10 of the Most Beautiful Golf Courses in the World

The inland Golf Course at Adare Manor was designed to honor the beauty of the Irish landscape. Meticulously constructed alongside the River Maigue, the Golf Course at Adare Manor is made to be both exciting and challenging for players of all levels. Golf architect Tom Fazio created the course that beautifully explores the land, which makes for an impactful and breathtaking scenic experience throughout the 18-hole course for resort residents.

Par: 72

Distance: 7,509 yards

Slope: 132

Nestled beside the gorgeous Grenadines archipelago, the Mandarin Oriental Canouan Golf Course is a challenging and dynamic course. Architect Jim Fazio designed the 18-hole championship course on the cliffs of the Atlantic Ocean, with the back 9 ripe with the most breathtaking panoramic views. Hole 16 has a 305-yard par 3 (one of the longest in the world), so if you’re looking for something delightfully testing, it’s time to book your stay.

Par: 72

Distance: 6,914 yards

Slope: 147

Cypress Point was created by the renowned Alister Mackenzie in 1928, and is regarded as one of the most extraordinary golf courses in the world. In fact, it’s been ranked in Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest since 1966. The private club is known for its dramatic holes and challenging drops, but also its jaw-dropping views. It’s also remained one of the most exclusive golf clubs, with just 250 members worldwide. One of the club’s most influential members, Sandy Tatum, famously referred to Cypress Point as “the Sistine Chapel” of golf because of its breathtaking views.

Par: 72

Distance: 6,524 yards

Slope: 140

As the home of golf itself, we’d be remiss not to mention the gorgeous birthplace on our list! St. Andrews Golf Club in Scotland is not only the oldest documented golf course, but also one of the most historically rich. Though the Old Course is small, the club has grown plenty since its inception in 1552, nearly 600 years ago. Pictured here is the Castle Course, set upon a rugged clifftop with scenic views of St. Andrews. One of golf’s most iconic players, Bobby Jones, famously said that if he could play one course before he died it’d be St. Andrews. They renamed hole 10 of the Old Course in his honor.

Par: 71

Distance: 6,759 yards

Slope: 139

Shadow Creek is often considered one of the most unique golf courses in the world. Another design by golf architect Tom Fazio, this course’s lush landscape and grandeur is hardly similar to that of the desert Nevada lands. That’s part of what makes it so fantastic. Fazio wanted to transform the course, and to do so, he focused in on landscape architecture. He included a pristinely-manicured assortment of rolling bent grass, trees, lakes, creeks, and waterfalls. What came about is a truly magnificent and impossible to replicate experience.

Par: 72

Distance: 7,560 yards

Slope: 145

Carved into the Cabot Cliffs on the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Nova Scotia, Canada, you’ll find the Cabot Cliffs Golf Course. The resort itself features 46 holes and two world-renowned courses, as well as a new 10-hole short course. Set atop the cliffs on the edge of the waterfront, this course is in part defined by its exceptional views and natural splendor. But the holes themselves are also amazing in their own right—both impressive and challenging. It’s easy to see how Cabot Cliffs is consistently awarded Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses In the World.

Par: 72

Distance: 6,768 yards

Slope: 148

Another Tom Fazio artpiece, The Alotian Club in Roland, Arkansas is defined by its steep pine forestry and rolling landscape. The course overlooks Lake Maumelle and is full of large lush trees and gorgeous natural skyline of the Ouachita Mountains. Warren Stephens founded the club in 2004. But even as a relatively new course, the Alotian has already made a name for itself. In fact, Golf Magazine has ranked the Alotian on its Top 100 Greatest list since 2011.

Par: 72

Distance: 7,405 yards

Slope: N/A

Architect Stanley Thompson designed the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course as a stunning mountainous course on the edges of the Canadian Rockies. Incorporated into the course design is the natural wilderness, which includes the Bow River as well as the snow-capped Sulphur Mountain, Mount Rundle, and Tunnel Mountain peaks. Because of this, holes have a rather challenging layout with tight fairways, which makes for a smart and challenging game. But with that also comes a demand for precision and accuracy in order to succeed.

Par: 71

Distance: 6,938 yards

Slope: 131

On Tasmania, Australia’s northeast coast lies the beautiful Barnbougle Dunes. Designed by Mike Clayton and Tom Doak, the Barbougle Dunes is nothing short of a marvel in golf. It draws influence from the sport’s Scottish roots with the smooth rise and fall of its landscape, but it also pays tribute to its Australian roots with native grasses and sand. This beautiful blend was meant to complement the gorgeous coastal location, rather than diminish it. That respectful design choice is what gives Barnbougle Dunes its elegance.

Par: 71

Distance: 6,148 yards

Slope: 132

Quivira Golf Club is a private course only offered to owners and guests of Pueblo Bonito Golf & Spa Resorts. And after seeing its astonishing views and cliff’s edges, we can certainly understand why this course is an exclusive amenity. It was opened in just 2014, but even for its young age, it’s still amassed a ton of notoriety in the golf community and has even established itself as one of the best new courses in the world. Dazzling Pacific Ocean views are at every turn, making this course something truly one of a kind.

Par: 72

Distance: 7,085 yards

Slope: 142