Best golf destinations near iconic landmarks

A great golf vacation is about more than just the courses. Some of the world's best golf destinations also happen to be home to famous landmarks and breathtaking natural scenery, giving you the perfect excuse to swap the fairways for sightseeing between rounds.

Whether you're taking in the Grand Canyon after playing some of Arizona's best desert courses or standing beneath the Eiffel Tower after experiencing Ryder Cup golf, these are the destinations where bucket-list golf meets bucket-list travel.

We've rounded up eight of the world's most iconic landmarks, starting with destinations closest to the U.S. and working our way farther afield, alongside some of the best nearby golf courses to help you build an unforgettable golf vacation.

Location: Arizona, USA | Ideal trip length: 5 to 7 nights

For American golfers, one of the world's greatest natural wonders is right here at home. The Grand Canyon stretches for more than 270 miles through northern Arizona and no photograph can truly capture its enormous scale.

It also makes for one of the most rewarding road trips from Scottsdale, allowing you to combine one of America's most spectacular landscapes with some of the country's finest desert golf.

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We-Ko-Pa Golf Club (3 hours 45 mins)

Featuring the acclaimed Cholla and Saguaro courses, We-Ko-Pa delivers pure desert golf with no surrounding housing, allowing the dramatic Sonoran landscape to take center stage. Consistently ranked among Arizona's best public golf experiences, it's the perfect way to round off a Grand Canyon adventure.

TPC Scottsdale (3 hours 40 mins)

Home of the famous WM Phoenix Open, TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course is one of America's most recognizable tournament venues. The iconic par-3 16th hole is unlike anything else in golf, while the rest of the course offers a classic desert challenge that every golfer should experience.

Troon North Golf Club (3 hours 45 mins)

Home to the Monument and Pinnacle Courses, Troon North is widely regarded as the benchmark for desert golf in Scottsdale. Giant granite boulders, towering saguaro cacti and immaculate conditioning create a spectacular setting, while two championship layouts offer a memorable test for golfers of all abilities.

Paiute Golf Resort (Wolf Course) (4 hours 15 mins)

Designed by Pete Dye, the Wolf Course is the longest championship layout in Nevada and offers a dramatic desert challenge with bold bunkering, sweeping fairways and panoramic mountain views. Just outside the Las Vegas Strip, it's the perfect excuse to combine a Grand Canyon adventure with one of the world's great entertainment destinations.

Travel tip: Turn your Grand Canyon visit into an unforgettable road trip by combining Scottsdale, Sedona and Las Vegas. Spend a night in Sedona to experience its dramatic red rock scenery before finishing with championship golf and world-class entertainment in Las Vegas.

Location: Ontario, Canada | Ideal trip length: 5 to 7 nights

Sitting directly across the U.S.-Canada border, Niagara Falls is one of the easiest international bucket-list landmarks for American travelers to visit.

More than three million liters of water cascade over the falls every second. Whether you experience them from the viewing platforms, aboard a boat cruise or from the surrounding walking trails, it's one of those famous attractions that truly lives up to the hype.

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Golfers visiting Niagara can turn the trip into a larger Great Lakes golf adventure by continuing into neighboring Michigan, home to some of America's finest resort golf. It's an excellent combination of unforgettable sightseeing and a multi-course golf road trip.

Bay Harbor Golf Club (5 hours 45 mins)

Often referred to as "the Pebble Beach of the Midwest", Bay Harbor Golf Club is one of Michigan's standout golfing experiences. Its 27 holes overlook Lake Michigan and combine dramatic clifftop views with immaculate conditioning, making it a true bucket-list course.

Treetops Resort (4 hours 30 mins)

One of the USA's best-known golf resorts, Treetops offers five championship courses designed by some of the biggest names in golf, including Robert Trent Jones Sr., Tom Fazio and Rick Smith. With a huge variety of layouts, it's an ideal base for golfers looking to play multiple rounds.

Boyne Mountain Resort (5 hours 30 mins)

Boyne Mountain is one of America's great golf destinations, featuring ten championship courses spread across two resorts. Designed by legends such as Arthur Hills and Donald Ross, it offers everything from scenic parkland layouts to demanding championship tests.

Travel tip: If you're making the journey to Northern Michigan, don't settle for just one resort. Combining Bay Harbor, Boyne and The Highlands creates one of the best multi-course golf itineraries in North America.

Location: Yucatán, Mexico | Ideal trip length: 7 nights

For American golfers looking for an international trip without crossing the Atlantic, Mexico offers the perfect combination of golf, beaches and history.

One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichén Itzá showcases the incredible achievements of the ancient Maya civilization and remains one of Mexico's most fascinating archaeological sites.

