Top 10 golf courses you need to play

There are great golf courses… and then there are the ones that live on every golfer’s bucket list. These are the kind you recognise instantly from a single photo. The ones that have hosted iconic moments, challenged the world’s best, and sparked daydreams for anyone who’s ever picked up a club.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up 10 of the most legendary, must-play golf courses on the planet. From dramatic coastal layouts and historic championship venues to modern masterpieces that have redefined the game, each one earns its place for a different reason. And while some names are instantly recognisable, others may be a little more under the radar but no less unmissable, thanks to their unique design, setting or story.

Ranked the 3rd best golf course in the world according to Golf Digest in 2025 Location: St Andrews, Scotland | Designer: Old Tom Morris (evolved over time) | Par: 72 | Length: 7,313 yards | Founded: 1552 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Known as the Home of Golf, St Andrews is as close to a pilgrimage as the game gets. This is where golf has been played for over 600 years, and where traditions that define the sport still shape the experience today. From the iconic double greens to the infamous Road Hole, every inch of the Old Course is steeped in history.

While its layout may appear forgiving at first glance, St Andrews is a masterclass in subtlety and strategy. Pot bunkers lurk in all the wrong places, the wind is ever-present, and the undulating greens demand creativity and precision. It is both a rite of passage and one of the most rewarding rounds you will ever play.

And while it is one of the most famous courses on the planet, its magic lies in the details, making it just as compelling for purists as it is for those chasing a bucket list tick.

Highlight: The par-4 17th, the legendary Road Hole, is one of the most famous and feared holes in golf, requiring a blind tee shot over the Old Course Hotel and a precise approach to a narrow green guarded by the Road Bunker.

Key features:

• World’s oldest golf course, dating back to the 16th century
• Iconic shared fairways and vast double greens
• Strategic design that rewards creativity over power
• Regular host of The Open Championship

Bonus fact: St Andrews has hosted The Open Championship more times than any other venue, with the 150th edition played here in 2022, further cementing its status as the most iconic course in the game.

Check out our tips on getting a tee time on the Old Course here!

Ranked the 14th best golf course in the US according to Top 100 golf courses Location: Pebble Beach, California, USA | Designer: Jack Neville & Douglas Grant | Par: 72 | Length: 7,075 yards | Founded: 1919 | Course type: Coastal

Why play here? Few courses blend world-class golf with jaw-dropping scenery quite like Pebble Beach. Perched on the rugged coastline of California’s Monterey Peninsula, this iconic layout delivers dramatic ocean views on nearly every hole, with waves crashing against the cliffs just yards from the fairways.

Pebble Beach is as much about precision as it is about soaking in the surroundings. Small greens, shifting sea breezes and narrow approaches demand accuracy throughout, while the closing stretch along the Pacific is one of the most memorable in golf. It is a course that tests your game but rewards you with an experience that feels truly special from start to finish.

While it is one of the most recognisable names in the sport, Pebble Beach still feels intimate and playable, which only adds to its bucket list appeal.

Highlight: The par-3 7th may be short, but it is one of the most photographed holes in the world, playing over a dramatic cliffside to a tiny green surrounded by the Pacific Ocean.

Key features:

• Clifftop holes with uninterrupted ocean views
• One of the most scenic courses in the world
• Demanding small greens and coastal winds
• Regular host of US Opens and PGA Tour events

Bonus fact: Pebble Beach has hosted multiple US Opens, including the memorable 2000 victory by Tiger Woods, where he won by a record 15 shots, one of the most dominant performances in major championship history.

Ranked the 66th best golf course in the US according to Top 100 golf courses Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA | Designer: Pete Dye | Par: 72 | Length: 7,275 yards | Founded: 1980 | Course type: Stadium

Why play here? Built to challenge the very best while remaining playable for all, TPC Sawgrass is one of the most distinctive designs in modern golf. Pete Dye’s Stadium Course concept places spectators at the heart of the action, but it is the strategy, angles and risk-reward nature of each hole that truly defines the experience.

