14 Popular Golf Courses in the World to Visit Today

There are several popular golf courses in the world today.

Several factors can contribute to a golf course’s popularity, appealing to both golfing enthusiasts and casual players. In this article, we will discuss why the best golf courses are popular and list some of the popular golf courses in the world today.

Why the best golf courses in the world are popular?

Here are some common characteristics of some of the popular golf courses in the world:

1. Course Design and Playability

• Challenge and Variety: A well-designed course offers a good mix of hole lengths, difficulty levels, and strategic elements. It should be challenging enough to keep skilled golfers engaged but not so frustrating that beginners feel discouraged. Variety in hole layouts, with interesting elevation changes, water hazards, and bunkers, keeps the game interesting.

• Course Conditions: Excellent maintenance of fairways, greens, and bunkers ensures a smooth and enjoyable playing experience. Consistent course conditions allow golfers to focus on their shots rather than battling uneven lines or poorly maintained areas.

2. Ambiance and Amenities

• Scenic Beauty: Stunning natural surroundings, like mountains, lakes, or rolling hills, can significantly enhance the golfing experience.

• Practice Facilities: Having a driving range, putting green, and chipping area allows golfers to warm up before their round or work on specific skills.

• Overall Facilities: A comfortable clubhouse with a restaurant, pro shop, and locker rooms adds to the enjoyment of a day on the course. Some courses may even offer additional amenities like swimming pools, tennis courts, or on-site accommodation.

3. Accessibility and Reputation

• Location and Price: A convenient location, not too far from population centers, is a major draw. Courses that offer different price points, catering to both budget-conscious players and those willing to pay a premium for an exclusive experience, can broaden their appeal.

• Reputation and Tournaments: Being associated with renowned golf course architects or having hosted prestigious golf tournaments can add prestige and attract golfers eager to play a legendary course.

4. Customer Service

• Friendly and Professional Staff: A welcoming atmosphere created by helpful and knowledgeable staff at the pro shop, restaurant, and on the course itself goes a long way in making golfers feel valued and want to return.

By considering this combination of factors, golf courses can create a well-rounded experience that caters to golfers of various skill levels and preferences, ultimately leading to popularity and success.

Popular Golf Courses in the World

Here are some of the most popular golf courses in the world, known for a combination of reasons including their challenging play, rich history, and scenic beauty:

1. Shadow Creek Golf Course

Shadow Creek Golf Course is an exclusive 18-hole course located in North Las Vegas, Nevada, and is owned by MGM Resorts International. It’s known for being one of the most luxurious and expensive golf courses in the world, with greens fees often exceeding $500 per round.

The course was designed by renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio and is known for its stunning desert landscape, challenging layout, and impeccable course conditions.

Shadow Creek features waterfalls, cascading streams, and bunkers strategically placed throughout the course. The course also incorporates several mountain ranges and other scenic features into its design, creating a truly unique and memorable golfing experience.

Shadow Creek has been featured in numerous publications and has been the setting for several high-profile golf events. While most golfers will likely never get the chance to play Shadow Creek, it remains one of the most talked-about and admired courses in the world.

2. Fox Hollow Golf Course

There are several Fox Hollow Golf Courses around the world. Here’s some information on a few of them:

i). Fox Hollow Golf Club (Branchburg, New Jersey)

This club caters to golfers of all skill levels, offering a challenging 18-hole course with a variety of hole lengths and difficulty levels, with rolling fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and large, undulating greens that will test your putting skills.

Beyond the course itself, Fox Hollow Golf Club boasts an extensive practice facility that includes a driving range, chipping green, and putting green, allowing golfers to warm up before their round or work on specific aspects of their game.

After a day on the course, golfers can relax and enjoy a delicious meal at the award-winning Stage House Tavern, which offers a menu of rustic American fare in a vibrant atmosphere. The beautiful clubhouse is also perfect for hosting events, weddings, or corporate outings.

ii). Fox Hollow Golf Course (Lakewood, Colorado)

Managed by the City of Lakewood, Fox Hollow Golf Course is a golfer’s haven offering stunning natural beauty alongside an exciting golfing experience.

