Golf may just be a game, but it offers a remarkable experience like no other. It takes you to stunning and historic venues around the globe. From beautifully maintained resort courses to charming windswept coastal links, there's something for every golfer. These five courses, which showcase both well-known vacation sites and distinctive local gems that provide a fusion of challenge, beauty, and rich legacy, and merit a place on your bucket list. These locations offer thrilling rounds of play, regardless of your level of experience.

Toscana Country Club

Situated in the sunny Coachella Valley, Toscana Country Club brings a housey, luxurious desert golf experience. This country club in Palm Springs has a private club with two Jack Nicklaus championship golf courses. The South Course features water and strategic bunkering, and the North Course has rolling fairways.

Its exclusivity gives it that extra appeal, although access is sometimes arranged through paying guests or resort visitors. There is also fine dining and a spa at the Mediterranean clubhouse for that whole resort experience. The perfect time to come would be the spring and fall.

St. Andrews Links

St. Andrews Links in Fife, Scotland, is where almost all golf pilgrims want to go. The Old Course dates back to the 15th century and is the oldest golf course in the world, having held The Open Championship more often than any other golf course. Its signature Swilcan Bridge and the infamous Road Hole challenge golfers with strategy and skill among blocky dunes and coastal winds.

Experience the New Course and Jubilee Course, which round out the six courses that make up St. Andrews Links. Due to the Old Course's special ballot mechanism and the fact that bookings are made a year in advance, tee time booking can be quite competitive. The best seasons to go are spring or autumn when there are fewer tourists.

Augusta National Golf Club

Home of the Masters Tournament, Augusta National is graded among the world's most hallowed and elite courses. Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie built this private Augusta, Georgia club, famous for its flowering azaleas, lightning-green surfaces, and holes like par-3 hole 12, "Golden Bell". It's limited to members and their visitors (or master ticket holders to the Masters), but its enigma and appeal make it a goal.

Golfers look forward to heading to Augusta National to view the Masters, staged every April. Public tickets are notoriously hard to snag, requiring entry into a lottery system, but the atmosphere is electric. If you're fortunate enough to know a member, late spring or early fall offers milder weather for a round.

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

This resort features multiple world-class courses: Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, and Old McDonald, designed to fit into the natural landscape. With massive dunes and ocean views, the isolation of Bandon is part of its attraction, while five full courses, in addition to the short-course Preserve, will keep you busy for several days.

The best way to make the most of your trip is with one of the resort's "stay-and-play" packages. Summer would give you the longest days, although visiting in the shoulder seasons would mean fewer crowds and incredible weather that enhances the links feel.

Cypress Point Club

Located in the Monterey Peninsula of California, Cypress Point Club is a private course with the utmost exclusivity and artistry. Designed by Alister MacKenzie, the course weaves in and out along coastal dunes and pine forests, ending on the par-3 16th, where the player must carry his shot over the Pacific Ocean.

For most, this experience is almost a dream. However, newcomers can gaze at the beautiful coastline from afar while on a 17-mile drive tour, making the juxtaposition with the famous Pebble Beach apparent.

Endnote

These five places present the best golf experiences, each with its unique mix of history, design, and natural beauty. For the various objectives you might have, whether making a low score or appreciating the beautiful views, all these courses guarantee to present everlasting memories. Golfing expedition planning should begin now; your next tee time could be at one of these iconic locales.

Travel Tips United States

Are you ready to travel to the US and around? Here are some quick booking links and resources that I use myself for travel planning. These websites will help you to get started with your US itinerary!

Cheap Flights to the US

Skyscanner is my favorite search engine for finding cheap flights to the United States, from anywhere in the world. I always start my flight search here!

Transportation and Getting around within the US

Buses and trains: Busbud is one of the most reliable websites in when it comes to booking buses, and railway. Get an instant seat confirmation and start your overland travel worry-free.

Renting a car: Discovercars is one of the most trustworthy websites for online car rental bookings; they compare car rental deals from many companies so that you can choose which is best for your trip.

Find a Place to Stay in the US

Hostels, hotels and resorts: Booking.com is excellent if you're looking for hotels from budget to luxury! It's one of the largest hotel booking websites in the world. Plenty of options to book now and pay later, or even pay at the hotel. Risk-free booking, many with free cancellation. My other go to is Agoda.

Homestays and Housesits: For a more authentic and local experience I recommend Homestay.com, a website where you can find places to stay with locals for such a great price. Personally, I'm obsessed with Trusted Housesitters, where you get to stay completely for free in exchange for pet care. Find out more in my article on How to Become a House Sitter and Never Pay for Accommodation.

Fun Tours and Activities in the US

Get your Guide has plenty of fun activities in the United States, such as hiking tours and city sightseeing trips. There is plenty of choices to keep yourself entertained!

Klook is similar than the one above, but offers additional options such as airport transfers, SIM cards, and food & dining experiences. It' a great way to meet other travelers while exploring a new place!

eSIM - Stay connected with Internet

Get an eSIM before you go and have Internet available from the second you arrive! I highly recommend Roamless or JetPac - they're both highly ranked, inexpensive and reliable.

Travel Insurance

Never go adventuring without travel insurance! Here's a list of some of the highest ranked and Best Travel Insurances for Digital Nomads and Long-Term Travelers, starting from $33/month!

Do I need a Visa for the United States?

You can check on iVisa whether you need a visa and how long you are permitted to stay.

5 Iconic Destinations Every Golfer Should Visit