Water is in play on the majority of holes, and accuracy is everything. The layout demands careful thinking from tee to green, with Dye’s signature visual tricks keeping you second-guessing throughout. It is not just about power here, it is about control, nerve and smart decision-making.

While it is world-famous for one hole in particular, the entire course delivers a thrilling, high-stakes feel that makes it a must-play.

Highlight: The par-3 17th, better known as the Island Green, is one of the most famous holes in golf. Just 137 yards from the back tees, it is a short shot on paper but one that has undone some of the game’s greatest players.

Key features:

• Home of The Players Championship
• Iconic risk-reward design throughout
• Water hazards on the majority of holes
• Designed to test professionals and amateurs alike

Bonus fact: The Island Green was not originally part of the design. It was created when excess earth was removed during construction, leaving behind what would become one of the most recognisable and dramatic holes in the sport.

Ranked the 12th best golf course in the world by Golf Digest Location: Sunningdale, Berkshire, England | Designer: Willie Park Jr. | Par: 70 | Length: 6,729 yards | Founded: 1901 | Course type: Heathland

Why play here? Effortlessly elegant and endlessly enjoyable, Sunningdale’s Old Course is often described as one of the purest expressions of golf course design. Set among heather, pine and silver birch, it offers a tranquil setting that feels a world away from the modern game, yet the quality of the golf is as relevant as ever.

This is not a course that relies on brute length. Instead, it rewards precision, imagination and thoughtful shot-making. The routing flows naturally across gently undulating terrain, with each hole offering its own character and challenge. Subtle elevation changes, beautifully bunkered approaches and fast, true greens make it a joy to play from start to finish.

While it may not shout as loudly as some global heavyweights, those who have played it often rank it among the very best.

Highlight: The par-4 10th is a standout, a risk-reward hole that tempts you to drive the green over heather and bunkers, but punishes anything slightly off line.

Key features:

• One of the finest examples of heathland golf
• Beautifully maintained fairways framed by heather and woodland
• Emphasis on strategy and shot-making over power
• Renowned for its welcoming atmosphere and timeless charm

Bonus fact: Sunningdale’s Old Course has hosted numerous prestigious amateur events, including Final Qualifying for The Open, further cementing its reputation as a course that tests even the very best players.

Widely regarded as one of the most unique and scenic golf courses in the world Location: Gimsøya, Lofoten Islands, Norway | Designer: Jeremy Turner | Par: 71 | Length: 6,734 yards | Founded: 2015 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Set above the Arctic Circle, Lofoten Links offers a golf experience unlike anywhere else on the planet. Dramatic mountains rise straight from the sea, white sandy beaches frame the fairways, and in summer, the Midnight Sun means you can tee off at any hour of the day or night.

The course itself is as memorable as its surroundings. Routed along the rugged coastline, it combines natural links terrain with striking elevation changes and ever-changing coastal winds. Shot-making here is dictated as much by the elements as the layout, making every round feel different.

While it may be less traditional than some of the game’s historic venues, Lofoten Links has quickly earned its place on the global bucket list thanks to its sheer originality and unforgettable setting.

Highlight: The par-3 2nd, played towards the sea with towering mountains as a backdrop, perfectly captures the wild beauty and drama of the course.

Key features:

• Golf above the Arctic Circle with Midnight Sun and Northern Lights opportunities
• Spectacular coastal setting with mountains and ocean in view on every hole
• Unique links-style layout shaped by natural terrain
• One of the most remote and unforgettable golf experiences in the world

Bonus fact: During the height of summer, the sun never sets in the Lofoten Islands, meaning golfers can quite literally play 24-hour golf, a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Ranked the 22nd best golf course in the world by Golf Digest Location: St Andrews, Fife, Scotland | Designer: Kyle Phillips | Par: 72 | Length: 7,227 yards | Founded: 2000 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Just a few miles from St Andrews, Kingsbarns has quickly established itself as one of the finest modern links courses anywhere in the world. Built on a stunning stretch of coastline along the North Sea, it offers breathtaking sea views on nearly every hole, something even its historic neighbours cannot claim.