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Most golfers stay in Cancun or the Riviera Maya before taking a day trip inland. The trip from Cancun takes around 2 to 3 hours each way.

Mayakoba El Camaleon

Former host of the PGA Tour's World Wide Technology Championship, El Camaleón is Greg Norman's masterpiece, weaving through jungle, mangroves and Caribbean coastline.

PGA Riviera Maya

Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, this beautifully maintained layout is surrounded by dense tropical jungle and natural cenotes.

Riviera Cancun Golf Club

Jack Nicklaus' design combines coastal views with generous fairways and excellent resort facilities.

Travel tip: many excursions to Chichén Itzá also stop at a traditional cenote, giving you the chance to cool off before returning to the coast.

Location: Windsor, England | Ideal trip length: 4 to 6 nights

Just outside London, Windsor Castle is one of England's most iconic royal landmarks and the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. With more than 900 years of history, it remains a working royal residence and gives visitors the chance to explore the magnificent State Apartments, St George's Chapel and the castle grounds.

Windsor is an easy addition to a London stay and also puts you within reach of some of England's finest heathland golf courses.

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Sunningdale Golf Club - Old Course (30-minute drive)

The Old Course at Sunningdale is one of the great inland courses in world golf. Designed by Willie Park Jr., it winds through beautiful heathland and mature woodland, with strategic bunkering, natural elevation changes and some of the most memorable holes in England.

Sunningdale Golf Club - New Course (30-minute drive)

Designed by Harry Colt, the New Course offers a slightly tougher and more rugged challenge than its famous neighbor. Heather-lined fairways, elevated greens and demanding approaches make it one of Britain's most celebrated championship layouts.

St George's Hill Golf Club (25-minute drive)

Another Harry Colt masterpiece, St George's Hill is renowned for its dramatic elevation changes, sweeping views and striking heathland setting. Its Red and Blue nines combine to create one of the most highly regarded courses in southern England.

Travel tip: Windsor works perfectly as a day trip or overnight stay from London. Visit the castle in the morning before heading out for an afternoon round, or stay locally and combine Windsor with two or three of Surrey's world-class courses.

Location: London, England | Ideal trip length: 5 to 7 nights

Few cities pack as many world-famous landmarks into such a small area as London. From Big Ben and Buckingham Palace to the London Eye, Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament, the British capital is packed with sights that will be instantly familiar to American travelers.

London also works particularly well for a golf vacation because some of England's most respected courses are within easy reach of the city, letting you combine sightseeing with classic British golf.

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The Addington Golf Club (45-minute drive)

Located just south of central London, The Addington is one of the most distinctive heathland courses in England. Designed by J.F. Abercromby, it features dramatic elevation changes, towering pines, heather and several unforgettable holes played across deep valleys.

The Grove (45-minute drive)

A former host of the WGC-American Express Championship and the British Masters, The Grove offers a polished resort experience close to London. Designed by Kyle Phillips, the course combines immaculate conditioning with generous fairways, strategic bunkering and excellent practice facilities.

Walton Heath Golf Club (50-minute drive)

One of England's most historic championship venues, Walton Heath has hosted the Ryder Cup, the British Masters and the AIG Women's Open. Its Old and New courses are classic heathland layouts characterized by heather, firm turf and demanding strategic golf.

Travel tip: Build one full sightseeing day into your itinerary and explore central London on foot. Start at Buckingham Palace, walk through St James's Park to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, then cross the River Thames for a ride on the London Eye before finishing with dinner in Covent Garden or Soho.

Location: Barcelona, Spain | Ideal trip length: 4 to 5 nights

Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece is unlike anywhere else on Earth. Construction began in 1882 and, despite remaining unfinished, the Basilica de la Sagrada Família has become Barcelona's defining landmark, famous for its soaring towers, colourful stained glass and extraordinary architecture.

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Real Club de Golf El Prat (40 mins)

A regular host of the Spanish Open, El Prat is regarded as one of Spain's premier golf clubs. Designed by Greg Norman, its collection of championship layouts offers immaculate conditioning and a demanding but enjoyable test for golfers of all abilities.

Camiral Golf & Wellness (1 hour 15 mins)

Home to the acclaimed Stadium Course, a future Ryder Cup course, Camiral consistently ranks among the finest golf resorts in continental Europe. Wide fairways, immaculate presentation and strategic bunkering make this one of Spain's true bucket-list rounds.

Club de Golf Barcelona (35 mins)

Designed by José María Olazábal, Club de Golf Barcelona combines generous fairways with dramatic elevation changes and excellent views across the Catalan countryside.

