A Bucket List of Must-Play Golf Courses

As the new year begins, it’s a great time to look at your bucket list of courses to visit in your lifetime and maybe plan a trip this year. We have 10 magnificent golf courses you can add to your list. Whether you’re just creating your bucket list or adding to it, make sure to check out these courses.

1. Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland: The birthplace of golf whispers its ancient secrets on this links course fringed by the North Sea. Walk where champions tread, from Bobby Jones to Tiger Woods, and feel the weight of history with every swing.

2. Pebble Beach Golf Links, California: Dramatic ocean vistas, cliffside greens, and the iconic par-3 17th – Pebble Beach is a symphony of natural beauty and golfing majesty. 

3. Bandon Dunes, Oregon: Windswept dunes sculpted by Mother Nature, blind drives over hidden valleys, and unpredictable bounces – Bandon Dunes is a wild, exhilarating test of golfing mettle. 

4. Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia: Home to the Masters, Augusta National is arguably America's most prestigious golf course. Its pristine greens, undulating fairways, and iconic bridges hold legendary tales. Whether you are lucky enough to play it or just walk it during the Masters, it’s a truly unforgettable experience. 

5. Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand: Perched atop cliffs overlooking the Tasman Sea, Cape Kidnappers boasts breathtaking views and hair-raising drops. Each hole a postcard, this links course demands both precision and courage, leaving you awestruck by nature's grandeur.

6. Ballybunion Golf Club (Old), Ireland: The Emerald Isle's rugged charm finds its peak at Ballybunion. Windswept dunes, pot bunkers, and blind shots over ocean cradles make this course a test of both skill and blind faith. 

7. Royal Troon, Scotland: Known for its tight fairways and unforgiving wind, Troon demands shot-making finesse. Feel the sting of the North Sea as it tests your patience and rewards precision. There are few holes more revered in major golf than the famous eighth hole, named the ‘Postage Stamp’. 

8. Whistling Straits, Wisconsin: Home to the Ryder Cup, Whistling Straits is a links masterpiece carved from the shores of Lake Michigan. Rolling hills, punishing winds, and blind holes make this course a strategic battleground. 

9. The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, South Carolina: Oceanfront drama meets low country charm at Kiawah Island. Sea breezes dance with your drives, demanding respect for the power of nature. 

10. Pinehurst No. 2, North Carolina: Immerse yourself in the history of American golf at Pinehurst No. 2.  This Donald Ross masterpiece has served as the site of more single golf championships than any other course in America. It will test your sand game and reward thoughtful shot-making.

What courses are on your bucket list?