Designed with playability in mind, Kingsbarns combines generous fairways with strategic bunkering and beautifully contoured greens. It is a course that can be enjoyed by all levels of golfer, yet still provides a stern test when the coastal winds begin to blow. The routing flows seamlessly along the shoreline, creating a round that feels both natural and unforgettable.

Highlight: The par-5 12th is a true showstopper, hugging the coastline the entire way and offering a thrilling risk-reward opportunity with the North Sea just steps from the fairway.

Key features:

• Stunning coastal setting with sea views on the majority of holes
• Modern links design that balances challenge and playability
• Co-host of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
• Immaculate conditioning and world-class facilities

Bonus fact: Although Kingsbarns opened in 2000, the land has a golf history dating back to the 18th century, when it was used for informal links play long before the modern course was created.

Ranked as the best golf course in the world by Golf Digest Location: Newcastle, Northern Ireland | Designer: Old Tom Morris (original), George Combe & Harry Colt (refinements) | Par: 71 | Length: 7,186 yards | Founded: 1889 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Mourne Mountains, Royal County Down is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and challenging links courses ever created. Towering dunes, sweeping views and a sense of isolation make every hole feel like an adventure.

This is links golf at its most demanding. Blind tee shots, heather-lined fairways and firm, fast greens require total commitment and precision. The natural terrain shapes each hole in a way that feels both wild and perfectly balanced, rewarding those who embrace the challenge.

Highlight: The par-4 9th is one of the most photographed holes in golf, with a blind tee shot played towards the mountains and a fairway framed by dunes and heather.

Key features:

• Dramatic setting beneath the Mourne Mountains
• Challenging layout with blind shots and natural hazards
• Pure, traditional links experience

Bonus fact: Royal County Down has consistently earned praise from top professionals, with Rory McIlroy naming it his favourite course.

Ranked the 2nd best golf course in the world by Golf Digest Location: Dornoch, Scottish Highlands, Scotland | Designer: Old Tom Morris (influenced development) | Par: 70 | Length: 6,748 yards | Founded: 1877 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Remote, natural and endlessly charming, Royal Dornoch is a course that captures the soul of traditional links golf. Set in the Scottish Highlands, it offers a peaceful, almost timeless atmosphere, far removed from the busier golf hotspots.

The layout is defined by raised greens, natural undulations and subtle complexities that reveal themselves over the course of the round. It rewards creativity and touch more than power, making it a favourite among purists who appreciate strategic design.

Highlight: The par-4 14th, known as “Foxy”, features a plateau green that demands a perfectly judged approach, a classic example of Dornoch’s subtle but brilliant design.

Key features:

• One of the most natural and unspoilt links courses
• Signature raised greens and strategic design
• Peaceful Highland setting with coastal views
• A favourite among golf purists and architects

Bonus fact: Royal Dornoch’s design has influenced some of the greatest modern architects, including Donald Ross, who drew inspiration from the course before shaping many classic layouts in the United States.

Perhaps the most iconic and exclusive course in the world Location: Augusta, Georgia, USA | Designer: Alister Mackenzie & Bobby Jones | Par: 72 | Length: 7,545 yards | Founded: 1933 | Course type: Parkland

Why it makes the list: Augusta National is the ultimate symbol of golf prestige. Home to The Masters, it is instantly recognisable for its immaculate conditioning, towering pines and vibrant azaleas, with every hole etched into golfing history.

While very few will ever have the chance to play it, its influence on the game is undeniable. From Amen Corner to the iconic back nine, Augusta represents the pinnacle of championship golf and remains at the top of countless bucket lists around the world.

Highlight: Amen Corner (holes 11, 12 and 13) is one of the most famous stretches in golf, where countless Masters moments have defined careers and created history.

