Top 11 Breathtaking Golf Courses Around the Globe

1. Introduction

Tee off with coastal or mountain views at these incredibly scenic golf courses in the United States and beyond.

2. The Appeal of Scenic Golf Courses

It’s no coincidence that golf courses offer spectacular scenery. Course designers select locations based on natural beauty and then work to enhance, preserve, and showcase these assets at their best.

3. Golfing Experience

Most golfers will tell you they can simultaneously adore and despise the game. However, they often agree that even when things aren’t going well, they are fortunate to play in some of the most beautiful places worldwide, enjoying landscapes and views that others may never witness.

Part of the fun of the game is experiencing new and challenging golf courses. Moreover, golf travel offers opportunities to explore destinations, making a magnificent golf course the starting point of an unforgettable trip. Here are 11 of the most beautiful golf courses in the U.S. and around the world, allowing you to plan a golf getaway with a view you’ll never forget.

The Dunes at Shenzhou Peninsula, Hainan, China

The Dunes, Wanning Hainan, China — Ryan Pyle / Getty Images

This seaside links-style course in southeastern China blends 36 holes into rugged coastal sand dunes, featuring rolling hills and stunning boulder formations that highlight the peninsula’s unique beauty.

Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand — Phil Walter / Getty Images

Set high above the Pacific Ocean on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, this unique course is built on a ridge and valley landscape that features deep canyons, rolling hills, dramatic cliffs, and spectacular views.

Whistling Straits at Kohler, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin

Whistling Straits, Wisconsin — Peter Ptschelinzew / Getty Images

The Straits Course, set along two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, offers open, rugged terrain reminiscent of Ireland’s links courses. Consequently, this challenging course is one of the two at Whistling Straits, with the other being The Irish at Whistling Straits, which also offers striking scenery.

Old Head, Kinsale, Ireland

Old Head, Ireland — David Cannon / Getty Images

Built on a rocky peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, this beautiful golf course is framed by cliffs and crashing waves below. Lush green fairways, ocean breezes, a famous lighthouse, and stunning views in every direction make any round of golf here a memorable experience.

Manele Golf Course, Lanai, Hawaii

Manele Lanai, Hawaii — Ron Dahlquist / Getty Images

Spectacular views of the Pacific from its setting high above Hulopoe Bay on Lanai’s southern coast are the hallmark of this Four Seasons Resort Lanai course. Native vegetation, lava rock, natural ravines, and seaside cliffs create a challenging but fair layout for this truly beautiful golf course.

Quivira Golf Club, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Quivira Golf Club, Mexico — Courtesy of The Quivira Golf Club

While the views of the Pacific from all 18 holes create this iconic Cabo course’s scenic beauty, its cliffs, canyons, dunes, desert surroundings, and elevation changes create its many worthy challenges. A historic lighthouse, dramatic shoreline rock formations, and pounding waves also add to the thrill of a round of golf here.

Kingsbarns Golf Links, St. Andrews, Scotland

Kingsbarns, Scotland — Courtesy of Kingsbarns Golf Links

A links course in the Scottish tradition set along nearly two miles of North Sea coastline, Kingsbarns Golf Links is picturesque, challenging, and bracingly close to the sea. Just seven miles from the historic St. Andrews Old Course, Kingsbarns is a must-visit for every golfer’s dream visit to Scotland.

Barnbougle Dunes Golf Course, Tasmania, Australia

Barnbougle, Australia — Andrew Bain / Getty Images

This links course is set on the rugged northeast coast of Tasmania, with holes that roll through the coastal sand dunes transitioning into the stunning landscape. The Lost Farm course, part of Barnbougle, includes scenic coastal views intermixed with challenging inland holes.

Cypress Point, Pebble Beach, California

Cypress Point, California — Peter Dazeley / Getty Images

Winding through dunes along the Pacific with views of rugged coastline and crashing waves, this beautiful golf course includes the Del Monte Forest and offers stunning views of varied landscapes. Nearby, Pebble Beach Golf Links is another top choice found on lists of the best golf courses in the U.S.

Fishers Island Club, Fishers Island, New York

Fishers Island, NY — K Ireland / Shutterstock

On a small island in the Long Island Sound, this private course offers panoramas of the Atlantic Ocean, along with the scenic New England shoreline across the Sound. Elevated greens, beachside slopes, and mature landscaping enhance the overall beauty of the course.

Dinosaur Mountain, Gold Canyon, Arizona

Dinosaur Mountain, Arizona — Blaine Harrington III / Getty Images

Views of the Superstition Mountains and the rugged rocks of Dinosaur Mountain, coupled with dramatic elevation changes and abundant wildlife, make this course truly scenic and interesting for every golfer.