Worlds Elite Golf Courses

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 worlds best.

Ballybunion - IRELAND

Ballybunion is fantastic links course situated in County Kerry southern Ireland. Well

known for its 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 stones thrown away from Mayor Clint Eastwoods Carmel and John Steinbecks

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 Australias 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

doesnt 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 1300s.

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 worlds 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.

http://www.no1-in-golf.com