If you think golf courses are just 18 holes of green grass and sandy bunkers, you haven’t been playing the right links. Seasoned players and novices alike will want to plan their next trips around these intricately designed courses across the globe.
Your biggest challenge — besides putting? Keeping your eye on the ball while the stunning backdrops do their best to distract you.
As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.
Punta Mita, Mexico
The private peninsula in western Mexico that’s home to The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort also encompasses the luxury hotel’s two Jack Nicklaus–designed golf courses, Bahia and Pacifico.
Both have been named to Golf Digest’s list of the best golf courses in Mexico. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Banderas Bay, these venues should be on every golfer’s bucket list — for the views, yes, but also because the Pacifico course includes the world’s only natural island green (known as “The Tail of the Whale”).
A Golf Academy, which offers swing analysis, and golf clinics designed specifically for juniors will help you hit the greens like a pro.
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Walk in Rory McIlroy’s footsteps (he won the HSBC Championship tournament here in 2020) as you tee off at the 27-hole, five-star Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa course — a sea of green carved from the desert.
The challenging, undulating terrain of the 18-hole championship course, designed by Peter Harradine, is lined with palm trees and seven saltwater lakes. Or play a round after the sun sets on the floodlit, nine-hole Garden Course.
The architecturally striking Falcon Clubhouse is among the world’s most elegant, and hotel guests will love that all 172 rooms face the course, meaning you’re never too far from a fairway.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman‘s golf course may only be nine holes, but don’t expect it to be easy. Widely considered the best golf experience on the island (and consistently awarded two thumbs up by the World Golf Awards), the Greg Norman–designed course plays long, with some holes running directly into the wind.
When you need a break from the sun, head to the Bunker to try out the island’s only Trackman Golf Simulator.
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
TPC Sawgrass, adjacent to the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, is a must play for any serious golfer.
The permanent home of the Players Championship and the birthplace of the TPC Network, Sawgrass is owned by PGA Tour players and is best known for its par 3 island green on the 17th hole — and for being a balanced course where no two consecutive holes are played in the same direction.
Pete Dye led the design of both the Stadium and Dye’s Valley courses.
Greensboro, Georgia
Hoping to play a few rounds during your vacation? Look no further than the five championship golf courses at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee — all near the famed Augusta National, home of the Masters Golf Tournament.
The property’s 99 holes were designed by a collection of architects (Rees Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio and Bob Cupp) who were inspired by the natural surroundings. The courses include impressive elevation changes, statuesque Georgia oak trees and a Lake Oconee backdrop.
Visit the Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee to sign up for a one-on-one session with a TaylorMade Master Club Fitter or a private lesson.
Scottsdale, Arizona
In a town known for its golf (the Scottsdale area is home to more than 200 courses), Camelback Golf Club at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa stands apart.
The Marriott Golf–managed site includes a pair of 18-hole championship courses — the Padre and the Ambiente (designed by Jason Straka) — situated in the foothills of Camelback Mountain.
Native plants and grasses line the path, but this isn’t just about pretty views: The courses’ consistent elevation changes, water holes and bunkers can stymie even the best golfers.
Dublin, Ireland
A hop, skip and a jump from the birthplace of the “Greatest Game” (that would be Scotland), this eye-catching estate about 30 minutes outside of central Dublin is home to two championship golf courses as well as the five-star Powerscourt Hotel, Autograph Collection.
The hotel’s Swarovski-crystal-lit indoor pool and 47 acres of gardens are sure to draw your attention, but you’ll quickly get back to business on the East and West golf courses, both of which serve up views of the Wicklow Mountains and the Irish Sea.
The greens were designed by Walker Cup Captain Peter McEvoy, and Scotland’s David McLay Kidd, respectively. There’s a PGA Specialist Coach on hand to help up your game, too.
Marbella, Spain
Southern Spain is one of Europe’s top golf destinations. The best part about a golf trip to the area: You can play almost year-round. Three-time World Champion and Ryder Cup champion Manuel Piñero designed the 27 holes (spread over three courses) at The Westin La Quinta Golf Resort & Spa, Benahavis.
These links sit between the Sierra Blanca mountains and the Mediterranean Sea in a region known as the “Valley of Golf.” Golfers of all skill levels will find something to like here, from the wide fairways on the San Pedro course to the more technical Guadaiza course. Mix and match nine-hole rounds for endless fun.
Limpopo, South Africa
Set below the Waterberg mountains, the 18-hole Zebula Golf Course and nearby Protea Hotel by Marriott Zebula Lodge are nothing short of spectacular. One of the top courses in South Africa, the Peter Matkovich–designed venue is relatively flat, with fairways winding around a residential complex.
But it’s the setting that will truly amaze: The course is part of a 3,500-acre game reserve where herds of animals roam freely, and the open fairways are lined with bushveld trees. The signature hole is the eighth, where a raised green is protected by both water and sand.
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