Welcome to Golf Course and Golf Club Guide
Golf Article
The worlds elite golf courses
Declan Tobin
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.
About The Author
Declan Tobin is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of Golf Equipment which includes Golf Appare, Golf Bags and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information for all of your Golf interests and needs.
Golf Best products
Develop a repeatable swing and learn to play like the pros fast.
Detailed, proven steps on how to consistently shoot in the 70's.
Golf News
Golf
IMPORTANT: Bing News RSS feed has moved!
A plunge in membership costs at Japan’s three most-expensive golf clubs may portend a further drop in Tokyo land prices this year. “Commercial real estate and golf memberships are closely related because both require a lot of land and high ...
Read moreGolf Membership Fees Signal Drop in Tokyo Land: Chart of the Day
The new Mizuno MP-R12 wedges come in two different finishes, chrome and black nickel. (Mizuno) Golf is a sport with ever-changing tools. There are drivers, putters, balls, towels, bags, socks, grips and everything in between. Here at Eye on Golf, we're ...
Read moreEye on Golf Equipment: The Mizuno MP-R12 Wedges
Course: Colonial Country Club (7,204 yards, par 70). Purse: $6.4 million. Winner’s share: $1,152,000. Television: Golf Channel (Thursday-Friday, 2-5 p.m., 8:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m.) and CBS (Saturday-Sunday, 2-5 p.m.). Last year: David Toms won his ...
Read moreGolf glance: This week’s pro events
During the final round of a golf tournament, a camera zoomed in on two baby ducks frolicking on the bank behind the 18th green, and, in a nod to the pace of play, the CBS announcer said the cute chicks were eggs when the last group of the day ...
Read moreSlow play in golf back in spotlight
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Signs and billboards across Alabama point to sites on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, a near-ubiquitous complex of scenic courses that has helped make the state known for something besides college football and civil rights battles.
Read moreAlabama's prominent golf trail celebrates 20 years
Nike Golf (NYSE:NKE - News) today announced the introduction of a new app and website that will provide golfers with an innovative digital tool to improve, track and share their golf game. In keeping with the company’s aim to inspire, innovate ...
Read moreNike Golf Debuts New App to Help Golfers Better Themselves to Better Their Game
NEWARK, Del., May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The nation's largest specialty golf retailer is swinging into Delaware and opening the largest experiential golf store in the state. Golfsmith's new location in Christiana provides area golfers with ...
Read moreGolfsmith Opens Delaware's Largest, Experiential Retail Golf Store in Christiana
Golf fuel open day is set to go ahead at Golfers advice Ltd. The news of the open day has caught the attention of a discussion group on the Company’s website. The team at Golfers advice Ltd. are also giving away some free information this week on quick ...
Read moreGolf Fuel Open Day Is Set To Go Ahead At Golfers Advice Ltd.
BENTON HARBOR -- Jack Nicklaus doesn't believe the big hitters on the Champions Tour will have an advantage at this week's Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores. Nicklaus should know since his company designed the course. "It's a golf course ...
Read more