Nestled next to Bear Creek Lake Park on native rolling prairie lands, the course features tranquil lakes, quiet streams, and scenic vistas that provide a serene backdrop for a day on the links. While the course itself provides a challenge for golfers of all levels, the breathtaking views of the Denver skyline and the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains add another layer of awe to the golfing experience.

Fox Hollow is a popular choice for golfers who want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in nature, all while enjoying a well-maintained course that tests their skills.

iii). Fox Hollow Public Golf Course (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)

This publicly accessible course offers an affordable and enjoyable golfing experience for players of all skill levels in Calgary. The well-manicured 18-hole course provides a good challenge without being overly difficult, with a variety of hole lengths and layouts to keep things interesting.

In addition to the main course, golfers can also take advantage of the indoor driving range, which is a great option for practicing their swing during the colder Calgary winters. The on-site restaurant provides a convenient place to grab a bite to eat before or after a round, and the pro shop offers a variety of golf equipment and apparel.

3. Valhalla Golf Course

Valhalla Golf Club is a private golf course nestled in the rolling hills 20 miles east of Louisville, Kentucky.

Designed by legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus and opening its doors in 1986, Valhalla has carved a reputation for itself as a challenging and prestigious course, having hosted multiple major tournaments including the PGA Championship. Nicklaus himself said that Valhalla “is a thinking man’s golf course, where golfers have to use every club in the bag.”

The course offers a unique blend of challenge and variety. The front nine boasts a Scottish links-style ambiance, with wide fairways and rolling terrain that allows golfers to open their shoulders and unleash their drives.

In contrast, the back nine takes a dramatic shift, showcasing Kentucky’s natural beauty with elevated tees, strategically placed water hazards, and demanding elevation changes that require precise shot-making and course management skills. This dichotomy ensures that golfers of all skill levels will be challenged and engaged throughout their rounds at Valhalla Golf Course.

4. St Andrews Golf Course (St Andrews, Scotland)

St Andrews Links Old Course is considered the “Home of Golf”. The Old Course at St Andrew’s is a historic links course dating back to the 15th century. 

It has been a pilgrimage site for golfers for hundreds of years and is widely regarded as the most important course in the history of the sport. The course is traditionally played without tee times, with golfers following an etiquette system known as “out-and-in” where golfers begin play on either the first hole or the 17th hole.

The Old Course is known for its wide fairways, deep pot bunkers, and unforgiving winds. These elements, combined with the undulating greens and lack of trees or water hazards, make the course a unique challenge that requires golfers to use strategic ground shots and course management skills to navigate their way around the course.

The Old Course is also steeped in tradition, having hosted the Open Championship, the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf, a record 29 times. Many famous golfers, including Old Tom Morris, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods, have all competed on the Old Course, adding to its mystique and allure.

5. Payne’s Valley Golf Course

Payne’s Valley Golf Course is a public course designed by Tiger Woods’ company, TGR Design, located in Branson, Missouri. It opened in 2020 and has quickly gained recognition for several reasons:

• Tiger Woods Design: Being the first public course designed by Tiger Woods, Payne’s Valley attracts golfers eager to experience a course shaped by the legendary golfer’s vision and strategic mind.

• Scenic Beauty: Nestled in the Ozark Mountains near Big Cedar Lodge, the course boasts stunning natural scenery with rolling hills, mature trees, and the potential for beautiful views throughout the round.

• Challenge and Playability: Payne’s Valley offers a challenge for golfers of all skill levels. The course is designed to be enjoyable for beginners while still providing strategic elements and shot-making demands to keep experienced golfers engaged.

• Course Conditions: As part of the Big Cedar Lodge complex, Payne’s Valley is known for its meticulous maintenance, ensuring golfers experience consistent playing conditions and well-kept greens, fairways, and bunkers.

6. Augusta National Golf Course (Augusta, Georgia, USA)

Augusta National Golf Club is widely considered one of the most prestigious golf courses in the world.

Augusta National is revered for its immaculate course conditions, challenging layout, and iconic features like Amen Corner. Amen Corner, consisting of the 11th hole (Magnolia Lane), 12th hole (Golden Bell), 13th hole (Azalea), and 15th hole (Cliffs), is a particularly demanding stretch of holes that has seen many dramatic moments unfold during Masters Tournaments.

