- PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS (USA)
In 2019 will be one century, and what you will do with the celebration of the U. S. Open. It will be the sixth time the field hosts this championship, the most important in the United States. Lying along the California coast, some of its 18 holes hang over the cliffs. The amazing thing is that its creators in 1919, Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, had no experience in golf course design. Don’t miss hole 5: it was redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 1999.
- CAPE KIDNAPPER (NEW ZEALAND)
Its history is short: opened in 2004, but is already one of the best courses in the world. The reasons? Its minimalist design, signed by Tom Doak, which fully respects its location, on the cliffs of Hawke’s Bay, on the North Island of New Zealand.
- LEOPARD CREEK (south AFRICA)
It Is within the Kruger National Park, game reserve, largest of South Africa. Therefore, it is not uncommon to see buffalo, hippos, crocodiles or elephants in the vicinity. In fact, the Green of the 13th hole is right on the banks of The Crocodile River, which, of course, is infested with crocodiles, but do not be afraid: there is a 32-meter drop to the water.
- AUGUSTA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB (USA)
Is the golf course most famous in the world? The land was occupied by a nursery and each hole has the name of a plant. It opened in 1933 and since 1934 holds its own championship, the Masters. The winner puts on the famous green jacket.
- ROYAL COUNTY DOWN (UNITED KINGDOM)
Opened in 1889 next to the Mountains of Mourne, a landscape of grass and granite, on the coast of Northern Ireland. It has two fields: Championship Links and Annesley. Holes 4 and 9 of the first are among the most photographed in the world.
- KAWANA (JAPAN)
The resort has two fields, the name Fuji and Oshima. Its location, on the Izu Peninsula, is unique: the intense blue of Sagami Bay, whose shores bathe the Pacific Ocean, extends under its holes.
- ANDREWS OLD COURSE (UNITED KINGDOM)
It Is “the home of golf”. This Scottish Field has been played for 600 years. Despite its status, it is a public field and is managed by the Scottish Parliament. The Old Course is the most well-known, but the village of St. Andrews has six other camps.
- SAWGRASS (USA)
The 17th hole, located on an island in the middle of a lake, is the most famous in the world and a nightmare for golfers. The lake Swallows over 100,000 balls a year. Many champions have missed the tournament here. The Stadium Course of the Sawgrass TCP, Florida, is the home of the Players, one of the majors.
- RAFFLES RESORT (SINGAPORE)
Canouan is a Caribbean island of only 13 km2 belonging to the country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Raffles Resort occupies a third of the island and its exclusive golf course winds through lush vegetation, beautiful cliffs, and a turquoise sea.
- WHISTLING STRAITS (USA)
Situated along 3 km of the coastline of Lake Michigan, in the state of Wisconsin, the golf course Whistling Straits is irregular, wild, and is almost always swept by strong winds. From the landscape, it is inspired by Irish and British golf courses. In 2020 it will host the Ryder Cup, the biannual tournament that confronts European and American golfers.
The first ‘green’ in the history of mankind, a golf course on a cliff, the seat of the most important championship of this sport, an impossible hole that is hidden in a lake. It doesn’t matter to play with a wedge, an iron or a putter when you are so close to sports paradise.