This post is written by Jordan Fuller, who frequently writes on golfinfluence.com. His expert tips have been featured on FORE Magazine, GolfMagic, Golf Tips Magazine, and USGolfTV.
Every golfer has “that list” — the list of courses that someday, somehow they want to play. Usually, in addition to the challenging nature of the course, most choices look to represent the best aspects of the game: the courses, the views, the locations, and the pleasure of playing, and of course, the ability to tell your playing partners at the next outing, “Yeah, I played there with my best golf shirt.”
Below are a few of those that should be at or near the top (and of course the list could go on, and on).
Shadow Creek Golf Course; North Las Vegas, Nevada USA
It was built in 1989 in North Las Vegas, Nevada, Shadow Creek is an 18-hole golf course situated in the middle of the desert, specifically to keep the gem hidden from the public eye. The opening day greens fees of $1000 per round have dramatically dropped to the bargain rate of $500, and play is available as a guest at any MGM Resorts International destination.
Designed by Tom Fazio, the course has more than 21,000 trees of over 200 different varieties and while on the course, the city of Las Vegas is totally out of mind. With beautiful foliage and wildlife as the only things you see other than the mountain range in the far distance, the interior of the course boasts several water features and an isolated experience of every hole. Remembering you’re in the middle of the desert is a tall task while in the lush man-made environment and takes you on an adventure through a stunning fantasy-like golf course.
COST: $500/round (must be guest at an MGM International Destination/Las Vegas)
Aphrodite Hills; Kouklia, Cyprus
Offering stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, Aphrodite Hills Golf Course is a unique, exotic and challenging golf experience set upon the picturesque coastline of Cyprus. The 18-hole championship course recently earned top honors as the “European Golf Resort of the Year 2018” from the International Association of Golf Tour Operators.
Open for play in 2002 and upgraded in 2017, Aphrodite Hills is the creation of acclaimed golf course architect Cabell Robinson and is designed to be the perfect mix of lush Bermuda grass fairways, with tiered greens, intertwined with challenging pot bunkers.
COST: 4 – Round Golf Package at a discounted rate of €135.00 per person/per round
Plantation Course; Kapalua Bay, Lahaini, Hawaii USA
Consistently ranked the top course in Hawaii, the Plantation Course in Kapalua Bay not only provides spectacular views but an amazing playing experience using your favorite club. The course’s 7,596 yard, par 73 tract is a challenge for professionals, yet the wide fairways and generous greens make it very playable for the average golfer.
Photo credit: https://golfatkapalua.com/plantation_course/
Designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, the course was designed on a grand scale in keeping with its location nestled up against the West Maui Mountains. The Plantation Course offers ocean views and dramatic elevation changes throughout the course layout, resulting in an array of downhill tee shots. With the help of the aggressive slope of the 18th fairway, keeping it in the middle could result in one of the longest drives of your life.
COST: $359/round (Kapalua Resort Guest – $329) – valid until 31 March 2020
Emirates Golf Club (Majlis Course); Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Home to two championship courses, Majlis and Faldo, the Emirates Golf Club features the magical city skyline of Dubai as a backdrop. Taking its name from the Arabic word for “meeting place,” the Majlis is the first grass course in the Middle East and has a reputation for being a testing layout for golfers of all skill levels.
Photo credit https://www.dubaigolf.com/emirates-golf-club/golf/courses/the-majlis/
There are hundreds of indigenous species of flora and fauna throughout the course layout, all complementing by the flowing fairways and seven gleaming lakes.
COST: starting at $260/round
Old Head Golf Links; Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland
Built on a 220-acre headland reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean, the Old Head Golf Links is home to one of the most spectacular golf courses in the world. Upon driving through the ancient gateway guests are greeted by crashing waves from the sea nearly 300 feet below, as the scent of the fragrant Hydrangea and Rosa Rugosa line the entry to the island-like landmass.
The famous Old Head lighthouse anchors the view beyond the par 72 links-style course, that totals over 7,100 yards from the longest tips. There are six tees per hole to accommodate every level of golfer, while nine holes play along the cliff tops, all 18 holes treat players with spectacular ocean views.
COST: €135.00/round
Pebble Beach Golf Links; Pebble Beach, California USA
Designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, the Pebble Beach Golf Links is perched atop the dramatic cliffs along the Pacific Ocean. A favorite of Hollywood stars, dignitaries and athletes, the Cliffs of Doom have overlooked numerous PGA Tour events since 1947 and the course features some of the most famous holes in all of golf.
The link-style tract has been unanimously rated the No. 1 public course in America and hosted the 2019 U.S. Open Championship. A walk down the iconic par-5 18th hole, with the sea just beyond the massive bunker and rocks below, would truly be a fitting completion to any players list of accomplishments.
COST: $550/person ($45/person – cart; $95/bag – caddie)
Disclaimer: The above comments are only our views and should not be construed as advice. You should act using your own information and judgement. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources the author believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy and it may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions and estimates constitute the author’s own judgement as of the date of the briefing and are subject to change without notice. Error & omission excepted.