Whether you're looking to play on ice, a tropical island or cliff edge, there is a golf course out there for you. Whatever your handicap, we've found some of the most epic and unusual golf courses worthy of lugging your clubs through the airport for – and sought out the top things to see and do nearby. With the 87th edition of the US Masters in full swing between 6-9 April in Augusta, Georgia, there's never been a better time to check out these gorgeous golfing destinations around the world.
This golf course at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains is more than enough to entice us to Denver, but the clue to the big appeal of Fossil Trace is in its name. The unique 18-hole course is dotted with dinosaur footprints and fossils.
The former gold rush town of Golden is next to Fossil Trace. Just 14 miles (22.5km) from the glorious trails of Golden Gate Canyon State Park, it's an excellent place for some post-golf hiking and white-water rafting. Buffalo Bill’s grave is located here too.
Old Head is in a unique spot. The two-mile (3.2km) course in County Cork is on a diamond-shaped area of land known as the Old Head of Kinsale that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors access the course by driving through an ancient gateway formed by a towerhouse and medieval walls. While there are over 300 golf courses in Ireland, this is undoubtedly a special place to play links golf, with nine of the holes dotted along the cliff tops.
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Designed by professional golfer Bernhard Langer, Le Touessrok Golf Course on the east coast of Mauritius is separated from the rest of the Shangri-La resort by a beautiful blue lagoon. If tropical luxury and tranquillity is what you’re after, head here.
You’re in a top spot for watersports and scuba diving, so make time for an adventure or two between sun lounging and club swinging. While you probably won’t want to tear yourself away from the all-inclusive resort, there is plenty to see and do on Mauritius, including Chamarel's Seven Coloured Earth Geopark and tastings at the Rhumerie de Chamarel Restaurant & Rum Distillery. It's set on the edge of the Black River Gorges National Park, which is also well worth an explore.
There are few holes more iconic than the Extreme 19th at Legend Golf & Safari resort, which is around two hours' drive north from Pretoria. The tee is on the top of Hangklip Mountain and by helicopter is the only way you can access it. It then takes an average of around 30 seconds for the ball to land. No one has ever scored a hole in one.
The resort and golf course is located on the edge of the Entabeni Safari Conservancy, home to 380 species of bird, as well as lions, giraffes and leopards. Head out on a big five safari on horseback or sign up for a stargazing experience.
The World Ice Golf Championship has been held in the town of Uummannaq in Greenland since 1999 (although play is dependent on snow and weather conditions). Golfers with a handicap of 36 are allowed into the tournament which takes place over two days. Golfing greens are renamed “whites” and red balls are used. But be warned, if you take the wrong clubs they might shatter in the cold.
Spectacularly rugged, Uummannaq is a big draw for Northern Lights hunters – it's the northernmost town on the island. In summer, the midnight sun means whale watching, fjord tours and hiking can be done until late while the winter months are all about dog-sledding and Northern Lights spotting.
As well as beautiful lake views at every turn, the big draw of the Coeur d' Alene golf course is its 14th hole. The Floating Green lies out on the lake, and the only way to get to it is by a high-speed boat service. Offering scenic water views in every direction, this floating island green is the only one of its kind in the world and changes position via an underwater cable system.
Whether you’re here for the golf or not, Lake Coeur d'Alene is a hive of outdoorsy activity in the summer. Idaho's second-largest lake offers the gamut of outdoor pursuits including kayaking, fishing and boating. Between November and February, migrating bald eagles stop off here which makes for a fabulous spectacle.
Fancy playing a round or two right next to an active volcano? The 18-hole Merapi Golf Yogyakarta course is located 2,624 feet (800m) above sea level in the foothills of Mount Merapi. As the most active volcano in Indonesia, it has been erupting regularly since 1548.
The golf course is just a 30-minute drive from the ancient city of Yogyakarta, but it’s the mighty Mount Merapi that draws in the crowds. The peak gets so hot during the day that most people climb its slopes at night, just in time to watch the sunrise from the top of the volcano.
The vast and arid Nullarbor Plain in southern Australia is the last place you'd expect to sink a few holes. But drivers crossing along the remote region will find the Nullarbor Links, which at 842 miles (1,355km) is the world’s longest golf course. There’s a hole in each town along the route, so happily you’re not expected to do the entire course in an afternoon.
Let’s make no mistake: we’re mostly on this Caribbean island for the lush views and gorgeous weather. But the spectacular golf courses at Puntacana Resort and Club on the island's eastern edge are a big draw too. They don’t just offer ocean views, some of the 45 holes on the Corales and La Cana courses take in coral reefs and rocky cliffs too.
It doesn’t get more totally tropical than this Caribbean jewel. The Dominican Republic is known for its beautiful white sandy beaches and amazing sunshine. Lap up the sun and views from a beach or take advantage of the jeep safaris and ziplines available in the Punta Cana area.
Bored of swinging your golf clubs around? Then you’ve got a couple of solid options: Sierre is set in the gorgeous canton of Valais. When there’s snow here, head to the slopes to go skiing. When the sun is shining, visit the region's acclaimed vineyards for tastings or nearest lake for a dip.
Is the original still the best? Golfers all over the world seem to think so and they flock to the Old Course in St Andrews in their thousands. The course was created in 1522 and still runs a public ballot to allocate playing times to golfers.
