Top 5 Can’t-Miss GolfNow Courses Around the World

December 1, 2012

#5 – Muskoka Bay Club– Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada

Ranked as the Best New Canadian Course by Golf Digest, the Muskoka Bay Club in Ontario is a must play. Dramatic elevation changes, wetlands, granite rock outcroppings, beaver ponds and densely-wooded forests are among the many natural elements that you will experience at Muskoka Bay.

Architect Doug Carrick’s masterpiece is a fun golf course to play and offers many different tee boxes for all levels of golfers. This course presents its players with an entertaining round, along with the sheer beauty of the Canadian wilderness. If the weather cooperates, play during the fall when the leaves are changing for maximum effect.

#4- Lahinch Golf Club (Old Course)– Lahinch, Ireland

Originally opened in 1892, this fantastic course has been re-designed three times since (“Old” Tom Morris-1894, Dr. Alistair MacKenzie- 1927, Martin Hawtree- 1997). Morris believed that Lahinch “was the finest natural golf course he had ever seen.”

Lahinch is a true test of links golf on the Western coast of Ireland. Host of the South of Ireland Championship, the most prestigious amateur title in Ireland, Lahinch’s beauty lies in it’s magnificent views of the North Atlantic and the large sand dunes that the course was built upon. With the elements consistently wreaking havoc, Lahinch is everything you want in a golfing test.

#3- Port Royal Golf Club– Southampton, Bermuda

Home to the PGA Tour’s Grand Slam of Golf, the Port Royal Golf Club is an exquisite combination of first-class amenities and unbelievable views from the first tee until the completion of your round. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., this course has been carved out of the island’s natural habitat and presents the natural vegetation alongside the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean in a truly epic manner. The signature 16th hole is worth the price of admission, alone. A par-3 measuring 235 yards with the Atlantic Ocean separating the tee from the green is truly majestic. The calling card of Port Royal is the crystal-clear blue water of the Atlantic that you can see from almost every hole. You should definitely experience the tranquility and magnificence of Port Royal if you can.

#2- Ko’olau Golf Club– Kaneohe, Hawaii

This course is unlike any other course in the world. Widely regarded as the toughest course on the planet, Ko’olau is nestled right into the side of the 2,000-foot Ko’olau Ridge tropical mountain range. Architect Dick Nugent crafted this tremendous piece of golfing bliss where you can experience three different climate zones while traveling around the golf course. You will rest your eyes on cascading waterfalls and towering moutainous peaks . You will run alongside deep, winding ravines and most likely encounter tropical wildlife on your journey around this interesting layout. It is truly a unique experience unlike any other. The signature 18th hole is the hardest hole on the course, a par-4 measuring 476 yards from the tips. It features two forced carries and 22 bunkers making it a brutal way to finish your splendid day.

#1- The Club at Seven Canyons– Sedona, Arizona

One of the best courses state-side lies in the heart, and heat, of Sedona, Arizona. The Tom Weiskopf layout is fair and playable for all skill sets. The thing that separates the Sedona area from all others is the red rock formations that surround the entire course, creating colorfully-breathtaking panoramic views. You will not find another course like this one in the entire world. It’s extremely accessible and most folks still do not know about this masterpiece, which leads to a fairly quick, uninterrupted round of golf. From the moment you step onto the driving range to the moment you sit in the clubhouse after your round to enjoy an ice-cold beer, there is no better value for your round of golf than The Club at Seven Canyons.