11 of the Most Beautiful Golf Courses in the World

It's no coincidence that golf courses offer spectacular scenery. Course designers select a location based in large part on its natural beauty, and then work with these assets, enhancing, preserving, and showing them at their best.

Most golfers will tell you they can simultaneously adore and despise the game. They'll also likely agree that even when things are not going their way, they are still fortunate to be playing in some of the most beautiful places in the world. They enjoy landscapes and views that others may never get to see.

Part of the fun of the game is experiencing new and challenging golf courses. At the same time, golf travel creates opportunities to explore destinations with a magnificent golf course as the starting point of a memorable trip. Here are 11 of the most beautiful golf courses in the U.S. and around the world, so you can plan a golf getaway with a view you'll never forget.

The Dunes at Shenzhou Peninsula, Hainan, China

This seaside links-style course in southeastern China blends 36 holes into the rugged coastal sand dunes. Rolling hills and stunning boulder formations let you take advantage of the peninsula's unique beauty as you play.

Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

Set high above the Pacific Ocean on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, this unique course is built on a ridge and valley landscape that features deep canyons, rolling hills, dramatic cliffs, and spectacular views.

Whistling Straits at Kohler, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin

The Straits Course, set along two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, offers open, rugged terrain reminiscent of Ireland's links courses. The challenging course is one of two at Whistling Straits — the other is called The Irish at Whistling Straits and offers striking scenery as well.

Old Head, Kinsale, Ireland

Built on a rocky peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, this beautiful golf course is framed by cliffs and crashing waves below. Lush green fairways, ocean breezes, the famous lighthouse, and stunning views in every direction make any round of golf here a memorable experience.

Manele Golf Course, Lanai, Hawaii

Spectacular views of the Pacific from its setting high above Hulopoe Bay on Lanai's southern coast are the hallmark of this Four Seasons Resort Lanai course. Native vegetation, lava rock, natural ravines, and seaside cliffs create a challenging but fair layout for this truly beautiful golf course.

Quivira Golf Club, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

While the views of the Pacific from all 18 holes create this iconic Cabo course's scenic beauty, its cliffs, canyons, dunes, desert surroundings, and elevation changes create its many worthy challenges. A historic lighthouse, dramatic shoreline rock formations, and pounding waves also add to the thrill of a round of golf here.

Kingsbarns Golf Links, St. Andrews, Scotland

A links course in the Scottish tradition set along nearly two miles of North Sea coastline, Kingsbarns Golf Links is picturesque, challenging, and bracingly close to the sea. Just seven miles from the St. Andrews historic Old Course, Kingsbarns should be part of every golfer's dream visit to Scotland.

Barnbougle Dunes Golf Course, Tasmania, Australia

This links course is set on the rugged northeast coast of Tasmania, and its holes roll in and out of the coastal sand dunes following the natural layout of the stunning landscape. The Lost Farm course, one of three at Barnbougle that also include The Dunes and Bougle Run, lets you play along sand dunes with a mix of scenic coastal views and challenging inland holes.

Cypress Point, Pebble Beach, California

Winding through dunes along the Pacific with views of rugged coastline and crashing waves, this beautiful golf course includes the Del Monte Forest and all its stunning views of varied landscapes. Nearby, Pebble Beach Golf Links can also be found on every list of spectacular golf courses in the U.S.

Fishers Island Club, Fishers Island, New York

On a small island in the Long Island Sound, this private course is known for panoramas of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the scenic New England shoreline across the Sound. Elevated greens, beachside slopes, and mature landscaping also add to the overall beauty of the course.

Dinosaur Mountain, Gold Canyon, Arizona

Views of the Superstition Mountains and the rugged rocks of Dinosaur Mountain, along with dramatic elevation changes and abundant wildlife in their natural habitats, make this a scenic and interesting course.