The Worlds Elite Golf Courses
We all here different opinions of great challenging golf courses around the world, full of
history and storytelling of great games and tournaments between the legends of the
professional world. Every year we hear of new championship courses opening but in my opinion
they have a lot to live up to if they want to stand alongside the old greats.
My
favourite world courses with their own individual characters over the years
Augusta -
USA Augusta is a stunningly beautiful course located in the American Deep South. Augusta
is the home of the world-renowned Masters tournament. Beautifully designed with lightning fast
greens, without a doubt one of the world's best.
Ballybunion - IRELAND
Ballybunion is fantastic links course situated in County Kerry southern Ireland. Well known
for it's towering sand dunes and cliff side holes running along the Atlantic. Stunning scenery
surrounds this course but it is an unbelievably challenging links course. A fantastic welcome
awaits all who visits.
Cypress Point - USA
Just a stone's thrown away from Mayor Clint Eastwood's Carmel and John Steinbeck's Cannery
Row. A fearsome course for hard men. The Monterey Peninsula on the American west coast is a
pictures location but certainly one of the most difficult golf courses to date.
Kiawah Island - USA Kiawah Island was only opened in 1991. Located off the south coast of
Carolina. Kiawah was awarded the 1991 Ryder Cup between Europe and the USA. Fabulous Atlantic
setting rich in marsh land and sand dunes. A truly terrific links course.
Kingston
Heath - AUSTRALIA One of Australia's greatest golf courses. Located only 25km from the
heart of Melbourne and is perfect test for championship golf. If you like bunkers then you
will love Kingston Heath. Your sand wedge will be the best club in the bag (even bring a
spare). Scoring well here needs you at your best concentration level.
Muirfield -
SCOTLAND Muirfield is located of the East Lothian coast in Scotland. A very flat links
golf course that allows you play to your handicap. Most championship links courses are
designed with only the professional in mind, muirfield is a very popular links course in
Britain.
Pebble Beach - USA Simply one of the greatest golf courses in the world.
Pebble Beach is located just south of San Francisco. A VERY, VERY challenging golf course.
High winds play and important factor on your scorecard. Pebble Beach is adjacent to the rocky
Californian coastline. Deceptive on every hole, beautifully designed.
Pinehurst No. 2
- USA A traditional style golf course located in North Carolina. This course has not got
the man made features that other golf courses and is not stunningly located. Some people may
think what all the fuss is about with this course. A very true saying, " A good course
doesn't need glitter and glitz, Pinehurst has its unique unspoiled holes and will always be a
favourite.
St Andrews Old Course ? Scotland
St Andrews is the oldest golf course in the world. The home of golf itself. The date for which
it was first laid is still up for question but we think somewhere in the early 1300's. The
course was designed around the natural hazards and still remains one of the worlds most
challenging links courses today. Home of the Open Championship. St Andrews has four 18 hole
courses but the old is still the best.
Valderrama ? Spain Opened in 1985 but has
become one of the favourites with the golfing world. Set with breathtaking views of the
Mediterranean and surrounding mountains. It has become one of the world's elite in
championship courses. As stunning as it may look any wayward shot will be badly punished.
The above list of golf courses is from my own playing experience. Of course there are many
more out there such as Royal Birkdale, Turnberry, Druids Glen (Druids Glen is based in County
Wicklow Ireland and will be host to the Ryder Cup 2006) and so on that should have a mention,
however I only speak from experience.
What makes a great Course?
The key
factors:
· Good Architectural work to start
· Designed with the
input of a professional golfer who knows the game
· To work with nature and
include natures hazards as apposed to removing them
· Good accessible location
· Excellent drainage on the land
No matter what your standard of golf is like from
high to low handicaps we will share in the same excitement when we enter onto the first
tee.
