Last updated: 22/01/2025 at 11:00am
Championship golf courses offer a stunning experience, even as a spectator. There are some truly incredible golf courses around the world that offer not just a challenging game, but also stunning landscapes and a rich history.
We list 10 of the best golf courses out there, focusing on those that bring about the best competition whenever a new tournament beckons. These golf courses are used time and time again for the biggest championships, the ultimate test to find the best golfers in the world.
If you’d like to experience the thrill of watching professional golf live, you’re in luck. You can book official hospitality for the DP World Tour right here at Seat Unique. Keep reading to find out all the perks you can get with golf hospitality tickets!
Book DP World Tour HospitalityTop 10 Best Golf Courses In The World
These rankings are compiled from various golf publications and expert assessments, with courses evaluated on design, challenge, scenery, and historical significance.
10. Augusta National (USA)
Augusta National Golf Club is home of the prestigious Masters Tournament since 1934, and is known as one of the most exclusive and highly regarded courses in the world and is every golfer's dream golf course.
Designed by legendary golfer Bobby Jones and course architect Alister MacKenzie in 1934, Augusta is known for its meticulously manicured fairways and its beautiful shrubbery - the ground used to be used as a plant nursery, providing it the ability to grow luscious greenery.
9. Royal Dornoch (UK)
Royal Dornoch is located in Scotland, and has history dating back to the early 17th century. The design of the Championship Course is attributed to Old Tom Morris, one of the first famous golfers. However, Royal Dornoch does not host any of the modern professional tournaments, instead often hosting amateur championships.
The course is often described as a golfer’s pilgrimage destination for its natural beauty and challenging layout, and has placed highly in other golf course rankings. Playing on the course will give you beautiful views of Dornoch, whether it’s sunny or misty.
8. Oakmont Country Club (USA)
Oakmont Country Club is definitely one of the USA’s best golf clubs. Located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the course opened in 1903 and was designed by Henry Fownes.
the course is notorious for its slope, making holes 1, 3, 10, and 12 particularly difficult. This challenging nature however makes it the perfect course for professional tournaments, and Oakmont routinely hosts the U.S. Open, and numerous other major championships.
7. Royal Melbourne (Australia)
Royal Melbourne is consistently ranked as the top golf course in Australia, hosting many Australian Opens and other national and international events. With two championship courses, the East and West, the Royal Melbourne Golf Club offers stunning scenery and challenging play. The West Course in particular was designed to be a spectator's paradise.
What the course is best known for is its bunkering, which is designed as if it were an art form. It is part of Australia’s revered ‘sandbelt’, which refers to a stretch of land that has soil that is as if it were sent from the heavens specifically for golf.
6. Royal County Down (Ireland)
Royal County Down is one of the oldest golf courses in Ireland, founded in 1889. This course is another designed by Old Tom Morris, a founding father of golf in the UK. The course’s layout makes it challenging and exciting to play and spectate, with blind shots and natural dune landscape.
This Irish course consistently ranks highly on lists of the world’s greatest golf courses with beautiful views of the Mountains of Mourne and a history of hosting tournaments like the Irish Open, Walker Cup, and European Ladies’ Team Championship.
5. Pebble Beach Golf Links (USA)
Nestled on the stunning Monterey Peninsula in California, Pebble Beach Golf Links is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful courses in the world. Designed by legendary course architects Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, the course hugs the rugged coastline, offering stunning views of Monterey Bay and the Northern Pacific.
Pebble Beach has hosted several major championships, including the U.S. Open on five separate occasions. It also features each year as the host of the AT&T Pro-Am, which sees a number of top golfers paired with celebrities and athletes.
4. Wentworth Golf Club (UK)
Possibly a bit more of an out-there pick on this list, but it has its place, The Wentworth Golf Course is a world-famous golf course located in Virginia Water, Surrey, England. It is widely considered one of the finest golf courses in the UK and Europe, and has a rich history dating back to the 1920s.
It has been designed to challenge the world's top golfers and is known for its demanding layout and undulating greens. The course has been the scene of many historic moments in golf, including several holes-in-one and record-breaking performances. In 2025, Wentworth will be hosting the BMW PGA Championship once again, so witness the beauty for yourself with hospitality tickets.
Book BMW PGA Championship Hospitality3. St Andrews Old Course (UK)
When speaking of the greatest golf course in the UK, nothing comes close to St. Andrews. Considered the "Home of Golf,” St. Andrews Links is the oldest golf course in the world, with a history dating back to the 15th century.
Located in the coastal town of St. Andrews in Scotland, the course is actually a collection of seven different courses, each with its own unique challenges and charms. The main course of the seven is The Old Course, which has hosted some of the most prestigious tournaments in the world, including The Open Championship.
2. The Belfry Golf Course (UK)
Next up is The Belfry Golf Course in Warwickshire, England. The course is set on over 500 acres of picturesque countryside and offers three different courses, including the Brabazon, PGA National, and Derby.
The Brabazon course is the most famous and is known for its challenging layout, particularly the 10th hole, which has been dubbed "the most famous hole in golf". It is the go-to course for any competitions held there. The Belfry will be hosting the Betfred British Masters in August 2025, and you can purchase hospitality tickets here at Seat Unique.
Book British Masters Hospitality1. Cypress Point Club (USA)
Cypress Point Golf Club is a dream course for many golfers, but its exclusivity is what makes it so appealing. It is considered one of the most picturesque in the world, with dramatic holes along the Pacific Ocean, including the iconic 16th hole which requires a shot over the sea.
The club only has 250 members, and guests must have an invitation from a member to play on the course, adding to its allure for many players. It was also designed by famous golf course architect Alister MacKenzie.
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