2007-2009gg. became the site of the Alfred Dunhill Championship. Gary Player, architect of the Leopard Creek Country Club, wrote: “While playing golf at the Leopard Creek Country Club, you may hear hippos snort or see a lion come up to the fence. It’s as unbelievable as throwing a ball across a lake full of crocodiles and hippos.”
The total length of the course is 6.7 km, par 72, number of holes -18.
6. Lava Field Course, Mission Hills Haikou, China
Hole #18, Lava Fields, Mission Hills Haikou, China / Photo: Ryan Farrow
Mission Hills Haikou, one of the largest golf resorts in the world, has 12 golf courses, 2 of which are championship level.
The Lava Fields Course, opened in 2010, features a unique landscape created by volcanic rock and sand.
The total length of the course is 6.8 km, par 72, 18 holes.
7.
No. 2 Course , Pinehurst Resort and Country Club, USA
Golf Course #2, Pinehurst, NC, USA / Getty Images
Pinehurst No. 2 is Donald Ross’s masterpiece, which he called “the fairest test of golf championships.” This is one of the most famous and challenging golf courses in the world. Opened in 1907, the field has been improved for 40 years. It regularly hosts championships among amateurs, and in 2014, Pinehurst Golf Course No. 2 hosted the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Championships.
Total length of the course is 5.8 km, par 70, number of holes – 18.
8. Terravista Golf Course, Brazil
Terravista Golf Course, Brazil
Designed by architect Dan Blankenship, Terravista Golf Course opened in 2004. The first nine holes are located in the rainforest, and the next nine are closer to the coast.
The most popular hole on the Terravista golf course is No. 14: it is located on the edge of a cliff, at an altitude of 150 meters above sea level.
The total length of the golf course is 6.6 km, par 72, number of holes – 18.
9. Championship Course, The Address Montgomerie Dubai, UAE
Championship Course, The Address Montgomerie Dubai, Dubai, UAE
The Address Montgomerie Dubai Championship Course, an oasis located in Dubai’s prestigious Emirates Hills, was designed by architects Colin Montgomerie and Desmond Muirhead and officially opened in 2006. This course is considered the most luxurious and expensive golf resort in the Middle East, and its high quality makes it attractive to golfers around the world.
The area of the golf course is 107 hectares, the number of holes is 18.
10. Secret Valley Golf Course, Cyprus
Secret Valley Golf Course, Secret Valley Golf Club, Cyprus / Photo: John Kotsovas
One of the most prestigious fields of Cyprus Secret Valley was opened in 1996, and has recently undergone renovation.
Designed by architect Iacovos Iacovou, it is located in a picturesque valley surrounded by olive groves and beautiful rocks that change color depending on the light.
The total length of the course is 6.1 km, par 71, 18 holes.
11. The Dunes Course, Costa Navarino Golf, Greece
Hole 6, The Dunes Course, Costa Navarino Golf, Greece
The Dunes Course is the first 18-hole golf course in Greece. The course was designed by Bernhard Langer in collaboration with European Golf Design and opened to the public in 2010. The Dunes Course is located close to the sea and bordered by a range of mountains on one side. Olive and citrus groves, high hills and strategically challenging bunkers provide an exciting game for players of all levels.
Total length of the golf course is 6.2 km, par 72, 18 holes.
12. Streamsong Blue, USA
Streamsong Blue Golf Course, Streamsong, Florida, USA
Smooth contours, deep water, towering hills, thick grasses and sand dunes make Streamsong Blue one of the most beautiful golf courses in the southern United States.
Streamsong Blue is the creation of acclaimed craftsman Tom Doak. Opened for play in 2013, the course instantly gained popularity among players of all levels.
Total length 6.6 km, par 72, 18 holes.
13. Assoufid Golf Club, Morocco
Assoufid Golf Club Golf Course, Marrakech, Morocco
Form a golf course in the desert — the task is not an easy one. But the architect Neil Cameron (Niall Cameron) coped with it perfectly. When designing the golf course at Assoufid Golf Club, Cameron retained the natural desert landscape with its soft contours, while the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains, palm trees and olive groves create a pleasant atmosphere for playing. The opening of the field took place in 2014.
The total length of the course is 5.9 km, par 72, number of holes – 18.
course – Gelendzhik Golf Resort Golf Club
Architectural Bureau
Dave Thomas Limited
Golf course project and master plan The entire resort was created by Dave Thomas limited, founded in 1958 to support the sporting career of one of the most famous golfers in the UK and the European Tour, Dave Thomas.
Dave Thomas has won over twenty international professional tournaments, has represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Ryder Cup and has played against the United States in four championships, and has competed in the World Championships eleven times. His sporting career reached its peak when he played in the final against Thompson at the British Open 19 tournament.58 to finish second, losing in a dramatic 36-hole replay, and finished second in the 1966 British Open, one stroke behind the legendary Jack Nicklaus.
Beginning in 1970, Dave Thomas began designing golf courses with Peter Alice. Experience as a professional golfer and familiarity with golf courses around the world helped Dave in his work and created an excellent base in understanding golf architecture, which Dave Thomas limited still uses to this day.
Paul Thomas, son of Dave, graduated from the University of Texas in 1984 and played professional golf on the PGA European Tour for four years before starting his career as a golf designer.
Currently, Paul manages Dave Thomas limited and develops the golf industry through the implementation of various projects around the world.
Design Concept
It took one year for an international team of the golf industry’s finest to design the course and develop the master plan. The result of the work was the creation of a beautiful course in the south of Russia with undulating fairways and multi-tiered greens. At the same time, USGA requirements were fully met, which ensured the impeccable quality of gaming areas.
The architects have created a golf course of the highest playing standards, capable of hosting professional or amateur tournaments of any level. Numerous mountain streams organically fit into the daring beauty of the classic resort field. Each hole has its own special character and offer of playing strategy. Leading international golf publications have recognized Gelendzhik Golf Resort as one of the world’s best new golf facilities recommended for international golf competitions.
The goal of the Gelendzhik Golf Resort project is to create a golf course that allows golfers to maximize their potential, creating pleasure and maintaining interest in the game, both among professionals and amateurs of different levels. The design concept of the golf course is based on the classic courses of Great Britain, the best courses of the USA. The experience of the company, founded by professional golfers, allows us to better understand and implement a project in a complex mountain area that meets the maximum requirements of the players. Golf is a mixture of emotion and competition, and a great opportunity to create the perfect landscape in a natural environment. However, first-class golf design is not only the correct location of strategic golf facilities, but also accurate construction documentation, modern solutions that allow you to effectively implement the project at all its stages. Proper golf design not only works with the existing landscape, but also improves the ecology of the entire area.