👉 Magazine rankings of the best golf courses: The Top 100 Golf Courses in the World for 2026. All Our Golf Rankings.
Discover a selection of the world's most breathtaking golf courses—architectural gems acclaimed by professionals and golf enthusiasts alike.
With their breathtaking views, technical challenges, and unforgettable experiences, these 20 courses represent the very best in world golf.
| Rank | Course | Country | Architect | Website | Google Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tara Iti Golf | New Zealand | — | Official website ↗ | 4,9 |
| 2 | Royal Dornoch Golf Club (Championship) | Scotland | Tom Morris | Official website ↗ | 4,8 |
| 3 | The Old Course at St. Andrews | Scotland | Tom Morris | Official website ↗ | 4,8 |
| 4 | Pebble Beach | USA | Jack Neville | Official website ↗ | 4,8 |
| 5 | TPC Sawgrass | USA | Pete Dye | Official website ↗ | 4,8 |
| 6 | Punta Espada | Dominican Republic | Jack Nicklaus | Official website ↗ | 4,8 |
| 7 | Royal County Down Golf Club (Championship) | Northern Ireland | Tom Morris | Official website ↗ | 4,7 |
| 8 | Cabot Cliffs | Canada | Bill Coore and Rod Whitman | Official website ↗ | 4,7 |
| 9 | Cape Kidnappers | New Zealand | Tom Doak | /www.robertsonlodges.com/the-lodges/cape-kidnappers/explore/ | 4,7 |
| 10 | Cypress Point Club | USA | Alister MacKenzie | Official website ↗ | 4,7 |
| 11 | Kingsbarns | Scotland | Kyle Phillips | Official website ↗ | 4,7 |
| 12 | Augusta National Golf Club | USA | Bobby Jones | Official website ↗ | 4,7 |
| 13 | Lofoten Links | Norway | Tom Doak | Official website ↗ | 4,6 |
| 14 | Michlifen Golf | Morocco | Jack Nicklaus | Official website ↗ | 4,6 |
| 15 | Old Head Golf Links | Ireland | J. Carr | Official website ↗ | 4,6 |
| 16 | Sperone Golf Course | France | Robert Trent Jones Jr. | Official website ↗ | 4,6 |
| 17 | Heritage Golf Club | Mauritius | Louis Oosthuizen | Official website ↗ | 4,6 |
| 18 | Trump International Scotland | Scotland | Martin Hawtree | Official website ↗ | 4,6 |
| 19 | Turnberry (Ailsa) | Scotland | Martin Ebert | Official website ↗ | 4,5 |
| 20 | Sandy Lane Golf | Barbados | Tom Fazio | Official website ↗ | 4,3 |
1. Tara Iti Golf 🇳🇿
Located on the north coast of New Zealand’s North Island, Tara Iti is a private golf course offering an exclusive experience and breathtaking coastal scenery.
2. Royal Dornoch Golf Club (Championship) 🏴
- Designed by Tom Morris
Nestled on Scotland's rugged coast, Royal Dornoch is a classic links course renowned for its natural layout and demanding challenges.
3. The Old Course at St. Andrews 🏴
- Designed by Tom Morris
The birthplace of golf, the Old Course at St. Andrews is a legendary course that has hosted the sport’s greatest players.
4. Pebble Beach 🇺🇸
- Designed by Jack Neville
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean in California, Pebble Beach is a world-renowned public golf course, famous for its spectacular views and rich history.
5. TPC Sawgrass 🇺🇸
- Designed by Pete Dye
Located in Florida, TPC Sawgrass is a championship course known for its 17th hole, a par-3 on an island that will put your accuracy to the test.
6. Punta Espada 🇩🇴
In the Dominican Republic, Punta Espada is an oceanfront golf course that offers panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and spectacular fairways.
7. Royal County Down Golf Club (Championship) 🇬🇧
- Designed by Tom Morris
Located in Northern Ireland, Royal County Down is a rugged and spectacular links course that winds through the dunes and offers magnificent views of the Irish Sea.
8. Cabot Cliffs 🇨🇦
- Designed by Bill Coore and Rod Whitman
Located on the coast of Cape Breton Island in Canada, Cabot Cliffs is a modern golf course that offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and steep cliffs.
9. Cape Kidnappers 🇳🇿
Located on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, Cape Kidnappers is a spectacular golf course set on cliffs that offer panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
10. Cypress Point Club 🇺🇸
- Designed by Alister MacKenzie
Located on the Monterey Peninsula in California, Cypress Point Club is an exclusive private golf course renowned for its unique design and magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean.
11. Kingsbarns 🏴
- Designed by Kyle Phillips
Located on the east coast of Scotland, Kingsbarns is a modern course that offers spectacular views of the North Sea and immaculate fairways.
12. Augusta National Golf Club 🇺🇸
Located in Georgia, Augusta National is a legendary private golf course and the site of the Masters, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world.
13. Lofoten Links 🇳🇴
- Designed by Tom Doak
In Norway, Lofoten Links is a unique golf course located on the Lofoten archipelago, offering spectacular views of the Arctic Ocean, the surrounding mountains, and the Northern Lights.
14. Michlifen Golf 🇲🇦
- Designed by Jack Nicklaus
Located in Ifrane, Morocco, Michlifen Golf is a mountain course designed by Jack Nicklaus, offering a lush and peaceful setting in the heart of the cedar forest.
15. Old Head Golf Links 🇮🇪
- Designed by J. Carr
Located on a peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean in Ireland, Old Head Golf Links offers spectacular views and an exciting challenge on undulating terrain.
16. Sperone Golf Course 🇫🇷
- Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Located in Bonifacio, Corsica, Golf de Sperone offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Lavezzi Islands, along with a spectacular and technically challenging course.
17. Heritage Golf Club 🇲🇺
Located in Bel Ombre on the island of Mauritius, Heritage Golf Club is a luxurious course that offers an idyllic tropical setting and immaculate fairways.
18. Trump International Scotland 🏴
Located on the east coast of Scotland, Trump International Scotland is a championship course renowned for its modern design and undulating fairways.
19. Turnberry (Ailsa) 🏴
- Designed by Martin Ebert
Located on the west coast of Scotland, Turnberry (Ailsa) is a world-renowned golf course that has hosted numerous British Opens and offers spectacular views of the Irish Sea.
20. Sandy Lane Golf 🇧🇧
Located in Barbados, Sandy Lane Golf is a luxury resort featuring three golf courses, offering immaculate fairways and fast greens in a tropical setting.
Frequently Asked Questions About the World's Most Beautiful Golf Courses
What is the most beautiful golf course in the world?
Our ranking places Tara Iti in New Zealand at the top, ahead of Royal Dornoch in Scotland and the Old Course at St. Andrews.
Can you play on the Old Course at St. Andrews?
Yes, it's a public course. Tee times must be reserved well in advance, and a portion of them is allocated each day by lottery.
Can you play at Augusta National?
No, unless you're invited by a member. It's one of the most exclusive clubs in the world; for most golfers, they first learn about it during the Masters in April.
Why is the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass so famous?
Its green is situated on an island: a short but terrifying par-3 hole, where dozens of balls end up in the water every year during the Players Championship.
Are there any French or Moroccan golf courses in this ranking?
Yes: Sperone, in Corsica, and Michlifen, in the Middle Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Find them in our rankings of the the most beautiful golf courses in France and Morocco's most beautiful golf courses.