If you’re the type who plans vacations around tee times and dreams of walking the same fairways as the pros, this list is for you. These golf trips aren’t just about chasing birdies — they’re about soaking in the history, beauty, and pure magic of the sport in places every fan should experience at least once.
From iconic links to jaw-dropping ocean views, each stop offers something special. Whether you’re a single-digit handicapper or just love the game, these destinations belong on your golf bucket list.
13. Pinehurst, North Carolina
Pinehurst is American golf royalty, offering that perfect blend of charm and championship pedigree. Between the historic No. 2 course and the village itself, it feels like stepping into a golf time capsule.
12. Cabot Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
A remote gem in eastern Canada, Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs serve up breathtaking ocean views and serious links-style drama. It’s proof that world-class golf doesn’t always come with a passport stamp from Scotland.
11. Pebble Beach, California
Playing Pebble Beach is like starring in your own personal U.S. Open highlight reel. The crashing waves and cliffside holes are as dramatic in person as they are on TV.
10. Whistling Straits, Wisconsin
It may not be overseas, but Whistling Straits brings major-championship energy and wind-swept challenge right to the Midwest. The rugged layout feels like it was airlifted straight from Ireland.
9. Royal Melbourne, Australia
For those willing to go the distance, Royal Melbourne offers an unforgettable trip down under. With impeccable design and a storied past, it’s golf at its most refined.
8. The Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland
Walking the Old Course is like making a pilgrimage to golf’s holy land. Every bunker, burn, and bridge oozes history — and you’re part of it for a few magical hours.
7. Bandon Dunes, Oregon
Bandon Dunes is a golf playground carved into the coastal cliffs of Oregon, with multiple top-ranked courses all in one location. It’s remote, rugged, and ridiculously fun.
6. Royal County Down, Northern Ireland
One of the most visually stunning courses on Earth, Royal County Down challenges your game and blows your mind at the same time. It’s a wild ride through dunes, gorse, and postcard-worthy views.
5. Augusta, Georgia (for The Masters)
You might never get to play Augusta National, but attending The Masters is a bucket list moment all on its own. The blooming azaleas, pristine fairways, and unmatched vibes make it golf’s ultimate spectator experience.
4. Turnberry, Scotland
Turnberry serves up jaw-dropping coastal holes and Open Championship history in equal measure. When the weather cooperates, it’s pure links golf heaven.
3. Le Golf National, France
Host of the 2018 Ryder Cup, Le Golf National delivers strategic thrills and modern drama just outside of Paris. It’s the rare European course that feels tailor-made for big-time showdowns.
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2. Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
If your ideal golf trip includes tropical breezes and oceanfront holes, Casa de Campo is calling. Teeth of the Dog is the star attraction, and it bites in all the best ways.
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1. Ballybunion, Ireland
Ballybunion is the kind of links course that humbles you with its beauty and its bite. It’s raw, untamed, and utterly unforgettable — everything a die-hard golf fan could want.
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