5 courses Peter Finch thinks every golfer should play

From bucket-list legends to courses that quietly redefine what great golf really feels like, some layouts stay with you long after the final putt drops. As golfers, we all have places we want to play, but which ones genuinely deliver an unforgettable experience?

As Global Ambassador for Golfbreaks, Peter Finch has played the game all over the world, from iconic Open venues to remote layouts carved into the wildest landscapes. Here, Peter shares five courses he believes every golfer should play at least once. From the dramatic coastal drama of Royal Portrush, to the otherworldly setting of Lofoten Links and the championship pedigree of Kiawah Island.

Whether you’re building your ultimate golf bucket list or looking for inspiration for your next unforgettable trip, these are courses that demand a place on it and with Golfbreaks we can take all the hassle out of organising your dream golf trip to allow for one seamless and unforgettable journey.

Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,836 yards | Designed by: Jeremy Turner

Starting off with one of golf's most unique settings, few courses offer an experience quite like Lofoten Links. Located above the Arctic Circle in Norway, this remote masterpiece delivers golf in its purest, most dramatic form.

Lofoten isn’t just about the golf (although the layout itself is superb). It’s about the sense of place. Playing beneath the midnight sun or with the Northern Lights overhead creates memories that go far beyond scorecards and statistics.

Strategic, exposed and wonderfully natural, Lofoten Links rewards imagination and shot-making and reminds golfers why the game is so special when it’s played in harmony with the landscape. One of Europe's finest courses and true bucket-list destination.

Peter Finch’s exclusive travel tip:

• Plan your visit between late May and mid-July to experience the midnight sun. Not only does this allow for late-night rounds, but it also gives you flexibility around weather, a huge advantage in such a remote and exposed setting.

Par: 73 | Yardage: 7,271 yards | Designed by: Gary Player

Set beneath the dramatic backdrop of South Africa’s Outeniqua Mountains, The Links at Fancourt is a course that quietly earns its place among the world’s elite.

Ranked as South Africa's number one course according to World Top 100 Courses, the Gary Player design combines traditional links principles with immaculate conditioning, a rare balance that makes it both visually stunning and endlessly playable.

For Peter, this is a course that proves great golf doesn’t need centuries of history to feel authentic. The rumpled fairways, deep bunkering and fast, true greens demand creativity and control, rewarding golfers who think their way around the course rather than simply overpower it.

It’s a layout that tests every part of your game while delivering an experience that feels genuinely special from the first tee to the last and one that showcases just how good modern links golf can be when done right.

Peter Finch’s exclusive travel tip:

• Stay on site to enjoy Fancourt’s luxury facilities and world-class hospitality. You can also then be flexible with tee times that let you play The Links in calmer mornings and Montagu or Outeniqua later in the day.

Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,824 yards | Designed by: Henry Hunter

A course often overshadowed by its famous neighbour, Royal Cinque Ports is one of England’s most underrated links, located in Kent and forming part of what golf lovers refer to as the 'Holy Trinity', which is also made up of Royal St George's Golf Club and Prince's Golf Club.

A traditional links layout in its rawest form. Narrow fairways, unforgiving rough and ever-changing coastal winds ensure no two rounds are ever the same. There’s little room for complacency here as every shot demands commitment.

For Pete, Royal Cinque Ports represents the essence of links golf: honest, challenging and deeply rewarding. It may not have the same global profile as some Open venues, but few courses test your game and your nerve quite so thoroughly.

Peter Finch’s exclusive travel tip:

• Base yourself nearby, in either Sandwich or Deal, rather than directly at the course and play around the tides and wind forecast. A still morning can transform Royal Cinque Ports from brutally tough to beautifully strategic and significantly more enjoyable.

Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,876 yards | Designed by: Pete Dye

One of the most iconic championship venues in the USA, The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island is a true test of golf where coastal beauty meets uncompromising challenge. Set along the windswept shores of South Carolina, this world-renowned layout is as visually stunning as it is demanding.

Famous for hosting the Ryder Cup and multiple PGA Championships, The Ocean Course is defined by its exposure to the elements of nature. With more seaside holes than any other course in the Northern Hemisphere, shifting coastal winds play a constant role, ensuring no two rounds ever feel the same.

Pete Dye’s design rewards precision, patience and smart course management, with wide fairways that tempt aggression and greens that demand a delicate touch. It’s a layout that challenges the world’s best, yet remains an unforgettable experience for any golfer lucky enough to walk its fairways.

Peter Finch’s exclusive travel tip:

Take on one of America’s toughest tests and pair your round with a stay in nearby Charleston. Combining championship golf with historic charm, incredible food and Southern hospitality makes for the perfect all-round golf getaway.

Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,344 yards | Designed by: Harry Colt

A modern masterpiece steeped in history, the Dunluce Links needs little introduction. Host of The Open Championship and widely regarded as one of the finest links courses on the planet, it delivers drama, challenge and beauty in equal measure.

Portrush offers the complete links experience. From unforgettable par-3s and sweeping coastal views, every hole feels significant. The course demands precision, creativity and bravery particularly when the wind gets involved.

It’s a venue that lives up to its reputation and then some, leaving golfers with a deep appreciation for just how special championship links golf can be when everything comes together.

Peter Finch’s exclusive travel tip:

• Secure your tee time well in advance and plan a multi-course trip. Pairing Portrush with nearby gems like Portstewart or Castlerock makes the journey even more rewarding and helps you make the most of Northern Ireland’s world-class links golf.

The courses featured here have been chosen through first-hand experience, insight and a deep understanding of what makes a golf course truly memorable. For Pete, they represent the kind of venues that reward the journey. Places where the challenge, setting and history combine to create an experience every golfer should aim to enjoy at least once.

Supported by Peter’s expertise, Golfbreaks brings more than 25 years of experience in organising golf trips to the world’s leading destinations. From securing tee times to shaping complete itineraries, that experience ensures each visit to these courses is planned with care, confidence and attention to details, allowing golfers to focus on what matters most, enjoying their golf break!