Travel tip: Barcelona is incredibly walkable. Pair your visit with a stroll down Passeig de Gràcia to see Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, giving you three of Gaudí's masterpieces in one day.

Location: Agra, India | Ideal trip length: 7 to 10 nights

Built as a symbol of eternal love, the Taj Mahal is one of the world's most beautiful buildings and remains India's most visited attraction. Rather than visiting Agra alone, most golfers choose to experience the famous Golden Triangle, combining Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

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Delhi Golf Club

One of Asia's oldest golf clubs, Delhi Golf Club offers a unique blend of championship golf, rich history and a peaceful oasis in the heart of India's bustling capital.

ITC Classic Golf Resort

Designed by Jack Nicklaus, this expansive resort course rewards bold shot-making with rolling fairways, dramatic bunkering and excellent practice facilities.

DLF Golf & Country Club

A modern championship masterpiece by Gary Player, DLF is renowned for its challenging layout, dramatic water hazards and regular hosting of DP World Tour events.

Travel tip: Our Golden Triangle Golf Tour pairs these outstanding courses with India's most iconic landmarks, including the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort and Jaipur's Pink City, creating one of the world's most memorable golf tours.

Location: Bangkok, Thailand | Ideal trip length: 7 to 10 nights

The longest journey on our list takes you to Southeast Asia and one of its most exciting cities. The Grand Palace is Thailand's most famous cultural attraction, with ornate temples, golden spires and the Emerald Buddha drawing visitors from around the world.

For American travelers, the flight time makes Thailand particularly well suited to a longer vacation. Combining Bangkok with another destination such as Phuket, Hua Hin, Pattaya or Chiang Mai allows you to experience much more of the country while playing several of its outstanding courses.

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Thai Country Club (40 mins)

A multiple-time host of international tournaments, Thai Country Club is consistently ranked among Thailand's very best golf courses thanks to its immaculate conditioning and championship pedigree.

Alpine Golf & Sports Club (50 mins)

Widely regarded as one of Thailand's toughest tests, Alpine features dramatic elevation changes, strategically placed water hazards and a layout that rewards precise shot-making.

RG City Golf Club (45 mins)

A newer championship venue offering wide fairways, modern facilities and an enjoyable resort-style round that's perfect for golfers of all abilities.

Travel tip: Thailand is one of the world's best destinations for a multi-centre golf holiday. Whether you're looking to combine championship golf with beaches, culture or vibrant cities, our Thailand tours let you experience the country's incredible variety.

If this list has inspired your next adventure, why not let someone else take care of the planning? Our expertly curated golf tour experiences are designed with American golfers in mind, combining standout courses with iconic destinations, major championships and unforgettable experiences on and off the course.

From legendary links golf in Scotland and Ireland to championship venues closer to home, these itineraries make it easy to experience multiple courses and destinations in one carefully planned trip.

Some of our most popular golf tour experiences include:

• Scotland – Experience some of the game's most historic golf destinations on the Epic East Coast of Scotland Golf Tour or take in St Andrews, the Highlands and the Scottish capital on the St Andrews, Highlands & Edinburgh Trilogy Tour.
• Ireland – Discover the spectacular links of Ireland's west coast on the Signature South West Ireland Golf Tour or combine two of the country's great golf regions on the Northern Ireland & Dublin Classic Golf Tour.
• England – Experience England’s famous Golf Coast on the 3 Royals Golf Tour, playing legendary Open venues Royal Birkdale, Royal Lytham & St Annes and Royal Liverpool, alongside the outstanding links at Hillside and Formby.
• Arizona & Nevada – Stay closer to home with the Premium Scottsdale Golf Tour or combine tournament action, desert golf and Las Vegas on the WM Phoenix Open & Las Vegas Tour.
• South Africa – For a true bucket-list journey, the Rovos Rail Golf Safari combines outstanding golf with incredible scenery, wildlife and one of the world's most famous luxury rail experiences.

The best golf vacations create memories both on and off the course. Whether you're looking out across the Grand Canyon or experiencing the power of Niagara Falls, combining iconic landmarks with world-class golf can transform a great golf trip into an unforgettable travel experience.

For American golfers, some of these adventures can be experienced close to home, while others offer the perfect excuse to cross the Atlantic or travel even farther afield. And when you're making a long-haul journey, combining multiple destinations, courses and cultural experiences can help you make the most of every trip.

Many of these courses rank among the finest in their respective countries, while the landmarks themselves appear on countless travel bucket lists. With a little planning, you can experience both in a single vacation, creating a trip that's just as rewarding away from the fairways as it is on them.