Are you the next Tiger Woods? Okay, maybe not but maybe you enjoy a great ride through a beautiful golf course. From those who actually play to those who spectate, the perfect golf course can make or break a good day out. When it comes to finding the best golf course, there are so many things to consider. For me, put in Top Golf and I am happy. But, we have professionals who truly appreciate a good golf course experience. Luckily, you won’t have to travel too far to experience one of the world’s best.
Diario AS wants to help you experience some of the world’s most beautiful golf courses. When ranking, they took into consideration the history, beauty, and overall quality of courses across the world to discover their top 10. North Carolina surely made the list with one of the most beautiful and best golf courses in the world right here in our state. Got those golf clubs ready? Check out the Diario AS top 10 best and most beautiful golf courses in the world.
Real Club Valderama, Cadiz, Spain
This was the location of the first Ryder Cup played outside of the United States and the United Kingdom. This course also hosted the WGC-American Express Championship in 1999 and 2000.
Pine Valley Golf Club, Pine Valle, New Jersey
Establsihed in 1913, Pine Valley Golf Club has been named the number one course in Golf Magazine’s 100 Top Courses in the U.S. and the World four times since 2012. But, it is not always spoken about because there has never been a major tournament played at the golf course.
11th Hole, Pine Valley Golf Club, Pine Valley, New Jersey, USA pic.twitter.com/ZqgLLNO5pX
— Great Golf Holes ⛳️ (@GreatGolfHoles) March 13, 2021Royal St. Georges, Kent, England
Royal St. Georges is home to 15 British Opens and has been around since the 1800. It was the first club outside of Scotland to host The Open in 1894, and last saw Colin Morikawa win it in 2021.
Pinehurst No. 2, Pinehurst, North Carolina
Hooray for North Carolina! There are nine different courses at the Resort at Pinehurst, but only one of them has hosted three U.S. Opens a PGA Championship and a Ryder Cup. The course’s beauty comes from lush fairways and longleaf pine trees that are staples to the amazing view.
Royal Melbourne West Course, Melbourne Australia
This famous course is not known to many Americans, because it is not played on the PGA Tour. The course opened in 1926 and has been part of Australian and golf history.
Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Close by is another course in South Carolina. Hanging right off the coast of Charleston in the barrier islands. Enjoy the views of the coast and the golf course while you’re out on the green. It has hosted two PGA Championships and the 1991 Ryder Cup.
Cypress Point, Pebble Beach, California
Similar structure and scenery as Pebble Beach is Cypress Point. Since 1928, it has been a private course. It was one of the courses played during the multi course AT&T Pro-Am until 1990.
Pebble Beach Golf Links, California
Cypress Point’s neighbor Pebble Beach Club is on the list. Pebble Beach has seen seven U.S. Opens and a PGA Championship over the years. One of its most famous moments was Tiger Woods back in the 2000 U.S. Open when he beat the field by fifteen strokes.
The Old Course, St. Andrews, Scotland
Also known as The Old Lady, this course is the oldest course in the world, but remains as relevant as ever in the golf world. The course was established in 1552 and is still standing for golfers to enjoy!
Augusta National, Augusta, Georgia
Augusta National is the course that holds the most coveted prize in golf. It is the home of the only major that doesn’t change locations from year to year, The Masters. Since 1934 it has been held here and grown to become the most illustrious course in the world.
Best Myrtle Beach Golf Courses For Your Buddies Trip
Myrtle Beach National-King's North Course
There are three courses at the Myrtle Beach National facility. The gem, though is this one. Arguably one of the best Arnold Palmer designs anywhere, the highlight is “The Gambler” a fantastic risk/reward par 5 that will always be one of your favorite holes (pictured above).
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
On just about anyone’s list of great Myrtle Beach Courses, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club is at or near the top of it. Designer, Mike Strantz was the genius behind “Tobacco Road” in the Sandhills of North Carolina (which just so happens to be my favorite course on Earth). This, and its sister course are artistic masterpieces. Now, these are among the most expensive to play, but for an annual treat, so worth it!
True Blue Golf Course
Which leads me to Caledonia’s sister course, True Blue. Another Strantz gem and again, on the pricier side. However, it is well worth it with some of the best and most memorable holes in the area.
Grande Dunes Resort Course
For many years, this course for me had the title of “Best Bang for Your Golfing Buck at Myrtle Beach.” It’s got a little bit of everything: elevation changes, challenging par 3s, tremendous par 4 variety and some of the finest holes along the Intercoastal Waterway anywhere in the area. Also, its practice facilities are among the best.
Arcadian Shores Golf Club
My current “Best Bang…” title holder is this course that many drive by on 17 on the way to N. Myrtle and don’t pay a bit of attention to. Arcadian Shores was purchased by Hilton 7-10 years ago and over that time, millions of dollars have been poured into the course, facilities, and amenities. The greens and bunkers are always a good method to judge a course by and the consistency of both at Arcadian Shores take a backseat to no one in town. Plus, on this list, it is among the most economically friendly.
Tidewater Golf Club
I made mention with Grande Dunes of holes along the Intercoastal Waterway. NO ONE in the Myrtle Beach area can touch the Intercoastal views and holes of Tidewater Golf Club. Legend has it that designer Ken Tomlinson commissioned a couple of designers to build his course, but none met with his expectations, so he took on the project himself. And pulled it off. Tidewater at times feels like Harbor Town in Hilton Head, Pebble Beach, and a fine inland course all rolled into one. It is beautiful, challenging, a bit pricey, but well worth the experience.
The Dye Course At Barefoot Resort
There are four courses at the Barefoot Resort facility, of them there are two that get my recommendation. The first of which is The Dye Course. Designer Pete Dye is a sadist. Normally, I am NOT a fan of his work. However, there’s real genius here. The variety of holes is great. The variety of trouble you can get into is great. The protection of this golf course is wind. And when it’s blowing (hard), this course is a tough day at the office. However, if you want to be challenged and have an afternoon everyone on the trip will be talking about a year from now, The Dye Course is a must-play.
The Love Course At Barefoot Resort
Davis Love III is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame as a player. I feel like he’s well on his way to becoming of similar status as a designer. His contribution to the Barefoot Resort collection of courses is one of my favorites in the area. Variety is a good word to use here. I’ve probably played 10 rounds on that course in the last few years and each time I feel like I get to a hole and go, “Oh yeah, I remember this one. What a great hole.” I’m not gonna say playing golf at Barefoot is cheap, but research package deals to get a round at Dye and Love for sure. Two of the best in the area.
Pine Lakes Golf Club
“The Grandaddy” is the one that started it all. The first resort course in the area and stylistically one of the best. Just out of respect, you must play Pine Lakes if you never have. They have just redone their greens and bunkers and both are outstanding. Now, here are couple of drawbacks. Fist off, there’s ZERO practice range if you wish to get loose prior to the round. And two, there is a TREMENDOUS amount of real estate construction going on right now that really takes away from what used to be a really nice visual golfing experience.
The Surf and Beach Club
The Surf and Beach Club is located just across the street (basically) from the Atlantic Ocean in North Myrtle Beach. It was designed by George Cobb, the same designer behind Quail Hollow Club and Rolling Hills Country Club here in the Charlotte Area. And, it’s unique on this list as it is a private facility. HOWEVER, there is public play allowed, and I would suggest you book the experience. If I was going to play one course-day in, day out-at the beach, The Surf and Beach Club would be the one.