If you’re looking for a beautiful Scottish town for a weekend break, you’ve found it. Aside from golf, seaside St Andrews has beautiful beaches and history by the spadeful, with its handsome old castle and cathedral. Don't miss having an ice cream at Jannettas Gelateria or a wee dram at The Criterion on South Street.
This one is for fans of a sea view as Cape Kidnappers is set into the ridges and valleys that overlook Hawke’s Bay on the North Island. The fairways are perched 459 feet (140m) above sea level. Pack extra golf balls… you’re likely to lose a couple.
Hawke’s Bay is the perfect destination for food and wine lovers with a host of wineries and restaurants to explore post golf. But one of the area's other big draws is Te Mata Peak, which rises up 1,309 feet (399m) above the town. Pull on your hiking boots and head on up to explore this hulking beauty.
There’s exclusive and then there’s Laucala Island. It’s completely private, so the only way you’re getting a round in on this 18-hole course is to stay at super luxurious island resort COMO Laucala Island. If you can find the budget, an 18-hole course surrounded by mountains, palm trees and sheer cliff edges awaits.
Eating, drinking and relaxing are the order of the day on Laucala Island. There are only 24 villas and each one comes with its own swimming pool. The spa is pretty heavenly too, as is the food on offer in the island's five restaurants.
The lovely Long Thanh Golf Course is set within a lush landscape that lies just to the east of Ho Chi Minh City. Both the hill and lake courses have 18 holes each and have been designed to complement the surrounding countryside with their palm trees, water hazards and long fairways.
A round at Sand Hollow Resort is all about enjoying the great outdoors and getting back to nature. Edged by the desert, the championship golf course has a beautiful backdrop: vivid red sand dunes and rock formations flank the green. The renowned Utah resort also has a links course, featuring hand-built stone fencing, and the par-three Wee course.
The Sand Hollow Resort is a dream base for outdoor adventurers looking to explore Utah's natural wonders: it’s just half an hour from the incredible Zion National Park. As well as the park's famous Angels Landing hike, make sure you visit the Emerald Pools too – you can follow a trail to walk between all three.
The appeal of the Liberty National Golf Course doesn't just lie in the putting itself (although the course certainly has a fine reputation). For many players, it's all about the views. Manhattan’s incredible skyline, including the Statue of Liberty, forms the backdrop as players move around the 18-hole championship golf course.
While there's plenty to love about New Jersey (Atlantic City, baby!), with Manhattan in sight as you play, it would be impossible not to hop on the ferry over to the Big Apple. The dynamic city never disappoints with its myriad attractions, shops and fantastic food scene.
Looking to add an extra frisson of excitement to your next round of golf? How about the thought of some crocodiles snapping at your heels? That’s exactly what you might get at Leopard Creek in the southeast of South Africa. The course by the Crocodile River is built to blend into its surroundings, which means the scaly neighbours occasionally pop onto the green to say hello. Hippos, elephants and antelopes are also sometimes spotted.
The incredible landscapes and wildlife of Kruger National Park, South Africa's most famous and largest reserve, lie just across the Crocodile River. Head off on bush drives to spy the big five, along with kudu, spotted hyenas and around 420 species of birds.
Make sure you pack the factor 50 sunscreen along with your clubs at La Jenny in the Gironde region of southwest France. Be prepared to leave your clothes behind though for a round here as La Jenny is a naturist golf course. Opening in holiday village Domaine Résidentiel Naturiste de La Jenny in 1993, it is the only naturist course in the world.
La Jenny is perfectly located for enjoying the sand dunes and wild beaches of the Bay of Arcachon, but it’s also within easy reach of some of France's most revered vineyards. Take a tour of the châteaux of Médoc and be sure to explore the beautiful city of Bordeaux, just an hour away.
While one half of El Camaleón's Greg Norman-designed course gives you uninterrupted views of the Caribbean Sea as you tee-off through mangrove wetlands, the other side is trickier with caves, bunkers and freshwater canals to contend with. The course is part of the Mayakoba resort in Riviera Maya on the Yucatán Peninsula.
Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula has it all going on: characterful towns, atmospheric ruins of Mayan temples, beautiful beaches, calm lagoons and cenotes (natural swimming holes).
The historic Royal Lytham and St. Annes Golf Club first opened in 1897 and has previously hosted the likes of the Ryder Cup and the Women’s Open. The 18th and final hole of the famous links course is located in front of a grandiose red-brick clubhouse (pictured) known as Dormy House, which also has luxurious rooms and a restaurant.
Its unique setting on lava outcroppings makes Manele Golf Course, set within the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, one of the most jaw-dropping golfing destinations. Three holes are perched on cliffs (just don’t lose your ball to the Pacific Ocean). Other shots are taken over natural gorges and ravines, all while golfers are wowed by the incredible views.
There are plenty of fantastic beaches to be found on the island of Lanai, the smallest of Hawaii's inhabited islands. Go for a swim or a snorkel and you might spot a turtle, spinner dolphins or even a passing humpback whale. The isle is also renowned for its spectacular four-wheel-drive trails (only 30 miles/48km of the island’s roads are paved).
We know it should be all about the game, but Hong Kong’s Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club has one of the prettiest golf courses in the world. It’s criticised by some for being a bit short, but it makes up for its small stature with its epic views.
Despite feeling like you’re miles from anywhere at this course on the Clear Water Bay Peninsula, you’re only an hour or so outside of central Hong Kong. Head to Kowloon to explore its bustling markets, temples and high-rise bars then catch the ferry over to Hong Kong Island. The views from Victoria Peak (take the tram to the top) are not to be missed.