The 9 Best Golf Destinations in the World

By Brandon Tucker

One of the biggest differences between golf and other sports is that you can travel to the far corners of the globe and play legendary major championship venues and historic clubs dating back a century or more. Your home club may be a modest Florida semi-private or a Midwestern muni. But you're just a flight away from playing incredible seaside links, high-altitude mountain golf, or trips that combine watching the game's best compete with some of your own rounds on fairways nearby.

At GolfN, we want to make the game more accessible and rewarding for everyone. And when you earn rewards for golf through the GolfN app, you'll have the opportunity to win trips to some of the greatest destinations on the planet. So far, we've sent winners to Whistling Straits, TPC Scottsdale, and right now, you could win a Golf Adventure of a Lifetime to Northern Ireland (Enter by May 17th), highlighted by rounds at Royal County Down and Royal Portrush.

When the GolfN app goes live in the spring of 2025, the opportunities for epic golf experiences will just continue to roll out. Check out the Portal to see what courses are being offered next. Where do you want to go? Here's a look at nine of the best golf trips in the world. Where do you want to take your dream golf trip? 

St. Andrews, Scotland

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The birthplace of golf, St. Andrews, to this day, represents golf's ultimate pilgrimage. What's better, this destination, despite its popularity, is among the most welcoming and accessible golf locations. The famous Old Course, the legendary Open Championship links, is just one of six courses operated by the town's links. And while the Old Course’s monstrous double-greens and 118 deep, sod-walled bunkers steal the show, its neighbors, like the New and Jubilee, or courses up the coast, such as the Castle Course or Kingsbarns, introduce a different and more visually spectacular flavor of links golf, with tees and greens perched over the coastline.

Northern Ireland

‍The best one-two punch in the world can be found in Northern Ireland at Royal County Down and Royal Portrush. Both are considered Top 5 courses in the world by Golf Digest. They're both brawny, spectacular links with some of the most famous holes in the world. Royal Portrush will host its third Open Championship in 2025 on its famed Dunluce Links. The two Royals are complemented by stellar and wild links like spectacular Ardglass and Portstewart. Head west back into the Republic, and you can enjoy lesser-trafficked courses in a slower, rural part of the world around Donegal. Combined with cosmopolitan Belfast and spectacular sites along the coast like Giant's Causeway and Dunluce Castle, this is as fulfilling a golf tour as there is in the world—and why it was the first golf sweepstakes offered by GolfN.

Australian Sandbelt

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The best golf destination in the Southern Hemisphere is unequivocally the courses outside Melbourne, Australia. Sandy, rolling soil near the coastline combined with designs from architects like the legendary Alister Mackenzie make for a dream combination, headlined by the 36-hole Royal Melbourne. This fabled club has hosted Presidents Cups, World Cups, and is considered the country’s finest course by most. The region boasts a deep roster of courses, including Kingston Heath, Commonwealth, and Victoria, with enough legendary layouts to fill a week-long trip. Combined with a beautiful and cosmopolitan city center in Melbourne, this is absolutely one of the trips for the bucket list. While many of these courses are private, tour operators with connections in the area can typically unlock access for their clientele.

Canadian Rockies‍

The season may be short, but Canada has an outstanding golf culture from Vancouver to Cape Breton Island. Its most spectacular courses are in Alberta's Canadian Rockies in stunning, mountainous national parks, Banff Springs and Jasper Park, connected via the Icefields Parkway. Golf among National Park scenery is a rare experience anywhere in the world, and you can play two classics here cut through the mountains and designed by Canada's most decorated architect, Stanley Thompson. Elk and bear are common galleries while you traverse this rugged terrain. Rounding out the options in the Rockies are Silvertip, Canmore, Kananaskis and Stewart Creek, offering a full week's worth of incredible mountain golf at high altitude where your ball will soar off the tee in the thin air.

