Best Golf Destinations on the Planet

If you are an avid golfer, you will without a doubt want to play on a Scottish golf course. The barren and windy terrain isunique and adds an additional challenge. If you are a golfing enthusiast, this country should be on your golfing “bucket list.”

Scotland is known for its unpredictable weather, so make sure you rent a golf cart with an enclosure to protect yourself from the elements,whether it is the rain, the wind, or the sun.

St. Andrews is one of the most famous golf courses in the world. It is also known as “the Old Course,” and is the mecca to which all golfers have to make a pilgrimage at least once in their lives.

Surrounded by an ancient cathedral town, this golf spot is rich in history and culture. Other popular golf locations nearby are Ayrshire, Loch Lomond, Carnoustie, and Royal Dornoch. Scotland is truly a golfing paradise – though it may require a little extra effort (and cash) to achieve, it is definitely worth the trip.

This is another golf haven in Scotland, with incredible views, courses, and traditional cuisine.

Muirfield has become a famous location for various golfing championships, including amateur, professional, international, national, men, and ladies. The course has hosted eleven Amateur Championships making it well known in golfing circles.

Located on the secluded and rugged West Coast,this course will challenge any golfer. The Machrihanish Golf Club and the Dunaverty Golf Club offer breathtaking scenic views,so pack up the golf cart and enjoy the ride.

Kintyre is home to five superb challenging yet unique golf courses, some of which are considered to be the best courses in Scotland. From the opening hole all the way to the small nine-hole course on the beautiful island of Gigha, Kintyre will provide golfers with a relaxing but competitive course.

Set by a fantastical stretch of dunes along the Irish Sea, this is one of the most luxururious golf destination spots, where the Victorian redbrick spire of the SlieveDonard Resort is decorated with the region’s distinctive native flora.

One of the most historic courses here isThe Royal County Down Golf Club, which is one of the oldest golf clubs in Ireland. The 127-year-old club hosts two 18-hole links courses – the Championship Course and the Annesley Links.

Hidden in the southwestern section of the Ring of Kerry, this is one of Ireland’s greatest secluded courses. Attached to the Waterville House, a gorgeous 12-bedroom manor built in the 18th century, and set on 40 open acres near the Atlantic, this course is breathtaking.

The town of Waterville is a famous angling center, located on a strip of land that separates the Atlantic Ocean from one of Ireland’s most beautiful lakes – Lough Currane. Its isolated location prevents it from hosting any big championships, but famous golfers continue to find their way to this one-of-a-kind golfing haven.

With both comfortable and tastefully-decorated rooms, the Waterville Golf Links resort is also a highly active environment. It offers a variety of different outdoor activities, and, for golfers who like to fish, one of Ireland’s top fly-fishing destinations is nearby. The resort also has a practice facility where golfers can improve their short game skills.

Players can enjoy almost 200 different area courses and an average of 330 sunny days a year. Considered a golfing mecca of the U.S., it is set in the beautiful Arizona mountains and the Sonoran Desert. The dining scene is equally as fantastic and a lovely way to end a perfect day of golf.

This is another course you will want to cross off your golfing “bucket list.” Set on the California coast, it is considered one of the most underrated courses in the U.S. You may need a big budget for the pilgrimage to this famed golf haven, which offers both private and public golf courses, including the number one public course in the U.S.

You can sense the presence of golf’s biggest legends when teeing off at this esteemed location. Open to golfers since 1919, it includes the Pebble Beach Golf Links, designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant.

Another on-the-coast, yet priceygolf spot is the Kapalua Resort’s Plantation Course in Maui – one of the most enjoyable courses in the world with its panoramic ocean views from every hole.

Open since 1991, the resort is located on a former pineapple plantation. It has become one of the PGA Tour’s most luxurious courses. Kapalua Bay Beach’s breezy palms, soft sand, and turquoise waters are nearby for those who want to enjoy the sea and the sand.

The island hosts 14 different courses, several of which are ranked in the top courses in the world, and designed by noted course architects and golfing legends, such as Arnold Palmer and Ben Crenshaw. Set in a diverse scenery, you can enjoy everything from volcano peaks to an ocean breeze.

Located just north of the city of Bandon, Oregon, the complex consists of four links and a par-3 golf course. The original golf course, Bandon Dunes, opened in 1999 and was designed by David McLay Kidd. Many of the links-style courses are enjoyable for all ranges of skill levels.

Some consider Bandon Dunes the Pebble Beach of the Northwest. It is the premier golf course on the Oregon Coast. Its fairways and greens are well bunkered, with terrain rolls and spectacular coastal views – it is definitely worth the trip. If you can’t make it to Scotland, this golf course will make you feel as though you are there, due to the seclusion and the terrain.