The course itself was designed by legendary golf course architects Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones and has hosted the Masters Tournament every year since 1934 (except for 1942-1945 due to World War II).

7. Wynn Golf Course

The Wynn Golf Club, located on the east side of the Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Resort property, is a popular course known for its unique blend of luxury, challenge, and desert oasis vibes. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:

i). Tom Fazio Design and Renovation

Designed by renowned architect Tom Fazio, the Wynn Golf Course offers a challenging and strategic layout that caters to golfers of all skill levels.

In 2019, Fazio and his son Logan renovated the course to create eight entirely new holes and revamped the other ten, seamlessly integrating them with the existing desert landscape to create a fresh golfing experience while preserving the course’s heritage.

ii). Luxury Vegas Ambiance

Being part of the Wynn Las Vegas resort, the course offers a luxurious golfing experience. This is reflected in the course’s impeccable maintenance, with lush fairways, manicured greens, and strategically placed bunkers.

The surrounding scenery with the Vegas skyline in the distance adds to the unique atmosphere.

iii) Water Features and Desert Beauty

Despite its luxurious feel, the course incorporates the natural beauty of the desert landscape. Players encounter water on 12 of the 18 holes, with strategically placed lakes, streams, and waterfalls adding both challenge and visual interest.

Mature trees and desert vegetation throughout the course create a feeling of playing in a desert oasis.

iv). Par 70 Challenge

The course stretches to 6,722 yards and plays as a par 70. This layout offers a good mix of hole lengths and difficulty levels, ensuring that golfers can use various clubs in their bags and encounter strategic shot-making opportunities throughout the round.

If you’re looking for a well-maintained course with stunning scenery and a strategic layout in a luxurious Las Vegas setting, then Wynn Golf Course might be a great option to consider.

8. Tobacco Road Golf Course

Tobacco Road Golf Course, situated near Pinehurst in Sanford, North Carolina, is known for its quirky design, challenging play, and fun atmosphere. Here’s what makes it popular:

i). Mike Strantz Design

Designed by the legendary architect Mike Strantz, Tobacco Road is a bold and unconventional course. Strantz departed from traditional layouts, incorporating railroad ties, uneven lies, and quirky green complexes to create a course that’s both challenging and visually interesting.

ii). Uniquely Challenging

Tobacco Road is not for the faint of heart. It features severe elevation changes, strategically placed bunkers, and uneven fairways that demand creativity and shot-making skills from golfers. While challenging, the course is known to be fair and rewarding for those who can adapt to its unique layout.

iii). Fun and Unforgettable

Despite its difficulty, Tobacco Road prioritizes fun. The quirky design elements and the overall lighthearted atmosphere make for a memorable golfing experience.

Tobacco Road is a golf course where golfers can laugh off a bad shot and enjoy the challenge of the next one.

iv). Variety and Replayability

With its diverse hole designs, no two holes at Tobacco Road feel the same. This variety keeps golfers engaged and encourages them to return to conquer the course again.

If you’re looking for a challenging and unconventional course that prioritizes fun alongside difficulty, Tobacco Road Golf Course could be a perfect fit for you.

9. Quail Hollow Golf Course

There are two prominent golf courses named Quail Hollow:

i). Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina

This is a private member club founded in 1959. The course itself opened in 1961 and has been the host of several major tournaments including the PGA Championship and the Wells Fargo Championship.

The course itself measures 7,461 yards from the championship tees and features a classic design by renowned golf course architect Charles Blair Macdonald.

ii). Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club in Oakham, Massachusetts

Founded in 1961, it boasts an 18-hole course designed by Geoffrey Cornish.

This is a public 18-hole course known for its stunning natural beauty and challenging layout. They offer a full-service pro shop, driving range, chipping and putting green, and lessons for golfers of all skill levels.