Monterey Peninsula‍

There is no coastline in the world quite as spectacular as Monterey's 17-Mile Drive, and golf courses are scattered throughout this coveted zip code. While the private Cypress Point remains highly exclusive and one of the most coveted tee times in the world, Pebble Beach Golf Links stands as one of the most famous resort courses in the world. The stretch of oceanfront holes from No. 5-10 is among the best anywhere, highlighted by the chip-shot par-3 7th on the peninsula. Three other 18s at the resort, along with neighbors Poppy Hills, Bayonet & Black Horse, and nearby Pasatiempo, an Alister Mackenzie design, make this America's true bucket-list golf destination.

Pinehurst, North Carolina‍

Pinehurst is widely considered the home of American golf, even if it’s not necessarily the oldest place golf existed in the New World. But Donald Ross left a huge legacy here when he arrived in the early 1900s and spent most of his time in the U.S. off the third hole of his masterpiece, Pinehurst No. 2. The Sandhills has exceptional soil and rolling land for golf. Not only does Pinehurst have 10 courses plus the Cradle, but a mix of historic and new courses surrounding the resort—like Southern Pines, Mid Pines, Pine Needles, and Tobacco Road—make the Sandhills a trip you can return to over and over again.

Dominican Republic

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It’s easy to go to the Caribbean and want to kick your feet up on the beach all week. But if you're heading to the Dominican Republic, you have to bring your golf clubs. Between the resort courses at Punta Cana and down the road at Casa de Campo are some of the best warm-weather layouts in the world. In fact, the trio of Punta Espada, Corales, and Teeth of the Dog is one of the best public-access trios you can play anywhere. Pete Dye put the D.R. on the map with Teeth of the Dog, featuring seaside stretches on both nines, including a diabolically short and treacherous par-3. In Punta Cana, Tom Fazio’s Corales is bold and brawny, with massive fairways and some holes even featuring two greens. And the Jack Nicklaus-designed Punta Espada doesn't take a back seat to either. Combined with sparkling emerald waters and outstanding resorts and hospitality, the D.R. is a must for epic winter golf trips.

Scottsdale, Arizona‍

Everyone should experience desert golf at least once, and the best place to do it is the Sonoran Desert, home of the mighty Saguaro cactus. Emerald green fairways rolling through the sunny desert around Scottsdale while much of the U.S. is enduring snow and cold is worth every penny to experience. Resort courses like Troon North, We-Ko-Pa, and Quintero feature dazzling layouts full of elevated tee shots and mountain backdrops. Time a trip here during the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, like GolfN did for its Signature Series event in 2025, and you can soak in one of the greatest atmospheres for live golf outside the majors and the Ryder Cup. With over 200 courses around, the locals absolutely love the game here.

Northwest England‍

Scotland and Ireland get a lot of attention as golf destinations, but don’t sleep on England, which actually has more global Top 100 courses than any other country outside the U.S. You could enjoy the heathlands around Surrey or great golf outside London in Kent. But the best pocket for championship golf is likely the links in Northwest England south of Manchester. This region has the deepest roster of links in the world, highlighted by Royal Birkdale in Southport. Combined with nearby Royal Liverpool and Royal Lytham & St. Annes, it’s the closest trio of active Open hosts you can find. Other well-known links all have their own histories, like Southport & Ainsdale, an early Ryder Cup host, and the legendary Formby and its Ladies Club.

Augusta, Georgia‍

Augusta National is a must-visit for anyone who loves the game. Few ever receive the invite to play it, but the Masters is an event everyone should attend at least once. Whether you secure a ticket through the lottery or a practice round pass, just soaking in the grounds for a day is unforgettable. During the Masters, many private courses in the area open their doors (at a steep cost) for outsiders. Champions Retreat, Forest Hills, Aiken Golf Club, and Palmetto Golf Club among others. Spring is a great time to visit Georgia, play outstanding courses, and watch the game’s best compete at Bobby Jones’ prized jewel. No life in golf is complete without experiencing Magnolia Lane and the charm of Augusta.

Where do you want to take your golf trip of a lifetime? Tell us on X!

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