The world’s most iconic golf courses and the championships that take place upon them present the most thrilling sporting experience, even for those watching from beyond the green. With so many prestigious golf courses and tournaments on the planet, those chosen as legendary offer a rich history, beautiful surroundings, and unique challenges.
From Pennsylvania and over the ocean to Fife, Scotland and down to Warwickshire, England, David Shilkitus notes that these courses and the championships they host below have left indelible marks on the entire sport.
St. Andrews Old Course
Fife, Scotland
Dubbed the “home of golf,” few courses have beaten the popularity or fame upheld by St. Andrews. Boasting a whopping seven courses, the aptly named Old Course is the one that people are really interested about — it’s the oldest one there is, after all.
Created in the 15th century, it’s a critically acclaimed course containing the notoriously tough Hell Bunker and Swilcan Bridge. But even with its difficulty and prestige, it remains open to the public.
The Old Course plays host to several of the most respected tournaments, particularly The Open Championship. Established in 1860, it’s one of the sport’s oldest and has had a huge influence worldwide, featuring golfing legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta, Georgia, USA
Widely recognized as just Augusta, the Augusta National Golf Club is considered one of the most exclusive courses on the planet, topping ever golfer’s bucket list.
Designed by the one and only Bobby Jones and course architect Alister MacKenzie in 1934, it displays impeccably manicured greens and stunning shrubbery. Considering the ground once held a plant nursery, this is unsurprising.
It’s home to perhaps the most yearned for tournament on the golf calendar: the Masters.
Created in 1934, the Masters is one of the sport’s four major tournaments and considered the most prestigious by fans and players alike. For participants, nothing compares to winning this competition and earning the coveted green jacket to cement them as a golfing great.
The Belfry Golf Course
Warwickshire, England
While it’s undergone a few renovations to ensure its reputation as one of Europe’s top courses is maintained, The Belfry Golf Course was originally designed by Dave Thomas.
Set across 500 acres of English countryside, golfers get to enjoy three distinct courses — Brabazon, Derby, and PGA National. The former is the most renowned, thanks to its challenging layout and the 10th hole (i.e., golf’s most famous hole).
It has played host to the notable Ryder Cup four times, which is more than any other venue on the planet.
Oakmont
Pennsylvania, USA
Built by the father-son duo, Henry and William Fownes, two incredibly respected designers, Oakmont is a par 4 course that opened its doors in 1903.
The Fownes designs were always astronomically difficult, with even the smallest error blowing golfers’ on-the-course chances. They believed golf was made to be highly disciplined. It was made to be America’s most punishing course, and it certainly stands up to the task.