10. Riverside Golf Course

There are many Riverside Golf Courses around the world. Here are a few examples:

i). Riverside Golf Course in Edmonton, Canada

Thi is located five minutes from downtown just east of Dawson Bridge on Rowland Road. This course offers a challenging layout for golfers of all skill levels.

ii). Riverside Golf Course in Portland, Maine

This course offers stunning views of the Portland skyline and Back Bay. It features a variety of holes, including long par 4s, challenging par 3s, and risk-reward par 5s.

iii). Riverside Golf Course in Fresno, California

This course is known for its mature trees, water features, and challenging layout. It also offers a variety of practice facilities, making it a great place to work on your game.

iv). Riverside Golf Club in Grand Prairie, Texas

This course offers a variety of tee times, from sunrise to two hours before sunset each day. It also features a full-service grill and watering hole, perfect for enjoying a meal or drink after your round.

11. Pine Valley Golf Course

Several golf courses around the world share the common name Pine Valley Golf Course. Here are examples of some popular golf courses with this name:

i). Pine Valley Golf Club (Clementon, New Jersey)

This is the most renowned course with the name Pine Valley. It’s a prestigious private club consistently ranked among the top courses in the U.S. by Golf Digest and other publications.

Designed by George Arthur and Herbert Strong in 1913, it features a classic design with sandy wastelands and greens.

ii). Pine Valley Golf Course (Marathon, Wisconsin)

This is a public course offering a beautiful and relaxing golfing experience. The 18-hole course is known for its well-maintained fairways and greens, making it enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels.

iii). Pine Valley Golf Course (Pelham, New Hampshire)

This is a family-owned and operated 9-hole course that caters to the local golf community. Despite its shorter length, it offers a challenge with narrow fairways and small greens, making it a good course to practice accuracy and shot-making skills.

12. Pebble Beach Golf Links (Pebble Beach, California, USA)

Situated along the dramatic California coastline, Pebble Beach offers stunning ocean views and challenging play on nearly every hole.

The course is known for its tight fairways, strategic bunkering, and unpredictable ocean winds, making it a true test of golf for all skill levels. Pebble Beach has hosted numerous major championships, including the U.S. Open six times, and consistently ranks among the world’s best courses by various golf publications and organizations.

The course’s signature hole is the par-3 7th, with its iconic image of golfers teeing off over crashing waves. Even for non-golfers, Pebble Beach is a must-see for its breathtaking scenery.

13. Royal Melbourne Golf Club (Melbourne, Australia)

Consistently ranked among the world’s top courses, Royal Melbourne features two championship courses, the Composite and the West Course. Both offer a challenging and strategic layout amidst beautiful sandbelt terrain.

The Composite Course is a combination of holes from both the West Course and the Alister MacKenzie Course (now defunct). It’s known for its variety and strategic bunkering, while the West Course is renowned for its fast-running fairways, penal rough, and large, undulating greens.

Royal Melbourne has hosted numerous prestigious tournaments, including the Australian Open a record eight times and the World Cup of Golf twice. These courses are a true test of golf for even the most skilled players and a must-play for any golfer visiting Australia.

14. Muirfield (Gullane, Scotland)

Another historic links course in Scotland, Muirfield is known for its fast-playing fairways and challenging greens. It has hosted the Open Championship on 16 occasions, most recently in 2013.

Muirfield is a true test of golf for all levels of players, demanding accuracy off the tee and precision with the irons. The course is laid out over rolling terrain with views of the Firth of Forth and is famed for its “Muirfield bunker complex,” which consists of deep, strategically placed bunkers that can penalize errant shots.

Muirfield has been a favorite course among many golfing greats, including Jack Nicklaus, who called it “the fairest test in golf,” and Lee Trevino, who famously quipped “If you can’t putt on these greens, you shouldn’t be playing golf.”

Conclusion

The world of golf offers a diverse range of courses, each with its unique charm and challenge. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just starting, there’s a golf course out there waiting to test your skills and leave you with unforgettable memories.

This list has explored some of the most popular golf courses around the globe, from the prestigious Augusta National to the quirky fun of Tobacco Road. We’ve journeyed across continents, experiencing the dramatic ocean views of Pebble Beach and the historic links of St Andrews.

But this is just a starting point! Do some research to discover golf courses near you, or plan your dream golfing getaway to experience a legendary course on your bucket list.