Key features:

• Home of The Masters Tournament
• Immaculate presentation and iconic design
• Rich history and tradition
• One of the most exclusive clubs in the world

Bonus fact: Augusta National is closed every summer to allow the course to recover from the intense spring season, ensuring it returns each year in pristine condition for The Masters.

Ranked the 12th best golf course in the world by Golf Digest Location: Portrush, Northern Ireland | Designer: Harry Colt (major redesign) | Par: 71 | Length: 7,344 yards | Founded: 1888 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Set along Northern Ireland’s rugged north coast, Royal Portrush is a thrilling blend of dramatic scenery and championship-calibre golf. With sweeping ocean views, towering dunes and a routing that weaves effortlessly through natural terrain, it delivers one of the most exhilarating links experiences in the world.

The Dunluce Links is both beautiful and brutally testing. Fast-running fairways, deep bunkering and ever-changing coastal winds demand total focus, while the layout builds to a spectacular finish. Recent redesign work has only enhanced its reputation, ensuring it remains a modern classic while staying true to its heritage.

Highlight: The par-3 16th, “Calamity Corner”, is one of the most famous holes in links golf, a daunting carry over a deep ravine to a narrow green that punishes anything short or off line.

Key features:

• Host venue for The Open Championship
• Dramatic coastal setting with towering dunes
• Challenging, championship-level layout
• Memorable finishing stretch along the coastline

Bonus fact: Royal Portrush made history in 2019 when it became the first Northern Irish venue to host The Open Championship since 1951, with Shane Lowry claiming a memorable victory in front of record crowds.

Ticking off the world’s most iconic golf courses takes more than just ambition. From securing tee times at in-demand venues to building an itinerary that balances travel, cost and playability, a bit of smart planning goes a long way.

Whether you are chasing legendary links, dramatic coastal layouts or once-in-a-lifetime experiences, structuring your trip properly will make all the difference.

Booking tips

• Bucket list courses often require advance booking, sometimes via ballot systems, so contact your Golf travel Expert early
• Plan your route carefully, especially when combining remote destinations or multiple countries
• Balance marquee courses with slightly more accessible rounds to avoid fatigue and keep things enjoyable
• Consider the time of year, as weather can dramatically impact links and coastal experiences
• Allow time to properly enjoy each destination, not just rush from one course to the next

A well-paced itinerary, where each round feels like an experience rather than a checklist, will always deliver the best trip.

Q: How do I choose which bucket list courses to prioritise? A: Start with what excites you most. Whether that is history, scenery or championship pedigree, build your trip around a clear theme, then add complementary courses nearby.

Q: Are these courses only for elite golfers? A: Not at all. Many of the world’s top courses offer multiple tee options and welcome a wide range of abilities. The experience is about playing the course, not mastering it.

Q: Is it better to focus on one destination or travel between several? A: Both can work. A focused trip, such as Scotland or Ireland, allows for a deeper experience, while a multi-destination trip creates a broader, once-in-a-lifetime journey.

Q: How far in advance should I book? A: For the most in-demand courses, 6 to 12 months is recommended, sometimes longer for places like St Andrews or Pebble Beach.

Q: Why should I book with Golfbreaks A: With over 25 years of experience arranging golf holidays worldwide, Golfbreaks offers expert advice, trusted partnerships and access to tee times at some of the world’s most sought-after courses. Our team helps you turn a dream list into a seamless, stress-free trip.

Find out why booking with Golfbreaks means booking with peace of mind here

Q: How do I book my golf trip A: You can browse packages and build your trip online, or speak directly with one of our Golf Travel Experts for tailored recommendations. Whether it is a UK and Ireland links tour or a global bucket list adventure, we will help you plan every detail.

Find out more about how to book a golf trip here

A bucket list golf trip is about more than just playing famous courses. It is about the moments in between, the landscapes, the stories and the shared experiences that make each round unforgettable.

Choose your courses carefully, plan with purpose and give yourself time to enjoy it all. Because when it comes to golf at this level, it is not just about where you play, it is about how it all comes together.