When you’re swinging your club it’s undeniably preferable to have a view of majestic mountains, sweeping waves, or rolling hills, rather than parking garages or the mall that’s been built up next door to the putting course. Which is why when it comes to having spectacular scenery, these golf courses listed below just can’t be beat.
The Dunes, Shenzhou Peninsula, China
With 36 holes that are blended into a rugged coastal landscape, the seaside links-style course of The Dunes is a breath-taking option and consistently ranks within the top 10 golf courses to be played in Asia.
As players traverse the course, the sweeping hills and unique boulder formations highlight the area’s beauty and make it one of the most played-at courses in China.
Old Head, Kinsale, Ireland
The Irish countryside is renowned for its emerald beauty, and the Old Head course built on a rocky peninsula has gull cries, dramatic cliff drops and crashing waves to keep players eagerly trekking forward.
The green turf, lighthouse that’s viewable from over half the course, and the undeniable picturesque setting make this a favourite to return to. Be sure to take in the ruins of the old castle as you head into the course; you can’t miss them as they’re located along the area which helps to connect the headland to the mainland.
Manele Golf Course, Four Seasons Lanai, Hawaii
Overlooking the sparkling Pacific Ocean from a prime spot above Hulopoe Bay is where you’ll discover Manele Golf Course. Nestled amid lava rock, ravines, seaside cliffs and thick native vegetation, the layout of the golf course will keep players feeling challenged but dazzled throughout their game.
One of the most unique features about this Jack Nicklaus-signature course is the three holes which are located on cliffs, with the Pacific Ocean itself used as a water hazard.
Cypress Point, Pebble Beach, California
The uniquely beautiful Cypress Point golf course features a winding series of challenging holes that are interspersed between the dunes alongside the Pacific Ocean, that also traverses through the Del Monte Forest.
This varied terrain and landscape is undeniably beautiful and the rugged coastline is worth gazing out at as you await your turn. It is currently ranked 3rd on the list created by Golf Digest of the top 100 courses in America for 2021/2022.
Quivira Golf Club, Cabo San Lucas, Baja Mexico
Unlike many other courses, the Quivira Golf Club has outstanding views of the Pacific Ocean from each of its 18 holes, along with the varied beauty of canyons, dunes, desert, and clifftops.
This graded elevation between the holes is a tricky one for many, but the views alone are worth the trip. It is home to a historic lighthouse that is viewable along the path which leads from the 6th green up to the 7th tee. In fact, the par-3 sixth hole is one of the finest and most dramatic one-shot ever to be designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Dinosaur Mountain, Gold Canyon, Arizona, USA
The rugged outdoor setting of Dragon Mountain golf course, which has encompassing views of Dinosaur Mountain and Superstition Mountain, has plenty of dramatic changes in the landscape to keep golfers keeping half an eye on their footing. With another eye kept out for spotting wildlife which roam around the course.
The signature back-to-back holes of fourth and fifth are very memorable. However, in summer it does often suffer from searing heat which affects the terrain of the greens – leading to a more challenging experience.