Sunny and warm year round, and situated on the sun-drenched shores of the Gulf of Mexico, it is uniquely located between the white sand beaches and untamed wilderness of the Everglades. It includes over 100 courses and is one of Florida’s most popular golf destinations.

Naples draws in golfers from around the globe, seeing thousands of golfers every year, from the state, national, or even professional tournament level. With more than 80 championship courses in the area, it has the highest holes per capita in the world. Many well-known golfers have left their mark in Naples, including Jack Nicklaus and Arthur Hills.

One of the challenging courses is the Greg Norman-designed Tiburon Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort. It is also considered to be one of the most luxurious golf spots in the southwest Florida region.

Combining southern hospitality and modern luxury, this highly decorated resort is the site of the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic..

Naples draws in golfers from around the globe, seeing thousands of golfers every year, from the state, national, or even professional tournament level. With more than 80 championship courses in the area, it has the highest holes per capita in the world. Many well-known golfers have left their mark in Naples, including Jack Nicklaus and Arthur Hills.

Famous as the “cradle of American golf," this region has been hosting getaways since 1895. This course also hosted the U.S. Mens and Women’s Opens in 2014. It is the only site to host all five USGA Championships, receiving numerous accolades.

The resort has nine separate courses spread across the pine and sand hill landscape. The Carolina Hotel is another well-known resort in this region – a historical venue that maintains its strong southern tradition.

Located just outside Charleston on Kiawah Island, this deluxe golf resort is quite appropriately named.Each of the resort’s five championship courses was designed specifically by five golf legends – Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Gary Player, and Clyde Johnston

One of its most challenging courses is the Pete Dye Ocean Course. While not his tough est course, based on the slope and course rating, it is still the home of the 2012 PGA Championship.

With a lower latitude and beach setting on the Atlantic Ocean, this location has a total of about 100 area courses. Almost every notable golf architect has a golf course in this region that is more popularly known as the “Golf Capital of the World.” This is an affordable golfing destination, because most of its courses are public.

Some call Myrtle Beach the supermarket of golf, because there is a golfing experience for everyone. With more than 90 courses that span the 60-mile stretch of coastline from Southport, N.C. to Georgetown, S.C, there is an abundance of playable, fun layouts, including three of Golf Magazine's Top 100 Courses.

Home to Kohler Waters Spa, the American Club, and the Whistling Straits course (the site of the 2015 PGA Championship), this location continues to spark the interest of players across the globe. Guests can stay in a separate 55-room extension of this spa experience called the Carriage House, located right next door and just a short golf cart ride away.

This more affordable region also includes the five-diamond Midwest resort, with four golf courses where visitors can also purchase packages for lessons.

This exotic golfing destination allows you to combine the experiences of golf with a wildlife safari. The course is set at the southern edge of Kruger National Park, accompanied by everything from hippos to river crocodiles and leopards. Open since 1996,it is an exclusively private club.

The course showcases African golf at its very best, including indigenous bushveld bordering the immaculate fairways and greens. The course has hosted several PGA professional tournaments, including the famous South African Sunshine Tour. Many world-renowned golfers have stepped foot on this green, including professionals such as Gary Player and Ernie Els.

A region near the Cabot Trail course, it stretches around mountains and cliff sides, while whales swim in the waters below. It is also one of the world’s great scenic drives. Cape Breton’s courses rank among the best (and the best in Canada), named in numerous magazines, including Golf Digest’s 2014 World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.

The difficult courses which are complemented with a naturally beautiful landscape challenge its golfers. The courses strongly resemble those of Scotland and Ireland, exemplifying the region’s Celtic roots and a reminder that golf was meant to be played in places as beautiful as Cape Breton.

Another oceanside destination located at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, in the last decade, Los Cabos has improved its infrastructure by adding features such as a new airport which brings visitors straight to the Cabo San Lucas.

If you are into adventurous scenic views (and maybe willing to lose a few golf balls) another option is the recently opened Quivira Golf course, with several holes located on a few vertigo-inspiring cliff edges.

This esteemed Blue Ridge Mountain getaway is considered a national historic landmark. The prestigious world-class resort with its natural mineral springs and 11,0000 acres has opened its doors to guests across the globe since 1778.

The historic resort has a secret bunker where Congress used to convene in cases of nuclear war. Its guest list includes 26 of our country’s 44 Presidents. It is also considered a favorite golfing destination for royalty, celebrities, and international business leaders.

This is home to the Kawana Hotel, as well as one of the world’s great golf courses, and is only an hour and a half train or taxi ride from the metropolis of Tokyo. The Fuji Course at this hotel is public, but not overly crowded. Located on the Izu Peninsula and designed in 1936 by C.H. Alison, the course spreads across stunning seaside cliffs. It also has several holes that drop down to nearly 100 feet below.