Golf takes players across wide oceans, along rocky coasts, over rolling dunes, and into quiet forests. Some golf courses are famous for how hard they play. Others are famous for how they look. This article picks some of the most beautiful courses on the planet.
You’ll read about seaside gems, old links that shaped the game, and new courses that feel like art. If you love travel, nature, or golf, these places will make you dream.
Coastal Classics, Ocean Views, and Cliffside Holes
Pebble Beach Golf Links, California, USA
Pebble Beach sits right on the Pacific Ocean in Monterey County. It first opened in 1919 and is one of the most visited and photographed courses in America. The holes on the cliffs give players ocean views on many tee shots and greens.
Pebble Beach has hosted the U.S. Open several times and is also home to the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am each year. If you want to play on ocean cliffs with tall cypress trees and crashing waves, Pebble Beach is a top pick.
Cypress Point Club, California, USA
Cypress Point is close to Pebble Beach but feels very private. The course was designed by famed architect Alister MacKenzie, with input from Robert Hunter, and opened in 1929. Many golf writers call its back nine, where holes run along the water, one of the most beautiful stretches in golf. Cypress Point is a private club and is not generally open to the public, which keeps it quiet and exclusive.
Cabot Cliffs, Nova Scotia, Canada
Cabot Cliffs opened in 2016 and was designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. It sits on Cape Breton Island and feels wild and raw. The course runs along cliffs and winds across dunes. The views are wide and dramatic, and many players say the holes look like paintings. Cabot Cliffs is newer than some other famous links, but it already ranks among the world’s most striking seaside courses.
Cape Kidnappers, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Cape Kidnappers sits on high cliffs above the Pacific. The course was designed by Tom Doak and opened in 2004. From many holes, you can see the sea far below. The cliff-top walk to the first hole feels like stepping into a nature park.
The setting is dramatic, and the course uses the natural land for its layout, so every hole feels linked to the view.
Historic Links, Where Golf Grew Up and Became a Story
Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland
St Andrews is often called the “Home of Golf.” People played a form of golf there many centuries ago, and the Old Course has a long recorded history that goes back hundreds of years. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is one of golf’s oldest institutions.
The Old Course’s wide fairways, deep bunkers, and famous Swilcan Bridge make it both historic and very scenic. The Open Championship (also called the British Open) has been played at St Andrews many times.
Royal County Down, Northern Ireland
Royal County Down sits inside the Murlough Nature Reserve with the Mountains of Mourne as a backdrop. The course was founded in 1889 and it runs along linksland with dunes, gorse, and sand. Tall mountains rise behind many holes, which gives dramatic views you will not forget. Royal County Down is often listed among the top links courses in the world.
Ballybunion Old Course, County Kerry, Ireland
Ballybunion’s Old Course sits on the west coast of Ireland. The club was established in 1893, and the Old Course has been played since the 1890s. It is known for its large dunes and strong coastal winds. The Old Course shows classic Irish links golf: big dunes, blind shots, and greens that rise and fall. People travel to Ballybunion to see the wild coastline and to play a true links challenge.
Kingsbarns Golf Links, Scotland
Kingsbarns is a newer links course near St Andrews. The current course opened in 2000, but golf was played on the site as far back as the 1700s. Kingsbarns already stands among the most beautiful Scottish coast courses. The holes break toward the sea and often show rocky shorelines and wide blue sky. Kingsbarns is a good mix of classic links look and modern design that keeps play fun and fair.
Modern Masterpieces and Dramatic Settings
Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia, USA
Augusta National is one of the most famous private clubs in the world. It was created by golf legend Bobby Jones and designer Alister MacKenzie and officially opened in 1933. The club hosts The Masters every April.
The course is known for its perfect greens, magnolia and azalea blooms in spring, and carefully shaped holes. Even though Augusta is private, millions of fans watch the Masters each year on TV because the course is so beautiful and famous.
Whistling Straits (Straits Course), Kohler, Wisconsin, USA
Whistling Straits was built as a modern links-style course by designer Pete Dye. It sits along a long stretch of Lake Michigan and was made to look like old Irish links. The Straits Course has hosted major championships and the Ryder Cup.
Its flock of Scottish Blackface sheep, long fairways, and big bunkers create a scene like a rugged coastline, but on a lake. The scale and the rocky shoreline views make it feel huge and dramatic.
Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes, Oregon, USA
Bandon Dunes Resort put modern American links golf on the map. The original Bandon Dunes opened in 1999, and Pacific Dunes followed in 2001. Both sit on the Pacific shore and were designed to feel like Scotland or Ireland.
Bandon’s sand dunes, ocean fog, and wide sea views give a rich visual experience. The resort has several courses, each with a strong link to the landscape and open views. Players come for long stays, games all day, and the natural beauty.
Royal Melbourne (West Course), Victoria, Australia
Royal Melbourne’s West Course is one of Australia’s top layouts and is known for its fast, firm turf and dramatic bunkering. The course was shaped with help from Alister MacKenzie in the late 1920s and opened in 1931. The West has many raised greens and fast run-offs that make it exciting to play. The look of the course, with low, sculpted dunes and sweeping vistas, is part of what makes it beautiful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which golf course is the oldest?
The Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland is usually called the oldest known course with a long recorded history. It is often called the “Home of Golf.” The Royal and Ancient Golf Club near the Old Course also dates back centuries and helped write golf’s early rules.
Which courses are open to the public?
Some famous courses are public or semi-public, while others are private and invite-only. Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes, Whistling Straits, and Cabot Cliffs are open to paying guests with tee times. Courses such as Cypress Point and Augusta National are private and not regularly open to the public. Always check a course’s official website for visitor rules and tee times.
What is a “links” golf course?
Links courses are built on sandy soil near a coast. They often have dunes, few trees, and firm, fast conditions. Links golf is the oldest style of the game and is common in Scotland and Ireland. Many of the most scenic courses in the world are links courses because they hug wild coasts and show wide ocean views.
When is the best time to play these coastal courses?
Best time depends on the region. Spring and early fall are often good because the weather is mild and courses are in great shape. Some places have strong seasonal winds or winter storms, so check local weather and the course calendar when you plan a trip. Peak season often brings higher prices and more bookings.
Are these courses only for expert golfers?
No. Many courses offer different tee boxes so players of all levels can enjoy them. Some historic links have tight angles and tough bunkers that are hard for beginners, but the views and experience can still be special. If you’re new to links golf, consider hiring a caddie or taking a lesson on arrival.
Do golf courses harm the environment?
Golf courses can have environmental impacts, but many top clubs now use conservation plans, native plants, careful water use, and wildlife protection. Some seaside courses are built with nature in mind to keep important habitats safe. If environmental care matters to you, look at a course’s sustainability and conservation statements before you go.
Conclusion
- Beautiful golf courses show more than good design; they show a deep connection between play and place.
- Some courses grew from old village games and sand dunes, carrying history in every hole.
- Others are modern creations that use cliffs, trees, and water to make magic.
- St Andrews offers quiet history and tradition.
- Pebble Beach and Cabot Cliffs bring dramatic coastal views.
- Augusta National shines with spring flowers and perfect conditions.
- Bandon and Ballybunion give wind-swept fun along rugged coastlines.
- These courses give more than a round of golf, they give views you will remember and photos you will keep.
- Before visiting, check the course’s official website for visitor information, green fees, and seasonal notes.
- Planning ahead ensures your trip is smooth, your round is joyful, and your memories last.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
